I love finding new spots for day trips from Los Angeles. There’s so much to explore within the Southern California and Central Coast region, and it’s been a lovely way to really get to enjoy my home state! If you’re looking to explore the Golden State, here are some of my favorite day trips in Southern California.
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The Best Los Angeles Day Trips
Heads up: I calculated the drive time to these spots from West Hollywood, since it’s pretty central. Your travel time may vary!
1. Malibu (40 Minutes)
For a day trip that’s super close to home, consider making the quick trek out to Malibu. There’s a ton to do, including hanging out at the famous beaches, hiking some of the best trails in LA, and touring the gorgeous Adamson House. My Malibu day trip itinerary hits the spots you have to see while visiting!
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. 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 parking inside the park that costs $10, but it’s fairly limited (and the park gets popular in the spring!). From there, I walked up Bane Canyon Road until I got to the trailhead for the Bane Canyon Loop Trail. This trail is 2.4 miles long, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get up close to the wildflowers!
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…).
4. San Juan Capistrano (1 Hour 10 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. Two of my favorite restaurants are Cedar Creek Inn and 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!
5. Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, Lancaster (1 Hour 25 Minutes)
During the spring, Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is one of my absolute favorite Southern California day trip destinations. That said, the blooms aren’t going to be amazing every year, so you’ll need to do a bit of research before heading out. I’ve written up a post on everything you need to know about visiting this poppy reserve – check it out if you’re interested!
6. Ojai (1 Hour 30 Minutes)
The charming town of Ojai is the perfect spot for a relaxing day trip. You can easily explore the entire town within a day, and there’s a variety of things to do, including olive oil tasting, hiking, shopping, and more. Here’s a guide to what to do in Ojai in one day!
7. 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 Stone Soup Farm. This post has everything you need to know about visiting, but here are two must-know points: get there early and get the blackberry apple cider.
8. The Flower Fields in Carlsbad (1 Hour 30 Minutes)
If you’re thinking of making a day trip to San Diego from Los Angeles during the spring, I highly suggest visiting The Flower Fields in Carlsbad (which is open from early March to early May). There are over 50 acres of ranunculus flowers to explore, and at the peak, nearly 80 million flowers are in bloom! For the 2023 season, admission tickets cost $23 for adults and $12 for children, and need to be purchased online in advance. There’s also a tractor on-site for those who prefer not to walk – a ride costs $8 for adults and $4 for children. After checking out The Flower Fields, consider spending the day in the town of Carlsbad.
9. 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 day of hanging out at the beach, doing a bit of shopping, and eating delicious food. 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. For more details, I’ve created a guide breaking down the best things to do in Encinitas (and where to eat, drink, and get your caffeine buzz).
10. 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 — the trails on these cliffs offer some of the best coastal views in San Diego. You can find more about the hikes here in this post — just scroll down to the “Torrey Pines State Beach” section.
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!).
11. Lake Arrowhead (1 Hour 50 Minutes)
If you want to escape the city for a bit of mountain air, consider heading up 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 have a full Lake Arrowhead day trip guide – check it out!
12. Red Rock Canyon State Park (1 Hour 50 Minutes)
When you think of Southern California desert day trips, the first thing that comes to mind might be Joshua Tree. However, another spot worthy of your attention is Red Rock Canyon State Park – which is closer and far less crowded! This California state park can easily be fully explored in a day. I break down exactly what to do in my Red Rock Canyon State Park guide.
13. Santa Barbara (1 Hour 45 Minutes)
The picturesque coastal city of Santa Barbara is the perfect spot for a quick getaway. While you’re there, you’ll definitely want to stop by Arroyo Burro Beach for an easy coastal walk. Once you’re in the downtown area, be sure to check out the historic courthouse, explore The Funk Zone (an artsy industrial neighborhood with wineries, breweries, and galleries) and take a walk down Stearns Wharf! For dinner, I highly recommend heading over to Montecito and eating at Oliver’s, a fully plant-based restaurant. If you want a stop-by-stop guide, be sure to check out my Santa Barbara day trip itinerary.
14. Los Olivos (2 Hours 10 Minutes)
If you want to spend the day wine tasting, make your way to the beautiful Los Olivos – located in the Santa Ynez Valley. There’s tons of great wineries in and around town, but one that I particularly recommend is Koehler Winery. It’s a great casual spot, the property is pretty, and they have emus (!). They have lots of tables spread out around the property, and you can bring your own food if you’d like. As you leave (or enter) the area, definitely check out the actual town of Los Olivos. It’s a super cute small town with lots of tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops.
15. Solvang (2 Hours 10 Minutes)
Another spot worth exploring in the Santa Ynez Valley is Solvang – AKA the Danish capital of the US. Enjoy the unique architecture in the charming town, eat delicious Danish food, and then 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. Check out my Solvang day trip guide for the full itinerary.
16. 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! For a full itinerary, check out my Joshua Tree day trip itinerary guide, which includes the best spots in the park.
Looking for more California travel inspiration? Here are a few more guides you’ll enjoy:
- The Best Things to Do in Idyllwild, CA
- The Best Things to do in Carlsbad
- The Ultimate Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway
- The Perfect Weekend Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
Leah says
Absolutely love this guide and I’ll definitely be using this heavily when I plan my future Los Angeles trip. Thank you so much.
Erin from Pina Travels says
I love a good daytrip, and LA is on my list of potential cities to visit in the coming year, so this blog came at the perfect time. Joshua Tree will be a must visit for me! Thanks for this detailed guide.
Kyra | Sea to Sequoia says
You’ll absolutely love Joshua Tree! Hope you make it out to LA!
Shafinah says
All these look like such perfect day trips from LA! It’s so heartening to see more and more destinations begin to rouse back to life, may this list continue to grow through the months!
Yanitza says
I love all of these day trip ideas, especially the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve! It looks so beautiful and different from what I’m used to seeing in Florida!