10 Best Day Trips from Los Angeles in 2026
From Joshua Tree's alien desert to Santa Barbara's wine country — the ultimate guide to escaping LA.
· · 8 min read
Los Angeles is one of the world's great cities, and its location in Southern California gives it access to one of the most varied day trip landscapes in the United States. Within two hours you can be skiing, surfing, wine tasting, or exploring a desert wilderness. This guide covers the 10 best day trips from Los Angeles in 2026, with tips on the best time to visit and what not to miss.
1. Santa Barbara — The American Riviera (1.5 hrs)
Santa Barbara is California's most beautiful coastal city, with a stunning Spanish Colonial Revival downtown, pristine beaches, and world-class wine country just minutes away. State Street is lined with excellent restaurants and boutiques. The Santa Barbara Mission is one of the most beautiful in California. The Santa Ynez Valley wine country — the setting for the film Sideways — is just 30 minutes north and has over 100 wineries. The Funk Zone arts district near the waterfront is excellent for craft beer and galleries. Best time to visit: April through June and September through November.
2. Joshua Tree National Park — Desert Stargazing & Rock Climbing (2.5 hrs)
Joshua Tree is one of the most otherworldly landscapes in the United States, where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet in a collision of massive granite boulders and the iconic Joshua trees. The park is world-famous for rock climbing, with over 8,000 established routes. Cholla Cactus Garden and Skull Rock are excellent short walks. The park is one of the best stargazing destinations in Southern California, with minimal light pollution. Best time to visit: October through April — summer temperatures can exceed 110°F.
3. Big Bear Lake — Skiing, Hiking & Mountain Escape (2 hrs)
Big Bear Lake sits at 6,752 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains and offers a genuine four-season mountain experience within two hours of LA. Big Bear Mountain Resort and Snow Summit offer excellent skiing and snowboarding December through April. In summer, the lake is perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, and the surrounding national forest has outstanding hiking. The village has good restaurants and a charming main street. Best time to visit: December through March for skiing; June through September for summer activities.
4. Catalina Island — Island Escape by Ferry (1 hr by boat)
Santa Catalina Island is 22 miles off the LA coast and feels like a different world. The only town, Avalon, has a charming Mediterranean atmosphere with colorful buildings, a famous Art Deco casino, and a beautiful harbor. Snorkeling and scuba diving in the kelp forests are excellent. The island's interior is a wildlife preserve with bison (descendants of a 1924 film production herd), hiking trails, and zip lines. Ferries run from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. Best time to visit: May through October.
5. Palm Springs — Desert Modernism & Hot Springs (2 hrs)
Palm Springs is one of California's most stylish destinations, famous for its extraordinary collection of mid-century modern architecture, world-class resorts, and the dramatic San Jacinto Mountains backdrop. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway rises 8,516 feet in 10 minutes, offering a stunning transition from desert to alpine forest. The Coachella Valley has excellent hiking in winter and spring. The Sunnylands estate — the 'Camp David of the West' — is open for tours. Best time to visit: November through April — summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F.
6. Malibu — Beaches, Hiking & Celebrity Spotting (30 min)
Malibu stretches 21 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway and offers some of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California. Zuma Beach is the largest and most popular. El Matador State Beach has dramatic sea stacks and sea caves. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area behind Malibu has excellent hiking with ocean views — the Backbone Trail runs 67 miles through the mountains. The Getty Villa museum houses an extraordinary collection of ancient Greek and Roman art in a stunning hilltop setting. Best time to visit: Year-round, though summer weekends are crowded.
7. Ojai — Arts, Wellness & Pink Moment Sunsets (1.5 hrs)
Ojai is one of California's most charming small towns, nestled in a valley in the Topatopa Mountains. The town has a thriving arts scene, excellent farm-to-table restaurants, and a wellness culture centered around yoga retreats and organic farms. The famous 'Pink Moment' — when the mountains turn pink at sunset — is one of the most beautiful natural phenomena in Southern California. The Ojai Valley Trail is an excellent cycling and walking path. Best time to visit: March through May and September through November.
8. Laguna Beach — Art, Tide Pools & Coves (1 hr)
Laguna Beach is one of Southern California's most beautiful coastal cities, with a thriving art scene, stunning coves, and excellent tide pools. The Pageant of the Masters in July and August is a unique performance art event where famous paintings are recreated with live human models. Crystal Cove State Park has excellent snorkeling and miles of hiking trails above the ocean. The town's galleries, restaurants, and boutiques make it one of the best day trips from LA for a cultural escape. Best time to visit: May through October.
9. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks — Giant Trees (3.5 hrs)
The giant sequoias of Sequoia National Park are the largest living things on Earth by volume, and standing beneath them is a humbling experience. General Sherman Tree is the world's largest tree by volume. Kings Canyon has one of the deepest canyons in North America. The drive through the parks is spectacular, and the Moro Rock hike offers panoramic Sierra Nevada views. Best time to visit: May through October — the road to Kings Canyon is closed in winter.
10. Temecula Wine Country — Southern California's Napa (1.5 hrs)
Temecula Valley has over 40 wineries producing excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Viognier. The Old Town Temecula has a charming Western atmosphere with antique shops and restaurants. Hot air balloon rides over the vineyards at sunrise are a spectacular experience. The area is also known for its olive oil producers and lavender farms. Best time to visit: Spring for wildflowers; October through November for harvest season.