While you are in Los Angeles, you can indulge in plenty of activities. Once you are in the city, you can enjoy the outdoor activities, art exhibition, cinemas and what not. When you are on a vacation, you definitely want to run away from the chaos of urban life and want to explore nature in your own way. Los Angeles won’t disappoint you ever. Pack your backpacks and tighten up your hunting shoes!
Say goodbye to the conventional Los Angeles and sail on to explore a completely different L.A. in your coming trip. Once you set forth on the day trips from Los Angeles, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of the amazing beaches, the rawness of the small towns and the spectacular views of the landscapes.
10 Best Day Trips from Los Angeles
These 10 places near Los Angeles are awesome to spend your unique vacation with your friends and family. Have a good read and start planning from now for a fantastic holiday in Los Angeles!
1. Catalina
If you are a city person, and can’t live more days without any urban touch, this is the place you should head to. You can get a perfect amalgamation of city life while enjoying the natural beauty. Spend your evenings in Catalina Casino, where you can find Avalon Theatre and also the world’s largest ballroom. The deco murals are really exquisite there. There is also Island Spa Catalina and Catalina Island Golf Course where you can spend your days, relaxing.
Location: 25 miles off the coast of Southern California
Things to Do: The Pacific Ocean will attract you to swim and splash in its water. You can also do scuba, parasailing, etc. to feel a thrill. You can also go camping with your friends on the campground. Hiking, paddle boarding, zip lining through the canyons are really adventurous.
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2. Balboa Island
You can enjoy the trip from the beginning if you park your car on the Balboa Peninsula and take the Balboa Island Ferry. It is a five-minute journey on the water that will give you a quick summary of the exotic island. The 1.6-mile boardwalk around the island will make you fall in love with it. Also, don’t forget to visit the Balboa Island Museum.
Location: Newport Beach, California
Things to Do: You will love to experience the water sports here. Go for kayaking, paddle boarding or parasailing. If you have kids with you, they can have fun in the Balboa Fun Zone.
3. Desert Hot Springs
Winter in Los Angeles is really chilling. How about enjoying a hot spring bath? And how would you feel if it is natural? Yes, if you are looking for day trips from Los Angeles in winter, you should head towards Desert Hot Springs. The naturally heated mineral water pool will remove all the tiredness of your journey and rejuvenate you for the next go.
Location: It is a Riverside Country in California
Things to Do: There are lots of places to enjoy in this area. Visit the Living Desert where you can see the desert botanical garden and the zoo for the desert animals. You can also go to Aqua Valiente Cultural Museum, Palm Spring Historical Society and more.
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4. Ojai
Ojai is one of the best ideas for day trips from Los Angeles with dogs. Stroll around the streets, take the trails in Los Padres National Forest, explore and feel the adventure with your canine friend. If you love to shop, you will find antique shops here to find something unique for your collection.
Location: Ojai is located in the Ojai Valley, on the northeast of Los Angeles.
Things to Do: Are you a bookworm? Then, you should head towards Bart’s Books. You will be overwhelmed by the extensive collection of books on anything. You can also plan the day trip during June when there is annual Ojai Valley Lavender Festival.
5. Solvang
Solvang is known as ‘California’s Denmark. Actually, once you are here, you will feel like being in Northern Europe. The main attraction of being in Solvang is that it is the wine country of Los Angeles. You can enjoy the museum and the European-style bakery, but the wine you taste here will give you a lifetime memory. If you are looking for day trips from Los Angeles by car, Solvang can be the perfect destination.
Location: Solvang is located in the heart of California and it takes only two hours to reach from Los Angeles.
Things to Do: Solvang is a place of festivals and events. So, be there on March, September, and December to enjoy ‘Taste of Solvang’, Danish Days’ and ‘Julefest’, respectively.
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6. Oak Glen
Make sure you plan for the Los Angeles trip from September to November because this is the best time to visit Oak Glen at its most beautiful avatar. This is the apple picking season when you can visit the apple orchards and buy the farm fresh apples to taste. There are also amazing restaurants to a variety of dishes. If you have kids with you, they will love the pony rides over there.
Location: Oak Glen is located between Little San Bernardino Mountains and San Bernardino mountains. It takes nearly half an hour to reach there from L.A. by car.
Things to Do: Visit there in apple picking season and enjoy the activity a lot. This place is great for fun activities for families with kids.
7. Santa Barbara
Once you are in Los Angeles and want to visit nature’s paradise, take a car and drive around half an hour to reach Santa Barbara. The beauty of the place lies in its signature-styled red tile roofs, the raw, yet unique coastline, beautiful gardens with blooming flowers and the milky-white buildings. If you want to know about day trips from Los Angeles by train, this will be the first one. Take Pacific Surfliner Train on Amtrak from L.A. Thus, you can avoid disgusting traffic and also enjoy the coastal beauty.
Location: Santa Barbara is located about 90 miles from Los Angeles, on the south-eastern Pacific coastline.
Things to Do: Enjoy the beach life in Santa Barbara to the fullest. There are three major beaches there: West, east and Leadbetter. Also, if you are an art lover, you can stroll around the State Street to enjoy the love for the art of this beach town. Be there on weekends to enjoy the prolific works of the local artists.
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8. Big Bears
If you are a group of adventurers and want to make your Los Angeles trip memorable with lots of adventures, Big Bears will welcome you with open hands. There are huge ranges of outdoor activities that you can enjoy alone or with your friends. Remember, you should visit Big Bears only in summer, else the trekking trails will be covered with snow during the winter.
Location: It is located 7000 ft above the San Bernardino Mountains
Things to Do: Go for kayaking, jet skiing or canoeing in the Big Bear Lake. You can also visit the local restaurants and cafes to enjoy your day.
9. Summerland
If you are visiting Santa Barbara, then add 10 minutes more to your plan and go to the serene seaside town, Summerland. You can lie down on the beautiful beach, grab your favorite drink and enjoy the site as long as you can.
Location: 10 minutes from Santa Barbara
Things to Do: Enjoy the beautiful beach changing colors with the sunset. The calm nature will make you forget every stress of your life.
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10. San Diego
To finish the list of day trips from Los Angeles, there is no better place than San Diego. If you want a Mexican touch in your trip, visit San Diego as it is located on the border of the United States and Mexico. It will only take 2 and half an hour to reach there. Day trips from Los Angeles to Mexico won’t be done if you don’t visit San Diego.
Location: Located on the border of the United States and Mexico and it takes only two and a half hour to reach there.
Things to Do: People visit San Diego for an amazing road trip, the exotic beaches, and obviously, the awesome foods.
Further Read: Nightlife In Los Angeles: 10 Places For An Extraordinary Experience After Sunset
So, here you get an account of the best day trips from Los Angeles. Plan ahead so that you can avoid the crowd. The day trips are not only about the destination but also about the journey. Now, plan an effortless vacation to USA with TravelTriangle and make the best of your holidays!
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