Day Trips from Los Angeles
Plenty of excellent destinations are only a short drive away, including beautiful nature reserves, educational museums, and some of the best theme parks in the world.
Los Angeles is big, bold, and buzzing...but sometimes the best thing you can do is step just outside its edges. Within an hour or two, you’ll find coastal calm, mountain quiet, desert stillness, or a nostalgic thrill ride. These day trips weren’t just a break from the city. They were a return to something slower, simpler, or stranger in the best way! I remember thinking, “L.A. might be home base, but the soul of Southern California lives in its outskirts.” This series is for the days when you need the open road, a little sun, and the kind of adventure that fits between breakfast and bedtime.
Romantic Day Trips from Los Angeles:
Boardwalk Breeze and Barefoot Hours in Huntington Beach
The morning fog was just starting to lift as I pulled into Huntington Beach, the kind that softens everything and makes time feel stretchier. Surfers were already carving lines into the waves, and the scent of sea spray and sunscreen drifted in from the pier. I kicked off my sandals at the edge of the sand and thought, “I don’t need a plan, I just need this breeze.”
What I Loved Most: Sitting on the sand near the base of the pier, watching pelicans dive and beach volleyball games unfold like background music to the waves.
My highlights? Lunch at Pacific Hideaway, tucked upstairs with a partial view of the ocean. I ordered the grilled fish tacos, perfectly seared with a light citrus marinade, served on soft tortillas with slaw, crema, and charred pineapple salsa that smelled like it had been pulled right off the flame. The flavors were sharp, bright, and just messy enough to remind me I was on the coast. I ate slowly, sunlight flickering across the table, the sound of skateboards rolling by below.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~1 hour southeast (longer with weekend traffic)
- Vibe: Classic California surf town, laid-back, beachy, a little nostalgic
- Highlights: Huntington Beach Pier, Main Street shops, Pacific City, beach bike path, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for sun and surf; weekday mornings to avoid crowds
- Cost: Beach access free; pier and walking paths free; parking ~$2/hour
- Hours: Beach and pier open 5am–10pm; shops and cafés 10am–8pm
Orange Groves and Old Charm in Redlands
Redlands felt like a town with stories layered into the bricks. The downtown had that sun-faded, slightly romantic quality, wide porches, iron balconies, hand-painted signs. I parked near State Street, passed under a canopy of old sycamores, and thought, “This is the kind of place that remembers how to be a town.”
What I Loved Most: Sitting in the Smiley Library rose garden with a book and a pastry, the scent of orange blossoms drifting in on the breeze and the hush of turning pages all around me.
My highlights? Brunch at Olive Avenue Market, a cozy neighborhood spot with mismatched chairs and shelves lined with local jams and honey. I had the turkey pesto panini, warm sourdough, roasted turkey, basil pesto, and melted provolone. It arrived hot and toasty, with a side of house-made potato salad that tasted like something from a backyard picnic. The sandwich smelled like toasted garlic and fresh herbs, and I took it outside to eat under the shade of an old tree, where the breeze felt earned.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~1.5 hours east
- Vibe: Historic, tree-lined, small-town warmth
- Highlights: State Street shops, A.K. Smiley Library, Kimberly Crest House & Gardens, Prospect Park, Olive Avenue Market
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for citrus blossoms and cooler air; fall for golden light and quiet walks
- Cost: Free to explore town; meals ~$10–20; optional house and garden tours ~$5–10
- Hours: Shops and cafés 9am–5pm; parks open sunrise to sunset
Finding stillness and soul in Ojai, California (1 hour 50 min)
Ojai felt like a town built on breath. Nestled in a quiet valley, surrounded by the Topatopa Mountains, it radiated a kind of warmth that wasn’t just in the sun, but in the people, the pace, and the sky itself. I wandered through art galleries, stepped into crystal shops, and sat under orange trees in full bloom. I remember thinking, "This isn’t just a getaway, it’s a soft landing." Everything here invited you to slow down and look inward.
What I Loved Most: Watching the “pink moment” at sunset, when the entire mountain range glowed rose-gold for just a few minutes. The silence in that moment felt like reverence.
Don’t Miss... A soulful brunch at Hip Vegan in the heart of town. I had the jackfruit tacos with creamy cashew sauce and a chilled lavender lemonade. Sitting outside under a pepper tree, it felt less like a meal and more like nourishment.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~1.5–2 hours northwest via US-101 and CA-33
- Vibe: Spiritual, artistic, restorative
- Highlights: Meditation Mount, Bart's Books, art galleries, farmers market, hot springs
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for warm days, cool nights, and vibrant colors
- Cost: Free to explore town; activities and dining vary
- Hours: Shops and restaurants typically open 10 AM–6 PM; trails open dawn to dusk
Canyons, Trails and a Hint of the Old West in Santa Clarita
I wasn’t expecting quiet in Santa Clarita, but it found me anyway. Just 40 minutes from the city, the strip malls gave way to golden hills and winding trails. I started the day at Placerita Canyon, where the air smelled like warm dust and eucalyptus, and thought, “So this is where Los Angeles goes to breathe.”
What I Loved Most: Walking the Heritage Trail alone just after sunrise, birdsong above me, boots crunching gravel, and the stillness that comes from being just far enough away from the freeway to forget it exists.
My highlights? A late breakfast at Egg Plantation in Old Town Newhall, where the menu reads like a novel and the waitstaff moves like they know your name. I ordered the chorizo scramble, eggs, cheddar, peppers, potatoes, and just enough heat to keep me lingering over every bite. It came with sourdough toast that smelled like it had just left the griddle and coffee refilled without asking. I sat out on the shaded patio, watching couples wander past antique shops and cowboy-boot boutiques like they had nowhere else to be.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~40 minutes north
- Vibe: Suburban calm, canyon edges, a hint of history
- Highlights: Placerita Canyon, Old Town Newhall, Vasquez Rocks (nearby), local cafés, trails with wide open views
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for cooler hikes and golden hillside colors
- Cost: Trails free; meals ~$10–20; parking in Old Town usually free or metered
- Hours: Trails open sunrise to sunset; most shops and restaurants 9am–7pm
Soaking up coastal grace in Santa Barbara (2 hours 20 min)
Santa Barbara carried itself with a kind of sun-washed elegance, red-tiled roofs, swaying palms, and streets that smelled like sea air and bougainvillea. It was both relaxed and refined, a town where the ocean met old-world charm. I wandered State Street with no real plan, drifted through the mission gardens, and ended up barefoot on the beach. I remember thinking, "This place doesn’t need to try, it just is." It was effortless beauty, the kind that makes you exhale without even noticing.
What I Loved Most: Climbing the courthouse tower and taking in the 360° view, mountains on one side, the sparkling Pacific on the other. It felt like standing in the middle of a postcard.
Don’t Miss... A waterfront lunch at Brophy Bros. Clam Bar on the harbor. I had the steamed clams in garlic broth with sourdough for dipping and a cold local lager. With boats drifting in and sea lions barking in the distance, it was the kind of meal that only works exactly where you are.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2 hours northwest via US-101
- Vibe: Coastal, elegant, breezy
- Highlights: Santa Barbara Mission, State Street, Stearns Wharf, courthouse tower, beaches
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but spring and early fall offer the best mix of sunshine and fewer crowds
- Cost: Free to explore downtown and beach areas; museums and tours vary
- Hours: Shops and restaurants 10 AM–8 PM; outdoor spaces open all day
Affordable Tours in Santa Barbara:
- Santa Barbara: Trolley Tour Price: From $28 per person.
- Santa Barbara: 3-Hour Cocktail and History Walking Tour Price: From $85 per person.
Drifting along the edge of the Pacific in Malibu (1 hour from Los Angeles)
Malibu wasn’t loud about its beauty, it let the ocean do the talking. Driving the Pacific Coast Highway with the windows down, the salt air moved through me like a cleanse. Waves curled against the shore in slow rhythm, and everything felt just a little softer, sunlight, sound, even time. I remember thinking, "This is the kind of calm that only comes from water and wide-open sky." Malibu was both a dream and a grounding, luxury and nature in equal measure.
What I Loved Most: Sitting on a bluff at El Matador Beach as the tide crept in, watching the rock arches glow gold in the late afternoon light. It was quiet except for the ocean and the gulls, and that was all I needed.
Don’t Miss... A beachside meal at Malibu Farm Café on the pier. I had the cauliflower crust pizza with goat cheese and a glass of sparkling lemonade. The sound of the waves beneath my feet and the scent of citrus in the air made it a memory as much as a meal.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~45 minutes west via CA-1 (longer with traffic)
- Vibe: Laid-back, scenic, upscale
- Highlights: El Matador State Beach, Malibu Pier, hiking at Solstice Canyon, wine tastings, celebrity-spotting
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for lighter crowds and clear skies
- Cost: Beach access is free or $10–$15 for parking; meals vary
- Hours: Beaches open sunrise to sunset; shops and cafés typically 10 AM–7 PM
Venice Beach: Creative Chaos & Ocean Calm
“It’s messy in the best way,” I thought as we stepped onto the Venice Boardwalk. Musicians played to the rhythm of the waves, artists painted with sand on the sidewalk, and somewhere down the beach, someone was juggling flaming torches. Venice Beach is raw and electric, and somehow still peaceful the moment your feet touch the surf.
What I Loved Most: Ducking away from the crowd and wandering the Venice Canals. The footbridges, the mirrored water, the stillness, it felt like slipping through a secret doorway in the middle of a loud, laughing city.
My highlights? We grabbed breakfast at The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker just off Abbot Kinney. I ordered the lemon ricotta pancakes, they arrived warm, powdered sugar dusted like snow, the lemon zest sharp against the maple syrup. The scent was buttery and bright, and the first bite melted sweet and soft in my mouth.
Plan your Venice Beach day trip from Los Angeles:
- Drive Time: ~30 minutes west of downtown LA
- Vibe: Eclectic, artistic, a little wild
- Highlights: Venice Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, the Canals, Abbot Kinney shops, skatepark, street performers, beachfront cafés
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings for a calmer vibe; golden hour for dramatic beach sunsets
- Cost: Beach and boardwalk access are free; metered parking and nearby lots range from $5–$20
- Hours: Most shops open by 10 a.m.; street activity all day long
Riding nostalgia and thrill at Knott’s Berry Farm (1 hour Day Trip from Los Angeles)
Knott’s Berry Farm had that rare mix of heart and adrenaline. Part old-time charm, part coaster-fueled chaos, it felt like stepping into a storybook that still had dust on the cover, in the best way. Ghost Town creaked with wooden boardwalks and blacksmith clangs, while screams echoed from steel rides just beyond. I remember thinking, "This park doesn’t try to be perfect, it just leans into its soul." And that soul felt rooted in tradition, sweetness, and a dash of wild.
What I Loved Most: Wandering through Ghost Town at golden hour, the sun lighting up rusted signs and rope fences, and a cowboy tipping his hat as a real stagecoach passed. It was theatrical, sure, but it still felt true.
Don’t Miss... The famous fried chicken at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. I had the classic plate with mashed potatoes, boysenberry pie for dessert, and a big glass of iced tea. It was comfort food that tasted like it had been cooked the same way for 80 years, and that’s exactly what made it special.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~45 minutes southeast via I-5 or CA-91
- Vibe: Americana, family-friendly, high-energy with a vintage twist
- Highlights: Ghost Town, Silver Bullet & HangTime roller coasters, Snoopy characters, boysenberry treats
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays in spring or fall for lighter crowds; Boysenberry Festival in March–April is a must
- Cost: Tickets from ~$69 online; dining extra; parking ~$30
- Hours: Typically 10 AM–8 PM; longer hours in summer and holidays
Closing Thoughts
Los Angeles gives you everything, but not all at once. Sometimes, it takes stepping away from the skyline to remember what really matters: salt air on your skin, mountains rising beyond the freeway, a roadside diner with the best grilled cheese you’ve ever had. These day trips weren’t escapes, they were recalibrations. So pack light, drive early, and leave space in your day for the unexpected. Because out here, even a detour can become a destination.
