19 Best Day Trips From Los Angeles (All Less Than a 3-Hour Drive Away!)

One of my favorite things about living in LA is that it’s surrounded by incredible day trip-worthy destinations. Whether you’re craving a chill beach day, an active outdoor adventure, or a day of wandering through a charming town, it’s all within a short drive of Los Angeles. 

As a California native who has lived in Southern California for the majority of my life, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a lot of what SoCal and the Central Coast has to offer. If you’re deciding where to go for your next short getaway, I’ve created the ultimate list of what I consider to be the best day trips from Los Angeles.

The Best Day Trips from Los Angeles

Here’s a look at my favorite day trip destinations, all of which are less than a three hour drive away!

Heads up: drive times are approximate! I calculated the drive time to these spots from West Hollywood, since it’s pretty central. Your timing may vary based on location and traffic!

1. Malibu (40 Minutes)

For a day trip that’s super close to home, consider making the quick trek out to Malibu. You can do a lot with just one day in Malibu, including hanging out at the beach, hiking a coastal trail (I love Point Dume and the Ocean Overlook Loop), exploring one of the many great eateries, and touring the gorgeous Adamson House. 

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can also consider booking an electric bike mountain tour or taking surf lessons!

2. Chino Hills State Park (45 Minutes)

If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a springtime day trip, check out Chino Hills State Park. In the early spring (approximately March through early May), the wildflowers in the park are absolutely gorgeous – especially after a good rainy season. Expect to see plenty of colorful flowers, including mustard flowers, California poppies, wild radish flowers, and arroyo lupines. The park’s Instagram is a great resource for getting up-to-date info on the blooms. 

When I last visited, I parked near the north entrance. There is paid parking inside the park, but it’s fairly limited (and the park gets popular in the spring!). There are plenty of trails within the reserve, with the Bane Ridge Trail being one of the best for seeing flowers.

3. Balboa Island (1 Hour)

Balboa Island is a manmade island in Newport Beach. You can access it via ferry, or just by driving over on Marine Avenue (that said, parking is limited on the island, and it gets particularly busy on weekends and holidays). 

Balboa Island is particularly fun around the holidays, when the residents deck out their homes in lights and decorations. There is also an annual Christmas Boat Parade that happens over a few days in December. That said, Balboa Island is worth a visit any time of the year. Walk down Marine Avenue to check out the local restaurants and shops, and stroll around the neighborhood and along the bay to enjoy the sights. A stop at Balboa Island isn’t complete without a frozen banana – stop by either Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop or Sugar ‘n Spice (Arrested Development fans: there’s always money in the banana stand…).

5. San Juan Capistrano (1 Hour 20 Minutes)

San Juan Capistrano (located in Orange County) is one of the best easy-to-get-to day trips near Los Angeles. Just hop on the 5, and you’ll be there in a little over an hour!

This beautiful small town is known for its famous mission, which was founded in 1776. Mission San Juan Capistrano is located right in the middle of town, and it’s definitely worth a visit (tickets are required). You’ll also want to walk through Los Rios Historic District – AKA the oldest neighborhood in California. Three of the original adobes from the late 1700s and 1800s still stand here. There are mostly private residences in this area, but a few of the homes house shops and cafes. 

After exploring Los Rios, you can walk across the train tracks into the main part of town for some shopping and eating. I particularly love El Adobe de Capistrano! If you’re craving some coastal air, you can also head down to Dana Point (under 10 minute drive) to enjoy the views at Doheny State Beach!

6. Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in Lancaster (1 Hour 25 Minutes)

During the spring, this poppy reserve is one of my absolute favorite Southern California day trip destinations. Just keep in mind that the California poppy blooms aren’t going to be amazing every single year. Make sure to do a bit of research into the bloom status of Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve before visiting!

7. Ojai (1 Hour 30 Minutes)

If you’re looking for a laidback excursion, spend a day in Ojai. You can easily explore the charming town within a day. There is plenty to do, including going olive oil tasting, hiking, and shopping (there are tons of amazing boutiques and vintage stores).

Despite its small size, Ojai also has a great restaurant scene. I’m a huge fan of Hip Vegan, Three Birds, and The Dutchess.

8. Oak Glen for Apple Picking (1 Hour 40 Minutes)

Nothing gets you in the spirit of autumn like apple picking (even if it’s still 80 degrees out). While there are plenty of spots to go apple picking in Oak Glen, I personally love visiting Stone Soup Farm. Here are two must-know points: get there early (the crowds are no joke!) and get the blackberry apple cider. 

9. Carlsbad (1 Hour 30 Minutes)

Carlsbad is a popular oceanside city in North County San Diego. You can spend a day in Carlsbad walking through the Carlsbad Village (which has plenty of great shops and eateries!) and hanging out at the beach. There are also a ton of different museums and attractions in Carlsbad, including the Gemological Institute, the Museum of Making Music, and Legoland. 

If you’re thinking of making a day trip to San Diego from Los Angeles during the spring, I also highly suggest visiting The Flower Fields. There are over 50 acres of ranunculus flowers to explore, and at the peak, nearly 80 million flowers are in bloom! Just be sure to book your tickets in advance, as they do fill up.

10. Encinitas (1 Hour 40 Minutes)

A day trip to Encinitas – a laidback and funky beach town in San Diego County – is a must if you’re looking for a low-key adventure outside of LA. There are tons of great things to do in Encinitas, including hanging out at the beach, doing a bit of shopping, and eating delicious food. If you really want to experience San Diego culture, you can also book a surf lesson!

Even if the weather isn’t nice enough to go for a swim, Moonlight Beach is a lovely beach for a walk. There are also tons of cool shops and great eateries and bars along the 101 in Encinitas. The Self-Realization Temple Meditation Gardens is also a must-visit. 

11. Del Mar & Torrey Pines (1 Hour 50 Minutes)

Del Mar is another San Diego beach town that is just a short drive south from Encinitas (you can definitely hit up both of these towns in one day!). It has a slightly more upscale vibe compared to Encinitas, but they offer similar activities. 

To start the day, I’d recommend hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve (pictured below). The trails on these cliffs offer some of the best coastal views in San Diego. If you’re up for a beach day (or just a nice walk!), head over to Powerhouse Park and Beach for a day in the sun. Even if you don’t head down to the sand, the park is a great place to set out a picnic blanket and take in the views. 

To eat and drink, I’d recommend Board and Brew (a casual sandwich spot), Sbicca (a great restaurant with an amazing terrace that overlooks the ocean), and Viewpoint Brewery (a fun industrial brewery that sits on the San Dieguito Lagoon. They have delicious food, too!).

12. La Jolla (2 Hours 10 Minutes)

The upscale coastal city of La Jolla is definitely one of San Diego County’s most day trip-worthy destinations. You can spend a day in La Jolla exploring the cute shops, dining out at the amazing eateries, and walking along the incredibly scenic Coast Boulevard (keep your eyes out for the famous sea lions!). 

La Jolla is also an especially great spot to visit if you want to spend some time out on the water! Consider booking a kayak tour of the sea caves, or renting snorkeling gear to see the marine life in La Jolla Cove. 

If you want to experience more of San Diego’s best outdoor activities, consider hiking at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (as mentioned above!). I also recommend ending your day with watching the sunset at the Torrey Pines Gliderport.

13. Downtown San Diego (2 Hours 30 Minutes)

Downtown San Diego is definitely a bit far for a day trip, but it’s totally doable if you get out early! There’s plenty you can do during a San Diego day trip, including strolling down the Embarcadero, visiting the USS Midway Museum, going out for a meal in Little Italy, walking through Balboa Park, visiting the world-famous San Diego Zoo, exploring Old Town, and dining in the Gaslamp Quarter. 

For a truly special experience, you can also book a harbor cruise (or a more intimate small group afternoon sail!) to take in the views of the city from the water.

14. Lake Arrowhead (1 Hour 50 Minutes)

If you want to escape the city for a bit of mountain air, consider doing a short trip to Lake Arrowhead. The drive up Rim of the World Highway is absolutely gorgeous, and there are some great hiking spots in and around town (I love Heaps Peak Arboretum for a low-key nature walk). You can also do a boat tour on the Lake Arrowhead Queen!

18. Solvang (2 Hours 10 Minutes)

Another spot worth exploring in the Santa Ynez Valley is Solvang – AKA the Danish capital of the US. During your day in Solvang, walk around town to enjoy the unique architecture, eat delicious Danish food, and check out a museum or two before going wine tasting. Oh…and don’t forget to stop by Ostrichland USA to feed some ostriches and emus (arguably one of the most unique things to do in Solvang!). 

19. Joshua Tree National Park (2 Hours 30 Minutes)

Personally, this is heading into the “too long of a drive to make a day trip” territory. But I know plenty of people who’ve made the drive from LA to Joshua Tree for a day trip! Hit up a couple easy hikes in the national park and explore town before making your way back home.