15+ of the Best Day Trips from Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California is known for its year-round sun and city full of star-studded attractions and cheap things to do. However, there is so much more to see in the surrounding area. From the central coast to San Diego, there are so many day trips from Los Angeles. You can easily spend a week or two exploring the area.

US Ghost Adventures is an awesome company that offers a variety of guided tours and haunted experiences across different cities in the United States. Visitors can learn the compelling history and stories of the paranormal and the city’s darker side. Make sure to check out the variety of tours offered in Los Angeles here. They are very affordable too!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Los Angeles hotels here!

Los Angeles can be a very expensive place to stay, so expect to pay a minimum of $150 per night. I recommend staying in the Downtown area as it does have a ton of amazing hotels right in the middle of everything.

Some of the best Los Angeles include the following. *means it is one of my favorites.

• Hilton Checkers Hotel
• The Westin Bonaventure Hotel*
• Hotel Figueroa
• Freehand Los Angeles
• Omni Los Angeles
• Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown
• DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown
• Biltmore Los Angeles*
• The Hoxton, Downtown LA

Day Trips from Los Angeles to the Desert

Joshua Tree National Park

Drive Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Joshua Tree is one of the longer day trips from Los Angeles but a fun National Park to visit. The park is about 130 miles east of Los Angeles and takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to drive there. You will have to drive there as there are no public transportation options that take you to the park. 

Joshua Tree National Park is a unique National Park as it contains two different ecosystems. The Mojave Desert is a bit higher elevation and contains all the Joshua Trees. The Colorado Desert contains more Cholla Cactus and Yucca. 

At the park, you will want to hike several of the trails. The most popular stops are the Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, Arch Rock, and Bakers Dam. I also recommend the Lost Horse Mine if up for a longer 4-mile hike. 

Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks with you as there is no food service in the park. It is a desert, so even in the wintertime, the sun is strong and it can get hot. 

If you want to break up the drive, you can opt to stay in the small town of Joshua Tree which is near the historic Pioneertown, an unincorporated community in the desert. No matter what, a day trip to Joshua Tree is worth the trek, especially for National Park lovers.

Alternatively, you can book a small guided tour.

Palm Springs

Drive Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

A trip to Palm Springs is one of the perfect day trips from Los Angeles. It is about 100 miles that takes an hour and 45 minutes to get to the Downtown Palm Springs area. You will need a car to get there as the train does not go that far east. As you approach Palm Springs, you know you’ll be getting close when you see the windmills. 

It is worth a day trip from Los Angeles as Palm Springs is a relaxing and chill getaway. You can opt to hang out at a resort by a pool all day long. The Ace Hotel & Swim Club is a popular resort. 

Visitors can also head up the Palm Springs aerial tramway to take in the views of the area. Other fun things to do include the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs Air Museum, the Living Desert, and the Moorten Botanical Gardens. Also, make sure to take a drive to view the Mid-Century Modern Houses with colorful doors, especially the infamous #thatpinkdoor.

Another favorite stop is Indian Canyons, the perfect place for hiking. This hidden oasis has several different trails you can hike. Make sure to end the day with a stroll and stop for ice cream downtown. If you want to head a little further, stop at Shield’s Date Farm for a date shake. No matter what, you can have a lot of fun when spending a day in Palm Springs. 

Day Trips from Los Angeles to the Central Coast

Santa Barbara

Drive Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

95 miles Northwest of Los Angeles lies the adorable city of Santa Barbara. This coastal town portrays the Spanish influence of the area. It will take you just under 2 hours to reach Santa Barbara as a day trip from Los Angeles. To get there, you can opt to drive or take the train. 

There are so many fun things to do in Santa Barbara. It is so peaceful and relaxing in the Santa Barbara area which makes it a perfect day trip from Los Angeles. When spending a day in Santa Barbara, you will first want to stop at the Mission Santa Barbara. This mission is part of the 21 missions founded in California.  

Other fun things to do in Santa Barbara include the Stearns Wharf, Chromatic Gate, Chumash Painted Cave State Park, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. You could also head to the outskirts of Santa Barbara to do some wine tasting!

For a delicious meal, hit up Shalhoob’s Funk Zone Patio or Los Arroyos. The area is known for having amazing Mexican food, so that always makes a delicious meal. No matter what you choose, you will always have a fun time in Santa Barbara and it is one of the best day trips from Los Angeles.

Solvang

By Bernadette of Live a Relaxed Life

Drive Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Southern California is known for its beaches and desserts, but tucked away in the Santa Ynez Valley is a village of Danish-style buildings known as Solvang. The short drive from Los Angeles leads visitors to the “Danish Capital of America” and a taste of Europe in California, one of the best day trips from Los Angeles.

The area started as a Danish-American community and once they started using Danish-style architecture the town became a tourist destination. But it isn’t all just about the architecture, many of the restaurants serve Danish cuisine, Danish beer can be enjoyed at a beer garden, and the smell of Danish pastries wafts through the air. One thing to try is the aebelskiver, fried dough puffs covered in powdered sugar and served with raspberry jam. They taste like pancake balls and are one of the best things to try at Solvang. 

The town highlights Danish culture with a number of events throughout the year. Every year in September there is the “Danish Days” festival which highlights Danish food and various activities. The holiday season is a month-long celebration with various events that introduce visitors to Danish traditions.

A visit to Solvang could easily become a weekend getaway. The village has boutiques to shop for unique gifts that can easily take up a day with shopping. There are hiking trails in the area for nature lovers. Plus with more than 100 vineyards there are plenty of tasting rooms to visit and craft breweries dot the downtown area for a relaxing way to end the day.

Day Trips from Los Angeles to Orange County

Orange County

By Nicholas of The World Overload

Drive Time: 30-45 minutes

Get your 2000’s teen angst on by heading to the O.C. Of course, you got Disneyland but there are a lot of fun things you can find to do in Orange County. It will take you about an hour to get to Orange County from Los Angeles. It is between 40-45 miles depending on where you plan on going.

It is a straightforward drive south on the I-5 South freeway. Or if you want to take a detour and check out the rest of what LA has to offer on your way you can take the 605 South to the 405 South. Going to Orange County is a nice place to get yourself out of the city for the day. It has so many activities and events you will never get bored of what this area has to offer. It makes for one of the best day trips from Los Angeles.

First and foremost is the beach. You have plenty of options for driving along the Orange County coastline. Either to catch some surf or just sit on the beach enjoying the sand and the natural Cali vibes. Some prime beach locations are:

• Huntington Beach
• Doheny State Beach
• Laguna Beach
• Crystal Cove State Park
• Salt Creek Beach Park
• Newport Beach

After you can explore all the oceanfront stores these places have to offer. Vintage clothing shops, bookstores, quaint restaurants. If you feel like you rather stay inland you can go to the O.C. fair, with fun events happening every weekend like the 626 Night Market. Enjoy yourself. Whether you’re on vacation or just need a break from the day after work this is a great spot with no disappointments.

Laguna Beach 

By Lauren of Freedom Not Fate 

Drive Time: 1 hour

 Laguna Beach is approximately 50 miles or an hour’s drive from central Los Angeles. To get there you can take the 405 freeway or take the Pacific Coast Highway. The Pacific Coast Highway is stunning and worth a drive but it’ll usually take longer and has more traffic. If you have the extra time to do the drive I’d highly recommend it. 

Laguna Beach is a wealthy neighborhood in Orange County (which is the county south of Los Angeles County) and is a fun day trip from Los Angeles. The city has a bunch of spa and wellness resorts if you are into something relaxing, and the main street has a lot of cute shops and food places you can walk around. 

Laguna Beach also hosts a multitude of beautiful secluded beaches like Victoria Beach and Thousand Steps Beach, which have crystal clear water and tons of tidepools. If you have time, be sure to also check out the Laguna Beach Pirate Tower which is a fun place for Instagram pictures and also a historic landmark. It is a fun place to get away for a day, especially as a day trip from Los Angeles.

Disneyland

Drive Time: 30 minutes

Disneyland is a classic place to visit, especially as a day trip from Los Angeles. It is a 30-minute drive and less than 30 miles from Los Angeles. You will want to drive to get there or hire a car to take you if you do not want to pay for parking. It will make for one of the most magical day trips from Los Angeles.

The Disneyland Resort has two parks to visit: Disneyland and California Adventure. If only spending one day at Disney, I would choose one park to focus on. Disneyland offers more of the classic magical feel complete with a castle and themed lands from the ages. Top rides include Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Indian Jones. Also make sure to check out Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Star Wars-themed area in the park. You will want to make reservations ahead of time to visit Olag’s Cantina. 

California Adventure is partially California-themed, part Pixar-themed. Here you can find awesome attractions such as the Incrdi-Coaster, Toy Story Mania, Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-Man, and Soarin Over California.  

Disney can be expensive so try to go during the week when it will be cheaper and less busy. Sometimes you can find discounted multi-day tickets at Costco. Regardless, a day at Disney will be a fun day, even if it is not my favorite –Tokyo Disneyland.

Day Trips From Los Angeles to LA and Ventura County

Malibu

By Monica of This Rare Earth 

Drive Time: 45 minutes

Close your eyes and picture rocky cliffs, soaring seagulls, epic waves, and crashing surf. When you hear Malibu, California, you may picture an upscale and flashy area, with manicured lawns and close-packed houses. But, that’s not at all what Malibu is all about.

Malibu is a quiet seaside town that still has a very relaxed vibe, despite being so well known. It is the perfect place to escape the city and visit the small local restaurants, shops, and beaches.  Malibu is so different from LA that you just might forget that you are just one hour away from the urban sprawl.

To plan the perfect day in Malibu, you’ll want to include the prettiest beaches and tastiest eats.  My favorite beach in Malibu is El Matador State Beach, hands down. The rocky cliffs create such a unique ocean landscape, and you can often catch wildlife like starfish and sea anemones in the tidepools If you’re lucky, you may even catch sea lions lazing about the secluded beach. Don’t forget to check the tide beforehand; many of the cliffs are inaccessible once high tide rolls in. 

Some of the best eateries include Cholada Thai on the Pacific Coast Highway or Malibu Farm on the pier.  Both serve tasty and fresh options with great views.

Pro Tips: Stay until sundown, because Malibu is the most beautiful place to watch the sunset along the Southern California coast! Choose one of the rocky beaches and enjoy your evening. It will make for one of the best day trips from Los Angeles.

Channel Islands National Park

By Shelly with Almost There Adventures

Drive Time: 1 hour + 1-hour ferry

Channel Islands National Park is one of the great day trips from Los Angeles. The drive is about 68 miles north on 101 and takes an hour and 36 minutes without stops. There are also train options into Ventura that take about the same time if that’s preferred. Either Oxnard or Ventura are two great towns to start or end in when planning to visit the Channel Islands. They both are fun beach towns with great lunch, shopping, and stay options. 

To get to the Channel Islands, Island Packers is the only transportation ferry and they have year-round service. They offer trips to the Channel Islands as well as whale and wildlife viewing tours. The tours leave from Oxnard or Ventura and you’ll want to check times and availability before planning a trip as they can sell out quickly. There is an abundance of wildlife to see on the ferry ride to the islands with dolphins, whales, and birds as well as keeping an eye out for the island fox when you arrive. If you want to kayak or snorkel upon arriving, the Channel Islands Adventure Company is the sole kayak guide and outfitter.

There are camping options also available on the islands that can be reserved through recreation.gov, but it is important to first book ferry transportation and then align with available campsites as there is no daily ferry service. They also have strict guidelines on what can be packed or transported to the island so check their site. Cell service is also limited so download the National Park Service app with this park in advance so you have access to offline maps and park information. The Channel Islands provide a great adventure within an easy drive from LA. If you’re traveling with kids check out these tips for the ultimate national parks trip with kids.

Ventura

By Denise at Chef Denise

Drive Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

About halfway between Malibu wine country and Santa Barbara, you’ll find the quaint coastal city of Ventura. From downtown LA, it takes less than 90 minutes by car (about 70 miles) to feel a world away. If you don’t mind the extra time, Ventura is one of the few day trips from Los Angeles that’s also accessible by train from Union Station (about 2 hours).

Ventura feels like a laid-back small town with Main Street being the heart of the community. Strolling through downtown you’ll find restaurants, wine bars, thrift stores, boutiques, art galleries, and the Mission San Buenaventura. There is also a tourist office at the corner of Main St. and California.

At that intersection, look left and you’ll see the beautiful Ventura County Courthouse, one of the most photographed buildings in the city. Turn right and you’ll wind up at the Pacific Ocean and the Ventura Pier. 

You can hang out at the beach, walk the pier, or take the paved path past Surfer’s Point, the estuary, the fairgrounds, and back into downtown. This easy loop walk is a great way to see the town and the beaches. It can take all day or about an hour with no stops. 

Head to the nearby Harbor Village if you want more shops, restaurants, and galleries. Ventura is an artsy community and often has exhibits and musical events (check at the tourist office) in the local parks and on the sidewalks. 

Santa Catalina Island

By Daria of The Discovery Nut

Drive Time: 30 minutes + 1-hour ferry

Santa Catalina Island is one of the best places to visit near Los Angeles if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. Thus, it is one of the best day trips from Los Angeles.

Located about 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island remains a hidden gem with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures, amazing landscapes, and tons of wide-open space that is perfect for relaxing. 

While you can’t drive to Santa Catalina from Los Angeles, you can reach this island by ferry from Long Beach, Newport Beach, or Dana Point in Orange County for $40 one way. 

Santa Catalina makes for a perfect weekend getaway from Los Angeles and it’s a good idea to spend the night on the island. There are several hotels in Avalon, the main town on Santa Catalina such as Catalina Island Inn, The Avalon Hotel, and Seaport Village Inn. 

There are very few cars on the island and most things can be reached by walking or a golf car ride. Some of the best activities on Santa Catalina Island are zip-lining, snorkeling, hiking, and of course, enjoying those incredible views. In addition, Santa Catalina also offers over 165 miles of hiking trails that are perfect for a mini-adventure.

Ojai

By Bernadette of Explorer Chick

Drive Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Around two hours from Los Angeles is a unique town known as Ojai. Ojai really makes it a point to be different and stand out from its neighbors because only local businesses are allowed to open shop. A visit to the downtown area is a peek into the local culture and makes for one of the best day trips from Los Angeles.

A great place to start and get a feel of the town is Bart’s bookstore which is an outdoor bookstore. The converted home is quite magical – shelves of books line the outside, in the kitchen are cooking books, and art books are in the gallery. The rest of the books are on shelves in every possible place. Most of the books are secondhand and they are open to trades. Though there are some new books for sale, these are mostly requests or frequently-asked-for books.

Local artisans display their wares in shops downtown and the vases, clothes, jewelry are perfect for one-of-a-kind gifts. There are also cute cafes and coffee shops to sit and do some people-watching. 

Ojai is located in a valley and has a microclimate that is similar to the Mediterranean. As such, there are various farms like citrus fruit and olives, plus many vineyards dot the area. Olive oil and wine are produced in town and they have tasting rooms in the downtown strip so it is easy to pop into one and try their offerings. Every Sunday, their Farmer’s Market showcases fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the community. There are tamales, coffee, and other sweets on offer too so there are plenty of goodies to choose from. 

Day Trips from Los Angeles to San Diego

San Diego

By Nicole of Go Far Grow Close

Drive Time: 2 hours

San Diego is one of the best day trips from Los Angeles. Although it is another large city like Los Angeles, it is very different. The city itself is very beautiful with most settings looking out to the Pacific Ocean. There are distinct neighborhoods with cool restaurants and shopping, and it has lots of parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy. 

It is 126 miles away or 2 hours by car (unless you hit traffic coming into or out of LA). Of course, you could fly to San Diego from LA but for the aggravation, cost and time lost sitting at the airport, you would be best to drive. 

San Diego is blessed with some beautiful beaches. For example, Coronado Beach offers tiny pieces of mica in the sand, meaning this beautiful beach sparkles in the sunlight. In addition, the tide pools at low tide are filled with life – hermit crabs, fish, and gently waving sea anemones. The best though is that it is far enough south that you can enjoy a warm beach getaway in winter.

San Diego is internationally renowned for the San Diego Zoo. There are two locations – the original one near downtown San Diego and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park 40 minutes away (north towards Los Angeles). Both are exceptional and offer completely different experiences.

San Diego Zoo offers a more traditional zoo structure but the safari park allows you encounters with animals from Africa. In addition, you get to have experiences closer to an African safari, like an open-air bus ride into an enclosure with animals.

Temecula 

Drive Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Temecula, another wine region in California, lies slightly over 80 miles southeast of Los Angeles. It will take about an hour and a half to get there. Temecula contains over 40 wineries and the area has produced wine since the 1700s. 

To get here, you will need a car. It is a pretty straight drive by taking the 10 east to the 15 south. Eventually, you will see signs for Old Town Temecula and many vineyards. 

When visiting Temecula, you will definitely want to stop at Robert Renzoni, which produces a lot of Italian varietals. They have some of the best wines in the area. 

Disney lovers will want to make a stop at Briar Rose. The owner used to work for Disney, so the property has Disney-esque vibes to it. Other popular wineries include Avensole, Bel Vino, and Leoness. If possible, make reservations ahead of time as things get busy, especially on the weekends. 

Outside of wine tasting, Temecula has a cute little Downtown to wander through. There are a ton of little shops and places to eat. For delicious food, opt to grab a meal at Small Barn. 

Many of the wineries have restaurants as well. Leoness has a fabulous dinner and Bolero at Europa Village has an amazing breakfast. Temecula makes for one of the best day trips from Los Angeles for wine lovers. 

Oceanside

Drive Time: 1 hour, 03 minutes

Oceanside is an adorable little beach town between Los Angeles and San Diego. It takes about an hour and a half to get there from Los Angeles. You can take the train, but it is more convenient to drive. Oceanside has a fantastic beach and pier area thus making it one of the best day trips from Los Angeles. 

Obviously, the popular thing to do in Oceanside is hanging out at the beach. However, there are many other awesome things to do as well. Visitors can check out the Surf Museum, the Oceanside Museum of Art, and stop at a house used in the movie Top Gun. The area also has a variety of hikes to take, especially at Guajome County Park. 

You can also take a whale-watching cruise, float around the harbor in a boat, or grab a bike and ride around the boardwalk. Beer lovers will enjoy hitting up one of the many breweries in the area such as Belching Beaver, Breakwater Brewing Company, Stone Tap Room, and Oceanside Brewing Company. 

Oceanside also has a ton of fun places to eat. Masters Kitchen and Cocktail is the perfect brunch stop. Pacific Coast Spirits has a great menu as well. Fratelli’s Italian Kitchen is worth it for a delicious Italian meal. You cannot go wrong with any place you eat in Oceanside.

Encinitas

By Chris at Explore Now or Never

Drive Time: 2 hours

At just under a two-hour drive (96 miles), Encinitas in coastal north county San Diego makes the perfect day trip from Los Angeles. It’s just a straight shot down I-5 until you exit at Encinitas Blvd. and jog over to South Coast Highway/Old 101.

There are so many fun things to do in Encinitas! Begin your day with breakfast at Pannikin, a converted train station with lots of personality, right on the coast here. Pannikin has been serving up delicious savory fare and pastries since 1968. Then walk the Pacific Coast Highway for the full Encinitas vibe.

You’ll meander past fish taco shops, cute indie boutiques, and coffee shops. Be sure to check out Art N Soul (a great place to pick up local art) and Hansens for the best in bikinis and surfwear. On the third Thursday of the month, you’ll find this area parked bumper to bumper with vintage cars during Encinitas Cruise Nights.

A visit to Encinitas wouldn’t be complete without some time on the sand at the pristine beaches here. Check out Swami’s to join the surf line-up or Moonlight Beach, a family favorite. (Extra points for showers, restrooms, and a snack bar.)

The best way to cap off your day? Duck into The Roxy for nightly live music. It’s been a local favorite for three decades!

Other best day trips from Los Angeles include Lake Arrowhead, San Juan Capistrano, Balboa Island, Newport Beach, Anaheim, Oak Glen, Big Bear Lake, Carlsbad, Idyllwild, and Oxnard. If you have more time, you can also take a California road trip, head to Lompoc or visit some of the California National Parks.

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