The 10 Best Day Trips From LA in Los Angeles (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 10 picks

The best day trips from Los Angeles in 2026 are Santa Barbara for beaches and the American Riviera, Palm Springs for midcentury design and desert canyons, Joshua Tree National Park for boulders and big skies, Catalina Island for a one-hour ferry escape, and Ojai for a small-town mountain break. Laguna Beach, Big Bear, Temecula, Solvang and Channel Islands round out the list.

Drive times below are approximate, measured from Downtown LA without traffic. Real times are often much longer on Friday and Sunday afternoons, so leave early and plan to return after the evening rush. Catalina and Channel Islands are the exceptions: both need a boat, and you should book it ahead.

Two destinations are best as a long day or an overnight: Joshua Tree and Solvang. If you want something closer to the city, our best beaches and best hikes guides cover the coast and the Santa Monica Mountains, and the best attractions guide covers what to do in town.

1. Santa Barbara — Santa Barbara County

Beaches, wine tasting and a walkable downtown on the coast.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · Families · Beaches · Wine

Santa Barbara markets itself as the American Riviera. Visit Santa Barbara lists beaches and parks, a wine section, outdoor dining, free activities and a hiking guide, so you can build a day around the water, the shops of downtown and the foothills.

The drive is about 1 hour 45 minutes without traffic, and Montecito, Goleta and the Santa Ynez Valley are all part of the area.

Good to know: Leave LA before 8 AM to avoid the 101 traffic through Ventura County. Best season is spring through fall, and summer weekends are busiest.

Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Google Maps Website

2. Palm Springs — Coachella Valley

Midcentury modern design, desert canyons and the Palm Springs Art Museum.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · Design · Hiking

Visit Palm Springs highlights midcentury modern architecture, boutique hotels, LGBTQ+ culture, hiking in Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon, and the Palm Springs Art Museum. The area sits on the ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

The drive is about 1 hour 45 minutes without traffic. Event dates cluster from fall through spring, including Modernism Week from February 11 to 21, 2027.

Good to know: Best season is late fall through spring, and summer afternoons are very hot. The Visitor Center at 2901 N Palm Canyon Dr is a good first stop.

2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Google Maps Website

3. Joshua Tree National Park — San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

Boulder fields, Joshua tree forests and dark desert skies.

$ BudgetBest for Hiking · Stargazing · Couples · Families

Joshua Tree National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you can drive in and out at any time. A private vehicle pass costs $30 and is valid for 7 days, per the National Park Service.

The busy season runs October through May, with spring and holidays the most crowded. The NPS warns that extreme summer heat poses a very serious safety risk.

Good to know: Plan on about 2 hours 15 minutes each way without traffic. Fill your tank and carry extra water, since services are limited inside the park.

6554 Park Blvd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Google Maps Website

4. Catalina Island — Avalon

A one-hour ferry to Avalon, zip lines, kayaking and bison tours.

$$$ UpmarketBest for Families · Couples · Beaches · Outdoors

Love Catalina Island, the island's official destination management organization, lists activities such as zip lining, paddle boarding, diving, eco tours and a bison tour, plus shopping, dining and a spa. Avalon is the main hub, and Two Harbors is a quieter second base.

Passenger ferries sail from San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach and Dana Point in about an hour, and helicopters take about 15 minutes.

Good to know: Book ferries and activities in advance. Catalina Express serves San Pedro and Two Harbors, and the Catalina Flyer runs from Newport Beach to Avalon.

1 Green Pleasure Pier, Avalon, CA 90704

Google Maps Website

5. Ojai — Ventura County

Small valley town with a walkable main street and mountain trails.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · Hiking

Ojai is a small town in the mountains of Ventura County, centered on Ojai Avenue's shops and restaurants. The Ojai Visitors Bureau's site lists places to stay, dining and things to do.

The drive is about 1 hour 30 minutes without traffic. It is a good fit for a slow day of browsing, hiking and eating rather than a packed itinerary.

Good to know: Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons, as summer afternoons in the valley get hot. Check the visitors bureau for festival dates, which add crowds.

Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023

Google Maps Website

6. Laguna Beach — Orange County

Seven miles of protected coastline, art galleries and small coves.

Best for Beaches · Couples · Families · Dogs

Visit Laguna Beach describes seven miles of protected coastline and 22,000 acres of protected wilderness, with canyon studios, winding trails and an artist and activist heritage. Its Orange County location is about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego.

It has annual art festivals and a free Sunday concert series, Music in the Park. The site also has a Dog Friendly page and a Parking page under Plan Your Trip.

Good to know: About 1 hour from Downtown LA without traffic. Arrive early on summer weekends, as parking is the main constraint, and check the site's Parking page.

Main Beach, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Google Maps Website

7. Big Bear Lake — San Bernardino Mountains

Four-season mountain lake with skiing, hiking and kayaking.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Outdoors · Skiing

Visit Big Bear calls the area a four-season mountain lake escape in the San Bernardino National Forest. Activities include skiing and snowboarding, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and lake activities, with fall colors and events such as Oktoberfest.

The drive is about 2 hours without traffic, and the visitor center is at 40824 Big Bear Blvd.

Good to know: Check road and weather conditions before you leave in winter, and be prepared for chain controls. Best season is winter for snow and fall for colors.

40824 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Google Maps Website

8. Temecula Valley — Riverside County

Southern California wine country with an Old Town to wander.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Wine · Couples

Visit Temecula Valley focuses on wine, with a wine section and award-winning wineries, plus events, food and drink, and lodging. Old Town Temecula adds a walkable main street.

The drive is about 1 hour 30 minutes without traffic, so it works as a day trip if you plan a designated driver.

Good to know: Book tastings in advance on weekends, and use a driver or tour. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for visiting vineyards.

Old Town Front St, Temecula, CA 92590

Google Maps Website

9. Solvang — Santa Ynez Valley

Danish-style village with bakeries, wineries and a December light show.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · Wine · Families

Solvang calls itself the Danish Capital of America, with Danish bakeries, wineries and shops, and the official visitor guide lists 19 hotels and 11 vacation rentals, most within walking distance of downtown.

Julefest runs from November 27, 2026 through January 3, 2027, with nightly light and music shows at Solvang Park. It is about 2 hours 15 minutes from Downtown LA without traffic.

Good to know: Combine it with a Santa Barbara stop on the way. December weekends are the busiest because of Julefest, so go on a weekday if you can.

Mission Dr, Solvang, CA 93463

Google Maps Website

10. Channel Islands National Park — Ventura

Five islands reached by boat, with hiking, kayaking and wildlife.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Hiking · Outdoors · Wildlife

Channel Islands National Park is reached only by park concessionaire boats and planes or by private boat. The park's Superintendent's address is 1901 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura, and the park phone is 805 658-5730.

The NPS asks visitors to conduct a biosecurity check before departing the mainland, and camping is available year-round on all five islands.

Good to know: About 1 hour 15 minutes to Ventura without traffic. Book your boat early and check the park's alerts page, since boat schedules and landings depend on weather.

1901 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, CA 93001

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the best day trip from Los Angeles?

Santa Barbara is the most popular all-rounder, with beaches, wine tasting and a walkable downtown about an hour and three-quarters up the coast. Palm Springs and Laguna Beach are the other easy picks.

Which day trips from LA are closest?

Laguna Beach is about an hour from Downtown LA without traffic, and Catalina Island is about an hour by ferry from San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach or Dana Point, per the Catalina tourism authority.

What is the best day trip from LA in winter?

Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are most comfortable from fall through spring, and Joshua Tree's busy season runs October through May according to the National Park Service. Big Bear is the winter pick if you want snow and skiing.

Can you visit Joshua Tree in one day from LA?

Yes, but it is a long drive each way. The park is open 24 hours, and a private vehicle pass costs $30 for 7 days according to the National Park Service. In summer, extreme heat poses a serious safety risk, so go early and carry water.

How do you get to Catalina Island?

Passenger ferries sail from San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach and Dana Point, and the crossing takes about an hour. Helicopters take about 15 minutes. Reservations are recommended.

Which day trips work for wine lovers?

Temecula Valley and the Santa Ynez Valley around Solvang are the main wine-country day trips. Santa Barbara itself also has a wine section on its tourism site. Arrange a designated driver or a tour.

1. Santa Barbara — Santa Barbara County

2. Palm Springs — Coachella Valley

3. Joshua Tree National Park — San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

4. Catalina Island — Avalon

5. Ojai — Ventura County

6. Laguna Beach — Orange County

7. Big Bear Lake — San Bernardino Mountains

8. Temecula Valley — Riverside County

9. Solvang — Santa Ynez Valley

10. Channel Islands National Park — Ventura

Frequently asked questions

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