Best Day Trips From LA
One of the many perks of living in LA is having many wonderful destinations within driving distance for us to enjoy. Neighboring cities include Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Palm Springs just to name a few. Not only will you be greeted by new scenery and experiences but you will also have a beautiful scenic drive.
One of our personal favorite day trips to take is to Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is roughly a 100-mile drive from Los Angeles and the scenic 101 will get you there in less than 2 hours. There are state parks and other great cities to stop along the way if you’re in no rush and you want to take it all in. Although Santa Barbara is highly known for being a college city, it has a lot to offer. Whether you want to take in the history behind the city and visit the mission or any other historic buildings, or perhaps stroll around downtown and enjoy lunch at one of the many picturesque restaurants in town. If you’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, we recommend Handlebar Coffee Roaster to grab a cup of coffee with a snack.
Also at the top of the list of day trips to take from LA is Palm Springs. Although Palm Springs is great for anyone, we especially recommend it for couples who are looking for a quick getaway. While in Palm Springs we recommend you get a pool pass to a hotel if you’re looking to enjoy some time under the sun, however shopping in downtown Palm Springs is always a great option. If you’re willing to drive back a little late, dinner under the stars is a great way to finish off your trip to Palm Springs.
Last but not least we have San Diego, although it is a bit of a longer drive, it is definitely rewarding. Once in San Diego, there is a lot of sightseeing for you to do, but definitely, Balboa Park which is known to be America's largest cultural park. For all the restaurants, bars, and boutiques, you will definitely want to make your way to Gaslamp Quarter. San Diego has many different cuisines to offer so you are bound to find something that works for your taste buds’ needs.
Whether you want a quick one-day trip or you have a couple of days to enjoy, these are some of our favorite places to visit from LA.