10 Best Road Trips Near Los Angeles
Escape to SoCal This Weekend!
Looking for the best road trips near Los Angeles? You’ll be spoiled for choice because several epic overland adventures await just a short drive away from the City of Angels. You won’t have to venture too far to escape the hubbub of the city, either.
Escape to cool places in SoCal this weekend with these road trips. They’re all under 2 hours’ drive from the largest city in the Golden State and each is ideal for a weekend escape. From blissful beach towns to magnificent mountain retreats and soothing wellness spas, here are our top picks for places to explore by road, all within easy reach of Los Angeles.
1. Huntington Beach
Stunning coastal views and consistently good surfing
Good for: Adventure, Budget, Photo
Huntington Beach is the ideal mini road trip when time is of the essence. That’s because this laid-back Orange County town is less than an hour away from downtown Los Angeles. However, if you’re not in a rush then be sure to take the scenic route down the Pacific Highway to enjoy sweeping views of Seal Beach and Sunset Beach.
Also known as Surf City USA, Huntington Beach has the most consistent breaks in SoCal. When the swell is flat elsewhere on the coast, this 10-mile stretch heaves with surfers riding its ever-reliable waves. Back on land, hip restaurants line the sun-soaked sand, and there are intriguing museums and lush wetlands to explore.
Location: Huntington Beach, CA 92648, United States
Huntington Beach
2. Laguna Beach
Spectacular scenery and a cool community
Good for: Food, Photo, Shoppers
The city of Laguna Beach is a bodacious bohemian destination complete with chic cafes and glamorous galleries. Aside from the thriving arts and dining scene, the town is well-known for its ensemble of beautiful beaches and coves.
Main Beach is the epicenter of it all, a bustling boardwalk-lined stretch with gorgeous rock pools on either end. For something more remote, head to Woods Cove Beach or Victoria Beach instead. The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is ideal for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, while Aliso Beach usually has the best surf. Head home via the Pacific Highway, preferably at sunset, for more astonishing ocean views. Laguna Beach is an hour and a half from Los Angeles.
Location: Laguna Beach, CA 92651, United States
Laguna Beach
3. Balboa Island
A hip, urbanized island by Newport Beach
Good for: Couples, Families, Shoppers, Food
Balboa Island is a beautiful harborside community about an hour south of central Los Angeles. This upmarket district comprises 3 artificial islands you can access via the Marine Avenue Bridge. Alternately, you can get there from the scenic Balboa Peninsula by sailing over the bay on the vintage Balboa Island Automobile Ferry.
Marine Avenue is the island’s commercial heart, complete with countless chic coastal boutiques. Restaurants and bistros also line the buzzing strip, serving a smorgasbord of mouth-watering cuisine. The fresh seafood is a must. For a cheeky dessert, try the world-famous Balboa Frozen Banana.
Location: Newport Beach, CA 92662, United States
Balboa Island
4. Glen Ivy Hot Springs
A wellness spa built on a natural mineral spring
Good for: Couples, Luxury, Unusual
Soothing Glen Ivy Hot Springs is the ultimate escape for stressed-out city dwellers in need of serious rest and relaxation. Tucked away beneath the majestic Santa Ana Range, these natural mineral springs have been attracting day-trippers for over 150 years. This day spa resides an hour’s drive from Los Angeles and is particularly popular among glamorous socialites who want to take a road trip out from the city.
Nowadays, a luxurious spa of the same name offers a wide range of water-based therapies. Take a dip in the red-clay mud baths, known as Club Mud, before cleansing the skin in a sulphuric mineral tub or sweating through a steamy sauna. Facials, massages, meditation, and yoga complete this bliss-inducing experience.
Location: 25000 Glen Ivy Rd, Temescal Valley, CA 92883, United States
Open: Monday–Tuesday from 9.30 am to 5 pm, Wednesday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 888-453-6489
Glen Ivy Hot Springs
5. Temecula
Sophisticated dining and fine SoCal wines
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Photo
Temecula is a great semi-rural place to escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, as it’s just an easy hour-and-a-half drive away. Boasting a warm Mediterranean climate and near-perpetual sunshine, it’s a Southern Californian wine-growing powerhouse with over 50 vineyards to explore.
Once you’ve sampled a few glasses of vino, hit the historic Old Town for world-class dining and sophisticated nightlife. Promenade Temecula houses a lively farmers’ market hawking local produce, while handcrafted goods line the town’s bountiful boutiques. Breathtaking valley views set the scene, and there isn’t a single traffic jam in sight.
Location: Temecula, CA 92591, United States
Temecula
6. Ojai
Organic, locally-sourced cuisine and stunning mountain hikes
Good for: Shoppers, Food, Adventure
A tiny Ventura County town, Ojai draws those who are boutique buffs, food-lovers, or outdoor adventurers. Its verdant valleys are known for producing some of Southern California’s finest organic produce. High-end health-conscious restaurants turn quality, locally-sourced produce into delicious dishes that satisfy even the fussiest diners from Los Angeles.
Around town, an assortment of independent art galleries, wellness spas, and bric-a-brac businesses cater to a trendy clientele. Franchisees are prohibited from trading within city limits. For the hiking crowd, there’s no shortage of meandering trails to explore in the Los Padres National Forest. You can reach Ojai in less than a 90-minute drive from Los Angeles.
Location: Ojai, CA 93023, United States
Ojai
7. Santa Barbara
An upmarket oceanfront city popular with celebrities
Good for: Couples, Food, Shoppers
Santa Barbara is affectionately known as the American Riviera for its elegant European-inspired architecture, soft sandy beaches, and lush rolling hills. It’s known as a home to the stars, with celebrity local residents from Brad Pitt to Oprah Winfrey. To get there, head west on the Pacific Coast Highway, popping into Santa Monica and Malibu along the way.
The best restaurants and bars line the palm-fringed East Beach and the historic Stearns Wharf Pier. Downtown is well worth a look, too. Paseo Nuevo houses ritzy retailers in a stylish open-air space, while the Public Market serves delicious street food from around the globe.
Location: Santa Barbara, CA 93105, United States
Santa Barbara
8. Oak Glen
A relaxed fruit-growing town with fantastic fall foliage
Good for: Couples, Food, Photo
Oak Glen, situated in the Topatopa Mountains, has a rural vibe that’s a stark contrast to the bustle of Los Angeles. The mile-high town sits well above the smog line, so you can enjoy the crisp mountain air. Surrounding it are swarms of apple orchards and berry ranches that stretch out across the horizon, making this town a popular romantic road trip for couples from Los Angeles.
In autumn, the hills burst with gold and ochre hues to attract eager visitors. Harvest season is another wonderful time to visit, with fruit picking and pressing activities to entertain visitors young and old. If you’re more interested in scenery than citrus, walk along the leafy trails of the Oak Glen Preserve.
Location: Yucaipa, CA 92399, United States
Oak Glen
9. Lake Arrowhead
A beautiful lakeside resort in the Alps of SoCal
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families
Lake Arrowhead lies deep in the San Bernardino Mountains, a thickly-forested area referred to as the “Alps of SoCal.” Nature lovers and adventure travelers adore the pristine surroundings, where activities like hiking, skiing, and water sports abound. It’s also equally popular among couples for its romantic alpine vibe as well as its plush restaurants and resorts.
The glistening lake lies an hour and a half from Los Angeles via a windy mountain road. If you’re chasing powder and have more time on your hands, Big Bear Lake has superb downhill skiing and reliable seasonal snowfall. Although it’s only 15 miles further east, you’ll need to allow at least an extra hour to navigate the rugged terrain.
Location: Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352, United States
Lake Arrowhead
10. Palm Springs
An upmarket resort town in the scorching Sonoran Desert
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Photo
Palm Springs is an upscale resort town with an affinity for modernist architecture. The town is a scenic 2-hour drive east of Los Angeles. The area has been gaining momentum among the upper class since the 19th century. Nowadays, a wide array of fine restaurants and resorts cater to a well-heeled crowd. Its biggest claim to fame is the Coachella festival, which attracts both celebrities and big-name bands.
Palm Springs is popular year-round, despite the blazing Sonoran Desert heat. You can expect temperatures of over 100°F in the summertime, but at least there are plenty of refreshing pools to cool off in. Don’t miss the Aerial Tramway, a gigantic rotating gondola, while you’re there.
Location: Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
Palm Springs
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.