Travel Tips

The 7 best day trips from Los Angeles: Local picks and travel tips

Discover the best day trips from Los Angeles with local picks from our guide. Explore scenic drives, coastal walks, and desert escapes from Santa Barbara to Palm Springs.

The best day trips from Los Angeles include coastal destinations like Santa Barbara and Laguna Beach, desert excursions like Palm Springs, and getaways to Catalina Island. Los Angeles is the ideal base camp for day trips with short drives.

You’ll be able to see quite a few diverse landscapes with drive times between one and three hours. To help you plan the perfect itinerary, we asked Violet (a local Holafly expert) for recommendations and suggestions. And for a trusted internet solution, look no further than Holafly’s eSIM for the USA.

In this article

1. Santa Barbara

Best for couples, food lovers, wine tasting, and architectural sightseeing

Explore the boutiques and Spanish-Moorish architecture while admiring the coast.

One of the best day trips from LA is Santa Barbara, which is roughly two to three hours north of Los Angeles along Highway 101.

“Santa Barbara is way cleaner and safer than LA, offering a small beach town vibe that is completely walkable,” Violet notes. The drive there is also a bonus; you’ll pass by dramatic Pacific Ocean coastlines and Santa Ynez mountain peaks.

Park your car and explore the lively streets on foot. You’ll find boutique shops, local eateries, and Spanish-Moorish architecture. Make sure to visit the historic Santa Barbara County courthouse for panoramic city views.

Check out the Santa Barbara Museum of Art or the nearby Santa Barbara Zoo, especially if you have kids.

If you’re a local vintage enthusiast, Santa Barbara is the gateway to the Central Coast wine country. Take a detour to the historic San Antonio Winery, and if you have extra time, Violet recommends a romantic extension: “Head over to Montecito, which is famous for celebrities and features really nice hotels with great ocean views.”

Transport: ~2–3 hours north on Highway 101

2. San Diego

Best for families, history lovers, and culture

A sunny afternoon view of the Spanish Colonial buildings and botanical gardens within Balboa Park.

San Diego is definitely one of the best day trips from Los Angeles if you’re looking for a mix of culture, history, and coastal landscapes. It’s located two hours south of Los Angeles on the I-5 freeway and is one of Violet’s top recommended nearby spots.

Head out early in the morning to get the most out of your day trip and to beat LA’s notorious southbound traffic.

Your first stop should be Balboa Park, a cultural oasis home to gorgeous gardens, Spanish Colonial architecture, and famous museums. You’ll also find the renowned San Diego Zoo, which houses over 4,000 rare and endangered animals.

Head to Old Town San Diego for a walk down memory lane into the roots of Southern California. The Gaslamp Quarter is a lively place for an early dinner surrounded by Victorian buildings.

Check out the local marine life by driving up to La Jolla Cove to see the wild sea lions sunbathe on the rocks. And if you’re a military history enthusiast, you can’t miss the humongous floating exhibit at the USS Midway Museum on the harbor.

Transport: ~2 hours south via the I-5 freeway

3. Palm Springs

Best for architecture lovers, spa breaks, and photographers

Keep an eye out for the iconic Palm Springs sign as you enter the city.

If you’re craving a change of scenery, a day trip from Los Angeles to Palm Springs will hit the spot. This is a sun-drenched desert city located around two hours east of Los Angeles via the 1–10 freeway.

Palm Springs is known for its preserved mid-century modern architecture, and you can easily spend an hour or two driving past retro properties. Or stroll along Palm Canyon Drive to explore vintage shops, galleries, and open-air cafes. If you’re a photographer, you’ll enjoy the contrasts of desert plants against the bright retro architecture.

To get a full view of the desert floor, you must ride the Pal Springs Aerial Tramway. The rotating cars lift you high into the mountains, scattered with scenic hiking trails.

Transport: ~2 hours east via the I-10 freeway

Important: Violent warns that you should absolutely avoid peak summer travel, as temperatures exceed 100°F. Instead, aim for autumn through spring for pleasant desert weather.

4. Catalina Island

Best for nature lovers, couples, and families

The clear waters and anchored boats of Avalon harbor.

A list of the best day trips from Los Angeles would be incomplete without Catalina Island. To get there, you’ll need to catch a passenger ferry from the port at San Pedro or Load Beach. The total journey takes about an hour.

Violet recommends visiting the island’s primary town, Avalon, which she describes as “completely frozen in time.” Cars are restricted on the island, so you can rent a golf cart or simply walk. Visit the historic Catalina Casino Ballroom, an architectural masterpiece that dates back to 1929.

You can also book a glass-bottom boat tour to see the bright orange Garibaldi fish or go snorkeling at the preserved kelp forests at the Descanso Beach Club. There are also many hiking trails that include panoramic ocean views and glimpses of local wildlife, including American bison.

Transport: Ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro (~1 hour crossing time)

Important: Book your ferry tickets well in advance, especially if you plan to make this journey on a weekend. Always check the schedule for the last ferry back to the mainland so you don’t get stranded overnight.

5. Laguna Beach

Best for art lovers, coastal walkers, and beach days

Admire the waves crashing against the sandy shoreline along the Laguna Beach coast.

Laguna Beach is a must on this list. It’s situated roughly an hour south of the city along the Pacific Coast Highway. This is also one of Violet’s top recommendations for day trips out of LA.

Walk through Heisler Park, with paved walking paths, views of hidden coves, sandy beaches, and waves crashing against the rocks. You can also take the staircases down to the tide pools below.

If you enjoy longer coastal walks, the wilderness trails at Crystal Cove State Park sit north of the town center. You can also indulge in a little shopping at the local jewelry shops. Or grab a table at an outdoor patio on Main Street and enjoy fresh seafood.

Transport: ~1 hour south via Pacific Coast Highway

6. Long Beach

Best for history buffs, families, and a different kind of day out

Visit the Long Beach coast with its bustling harbor and docked boats along the waterfront.

You do not always have to drive for hours to find amazing Los Angeles day trips. Located just 30 to 45 minutes south of Downtown LA, Long Beach offers a great day excursion, packed with history.

According to Violet, there’s one attraction you can’t miss: “The Queen Mary is probably LA’s most legit haunted site, and they offer incredible night ghost tours.”

Spend a day touring the legendary 1930s ocean liner, which is permanently docked in the harbor. You can tour the historic staterooms and learn about its service during World War II and its paranormal reputation.

Afterward, head over to Shoreline Village for a scenic walk along the boardwalk, shops, and views of the harbor. You can also visit Pine Avenue for great food options and a lively atmosphere.

Transport: ~30–45 minutes from central Los Angeles

7. Solvang

Best for scenic driving days and food and wine lovers

The historic wooden windmill lining the streets of Solvang village.

If you’re looking for a distinctive day trip destination from LA, Solvang has to be on your list. Violet describes Solvang as an “Old Danish Town” that feels transported from Scandinavia.

It’s situated roughly three and a half hours from Los Angeles in Santa Barbara County. Here, you’ll find traditional Danish architecture, wooden windmills, and replicas of Copenhagen landmarks. Try items from authentic local bakeries, especially pastries like aebleskiver (sweet, round pancakes).

You can also indulge in a little wine tasting from the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley. If you have extra time, Violent recommends visiting the nearby town of Los Alamos for California cowboy history and farm-to-table dining.

Transport: ~2.5–3 hours north on Highway 101

Quick bonus mentions

If you manage to get through all the destinations in this list and have run out of things to do in Los Angeles or prefer shorter drive times, here are a few extra local recommendations:

Orange County: Only an hour south of LA with beautiful beaches, boutique shops, and vintage carnival rides.
Huntington Beach: An hour from Los Angeles and known worldwide as Surf City USA
Malibu: A 45-minute drive from LA, leading to the beautiful Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Zuma Beach, and great hiking trails
Big Bear Lake: A two-hour drive from Los Angeles to the mountains with cool pine forests and boating in the summer.

Tips for planning your Los Angeles day trips

Here’s what you need to know before heading out on one of these excursions:

Car vs. LA public transport: For most of these destinations, driving is highly recommended for complete control over your schedule. However, there are some exceptions. For example, you can easily catch an Amtrak train from Downtown LA to Santa Barbara.
Beating the LA traffic: This is crucial, especially if you want to stay on schedule. If you plan to take the I-5 South towards San Diego or the I-405, leave early in the morning (before 7:00 AM). Also, heading back to LA after 8:00 PM will save you from the dreaded rush hour.
Seasonal planning: The summer months are great for exploring, checking out the tide pools, and sunbathing on the beach. However, you should avoid inland desert areas like Joshua Tree National Park or Palm Springs during peak summer.

Stay connected on your Los Angeles day trips with Holafly

Navigating Southern California requires a reliable mobile data connection. When you are trying to coordinate ferry departure times at the harbor, map detours, or look up the best local bakeries in the middle of a walking tour, losing your internet signal can be frustrating.

With Holafly’s eSIM for the USA, you can enjoy unlimited data, 5G speeds, 24/7 customer support, and 1 GB of Always On monthly backup data at no extra cost. Holafly keeps you connected even after your plan expires, so keep your Holafly eSIM installed to get extra data every month.

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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