Best Road Trips From Los Angeles: Where To Go and What To Do

San Diego is, without a doubt, one of the easiest weekend getaways from Los Angeles—only 120 miles (193 kilometers) south. Once you arrive, you’ll have a whole slew of activities to enjoy, and you can start by saying hello to the sea lions at La Jolla Cove, or head straight to the world-famous Balboa Park to enjoy its surrounding museums and manicured landscapes. Next door to the park is the uber-popular San Diego Zoo, where you can easily spend an entire day watching penguins, pandas, and polar bears.

Don’t forget to enjoy San Diego’s incredible food scene—breakfast burritos and fish tacos are both must-eats, or take a beer and brewery tour to tap into the local craft beer scene.

The route to Joshua Tree from LA is only about two to two and a half hours (depending on traffic), but it’s one of the best road trips from LA. Before you know it, you’ll leave the crowds of the city behind for a breathtaking natural gem whose main highlight is the desert-adapted, prehistoric-esque Joshua tree, which only grows in the mighty Mojave Desert.

You can easily fill your itinerary with hiking (full day tours are available, or opt for a half-day excursion), several hours of guided rock climbing, taking photos of the stunning desert landscapes, sunset-watching, and stargazing in the night sky.

Insider tip: The main entrance to the park is in the town of Joshua Tree and often has backed up lines. During the busy season and holidays, opt to use the north entrance in Twentynine Palms to avoid the crowds.

While there are many great LA day trips that allow you to escape the traffic and the crowds, Ojai, California may embrace the quiet the most. Just an hour and a half outside of the city, Ojai has made itself a haven of sorts, one where a community of creatives has built a life centered around the handmade and the homegrown. The town is so committed to its laid-back style of life that chain stores are actually prohibited.

Make the most of Ojai by doing what the locals do. Bring a creative piece to work on or take a two-hour pottery class guided by expert ceramists. For some retail therapy, browse the open-air shelves of Bart’s Books, and wrap up a relaxing day enjoying what locals call the “Pink Moment," a magical twilight glow over the Topatopa Mountains.

Just an hour south of Los Angeles, Laguna Beach feels like an entirely different world. There’s still a buzz in the air, but instead of being from the frantic rush of the city, it’s drawn from creative energy and crashing waves that can be heard pretty much anywhere in this beachside enclave.

Locals flock to the 30 different local beaches in the mornings, during lunch breaks, and even after work—sometimes to surf the waves and other times just to take in the salty ocean air and the views of Catalina Island in the distance. Ready to get wet? Try your hand at an ocean kayaking tour, where you have the chance to get up close and personal with sea lions.

The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably the quintessential road trip route in California. And when traveling to Big Sur from Los Angeles, you can take this oceanfront highway all five and a half hours up the coast.

While the drive to Big Sur is part of the appeal, arriving at this picturesque destination is also a top-tier part of the journey. In this charming small town filled with lush forests of pine, cypress, and the famous coast redwood trees, you’re guaranteed to get your nature fix. Spend your days frolicking through wildflowers at Garrapata State Park, snapping photos at McWay Falls, and tackling one of the many ocean-view trails.

Not ready to tackle the entire nearly 656-mile (1,056-kilometer) stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway? Take on just a small segment of it on the way to Santa Barbara instead.

This Southern California beach town embodies the definition of laid-back luxury, where red-roofed Mediterranean-style buildings meet the crashing Pacific Ocean surf and picture-perfect sunsets. Spend a morning at Butterfly Beach before popping by the Old Santa Barbara Mission and taking in the views from the top of the Santa Barbara clock tower. Then, grab a scoop of sea salt cream & cookies ice cream from the original McConnell’s location for a tasty end to a sweet day.

Believe it or not, you can road trip from Los Angeles into the neighboring state of Nevada in just four hours. You’ll find yourself in Las Vegas, where a different type of city energy is abuzz. Stay right on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip for the most action—from magic shows and Cirque de Soleil performances to poker tables and delicious restaurants.

Alternatively, you can stay in the Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin, where desert luxury is the name of the game. Hike and rock climb at Red Rock Canyon during the day, then stroll through ritzy shops in Downtown Summerlin each evening.

Head inland from LA to the lesser-known city of Temecula, located in the heart of Southern California wine country. This charming region is home to dozens of wineries and tasting rooms specializing in grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, and Merlot. Some local favorites include Wilson Creek Winery, Ponte Winery, Wiens Cellars, and Robert Renzoni Winery.

As there often is in wine-growing regions, Temecula also has quite a few olive oil farms dotted between for a break from the booze, including Temecula Olive Oil Company. If you really want to embrace the getaway, take to the skies on a signature sunrise hot air balloon ride.

When it comes to classic Southern California road trip routes, it’s hard to beat the drive from LA to Palm Springs. Under good traffic conditions, it takes about two hours by car, not including the time for potential cool side stops along the way, such as the BAPS Hindu Temple in Chino Hills or the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens.

Once you’re inside Palm Springs city limits, seize your opportunity for uninterrupted desert bliss at one of the numerous local spas, such as The Spa at Sec-he (which happens to be on the same block as the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, another worthwhile stop). For a bit more adventure, head to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The 8,516-foot (2,596-kilometer) journey up the San Jacinto Mountains yields a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding desert region, and on clear days, you can even see as far as the Salton Sea!