The 12 Best Day Trips from Los Angeles (+ Travel Time)

One of the most iconic cities in the United States of America, Los Angeles, is the epicenter of the global entertainment industry. This city is filled with people chasing dreams, bona fide celebrities, iconic landmarks, beautiful beaches, and much more. However, there’s more to California than LA, and there are lots of towns and cities to explore within just a couple of hours of the city. As such, today at Civitatis, we’re going to explore the 12 best day trips from Los Angeles, including short drives and more ambitious day trips. Let’s go!

1. San Diego

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: Approximately 2 hours via I-5 S (traffic may add 30–60 minutes).

Public transport: Around 3 hours by bus.

Day trip: Private day trip with Civitatis.

What’s the vibe?

San Diego was founded in 1769 as the first Spanish settlement in the state of California. About 100 years later, San Diego would become part of the United States. In this city, you’ll find grand stretches of sandy beaches, which make up large amounts of this city’s 70 miles (112 kilometers), which is baked year-round by perfect sunshine. San Diego is also known for its great food and range of cultural experiences and neighborhoods. Check out William Heath Davis House, Old Town San Diego State Park, Little Italy, and the Gaslamp Quarter, which you can check out on this Gaslamp Quarter walking tour. For a more general exploration of the city (accompanied by a guide), take a look at this San Diego free walking tour or this private tour.

We’d also recommend a visit to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, widely recognized as the finest zoo in the world. If you’re interested in nature, also check out the botanical garden in Balboa Park, and the Japanese Friendship Garden, which hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival each March.

• Check out more tours & activities in San Diego with Civitatis.

2. Santa Barbara

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: About 1 hour 45 minutes via US-101 N.

Public transport: Approximately 3 hours by bus.

Day trip: Private day trip with Civitatis.

What’s the vibe?

Less than 2 hours from Los Angeles, check out the ‘American Riviera’, Santa Barbara. A popular escape for Californians, Santa Barbara’s year-round great weather and fantastic coastline make it the perfect spot for sea swimming, surfing (check out this surfing class), sunbathing, and lots of kayaking. In fact, check out this Santa Barbara kayaking tour, which brings you along the beautiful coastline, where you can spot beautiful marine life and birds, all while getting your body moving! Another way to get active is by going on a hike, and the Santa Ynez Mountains, which overlook Santa Barbara, are the perfect place to go.

While this city is a popular escape for Californians for its stunning beaches and picture-perfect mountain views, it also has plenty of cultural offerings, including the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art.

3. Malibu

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: Roughly 40 minutes via Pacific Coast Hwy (PCH).

Public transport: Around 2 hours by bus.

Day trip: Malibu beach & surf day trip, Malibu day trip + wine tasting

What’s the vibe?

Malibu, in many ways, is the quintessential Southern Californian town. Known for its luxurious celebrity homes, gorgeous California beaches, and lots of hiking, Malibu maintains a more local feel and relaxed pace than somewhere like Santa Barbara. If you’re looking for a beach day, good seafood, and good vibes, Malibu is for you!

A really cool way to visit is on this Malibu beach day trip in a vintage Volkswagen van, which will bring you along California’s epic coastline, give you a chance to do some surfing in Malibu, and finish off the evening with some hot dogs on the beach! Or, if surfing isn’t your thing, check out this Malibu day trip + wine tasting!

4. Palm Springs

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: About 1 hour 40 minutes via I-10 E.
Public transport: Approximately 3 hours by bus.

What’s the vibe?

Once a 1930s Hollywood desert hideaway, today Palm Springs dazzles with mid-century modern architecture, spa resorts, and year-round sunshine. Located in the Coachella Valley (yes, like the music festival), Palm Springs feels like a world away from Los Angeles or San Diego.

One main reason to visit Palm Springs is to explore the San Andreas Fault on a 4×4 tour. This 745-mile (1,200-kilometer) crack in the Earth’s surface is where two huge pieces of the Earth’s crust—the Pacific and North American plates—meet and move against each other. This movement makes it one of the most active fault zones in the world, causing earthquakes.

• Check out more tours & experiences in Palm Springs with Civitatis.

5. Go to Disneyland®

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: Around 45 minutes to 1 hour from Downtown L.A., depending on traffic.

Public transport: About 1.5 to 2 hours by bus or train.

Private transfer: Book a private transfer with Civitatis.

What’s the vibe?

Disneyland® is famously known as ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’— the park is nostalgic, family-friendly, and full of iconic characters, parades, and rides. It’s ideal for kids, Disney fans, and anyone who wants to escape into a whimsical, familiar, storybook world.

Visit Disneyland® Park or Disney California Adventure Park!

6. Catalina Island

How long does it take to get there?

How long does it take to get there?

Ferry: About 1 hour from Long Beach or San Pedro via Catalina Express.

What’s the vibe?

Next up on our list is Catalina Island, another destination renowned for its white sand beaches. 22 miles (35 kilometers) off the coast of California, this rugged island destination has been inhabited for over 8,000 years. In the 20th century, Catalina Island became a popular vacation spot (attracting such figures as Marilyn Monroe), and also a popular setting for Hollywood filmmakers, serving as the backdrop for plenty of films.

Today, Catalina Island is surrounded by crystal-clear, marine-protected waters that are perfect for a relaxing swim or for going snorkeling, sailing, and scuba diving. Popular beaches on the island to enjoy water sports or to relax include South Beach and Middle Beach. For a slightly wilder beach experience, Descanso Beach Club is an old favorite among tourists and locals alike.

7. Tijuana, Mexico

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: Around 2 hours to the San Ysidro border via I-5 S (border crossing may add 30 minutes).

Public transport: Approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours total.

Day trip: Day trip to Tijuana (from San Diego)

What’s the vibe?

That’s right, you can visit Mexico in a day from LA! It’s true that this day trip is much more doable from somewhere like San Diego, but if you wake up early, you’re about a 2-hour drive from the busy border town of Tijuana, Mexico.

In Tijuana, you’ll be able to enjoy a vibrant culture and delicious food. A must is the Tijuana Cultural Center, a unique building in itself which explores the region’s cultural and artistic side. Also check out the Agua Caliente neighborhood, and Playas de Tijuana, home to the Monumental Bullring, one of the largest bullrings in the world. Check out all that and more on this Tijuana private tour with Civitatis!

More than anything, though, it’s TJ’s tacos that win the hearts of travelers. There are plenty of stands all over the city, and everyone who visits has strong opinions on which one is the best! Regardless of where you go (try and go somewhere that has a long line), the classic Tijuana taco is charcoal-grilled beef on a soft corn tortilla, served with salsa, cilantro and onions.

8. Solvang

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: Around 2 hours 30 minutes via US-101 N & CA-154 W.

Public transport: Around 5 hours by bus.

Day trip: Private day trip to Solvang & Santa Ynez.

What’s the vibe?

Did you know that there’s a Danish town in California? Solvang (meaning ‘sunny field’) was founded at the beginning of the 20th century by Danish immigrants, who sought to create a town that would preserve and celebrate their culture. Solvang continues to embrace its Danish roots today: check out its Hans Christian Anderson Museum, its various windmills, traditional bakeries, as well as its Round Tower and Little Mermaid Statue, both of which are scaled replicas of traditional Danish landmarks.

9. Coronado

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes from Los Angeles.

Public transport: About 4 hours by bus.

What’s the vibe?

Next up on our list is Coronado, also known as Coronado Island, a resort city with a gorgeous coastline and an elegant, old-school, small-town vibe. So small, in fact, that once you arrive in Coronado you can park your car and walk around the peninsula.

Go shopping and grab yourself some eats along Orange Avenue, before making your way along Ferry Landing’s bay front, enjoy the fantastic views of the San Diego skyline across the water.

The most famous landmark in the city is the Hotel del Coronado, commonly known as the Del. This iconic, 135-year-old hotel has long been host to presidents, royalty, and celebs, and has become an architectural icon. Check it out!

10. Ojai

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: Around 1 hour 20 minutes from Los Angeles.
Public transport: Approximately 3 hours by bus.

What’s the vibe?

A short drive from LA, Ojai (pronounced oh-hi) is an outdoorsy destination, which can definitely be described as a hippie town, featuring craft fairs, yoga retreats, and spas across the city. As you wander the city, you’ll find crystal shops, art galleries, boutiques, and a range of cool cafés to grab a cup of specialty coffee and people watch. If you’re looking to get active, check out the surrounding hiking trails!

11. Joshua Tree

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: About 2 hours 20 minutes from Los Angeles.

What’s the vibe?

Where the Mojave meets the Colorado Desert, Joshua Tree National Park’s spiky eponymous trees, vast boulder piles, and kaleidoscopic sunsets have drawn rock climbers, stargazers, and artists for generations. In fact, U2’s 1987 album is said to have been inspired by the national park and its trees. This unique park is well worth visiting if you like desert landscapes and want to get some hiking in!

12. Ventura

How long does it take to get there?

Driving: Just over 1 hour from Los Angeles.
Public transport: Just under 2 hours by bus.

What’s the vibe?

Ventura is another more local SoCal surf town, which doesn’t receive quite as much traffic as somewhere like Santa Barbara, or even Malibu. If you’re looking for somewhere to simply disconnect and take a deep breath, maybe get some surfing in, Ventura is as good a choice as any! What’s more, Ventura is home to a good selection of boutiques, vintage shops, and nice restaurants, serving honest, unpretentious food.

Multi-day Trips

There you have it for our list of the best day trips from California! There are lots of places to explore in this state, and lots of experiences to try out! Check out more tours & activities in California with Civitatis and make the most of your time in Cali!