As exciting as Los Angeles can be, everyone needs a break from the hustle and bustle once in a while. The entertainment capital isn’t just the hotspot to run into celebrities, it’s also conveniently located in the center of a diverse range of landscapes, attractions, and activities.
This guide will cover the most exciting and scenic day trip destinations from Los Angeles, California from the breathtaking deserts of Joshua Tree National Park to the stunning beaches of San Diego. Pack a bag, grab your friends, and take a short drive (or a long drive down the Pacific Coast Highway) to some of Southern California’s best cities.
1. Joshua Tree National Park Is The Best LA Day Trip For An Outdoorsy Desert Getaway
Spend a night under the stars at Joshua Tree National Park. Even though it’s a desert, Joshua Tree has so much diversity from the San Jacinto Mountains, to cool rock formations, pink sunsets, clear starry skies, and fun hiking trails.
It’s very popular to day trip to Joshua Tree (three hours from LA), then spend a night camping outdoors or renting an Airbnb. I’d recommend staying there for at least a night, but if you’re looking to make it back home on the same day, it is possible to hit the best stops with some careful planning.
Head out early to catch the sunrise at Cholla Cactus Garden. Start the day walking the winding paths of the garden with a cup of coffee and soaking in the early morning rays.
Once you’re awake and refreshed, hit one of Joshua Park’s many trails like Arch Rock or Barker Dam, both of which are fairly short and easy with great scenery. One of the coolest trails is Skull Rock, a 1.7 mile loop that takes you to a boulder that looks like, you guessed it, a skull.
Don’t worry about being stranded with no food or resources because Joshua Park actually has a town by the west entrance. Grab lunch at Crossroads Cafe or La Copine, then explore downtown where there’s a bunch of art galleries, vintage stores and quirky shops. Finish the day off with another hike and sunset at Keys View where you can see all of Coachella Valley.
If you’re looking to spend time in this national park, we have a full itinerary on Joshua Tree’s best quick stops and easiest hikes for a one day trip.
2. Palm Springs Is The Best LA Day Trip for the Vintage Design Lovers
Find peace and relaxation in the sunny city of Palm Springs. Only two and a half hours away from Los Angeles, this small paradise is packed with so many treasures like cool art exhibits, colorful architecture, fun hiking trails, and delicious food.
Plus, tons of colorful doors you can do a self guided tour of.
Start the day early with a trip to Indian Canyons before the heat sets in. This nature reserve is located only a few miles outside of the city of Palm Springs and beautifully captures the biodiversity of California’s deserts.
The canyons has three popular hiking trails that will take you through groves of palm trees, under cliffs, and waterfalls. Indian Canyons is also full of cultural and historical relevance, being located on the Indian reservation of the Agua Caliente Band Of Cahuilla Indians. Just beware that hours and months open may vary, so check before visiting!
If visiting from March to May, you have to check out the Desert X Palm Springs, a yearly outdoor art exhibit. Each art installation engages the desert environment that it is placed in and is designed by different acclaimed artists from around the world. Check out Desert X’s website for more information about this year’s artists and past works and their visions for these one-of-a-kind art pieces.
Spending the day in the desert may sound unappealing, but spending the day in Palm Springs is a different story. It’s all about taking it easy while still having a fun adventure like biking down Palm Canyon Drive, soaking in the Desert Hot Springs, or just pool hopping between cute boutique hotels. There are truly so many things to do in Palm Springs and one will surely satisfy your SoCal day trip cravings.
3. Borrego Springs & Anza-Borrego Desert Is The Best LA Day Trip With Less Crowds And Tons Of Nature
Discover California’s breathtaking desert beauty by having an outdoor adventure in Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert. Three hours away from Los Angeles, Borrego Springs is often overshadowed by its northern neighbors of Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, but has some of the most beautiful desert landscapes
California is famously known to have beautiful fields of orange poppies from April to June, but it may be less known that these wildflowers can be found in Anza-Borrego. These flowers usually bloom between late February to late March, with some variation depending on the year.
The Borrego Springs flowers have more than just poppies, home to a variety of flowers like desert lilies, primroses, and cactus flowers. Just remember that when visiting, to respect the environment, don’t step on the wildflowers, and don’t leave any traces behind.
Anza-Borrego is the largest state park in California with so much to discover. It’s best to drive an off-road vehicle here and talk to a ranger before deciding to off-road or hike (winds can get up to 40mph here). Once you’re sure the area is safe to travel on, go hiking in canyons like Hike Slot Canyon, a trail that looks like it’s straight out of Dune.
If small spaces aren’t your thing, travel east to explore the Salton Sea or go off-roading at Ocotillo Wells. There’s also over 130 art installations found all through the park in the form of giant metal statues – there’s dragons, dinosaurs, scorpions, and more.
4. Paso Robles Is The Best LA Day Trip for Shopping & Wine Tasting
Head up north on a 3ish hour drive to Paso Robles where you’ll spend the day sipping wine and the night watching magical twinkling lights. Getting to Paso Robles will definitely take a longer drive, but the end destination of being able to see the beautiful vineyards and Sensorio lights will be so worth it.
Head out early, so by noon you can be sipping wine at one of Paso Robles amazing wineries. The winery you decide to book depends on, of course, your preference in wine and what kind of “vibe” you’re going for.
Each winery here is uniquely different from the other, but all have serene views and delicious wine. Take for example, Tooth and Nail Winery, a castle winery with dark academia decor, rooftop views, a stellar food menu, and a spectacular wine selection.
If wine tasting isn’t your thing, no worries. Paso Robles has plenty of other cool activities like hiking at Carrizo Plain National Monument, shopping downtown, soaking in one of their hot springs, and even horseback riding.
We can’t forget the star of the town, Sensorio Paso Robles. The hours and days open of Sensorio Paso Robles depends on the month, with hours starting earlier as days become shorter. Head over to Sensorio before sunset to beat the crowds and spend a magical night strolling through the field of colorful lights.
If you decide to spend more than a day here, check out Allegretto Vineyard for a Tuscany-inspired hotel.
5. San Luis Obispo Is The Best LA Day Trip for Beach AND Mountains
Drive up the PCH a few hours, and you’ll find yourself in San Luis Obispo, California. If you can visit in the Spring, that’s the best time for the most magical rolling green hills that’ll make you feel like you’re on a backroad in Ireland. Seriously, it’s insanely pretty.
The best part of SLO is you can start your day with an awesome hike (we recommend Cerro), and end with sunset in Morro Bay, Avila or Pismo Beach. (They’re all within a 15-20 min drive from SLO!) In between that, we recommend exploring downtown: first grab coffee from Field Day Coffee and, pop into their vintage shop next door if you’re visiting on a weekend.
Next, walk along Monterrey St. or Higuerra St. for ALL the things. Our favorites shops are Len Collective, Idlewild Floral, Secrets of the Garden, Boo Boo Records and Phoenix Books.
Grab lunch at local favorite: Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill. You can’t go wrong with anything, but we love the Tri Trip Shwarma Plate or the BBQ Cilantro Chicken Pizza.
After a quick break, end your day at the beach! Drive a short 15 minutes to Morro Bay to walk off lunch exploring Morro Rock, and watching the sunset. For dinner, Tognazzini’s Dockside Restaurant is a good place for some classic fish and chips or head to the other side of the bay (in Los Osos) for some of the best ramen at Kuma.
6. Santa Barbara Is The Best LA Day Trip for the Architecture Lovers
Only an hour and a half away from Los Angeles, spend the day at Santa Barbara tanning on the beach or exploring downtown. A day trip doesn’t have to be extravagant with a million items on your to-do list. Sometimes it’s best to take it easy and appreciate all the small joys a town has to offer.
Santa Barbara has some of the best beaches and you could have a really rewarding day just relaxing under the sun or swimming in the water.
Santa Barbara has multiple beaches, some that have volleyball nets or rent surfboards. However, if you are looking for more activities outside of the beach, we have a full Santa Barbara travel guide of things to do and where to eat/drink.
The Santa Barbara Funk Zone is the spot for wine tasting rooms, breweries, and boutiques. You’ll find murals all throughout the neighborhood, boutiques that sell vintage clothes, and art studios featuring local artisans and makers.
For some of the best views of the entire city, climb to the top of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse clocktower. If you’re interested in a tour, there are free one-hour tours available Monday through Friday from 10:30am to 2:00 pm. Tours will take visitors through the building and gardens, highlighting the history and beauty of the courthouse.
Whether you decide to explore the wharf, bike along the ocean, kayak, or visit a museum, Santa Barbara is the place to go to feel at peace.
7. San Diego Is The Best LA Day Trip for Families
Beautiful, picturesque San Diego is one of the best cities in all of California. Two and a half hours from Los Angeles, leave early in the morning to beat the afternoon traffic. There are so many different communities in San Diego, each with its own personality and attractions.
There are insanely cool attractions everywhere in the city and this also makes San Diego the perfect family-friendly destination – there are activities and fun for everyone in your travel group.
For a family-friendly day trip, head to La Jolla where you can surf, snorkel, kayak, and beach. La Jolla Cove and Cave are some of the most popular attractions where you’ll find sea lions, pelicans, and other sea life swimming in the waters. Children’s Pool is another cove to visit if the previous one is too busy with visitors.
For more family fun, head to Balboa Park where you can spend the day walking the beautiful grounds and exploring the historical and art museums. Right next door is the famous San Diego Zoo, which is fun to explore for both children and adults.
If you’re looking to just chill and casually explore the city with no strict plan, visit the locations from our Instagram-worthy San Diego spots that will take you to Sunset Cliffs, Old Town, Point Loma, La Jolla, Balboa Park, and so many more note-worthy destinations. No matter where you choose, there will be beauty and adventure found in every corner.
You may think that Downtown is the best place to find restaurants and cafes to dine at, and while I do think there are some amazing places there, you can find amazing restaurants everywhere in San Diego.
North Park is full of tasty restaurants, breweries, and cute boutiques, while La Jolla has some of the best beachfront restaurants with stunning views of the ocean.
You could explore so much of the city in a day, but if possible I recommend staying for at least a couple more days to explore all that San Diego has to offer.
We have a full guide on the best beachfront hotels in San Diego, covering every part of the city from La Jolla, Sunset Cliffs, Mission Bay, Del Mar, and more. You’ll learn what each location offers, fun activities nearby, on-site restaurants, and what kind of rooms the hotel offers.
8. Catalina Island Is Best LA Day Trip for Outdoor Adventure
Spend the day exploring the adorable community of Santa Catalina Island. This destination may not be first in mind since it’s not on the mainland, but getting there is fairly easy. You can take boat transportation from Long Beach, San Pedro, Dana Point, or Newport Beach, which will then take you to Avalon and Two Harbors.
Two Harbors, located on the west end, offers a variety of outdoor rentals like mountain bikes, skiffs, and boats. Catalina also offers many different water activity rentals like snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, or kayaking at Descanso Beach.
Catalina Island is certainly walkable, but some of the best ways to explore the island is by renting a bike or a golf cart. One of the best attractions of Catalina is actually its stunning view. Travel to Buena Vista where you’ll be on a lookout spot with a view of the mountains, harbor, and Catalina Casino.
To explore more of the actual island, walk thirty minutes (or bike) from Avalon to Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden. Wrigley Memorial is a beloved landmark of Catalina that honors the memory of William Wigley Jr. for his vision to protect Catalina for future generations to enjoy.
The memorial itself is carved into an impressive arch that is made from local Catalina stone and tiles. The botanic garden, first planted by Mr. Wrigley’s wife Ada, features an array of exotic and rare specimens with a focus on Catalina endemics.
Downtown is full of boutiques where you can pick up a souvenir or dine at one of their many restaurants. Catalina may be small, but there’s so much to discover.
9. Santa Ynez Valley & Solvang Is The Best LA Day Trip for Small Town Charm
Found in Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley is where you go to feel pampered and refreshed. Only two hours from Los Angeles, Santa Ynez is picturesque from its rolling valleys and stretches of vineyards.
Santa Ynez Valley is home to the famous Solvang, a Copenhagen-inspired town that has everything Danish. Pick up a delicious Danish pastry, then stroll through town down Copenhagen Drive before stopping by a wine cellar for some samples of wine. Solvang is small, but so cozy and even more festive during Christmas where the town comes alive with a tree lighting ceremony, parade, market, and carolers.
Santa Ynez Valley is found in wine country, so be sure to stop by a winery like Sunstone where you can dine outside in the French countryside-inspired courtyards. Head to Los Alamos for a bite at one of their restaurants and browse in their gorgeous vintage shops.
10. Big Bear Lake Has The Best LA Day Trip For Hiking Addicts
Big Bear Lake is the most popular during the winter, but actually has fun activities and beautiful scenery all year-round.
Big Bear looks like a snowy wonderland during the winter months, but is also just as beautiful during the warmer seasons. There might not be skiing or snowboarding during the other seasons, but there’s still plenty of activities to do.
We always prefer staying a whole weekend in Big Bear Lake when possible, but you can still do so much in just a day.
Go on a hike at Castle Rock Trail, which takes you through the forests of Big Bear. This hike is moderate (2-3 hours), but is all uphill so be prepared with proper hiking attire and water.
You can climb to the top of a mountain, which overlooks the lake, but if you aren’t skilled at rock climbing, you can hike half way and still get a clear view of Big Bear.
If hiking isn’t your thing or you’re traveling with little ones, no worries. Stanfield Marsh Wildlife Boardwalk also has great views and is all flat, making it more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Afterwards, picnic at Boulder Bay, a park located right on the lake.
Pop into the Big Bear Village Shops to browse for some cute souvenirs or dine at one of their popular restaurants. During the winter, the village transforms into a Hallmark movie with its twinkling lights and soft snow and truly gets you into the holiday spirit.
Day trips from Los Angeles don’t have to be restricted to LA County. There are so many places only a couple hours away that are worth visiting for even just a day (or the whole weekend if you really love it). Beaches, mountains, desert, and exciting citylife, Southern California is really the place to be.
Which one of these locations are you most looking forward to visiting? And if you have visited any of these destinations, let us know your experience and favorite spots!
