16 Best Day Trips from Los Angeles (2026 Guide)
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Los Angeles is the sprawling Southern California city on the Pacific coast, and its best feature is what surrounds it. Within a few hours of central Los Angeles, you can reach beaches, snowy mountains, desert canyons, and wine country, so you can swap your whole scenery without booking a hotel.
What are the best day trips from Los Angeles?
The best day trips from Los Angeles are Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, Catalina Island, and San Diego. If you only have one day, we’d pick Santa Barbara. Costs, drive times, and planning notes for all sixteen day trips in the Los Angeles area are in the tables below.
Want to skip the driving? Compare reliable bus trips on BoletoXpress or ride the Pacific Surfliner. The table below lists who each of the sixteen trips suits and what it costs, and each section adds its own table of stops and planning notes. After that, you will find sections that sort these LA day trips by traveler type, transport, season, distance, and departure time, plus a table of more trips worth considering. How we chose them: every one of these Los Angeles day trips can be done round trip in one day, and every price shows the date of its source. Drive times are approximate, measured from central Los Angeles, and assume no traffic, so your time will vary based on your starting neighborhood and the hour you leave.
Pick | Best for | Cost |
Santa Barbara | Couples and first-timers who want a coastal day without a long hike | Free to walk downtown. The courthouse and clock tower are free |
Solvang | Couples and anyone who plans the day around pastries | Free to walk the town |
Palm Springs | Families and anyone who wants cool mountain air on a hot day | Aerial Tramway adult ticket listed at $36.95 in February 2026. Seniors 65 and over pay $33.95 and children 3 to 10 pay $20.95. Check the tramway’s website for current prices. |
Joshua Tree National Park | Hikers, photographers, and anyone who wants wide open desert | $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days as of October 2026, and it covers everyone in the car. Motorcycles pay $25, and people on foot or bike pay $15 each. Keys Ranch tours cost $10 to $20 extra and need reservations, per the NPS fees page |
Catalina Island | Anyone who wants a boat ride and a beach town in one day | Adult one-way fare from Long Beach to Avalon is $42, as of October 2026 (plus a mandatory $5.00 local port wharfage fee added at checkout for a final total of $47.00). Seniors 55 and over pay $37.75, children 2 to 11 pay $30.75, and infants under 2 are free. |
Big Bear Lake | Families, hikers, and anyone chasing snow | Free to visit. A Forest Adventure Pass costs $5 per day or $30 per year at many trailheads and picnic areas |
Malibu | Beach walkers and surfers | Beaches are free. Parking at Zuma and Point Dume is fee-based |
Laguna Beach | Art lovers and walkers | The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is also free. However, it is currently closed to walk-in visitors due to a major expansion and renovation project (rehabilitation operations continue safely behind the scenes). |
San Diego | Museum fans and families | Balboa Park and Old Town State Historic Park are free to enter, but museums charge their own fees. Free museum days are only for San Diego County residents and active military, so most visitors will pay |
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve | Flower fans and photographers | A day use fee applies. The last price we could confirm was $10 per vehicle, reported by NBC Los Angeles in 2022, so check the California State Parks page for the current fee before you drive |
Ojai | Couples, book lovers and anyone who wants a slow day | Free to walk downtown. Tasting fees and tour prices vary |
Temecula | Couples, friend groups and wine fans | Free to walk Old Town. Wine tasting fees, balloon rides and tours vary by business |
San Juan Capistrano | History fans and families | Free to walk the town. Mission San Juan Capistrano charges admission, so check the Mission’s website for the current price |
Balboa Island | Families and anyone who likes harbor towns | Free to walk. The Balboa Island Ferry charges a small fare, and boat rentals and whale watching tours vary |
La Jolla | Wildlife lovers and ocean fans | Free to see La Jolla Cove and walk the coast. Kayak, snorkel, and aquarium prices vary |
Ventura and Channel Islands | Nature lovers and families with older kids | Ventura is free to walk. Channel Islands National Park has no entrance fee, but boat fares are extra, so check the boat operator for current prices. |
What are the best coastal and small town LA day trips?
These two LA day trips take you from the coast to a Danish-style village, so here is how long each takes to reach and what to plan for.
Pick | Getting there (car times assume no traffic) | Planning note |
Santa Barbara | About 3 hours by train on the Pacific Surfliner | Courthouse tours run weekdays at 10:30 a.m. and daily at 2 p.m. except December 25, and visitors are not admitted after 4:30 p.m. |
Solvang | About 2 to 2.5 hours northwest by car | The main streets are short and easy to cover on foot |
1. Santa Barbara
Visit the Santa Barbara County Courthouse at 1100 Anacapa Street. Architect William Mooser III designed it, and the city built it in 1929 after the 1925 earthquake destroyed much of it, as noted by the Superior Court of Santa Barbara. An elevator takes you to El Mirador, an 85-foot clock tower with views of the city, the coast, and the mountains.
Since the train journey is quite lengthy, board early, or turn it into a weekend escape from LA by staying overnight.
The train station is on State Street / Anacapa Street (near State Street and Highway 101), which means the waterfront stops are easily walkable, but you will need a short drive to reach the Mission and the Botanic Garden. This tight layout is why we rate Santa Barbara as the easiest trip on this list to do without a car.
Signature stops
County Courthouse and clock tower, State Street, Funk Zone, Stearns Wharf, Old Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Douglas Family Preserve, Arroyo Burro Beach
Santa Barbara or Solvang?
Solvang is about 32 to 35 miles from Santa Barbara, so seeing both in one day means a car. If you ask us, pick Santa Barbara for a first trip. It is easier to reach without driving.
2. Solvang
Danish immigrants founded Solvang in 1911, and the town has kept that look ever since, down to the red-and-white flags. RV Travel notes that Copenhagen’s Rundetaarn inspired the Round Tower.
Old Mission Santa Inés was established in 1804 and stands at the east edge of downtown, according to WorldAtlas. The surrounding Santa Ynez Valley is known for wine tasting, and Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery and Birkholm’s Bakery and Cafe are two well-known pastry stops.
Our tip: eat a pastry first, then walk it off.
Signature stops
Round Tower, windmills, Old Mission Santa Inés, Elverhøj Museum, Hans Christian Andersen Museum, Ostrichland USA
What are the best desert day trips from Los Angeles?
Both desert trips fit into one day, so here is how far each is from central Los Angeles, what the terrain is like, and what to plan around.
Pick | Drive from central Los Angeles (no traffic) | Terrain | Planning note |
Palm Springs | About 2 hours, roughly 110 miles on Interstate 10 | Valley station at 2,643 feet, mountain station at 8,516 feet | The ride up takes about 10 minutes, and the top is much cooler than the valley |
Joshua Tree National Park | About 2 to 3 hours | Rock formations and open desert | West Entrance to North Entrance takes about 45 minutes, so pick your entrance first. |
3. Palm Springs
The first major stop is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, built in 1963, with 80-passenger tram cars that rotate as they ascend, according to the tramway’s 2026 press release.
The top station is located in Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness, a 14,000-acre area.
In the valley, Indian Canyons, managed by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, offer palm-lined hiking trails.
Palm Springs is famous for its mid-century modern architecture, and the old gas station, now a visitor center, is a landmark.
Signature stops
Aerial Tramway, Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs Air Museum, Moorten Botanical Garden, Indian Canyons, Desert Hot Springs for mineral hot springs
4. Joshua Tree National Park
Mobile coverage is limited within the park, so we recommend printing or downloading your pass to your phone beforehand.
You can reach most of the destinations listed in the table on foot from park roads for a short while. Keys View overlooks Coachella Valley and makes an excellent spot for sunsets. Pioneertown and Yucca Valley are close to the park.
Signature stops
Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Barker Dam, Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View
Palm Springs or Joshua Tree?
Choose Palm Springs for a leisurely, comfortable sightseeing experience. Choose Joshua Tree if you like to walk around the rocks and trees. We would choose Palm Springs for a hot day and Joshua Tree if you can depart in the morning.
Which island and mountain getaways make the best day trips near Los Angeles?
One trip needs a boat and the other a mountain road, so check the travel times and planning notes below before you pick a date.
Pick | Getting there (car times assume no traffic) | Planning note |
Catalina Island | Ferry about 1 hour from Long Beach, 1 hour 15 minutes from San Pedro, 1 hour 30 minutes from Dana Point | Arrive 1 hour before departure, because gates close 5 minutes before the boat leaves |
Big Bear Lake | About 2 hours by car | Discovery Center is open Thursday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Meadows Edge Picnic Area closes December 1 to April 1 |
5. Catalina Island
Pack a light jacket, as the company says it can get chilly while cruising on the water. For a less crowded part of the island, there is also Two Harbors. However, keep in mind that the ferry timings at Two Harbors are different.
Our tip: take one of the first boats. The last boat home sets the length of your day, so look at it before you book.
Signature stops
Avalon, Catalina Casino, Catalina Island Museum, glass-bottom boat, kayak rentals, Descanso Beach, zip line tours, Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden
6. Big Bear Lake
Pine Knot Trail is a 3-mile, moderate-to-difficult trail. The trail starts at 6,884 feet and rises to 7,784 feet at Grand View Point.
The Big Bear Discovery Center at 40971 North Shore Drive sells passes and gives trail advice.
Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead? Big Bear is the pick for snow and active lake days. Lake Arrowhead is the quieter option, a village stop with a lake tour boat and a scenic mountain drive making it an excellent mountain getaway destination, and it appears in the table of more day trips below. We’d pick Big Bear for a full day and Lake Arrowhead for a shorter, calmer one.
Signature stops
Big Bear Village, marina boat rentals, Pine Knot Trail, Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Which beaches are worth a day trip from Los Angeles?
Malibu and Laguna Beach are home to some of the best beaches in the USA, making them the two beach towns most people choose for a day by the coast, and the table shows how they differ.
Pick | Beach style | Getting around (car times assume no traffic) | Good to know |
Malibu | Long sand and waves | About 45 minutes to 1 hour by car, and beaches are spread out along the highway | No alcohol on state or county beaches, no smoking on Malibu beaches, limited parking at El Matador, La Piedra and El Pescador |
Laguna Beach | Coves and galleries | About 1 hour by car, then the open-air trolley moves you around town | More than 100 works of public art, and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center is currently closed to the public for a major facility renovation and expansion project (though they still rescue animals behind the scenes) |
7. Malibu
The drive along the Pacific Coast Highway is part of the trip. The City of Malibu calls Zuma the largest beach in Malibu. Point Dume has a short bluff trail with ocean views; Surfrider Beach beside the pier is the classic stop for surfing; Malibu Lagoon State Beach is good for birds; and Temescal Canyon offers a hike in the hills above the coast. The Adamson House, a historic Spanish Colonial home beside the lagoon, is worth a stop. Paradise Cove has an on-site restaurant, and Malibu Country Mart has shops and places to eat when you want a break from the sand.
Our tip: pick one beach and stay put. You will spend less time looking for parking.
Signature stops
Zuma, Point Dume, El Matador, Surfrider Beach, Malibu Pier, Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Paradise Cove, Adamson House, Temescal Canyon, Malibu Country Mart
8. Laguna Beach
Heisler Park stretches through the cliffs along Cliff Drive and overlooks Main Beach. For a longer walk, San Diego Magazine recommends Crystal Cove State Park, with 3.2 miles of coastline and 2,400 acres of wilderness. The article also mentions the “Pirate Tower” at Victoria Beach. You can use the historic cottages at Crystal Cove State Park for a lunch break.
Signature stops
Heisler Park, Main Beach, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Crystal Cove State Park, Victoria Beach, Laguna Art Museum
Malibu or Laguna Beach?
Malibu is for long sand and waves. Laguna is for coves and galleries. If you ask us, Laguna suits a day with no car plans once you arrive.
Which city and flower trips are worth a day out of Los Angeles?
San Diego suits a full city day, while the Poppy Reserve is a shorter seasonal stop, so this table compares how far each one is and how big the visit feels.
Pick | Getting there (car times assume no traffic) | Scale |
San Diego | About 3 hours by train to Santa Fe Depot | Balboa Park covers 1,200 acres and has 17 museums and cultural groups |
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve | About 15 miles west of Lancaster, less than 2 hours by car | Seven miles of gentle trails |
9. San Diego
The Old Town stop comes earlier on the route, so it saves time if you make Old Town your first stop, and the Santa Fe Depot is near the Gaslamp Quarter. You can also compare intercity bus tickets from Los Angeles to San Diego on BoletoXpress.
The San Diego Zoo is in Balboa Park, while the USS Midway Museum is near the shore. Coronado, home to the Hotel del Coronado, is just a ferry ride from the bay area. If you are not interested in museums but want to be on the beach, see La Jolla below.
Signature stops
Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum of San Diego, Embarcadero, Little Italy, Old Town State Historic Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado, Sunset Cliffs
Santa Barbara or San Diego by train?
Santa Barbara is smaller and easier to cover on foot. San Diego has more to fill a full day. We’d pick San Diego if you love museums and Santa Barbara if you want a slow walk.
10. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
In 2025, the reserve warned of a limited bloom after a dry winter, NBC Los Angeles reported. For 2026, the reserve’s early outlook was good, NBC Los Angeles reports. Check the reserve’s Poppy Cam before you drive.
Signature stops
Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center, trails through the poppy fields
Where can you go for small-town charm, wine, and history in a single day?
These three towns are easy to reach by car and work well for a slow day, so the table shows each drive time and what to expect.
Pick | Drive from central Los Angeles (no traffic) | Type of day | Planning note |
Ojai | About 85 miles, 1.5 to 2 hours | Slow and outdoors | Downtown is small, so park once |
Temecula | About 90 miles, roughly 1.5 hours | Tasting rooms spread across the valley | Pick a designated driver or book a tour |
San Juan Capistrano | About 60 miles, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes | Compact history day | Dana Point Harbor is a short drive away if you want to add a waterfront stop. |
What are the best things to do in Sandpoint, Idaho, in fall and spring?
The shoulder seasons are for people who dislike crowds. Skies are less reliable, but the payoff is quiet.
Attraction | Access or limit | Good to know |
Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge | The 4.5-mile auto tour route is a one-way gravel road and closes to vehicles in winter or unsafe conditions | Leashed dogs are allowed on the route on a 6-foot or shorter nonretractable leash. Bikes are allowed on the route only, not on the trails |
Autumn cruises | The Shawnodese has a fully enclosed lower deck and an open upper deck | That lets you stay warm on a cold day. The boat cruises at about 7 knots |
Pend Oreille Scenic Byway | A two-lane paved road with scenic turnouts. Ice and snow are possible in winter | Full services are in Sandpoint, Ponderay, and Clark Fork, but services are partial in Hope. Bald eagles arrive in fall to feed on spawning kokanee |
11. Ojai
Start downtown with Libbey Park and the arcade, then head to Bart’s Books, an outdoor bookstore. Learn about Ojai’s history at the Ojai Valley Museum, and take a nature walk at Ojai Meadows Preserve. You can wine-taste at local tasting rooms, and Ojai Valley is known for its spas and health retreats. Stay until sunset to experience the “Pink Moment,” when the mountains around Ojai turn pink.
Our recommendation: we would go for Ojai instead of Santa Barbara for a relaxed visit, but prefer Santa Barbara to Ojai for the beach.
Signature stops
Bart’s Books, Libbey Park and arcade, Ojai Valley Museum, Ojai Meadows Preserve, Meditation Mount, Shelf Road trail, Ojai Farmers Market
12. Temecula
Temecula Valley Wine Country is the main draw, with dozens of tasting rooms. Old Town Temecula has historic buildings, shops, and restaurants. For something different, book a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the vineyards.
Our tip: choose two or three tasting rooms and book ahead on weekends instead of trying to visit many.
Signature stops
Temecula Valley Wine Country including Europa Village, Miramonte Winery and South Coast Winery, Old Town Temecula, Temecula Olive Oil Company, hot air balloon rides
13. San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776, and its Serra Chapel is often described as California’s oldest building still in use. The Los Rios Historic District is a walkable street of historic homes, shops, and restaurants.
Our tip: pair the Mission with lunch in Los Rios and skip the extra stops.
Signature stops
Mission San Juan Capistrano, Serra Chapel, Los Rios Historic District
What coast and island options are within reach of Los Angeles?
Next, three more coast and island day-trip options, with the table covering drive times, water activities, and a planning note for each.
Pick | Drive from central Los Angeles (no traffic) | Water activities | Planning note |
Balboa Island | About 45 miles, roughly 1 hour | Whale watching tours and Duffy boat rentals in Newport Harbor | Go on a weekday in summer, because weekends fill up fast |
La Jolla | About 120 miles, roughly 2 hours | Kayaking, snorkeling, and sea cave tours | Do not try to fit La Jolla and San Diego into one day |
Ventura and Channel Islands | About 65 miles, 1 to 1.5 hours | Island boat crossing of about an hour or more, kayaking and wildlife watching | Book island boats ahead, because rough seas can change the schedule |
14. Balboa Island
Balboa Island is in Newport Beach. Walk Marine Avenue for shops and ice cream, and try a frozen chocolate banana, the classic treat here. The ferry ride across to the Balboa Peninsula is short.
Signature stops
Marine Avenue, Balboa Island Ferry, Balboa Pier, Fun Zone
15. La Jolla
La Jolla Cove is known for sea lions and seabirds. Birch Aquarium at Scripps is a good option if the water is rough. Torrey Pines is a short drive north, so La Jolla and Torrey Pines make a natural pair.
San Diego or La Jolla? Choose San Diego for museums and the zoo. Choose La Jolla for the ocean and wildlife.
Signature stops
La Jolla Cove, coastal bluff walk, La Jolla Underwater Park, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Torrey Pines Gliderport
16. Ventura and Channel Islands National Park
Mission San Buenaventura was founded in 1782.
Our tip: do Ventura as an easy day, and save the islands for a separate day when you have time for a longer boat day.
Signature stops
Ventura Pier, downtown Main Street, Mission San Buenaventura, boats from Ventura Harbor
What day trips from Los Angeles are worth considering?
If you have already done the main sixteen, these 14 more destinations near Los Angeles are worth a look, and the table shows drive times and signature stops for each.
Destination | Drive from central Los Angeles (no traffic) | Signature stops | Type of day | Planning note |
Pasadena | About 30 minutes | Rose Bowl, Old Pasadena, Gamble House, Norton Simon Museum | Architecture, museums and shopping | Old Pasadena is easy to walk, while the Rose Bowl needs a ride |
Disneyland and Anaheim | About 45 minutes to 1 hour | Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney | Full day theme park trip | One day covers one park comfortably, so pick Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure and check park hours on the Disneyland website |
Huntington Beach | About 1 hour | Huntington Beach Pier, International Surfing Museum, Pacific Coast Highway beachfront | Surf town and wide beach | The pier is the center of town, so start there and walk the beachfront |
Palos Verdes Peninsula | About 45 minutes to 1 hour | Wayfarers Chapel, Abalone Cove Shoreline Park | Coastal drive and tide pools | Check the tide tables before you visit the tide pools |
Chino Hills State Park | About 1 hour | Rolling M Ranch trailhead, Telegraph Canyon Trail | Spring wildflowers and quiet hiking | Bring water, and check the park’s website for trail conditions |
Mt. Baldy | About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes | Mt. Baldy Village, San Antonio Falls, Ice House Canyon | Close mountain hiking | Trails start near the village, so bring layers |
Lake Arrowhead | About 1.5 to 2 hours | Lake Arrowhead Village, Lake Arrowhead Queen, Heaps Peak Arboretum, Rim of the World Scenic Byway | Quiet mountain lake town | Pair the village and the boat tour with a stop at the arboretum |
Oak Glen | About 1.5 to 2 hours | Riley’s Farm, Los Rios Rancho, Oak Glen Preserve | Fall apple picking | Go on a weekday in fall if you can, since weekends are busy |
Carlsbad | About 1.5 to 2 hours | Legoland California, Carlsbad Village, The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, Carlsbad State Beach | Beach town with family attractions | Legoland suits families with younger children |
Idyllwild | About 2 to 2.5 hours | Idyllwild village, Humber Park, Idyllwild Nature Center | Pine forest mountain town | Pair a village stroll with a hike |
Encinitas | About 2 hours | Moonlight Beach, Swami’s Beach, Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens | Relaxed surf town | Pair a beach stop with the meditation gardens |
Los Olivos | About 2.5 hours | Tasting rooms and galleries on Grand Avenue | Wine tasting village | About 15 minutes from Solvang, so pair them by car |
Red Rock Canyon State Park | About 2.5 hours | Colorful cliffs and rock formations, Hagen Canyon | Desert scenery alternative to Joshua Tree | Remote location, so bring water and fill up on fuel before you go |
Pioneertown and Yucca Valley | About 2.5 hours | Pioneertown, Pappy and Harriet’s, Integratron, Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum, Gubler Orchid Farm | Desert hidden gems near Joshua Tree | Integratron visits need booking, so check its website. |
We left out San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Sequoia National Park, and Death Valley because each runs past 3 hours one way and works better as an overnight stay, so they suit weekend escapes from Los Angeles more than a single day
Which is the best day trip from Los Angeles for your type of trip?
Not sure which of the sixteen to pick? Use this quick list to match a trip to your travel style.
Best overall: Santa Barbara
Best for beaches: Malibu
Best for hiking: Joshua Tree
Best for winter snow: Big Bear
Best for wine: Temecula
Best for couples: Ojai or Santa Barbara
Best for families: San Diego or Balboa Island
Best without a car: Santa Barbara
Best island escape: Catalina
Best small town: Solvang
Best for history: San Juan Capistrano
Best for spring flowers: Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
Best desert alternative: Palm Springs
Best on a budget: Laguna Beach or Malibu
Does the season change which day trip you should pick?
Timing matters for some of these LA day trips, so this table shows when each one is at its best and which dates to check before you go.
Trip | Season | What changes |
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve | Spring | Bloom runs March through Memorial Day, and size depends on rain |
Carlsbad Flower Fields | Spring | The Flower Fields bloom in spring |
San Juan Capistrano | Spring | The swallows legend centers on March 19, St. Joseph’s Day |
Solvang | September | Danish Days festival each September, held every year since 1936 |
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway | Early autumn | Annual maintenance closure ran Sept. 8 to Oct. 4, 2026, and reopened Oct. 5. Dates change each year, and holiday closures also apply, so check the tramway’s website |
Oak Glen | Fall | Apple picking season |
Joshua Tree | Fall | Fee-free days on Oct. 27 and Nov. 11, 2026, for US citizens and residents |
Joshua Tree | Any season | Strong winds and flash floods can happen, so check the park’s alerts page on the morning you go |
Catalina Island | Autumn to winter | New timetable starts Oct. 20, 2026 and runs to March 31, 2027 |
Big Bear | Winter | Adventure Pass needed at snow play areas when snow is present, and Meadows Edge Picnic Area closes Dec. 1 to April 1 to protect eagle habitat, so plan a different lunch spot |
Best in summer: coastal trips such as Malibu, Laguna Beach, Balboa Island and La Jolla, plus Big Bear for lake days and Catalina for a boat day.
Best in winter: Big Bear for snow, Palm Springs and Joshua Tree for mild desert days making them ideal places to travel in December, and Catalina or Newport Harbor for whale watching tours.
Best in spring: Ojai for green hills and Temecula for vineyard days.
Best in fall: Joshua Tree and Palm Springs are great for fall outdoor activities as the heat eases.
Can you do a day trip from Los Angeles without a car?
Yes, for some of them. The table below shows which trips work without a car and what to watch for.
Destination | Without a car? | Best transport | Main limitation |
Santa Barbara | Yes | Pacific Surfliner | Long train day |
San Diego | Yes | Pacific Surfliner | Long day |
La Jolla | Yes, with a transfer | Surfline plus bus or ride share | Extra 30 to 45 minutes |
Catalina | Yes | Ferry | Return boat schedule, plus a ride to the terminal |
San Juan Capistrano | Yes | Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink | Check return times |
Ventura | Yes | Pacific Surfliner | Check return times |
Pasadena | Yes | Metro A Line from Union Station | The Rose Bowl needs a ride |
Disneyland and Anaheim | Yes | Pacific Surfliner to Anaheim, then a local shuttle bus | Check return times |
Laguna Beach | Limited | Train plus bus or ride share | More transfers |
Balboa Island | Limited | Surfliner to Irvine or Santa Ana, then bus or ride share | No direct train to Newport Beach |
Ojai | Limited | Train to Ventura plus bus or ride share | Last stretch |
Palm Springs | Limited | Intercity bus | Tram is outside downtown |
Malibu | Limited | Local bus along the coast | Beaches are spread out |
Solvang | Limited | Bus or car | Local transport |
Joshua Tree | No | Rental car | Park is spread out |
Big Bear | No | Car | Mountain roads |
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve | No | Car | Rural location |
Temecula | No | Car or wine tour | Wineries are spread out |
Buses are the budget option for many same-day trip destinations. BoletoXpress lists intercity bus tickets from several companies, so that you can easily book bus tickets online and compare times and prices in one place. Check the return time first. A day trip only works if the last ride home leaves after you are done.
What time should you leave Los Angeles for a day trip?
Traffic out of Los Angeles can change your whole day, so whether you are taking a quick trip or embarking on a longer USA road trip, use these timing tips to plan your drive out and your drive back.
- Early morning: leave before 8 a.m. when you can to beat the heaviest traffic and have more daylight at your destination.
- Weekday or weekend: weekdays are easier than weekends, especially for beach, desert, and mountain trips.
- Friday and Sunday afternoons: these are the hardest times on the roads to Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, Big Bear, and Temecula, so plan the drive out or the drive back around them.
- Coast routes: the Pacific Coast Highway can be slow on summer weekends, so arrive early to find parking.
- Mountain routes: in winter, check road conditions and chain requirements before you drive up to Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Mt. Baldy, or Idyllwild.
- Desert routes: in summer, start early so you finish hikes before the afternoon heat.
- Coming home: plan the drive back so you are not on the road during the evening rush, or leave late enough to miss it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free day trip from Los Angeles?
Santa Barbara is our pick, with Balboa Park in San Diego as a second free option. Parking and food are extra.
What is the best day trip from Los Angeles in winter?
Big Bear is the snow choice, and Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are good for mild desert days. The season section has the details.
How far in advance should you book?
Buy Palm Springs tram tickets online ahead of time, and check the tramway’s own website for its current booking rules and closure dates. Book Catalina boats before you go, since you can cancel without a fee more than 48 hours out. For bus or train days, buy your return ticket with your outbound one.
Which day trip is closest to Los Angeles?
Pasadena is the closest day trip in this guide, and Malibu is the closest beach trip. The tables list drive times for every trip, and heavy traffic can double them, so check a map app on the day.
What are the best day trips from Los Angeles by train?
Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ventura, and San Juan Capistrano work best by train. The transport table covers every trip.
What are the best summer day trips near Los Angeles?
Coastal trips and Big Bear are the best summer picks, and the season section lists the rest.
What are the best LA day trips for couples?
Ojai or Santa Barbara, as listed in the traveler type section.
What are the best Los Angeles day trips for families?
San Diego or Balboa Island are excellent choices for budget family travel, as listed in the traveler type section. Disneyland and Anaheim are in the more day trips table.
What are the best cheap day trips from Los Angeles?
As a helpful budget travel tip while in Southern California, Laguna Beach and Malibu cost the least. The cost table shows what each trip charges. Ready to plan? Compare bus tickets for your route on BoletoXpress before you pick a date.
