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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Dana Point Harbor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Dana Point Harbor
© demerzel21/stock.adobe.com

2. Anaheim (1 hour Day Trip from Los Angeles) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Anaheim (1 hour Day Trip from Los Angeles)
© Anaheim

3. Ojai (1 hour 50 min)

Ojai (1 hour 50 min)
© Courtesy of Wendy G Weatherup - Fotolia.com

4. Palm Springs (2 hours 35 min)

Category: Activities
Palm Springs (2 hours 35 min)
© Courtesy of Byron Moore - Fotolia.com

5. Santa Barbara (2 hours 20 min)

Category: Food & Drink
Santa Barbara (2 hours 20 min)
© Courtesy of sborisov - Fotolia.com

6. Malibu (1 hour from Los Angeles)

Malibu (1 hour from Los Angeles)
© Courtesy of belenislas - Fotolia.com

7. Disneyland (1 hour Day Trip from Los Angeles)

Disneyland (1 hour Day Trip from Los Angeles)
© Disneyland

8. San Diego (2 hours 30 min)

San Diego (2 hours 30 min)
© Courtesy of Tomasz Zajda - Fotolia.com

9. Knott's Berry Farm (1 hour Day Trip from Los Angeles)

Category: Activities
Knott's Berry Farm (1 hour Day Trip from Los Angeles)
© Knott's Berry Farm

10. Legoland California Resort (2 hours)

Category: Accommodations
Legoland California Resort (2 hours)
© Courtesy of wolcan - Fotolia.com

11. Griffith Observatory (25 min)

Category: Attractions
Griffith Observatory (25 min)
© Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto - Fotolia.com

12. Joshua Tree National Park (2 hour 45 min)

Category: Activities
Joshua Tree National Park (2 hour 45 min)
© Courtesy of estivillml - Fotolia.com

13. Universal Studios Hollywood (25 min)

Universal Studios Hollywood (25 min)
© Universal Studios Hollywood

14. Laguna Beach (1 hour 30 min)

Category: Beaches
Laguna Beach (1 hour 30 min)
© Courtesy of Gottfried Reidler - Fotolia.com

15. Big Bear Lake (2 hours)

Category: Activities
Big Bear Lake (2 hours)
© Courtesy of glowonconcept - Fotolia.com

16. The Getty (1 hour Day Trip from Los Angeles)

The Getty (1 hour Day Trip from Los Angeles)
© Courtesy of Paolo Gallo - Fotolia.com

17. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (1 hour 50 min)

Category: Activities
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (1 hour 50 min)
© Courtesy of Ritu Jethani - Fotolia.com

18. Lake Mathews Estelle Mountain Reserve (1 hour 30 min)

Category: Activities
Lake Mathews Estelle Mountain Reserve (1 hour 30 min)
© Courtesy of Kit Leong - Fotolia.com

19. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (2 hours 15 min)

Category: Activities
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (2 hours 15 min)
© Courtesy of ablokhin - Fotolia.com

20. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (35 min Day Trip from Los Angeles)

Category: Museums & Culture
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (35 min Day Trip from Los Angeles)
© Los Angeles County Museum of Art

21. The Cabazon Dinosaurs (1 hour 35 min)

The Cabazon Dinosaurs (1 hour 35 min)
© Courtesy of Zack Frank - Fotolia.com

22. Fort Tejon State Historic Park (1 hour 25 min)

Category: Activities
Fort Tejon State Historic Park (1 hour 25 min)
© Fort Tejon State Historic Park

23. Angeles National Forest - San Gabriel Mountains National Monument (30 min)

Category: Activities
Angeles National Forest - San Gabriel Mountains National Monument (30 min)
© Courtesy of trekandphoto - Fotolia.com

24. Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (50 min)

Category: Activities
Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge (50 min)
© Courtesy of jonbilous - Fotolia.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

Plenty of excellent destinations are only a short drive from Los Angeles, including beautiful beaches near LA, nature reserves, educational museums, and some of the best theme parks in the world. Head to Dana Point Harbor to watch whales and dolphins, visit the beaches of Santa Barbara, Malibu and San Diego, or go on fun rides at Disneyland or Knott's Berry Farm.

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