Day Trips from Los Angeles

Los Angeles is surrounded by some of the best day trips in California. It’s always been of my favorite cities for quick adventures.

From sandy beaches to mountain trails and charming small towns, LA delivers the best mix of relaxation and excitement, often in unique and sometimes underrated spots just a short drive away.

Whether you’re lounging on the best shores of Malibu, hiking the unique trails of Joshua Tree, or discovering the charm of Ojai and Santa Barbara, there’s no shortage of places to explore. That’s why Southern California is considered one of the best regions for day trips.

The best part is the variety: coastal drives, desert escapes, vineyards, and mountain getaways. Think sunny afternoons at the best beaches, unique wine tastings in Paso Robles, and underrated scenic drives that make every trip unforgettable. These details are what make day trips from Los Angeles both unique and some of the best in the state.

With destinations just one to three hours from the city, it’s easy to plan the best kind of quick getaway. Whether you’re after adventure, romance, or family fun, Los Angeles offers the best access to it all.

Which LA day trip will you choose? If you’re searching for the best mix of scenery, activities, and unforgettable moments, these destinations deliver.

Romantic Day Trips from Los Angeles:

Boardwalk Breeze and Barefoot Hours in Huntington Beach

From Los Angeles, it was about a 1-hour drive south (36 miles on I-405) to Huntington Beach, a coastal city of around 200,000. At the International Surfing Museum ($3 admission), I saw info about Duke Kahanamoku and the roots of surf culture. It reminded me of my 6 years living in Hawaii and the Duke Kahanamoku Statue in Waikiki.

Then I strolled the iconic Huntington Beach Pier (1,850 feet long), watching surfers ride waves as the sun set. Downtown’s Main Street was alive with beach shops and cafés, all echoing the laid-back SoCal vibe.

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

From Los Angeles, it was about a 1-hour 10-minute drive east (70 miles via I-10) to Redlands, a city of around 73,000 known for its citrus heritage and Victorian homes. I strolled downtown State Street, lined with antique shops and cafés, then visited the A.K. Smiley Public Library (built 1898, free entry), a red sandstone landmark. The Lincoln Memorial Shrine (the only one west of the Mississippi, free admission) was another unexpected gem. Our day trip from LA turned into an overnight trip and we stayed at the historic a href="https://expedia.com/affiliate/BmkfEMT" target="_blank">Ayres Hotel Redlands ($159), which blended comfort with a nod to local history.

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)

From Santa Barbara, it was just under an hour’s drive southeast (50 miles on Hwy 101 and Hwy 150) to Ojai, a town of about 7,500 nestled in a scenic valley. Downtown’s Spanish-style arcades, built in 1917, gave the town its distinctive look.

I browsed galleries, bookstores, and artisan shops. I also stopped at the Ojai Valley Museum ($5 entry), which traces the town’s Chumash roots and artistic heritage. At sunset, I joined locals at Meditation Mount (donation-based) for the famous “pink moment,” when the Topatopa Mountains glow rose. We stayed at the historic Ojai Valley Inn ($295), a 1923 resort blending luxury with rustic charm.

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

From downtown Los Angeles, it was about a 35-minute drive north (30 miles via I-5) to Santa Clarita, a city of nearly 230,000. I started at Old Town Newhall, where wooden storefronts and Western murals honor the city’s cowboy past. The William S. Hart Museum (free admission) showcased the silent film star’s mansion and memorabilia, while the Walk of Western Stars lined Main Street with bronze plaques.

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)

Driving up the coast from Ventura (30 miles, about 40 minutes), Santa Barbara felt like an outdoor playground. We hiked Inspiration Point (3.5 miles round trip, about 800 ft elevation gain), where the payoff was ocean and Channel Islands views. Later, we checked out the Cabrillo Beachfront Path (about 4 miles of palm-lined coast), stopping at East Beach to watch volleyball matches. We ended the day at the 78-acre Santa Barbara Botanic Garden ($18 entry), which highlights native California plants. That night, we stayed at the Harbor View Inn ($198), right across from Stearns Wharf.

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)

From Santa Monica, it was a quick 25-minute drive northwest (17 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway) to Malibu, a community of about 10,000 spread across 21 miles of coast. We started at the Adamson House & Malibu Lagoon Museum ($7 admission), a 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival estate filled with colorful Malibu tiles.

Afterward, we walked along the Malibu Pier (built 1905, 780 feet long) and grabbed coffee while surfers caught waves at Surfrider Beach, the first World Surfing Reserve.

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

From downtown Los Angeles, it was about a 30-minute drive west (18 miles) to Venice Beach, a neighborhood of roughly 40,000 founded in 1905 as a “Venice of America” with canals and amusement piers. We strolled the 2.5-mile Ocean Front Walk, where street performers, murals, and vendors gave it a carnival vibe.

The Venice Canals Historic District (designed by developer Abbot Kinney, restored in the 1990s) was a quieter detour, with arched bridges and pastel houses. At Muscle Beach Gym ($10 day pass), the outdoor weight area still carried its 1930s legacy.

“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)

From Los Angeles, it was about a 30-minute drive southeast (20 miles via I-5 and CA-91) to Buena Park, home to Knott’s Berry Farm. What started in the 1930s as a roadside berry stand and fried chicken restaurant grew into a full-fledged theme park that now attracts millions each year. I strolled through Ghost Town, the original themed section (opened 1940), with wooden boardwalks, costumed characters, and old-timey shops. The park has more than 165 rides, shows, and attractions, but I loved that it still nods to its roots. Tickets ran about $69 online.

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.

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