15 Best Day Trips To Take From Los Angeles

1. Santa Barbara

Estimated driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Santa Barbara is one of the most quintessential beach towns in California and a popular day trip option from Los Angeles. From romantic wine tasting tours to fun water activities and kid-friendly adventures, Santa Barbara has something to offer for everyone!

For first-time visitors, I recommend taking a stroll down State Street, which is home to lots of boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. If you’re looking for something a bit less ‘touristy’, head to the Funk Zone, where you will find breweries with fun outdoor patios, wineries, and art galleries.

Then take a walk down to the Santa Barbara Pier, enjoy some fresh seafood at Stearns Wharf, or dip your toes in the water at the East Beach.

If you have little kids, the Santa Barbara Zoo is a great place to spend a few hours, see wild animals up close, and even feed the giraffes yourself!

2. Solvang

Estimated driving time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Just a short drive north of Santa Barbara is Solvang, a charming Danish-style town and the perfect day trip destination for families with kids. We recently spent a day in Solvang with our toddler and absolutely loved it!

Roam the streets, marveling at the charming European-style architecture, stop at a bakery for some fresh pastries, and browse through the unique gift shops.

For lunch, I highly recommend peasants FEAST, a modern restaurant with farm-driven comfort food and a gorgeous interior.

If you have extra time to spare, stop by the nearby OstrichLand USA. Here you can see enormous emu and ostrich birds up close and even feed them – such a fun activity!

3. Ojai

Estimated driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ojai is a hidden little gem along the Central California Coast. Located north of Ventura, Ojai is the perfect little getaway for couples and families.

Ojai is a small town that focuses on arts, crafts, mindfulness, and peace. Start the day by grabbing a coffee at Ojai Coffee Roasters and browsing the bookshelves at Bart’s Books, the world’s largest outdoor bookstore.

Stop for olive oil tasting at Ojai Olive Oil Company, take a pottery class at Firestick Pottery Studio, or go for a hike at the Ventura River Preserve. There is so much to do in this town that you’ll keep coming back!

Read Next: 15 Best Things To Do On A Trip To Ojai, California

4. Catalina Island

Estimated travel time: 30-minute drive to Long Beach Ferry Terminal, plus a 1-hour boat ride to Avalon.

Visiting Catalina Island is one of the most adventurous day trips from Los Angeles! This trip option requires a bit of planning, so I usually save it for special occasions like Birthdays or anniversary celebrations.

Catalina Island is a remote island off the coast of Southern California, so you will need to book a ferry ticket to reach it. We usually leave from the Long Beach Ferry Terminal via Catalina Express, which takes about an hour.

Once you reach the island, there are so many exciting things that you can do here! Take a guided private golf cart tour of Avalon, go underwater on a submarine tour, or enjoy a Catalina food tour.

The picturesque Avalon town is filled with fun activities, on both land and sea.

Read Next: 15 Best Catalina Island Tours

5. Malibu

Estimated driving time: 1 hour

Located just an hour west of Los Angeles, Malibu is a popular day getaway for LA locals. I love to visit Malibu to do a hike in the morning, followed by a brunch with fresh seafood on the Malibu Pier afterward.

A few of my favorite local hikes include:

• Solstice Canyon Trail In Malibu
• Ocean And Canyon View Trail In Malibu
• Mugu Scenic And Overlook Trails Loop
• Ocean Overlook Loop Trail At Charmlee Wilderness Park
• Escondido Falls Trail In Malibu (can be subject to closures)

El Matador State Beach is another popular destination in Malibu. This is a scenic beach with white sand shoreline, dramatic cliffs, unique rock formations, and sea caves.

Tip: Be sure to arrive early, as parking at El Matador State Beach is very limited and can fill up quickly.

6. Laguna Beach

Estimated driving time: 1 hour

Without a doubt, Laguna Beach is one of the most gorgeous beaches to visit in Southern California. If you’re looking for a beachy escape, head down to Laguna Beach, where you can spend the afternoon lying on the golden shoreline, soaking up the sun.

A few of my favorite places to visit in Laguna Beach include Heisler Park, Treasure Island Beach, Victoria Beach, and the 1000 Steps Beach.

Thousand Steps Beach is home to one of the best sea caves in California that can be visited during low tide with some prep and planning.

If you’re into photography, stop by the unique Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach, which looks like a small castle built next to the ocean.

7. Long Beach

Estimated driving time: 30 minutes

I lived in Long Beach during my 20s while attending college here, so it holds a very special place in my heart. Not only it’s located just a 30-minute drive south of LA, but there is so much going on in this city that you can never run out of things to do!

If you have little kids, I highly recommend spending a few hours at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

We just took out our toddler here, and he loved watching all the colorful fish and exploring various exhibits.

For history buffs, taking a tour of The Queen Mary is a must! Afterwards, take a walk along the waterfront and browse through the souvenir shops at the Shoreline Village.

Outside of the downtown, Claire’s at the Long Beach Museum of Art is a great place to grab a weekend brunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean. For dinner, head down to Belmont Shore where you’ll find plenty of dining choices along 2^nd Street.

8. Joshua Tree National Park

Estimated driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes

If you don’t mind a bit of an early start, head out to Joshua Tree National Park for an epic day trip from Los Angeles. Although it’s located 2.5 hours east of LA, it is possible to see quite a lot at this National Park in just one day!

Most of the attractions and trails are located off Park Blvd, which travels through the park.

A few of my favorite short day hikes include:

• Barker Dam Nature Trail – 1.3-mile-long loop
• Skull Rock Trail – 1.7-mile-long loop
• Cholla Cactus Garden Trail – 0.25-mile-long loop
• Arch Rock Nature Trail – 1.2 miles out and back
• Wall Street Mill – 1.8 miles out and back
• Hidden Valley Trail – 1-mile-long loop

9. Idyllwild

Estimated driving time: 2 hours

Idyllwild is one of the best mountain destinations to visit in Southern California. Not many people know about it, so it’s a great little hidden gem if you want to avoid the Big Bear crowds.

From serene hiking trails to delicious restaurants, breweries, and charming boutique shops, there are so many incredible things to do in this small community. It is the perfect weekend destination for those who want to spend a relaxing day in the mountains.

For hiking trails, I recommend the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail and Idyllwild Park Trail at Idyllwild Nature Center. Afterward, enjoy lunch at Idyllwild Brewpub patio with views of the surrounding lush forest.

Read Next: 10 Best Things To Do In Idyllwild, California

10. Agoura Hills

Estimated driving time: 1 hour

Agoura Hills is another lesser-known destination that I discovered in recent years. Surrounded by lush mountains, this area offers scenic outdoor adventures including hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

During my visit, I went on the hour-long Agoura Hills horseback riding tour with Malibu Riders. This horseback riding experience is suitable for all skill levels and ages, including kids 8 years and up.

After the horseback riding tour, stop for lunch at the Whizin Market Square that has several amazing restaurants, including BASTA Italian Restaurant, Blue Table European style café, and Sunrose California Eatery brunch restaurant.

11. Temecula

Estimated driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Temecula is one of the most popular areas to visit in Southern California for wine tasting. If this sounds fun, but you don’t want to do the planning yourself, join this Temecula Valley Wine Tour with tastings & lunch that will take you to three outstanding wineries in this region!

This tour starts at 10:00 am, giving you plenty of time to arrive from Los Angeles. The tour takes 5 hours total and includes all wine tasting fees and a deli-style picnic lunch.

Before heading back home, stop by the Old Town Temecula to wander through western-style streets and browse through antique shops.

12. Big Bear Lake

Estimated driving time: 2 hours

Big Bear Lake is a great destination to visit year-round! I’ve been to Big Bear many times over the years for snowboarding in the winter, fall leaf color chasing in October, and hiking in the summer.

Although I prefer to visit Big Bear over a multi-day trip, I have driven up here for day trips as well. While the drive to Big Bear from LA is only 2 hours long, it can take a bit longer to safely navigate the narrow mountain roads that lead there.

If you enjoy hiking, the Castle Rock Trail offers some of the best views overlooking Big Bear Lake from its summit. Afterward, stop at Boulder Bay to enjoy the scenic lake views, take a stroll down Pine Knot Avenue that’s lined with restaurants and shops, or spend a few hours at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo with the little ones.

13. Ventura

Estimated driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ventura is the ideal coastal destination for those who enjoy spending time by the ocean. After living in Ventura County for several years, there are countless fun things that I have found in the area!

Most visitors typically spend the afternoon at the San Buenaventura State Beach, where you can lounge on the sandy shoreline, go for a walk along the Ventura Beach Bike Trail, and indulge in fresh seafood at the Jolly Oyster food truck.

Ventura Pier, Ventura Promenade, and Surfers Point at Seaside Park are also popular destinations nearby.

Afterward, head to downtown Ventura to browse through eclectic shops along Main Street, dine at Rumfish y Vino, and drive up to the Serra Cross to enjoy stunning views of the Ventura coastline.

Read Next: 26 Best Things To Do In Ventura, California

14. San Juan Capistrano

Estimated driving time: 1 hour  

San Juan Capistrano is the perfect destination for a quaint, laid-back day trip from Los Angeles. The main attraction here is the gorgeous Mission San Juan Capistrano, which is a great spot for photography enthusiasts.

This historic mission features 10 acres of lush gardens, intricate water fountains, archways, chapels, and rustic architecture from 1776.

The Los Rios Street Historic District is another great destination to visit in this area. This is California’s oldest residential street, dating back to the 1700s.

After exploring the neighborhood, I highly recommend grabbing lunch at Trevor’s at the Tracks, an incredible American restaurant that’s set right next to the train tracks.

15. Palm Springs

Estimated driving time: 2 hours 

If lounging by the poolside with a drink in your hand is more your thing, plan a trip out to Palm Springs! Many hotels in Palm Springs offer day passes to their pool areas along with cabana and poolside day bed rentals.

For something a bit more adventurous, take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the Mount San Jacinto State Park.

The weather temperatures are much cooler at the top, plus you can explore over 50 miles of hiking trails with incredible views of the surrounding landscapes.  

Map Of The Best Day Trips From Los Angeles:

Map Tip: Click on each location to see more details!

I hope this list has inspired you to plan a day trip from Los Angeles to explore a new destination and get out of the city limits. Let me know your favorite picks in the comment section below!

Looking for more things to do in California? Be sure to check out these popular posts next:

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• 12 Best Beach Towns On Central California Coast
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• 15 Best Places To Visit In California In Spring

This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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