Southern California is an international travel destination thanks to its wealth of beautiful nature escapes, unique small towns, scenic drives, and excellent weather year-round. We’re lucky to live within spitting distance of some truly spectacular locations, including picturesque national parks and fascinating beach cities.
Next time you have a long weekend or a day off, consider embarking on one of these unbelievable day trips from Los Angeles, all of which you can reach by car in about two hours or less (and some by train or bus).
This dreamy town near Santa Barbara is known as the “Danish Capital of America” for its Scandinavian architecture and heritage. You’ll want to pick up delicate Danish pastries and pancake-like æbleskiver at one of the authentic local bakeries, and then stroll through the town to take in the Little Mermaid Fountain, windmills, and the giant red clog. Beyond the Danish cultural landmarks and museums, this area is known for its many vineyards, and you should leave time for some wine tasting downtown.
If possible, time your visit with one of Solvang’s highly-anticipated events including Solvang Festival Theater from June through September, Danish Days in September, and of course the Christmassy Julefest festival in December. We’d also be remiss not to tell you about OstrichLand USA just up the road, a popular attraction where you’ll find over 100 ostriches and emus roaming about that you can feed yourself.
Did you know that Southern California’s closest ski resort is just 90 minutes from Los Angeles? Mountain High Resort offers 50–60 runs across nearly 300 acres at 8,200 feet. The resort, formed from three linked base areas (West, East, North), has a century-long history dating back to the Big Pines region and continues to be a popular alpine escape.
Big Bear is SoCal’s favorite alpine lake getaway with lovely activities to enjoy every single season. The twenty-two miles of shoreline bear endless tranquil beaches, docks, and lookout points to take in the views. Hit the slopes at Bear Mountain or Snow Summit ski resorts in the winter, see autumnal foliage and go shopping around the adorable Big Bear Lake Village in the fall, enjoy camping and swimming during the summer months, or go for a hike in the spring. We’re unbelievably lucky to have this scenic oasis just two hours from Los Angeles.
Take a trip out to the San Jacinto Mountains to discover Idyllwild, a tiny town whose mile-high elevation and scenic wilderness make for an unforgettable weekend or day trip from Los Angeles by car. Most visitors are likely to plan a breathtaking hike during their stay, with some of the most popular trails being the South Ridge, Deer Springs, Devil’s Slide, and Seven Pines. Nature lovers also explore the area by camping, biking, and rock climbing. Leave some time to explore the town itself too, whose adorable shops and restaurants take inspiration from the alpine surroundings.
Take in dramatic geographic rock formations at Red Rock Canyon State Park, located north of LA up Highway 14. You can see these enormous Aztec sandstone cliffs, reaching thousands of feet into the sky, at the Red Cliffs Natural Area right off the highway. This area was used as a Native American trade route for millennia and is the historic territory of the Kawaiisu people, who carved petroglyphs into the rock. These days, the park conserves paleontology sites dating from the pre-colonization era to 1890s-era mining operations.
Whether you just want to drive out there for a photo op and a dramatic picnic view, or spend the whole day exploring over 100 scenic desert hiking trails, you’ll find that this is one of the best day trips from Los Angeles if you’re seeking a short drive with a huge payoff.
This historic city in southern Orange County is centered around Mission San Juan Capistrano, the seventh of 21 Spanish missions throughout the state which subjugated tens of thousands of indigenous people to the devastating effects of colonization. Spanish missionary Junípero Serra founded the mission in 1776, making it nearly 250 years old, and you can still see many original elements of the historic structure today.
As for the city itself, you’ll find even more elements that take you back in time — from walking down California’s oldest residential street (Los Rios Street), to buying Native American goods at Ortega’s Capistrano Trading Post, you’ll find there are prolific timeless corners to seek out.
We’re lucky to enjoy a dramatic island escape right at our fingertips, just a one-hour ferry ride from LA. Santa Catalina Island is part of the Channel Islands archipelago off the coast of Southern California. Pick a sunny day to sail into one of the two small towns, Avalon or Two Harbors, and embark on a remarkable getaway filled with adventure, California history, and sightseeing. Whether you’re there for water sports like paddle boarding and snorkeling, or you’d rather seek out some of the historic buildings and shopping, you’ll find that this nearby island holds plenty of possibilities for every type of visitor.
Explore seven miles of scenic beaches and hidden coves in this quaint beach town near Los Angeles. Whether you make the trip to see the historic Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach, or to trek to the Thousand Steps Beach tide pool, you’ll find that Laguna Beach is a wonderful destination for coastal adventurers. The walkable seaside town was initially founded as an eclectic art colony, and you’ll find that the art scene continues to thrive today. Look for the famous annual art festivals, year-round art galleries, First Thursdays art walks, exhibits at the Laguna Art Museum, and so much more.
Temecula
The wide range of activities in Temecula makes it an excellent destination for every type of travel group. Wine lovers enjoy exploring nearly fifty wineries throughout the valley, most of which offer luxurious tasting room experiences and property tours. The area is also known for bucket list-worthy hot air ballooning, especially at sunrise; shopping and entertainment along the delightful streets of Old Town Temecula; farm-to-table fine dining restaurants; and the many entertainment options available at the famous Pechanga Resort Casino.
Calling itself “LA’s backyard playground,” Angeles National Forest is one of the easiest Los Angeles day trips available. Explore 700,000 acres of diverse terrain from the high desert to the mountains, all with different levels of hiking difficulty, climates, and recreation options. Whether you’re seeking a low-elevation wildflower hike to make the most of your afternoon, or a steep snowy trek up Mt. Baldy, you’ll find that this local forest contains a lifetime of adventures for you to keep going back to.
Ventura County’s charming city of Ojai is nestled in a valley beneath the Topatopa Mountains. Adventurers will want to look into outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and horseback riding through the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. The area is known for harvesting stellar produce and natural products, especially citrus and olive oil, and you can look into local food tours or farmers’ markets that showcase the bounty of the land.
Many visitors tap into the area’s natural serenity by booking in at the award-winning Spa Ojai or Meditation Mount, but literature lovers will want to explore Bart’s Books, an enormous maze of bookshelves stocking 130,000 works. Make sure you stay through sunset, because you can’t miss the famous “pink moment” in which the setting sun hits the mountains just right.
Everyone knows that Santa Barbara is a major stop on the Pacific Coast Highway, and despite being a large city, it’s managed to retain a beachy, small-town vibe that’s nostalgic to anyone who grew up on the California coast. You’ll need to make various trips to enjoy everything that Santa Barbara has to offer, from eating and drinking your way through the Funk Zone, to taking pictures at the Spanish-style Santa Barbara Courthouse, to hiking Inspiration Point.
The stylish city of Palm Springs makes for a no-brainer day trip from Los Angeles for just about any type of tourist. It’s hard to beat the sunny climate, gorgeous mid-century modern architecture, proximity to the Coachella Valley’s sprawling natural desert, and wealth of attractions. Thousands drive or fly out to Palm Springs for Coachella, which is right nearby, but Hollywood stars have been drawn to the iconic desert city for decades as a pleasant escape from LA life. Soak in 12,000-year-old natural hot springs at Spa at Séc-he, owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, or go golfing at over 100 pristine golf courses in the “Golf Capital of the World.”
Joshua Tree
Two different desert ecosystems merge at the famous Joshua Tree National Park: the Mojave Desert from the north and the Colorado Desert from the south. The result is a wind-sculpted rocky landscape populated with fascinating plants and animals throughout the varied topography. Elevation ranges between 900-5,000 feet above sea level across 800,000 acres, with diverse terrain including sand dunes, flat valleys, craggy mountains, and pristine oases. Whether you visit for an easy trail jaunt, sight-seeing, and a picnic, or you plan out a long weekend of camping and difficult hiking trails, you’ll find that Joshua Tree’s endless natural wonders will make you want to keep coming back.
Los Alamos is a tiny town in the Santa Ynez Valley known for its old-fashioned, western styling; historic buildings; and surrounding agriculture. The town’s population is only about 1,890, and the entire main street is only seven blocks long, stacked with a variety of antique shops, art galleries, tasting rooms, and exquisite restaurants. If you decide to stay overnight, consider opting for the Victorian-style Union Hotel dating back to 1880. Los Alamos makes for a lovely destination on its own or a fun stop on your longer trip to Santa Barbara.