
Southern California Day Trips Things To Do
Popular California Destinations


Angels Camp Day Trip: Gold Rush Nostalgia in Sierra Foothills

Huntington Dog Beach Take Your Canine Friend to the Beach

Day Trip Guide to Slide Rock State Park in Sedona, Arizona

Arizona’s Must-Do Day Trips: Best Spots for a Weekend Adventure

Pioneertown Day Trip: Western Movie Set, Yucca Valley, California

Step Back in Time: Must-Visit California Railroad Depots and Museums

Guide to Dana Point Headlands Nature Preserve: Trails, Whales, and History

Fort Bragg Day Trip: Attractions, Hidden Gems and Adventures

Ride the Rails: A Family Day Trip on the Sugar Pine Steam Railroad

Carlsbad Flower Fields Free Viewing Area: Armada Drive Overlook

Sherman Gardens Day Trip: A Botanical Haven in Corona del Mar

Dana Point Festival of Whales: Parade, Whale Watching, & Harbor Festivities

Anaheim Packing House Day Trip: Epic Food Hall, Trains, & History

The Rise and Fall of Rhyolite: A Day Trip Through Nevada’s Past
Day Trips From Los Angeles

Explore the Charming Santa Monica Mountains Wine Tasting
The Santa Monica Mountains, situated in a Mediterranean ecosystem, are a rich tapestry of history and natural beauty just minutes from downtown Los Angeles. The region's geology is complex and ever-changing, featuring active

Catalina Island Day Trip: Your Ultimate Guide of Things To Do
Make the most of your time and escape to Catalina Island for a day trip. This hidden gem is just 26 miles off the Southern California coast, southwest of Los Angeles. Catalina Island spans 76 square miles of stunning

What are The Best Studio Tours in Los Angeles & Hollywood
Los Angeles is home to several major motion picture studios, including Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Brothers Studios. Along with producing films and television shows, these studios offer public tours.

Unforgettable Day Trip to the USS Iowa Museum Battleship
The USS Iowa, a museum battleship, is located in San Pedro, California, at the Port of Los Angeles. Visitors can explore auditory and visual displays, interactive exhibits, and commemorative information to understand the

Experience the Magic: A Hollywood Day Trip Guide
Hollywood, a destination adorned with stars, offers an exclusive experience, even for those not captivated by celebrities. However, Hollywood's reputation as an iconic place to mingle with the famous is not an overstatement

Malibu Beach Day Trip: Things to Do and Nearby Attractions.
Malibu Beach is an affluent beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California. It offers some of the world's most spectacular beaches and views, making it the perfect place to spend a day soaking up the essence of

Santa Barbara Day Trip Itinerary: Best Activities and Attractions
Santa Barbara is about 90 miles north of Los Angeles, making it an easily accessible destination for a day trip. However, we highly recommend starting your trip early in the morning to make the most of your time there. The

Los Angeles Zoo Day Trip Griffith Park
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful day destination. It has over 1,100 animals from 250 different species and a botanical collection with several gardens and more than 800 plant species, totaling 7,400
Orange County California

Seal Beach Day Trip: Exciting Activities…
Home to the second-longest wooden pier in the United States, Seal Beach is the perfect blend of a rustic old surf town and a new upscale cultural community. Seal Beach offers a relaxed, low-key vibe perfect for a single

Exploring Old Towne Orange: A Delightful…
The City of Orange, Old Towne District, in Orange County, California, is a unique and charming destination for a relaxed weekend day trip. Old Towne Orange, with its cozy sidewalk restaurants, jewelry stores, and lovely

San Clemente Day Trip Fun Things To See…
San Clemente, California, is located in Southern Orange County and is the last town before entering the wide-open space of Camp Pendleton. Once a quiet beach town favored by surfers and marines from Pendleton, San Clemente

Ortega Highway 74 Road Trip Points Of…
California Route 74, or Ortega Highway, is a scenic road extending just over 21 miles from San Juan Capistrano to the Lake Elsinore Valley. Its history begins as a Native American footpath along San Juan Creek. Construction

Laguna Lake Park Day Trip…
Laguna Lake Park, a unique haven nestled in the heart of Fullerton, offers a distinct escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Here, you can immerse yourself in various activities like fishing, picnicking, and hiking. The

Tanaka Farms U-Pick Tours Irvine…
Tanaka Farms in Irvine, California, is a treasure trove of fun and education for families and individuals. This 30-acre farm offers a variety of tours and activities throughout the year, allowing visitors to pick their fruits

Trestles Beach Trail San Onofre State…
Trestles Beach attracts surfers from all over the world to experience the perfect wave. Trestles is named after the railroad bridge over San Mateo Creek near the entrance to the beach. The 3½-mile-long beach features five

Mission San Juan Capistrano Day Trip…
Mission San Juan Capistrano is the most renowned of all the California missions, famously known as the "Jewel of the Missions." The Mission is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over California and
Day Trips From San Diego

Epic Day Trip to Borrego Springs,…
Borrego Springs, California: Flowers, sculptures, and Canyons Borrego Springs sits in northeastern San Diego County and is the only U.S. town surrounded by a state park, making it a real desert hideaway. You’ll find dramatic

Ultimate San Diego Views: Epic Day at…
Panoramic Views and Hidden Wonders: Cabrillo National Monument Perched at the tip of Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument delivers a stunning San Diego panorama—skyline, bay, Coronado Bridge, naval ships, and even Mexico

Julian Day Trip: Gold Rush Town with…
Beyond the Apples: Exploring Julian Tucked away in the pine-scented Cuyamaca Mountains, about 60 miles (roughly 1.5–2 hours) east of downtown San Diego, Julian is a captivating historic gold rush town that captures the

Old Town San Diego Day Trip What To See…
Visiting Old Town San Diego feels like stepping back in time. Known as the birthplace of California, Old Town is home to the first Spanish settlement in the region, making it a fantastic destination for a day trip. Stroll

Unlock Savings at LEGOLAND California:…
LEGOLAND California Resort, a unique destination, offers a theme park, aquarium, water parks, and two hotels for kids aged 2-12 and their families. The theme park, with its over 60 rides and attractions, is a one-of-a-kind

Visitors Guide To Sesame Place San Diego…
Sesame Place San Diego is a family-friendly theme park and water park in Chula Vista, California, just south of San Diego. It is the second Sesame Place theme park in the United States, following the original location in

Discover the Wonders of Birch Aquarium:…
Birch Aquarium, part of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, is great for a fun-filled family day. Visitors can observe more than 5,000 animals representing 380 different species. The aquarium is situated on a

San Diego Zoo Discount Tickets Save…
The San Diego Zoo is a must-see in Southern California, with many attractions that can not be fully experienced in just one day.The San Diego Zoo is home to nearly 4,000 animals and over 700,000 plants in its botanical
California Central Coast

Planning a Day Trip to Lompoc?…
Lompoc is a city on California's Central Coast known for its lush green hills, flower fields, murals, historic landmarks, vineyards, and agricultural areas. Lompoc is an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxing getaway,

Jalama Beach Camping: Ultimate…
Jalama Beach County Park Camping Guide Jalama Beach County Park offers one of California's most stunning beach camping experiences. With 107 ocean-view campsites and 7 comfortable beachfront cabins, this Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara Glamping Done Right: El…
Santa Barbara's Premier Glamping Escape: El Capitan Canyon El Capitan Canyon Resort offers a luxurious twist on beach camping, blending the serenity of nature with modern comforts. Located on 300+ acres of oak and sycamore

Explore the Queen of the Missions: Santa…
Explore Old Mission Santa Barbara's Timeless Beauty and History Nestled in the foothills of Santa Barbara with sweeping Pacific Ocean vistas, Old Mission Santa Barbara—affectionately called the "Queen of the Missions"—stands

California Central Coast Beach Camping…
California Central Coast Beach Campgrounds The California Central Coast runs between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. With almost 300 miles of coastline, this area offers numerous camping opportunities on or near the beach.

Central Coast Getaway: Oceanfront RV…
RV Camping Options Port Avila, California Imagine waking up to Pacific waves just steps from your RV door, salt air filling your lungs as the sun rises over San Luis Bay. RV camping at Port San Luis Harbor in Avila Beach,

Big Sur Road Trip: The Ultimate Pacific…
Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary Buckle up for one of the world's most jaw-dropping drives! This 90-mile stretch of Highway 1 between Carmel and Hearst Castle is pure magic — dramatic cliffs, turquoise coves, redwood forests, and

Cambria Road Trip: California Central…
Cambria, a charming coastal gem on California's Central Coast, is nestled between towering Monterey pines and the rugged Pacific Ocean. Once part of Mission San Miguel lands, the village was officially established in the
Southern California Desert Trips

Pioneertown Day Trip: Western Movie Set,…
Pioneertown: California's Living Old West Movie Set Near Joshua Tree Born in Hollywood's Golden AgePioneertown, tucked in the high desert northwest of Yucca Valley at ~4,000 feet, was dreamed up in 1946 by icons Roy

Dublin Gulch Ghost Town, Miners Caves…
Dublin Gulch: Exploring the Mysterious Miner Caves of Shoshone Tucked away in the rugged Mojave Desert just outside the tiny town of Shoshone, California, lies a hidden gem that most travelers speed past without a second

Shields Date Garden Day Trip: Iconic…
Step Back in Time at This Century-Old Shields Date Garden Just a short drive from Palm Springs, Shields Date Garden is a favorite spot that captures the spirit of the Coachella Valley. For over a hundred years, this historic

Epic Day Trip to Borrego Springs,…
Borrego Springs, California: Flowers, sculptures, and Canyons Borrego Springs sits in northeastern San Diego County and is the only U.S. town surrounded by a state park, making it a real desert hideaway. You’ll find dramatic

Unique Mojave Stops: Yermo, CA, Eddie…
Yermo, California, Eddie World, and Peggy Sue’s Diner Yermo, California, is a small desert town on Interstate 15 that many travelers pass through on the way between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The area is quiet but has some

Whitewater Preserve Palm Springs Day…
Visiting the Whitewater Preserve Near Palm Springs Just a short drive from the bustling resorts of Palm Springs, Whitewater Preserve stands as a serene desert oasis managed by The Wildlands Conservancy. This 2,851-acre gem,

Kelso Dunes Booming Symphony &…
Escape to the Mojave Desert's Soundstage, Kelso Dunes Imagine standing atop a 650-foot sand tower in the East Mojave Desert. The vast Mojave National Preserve stretches around you. Slide down, and the dunes erupt in a deep,

Desert Ghosts & Neon Glows:…
Ignite Your Wanderlust on America's Mother Road - Route 66 The sunbaked Mojave Desert stretches endlessly under a vast blue sky, punctuated by faded neon signs, volcanic craters, and enigmatic stone guardians. Welcome to the
Places to Ride Trains in California

Step Back in Time: Must-Visit California…
Discover California's Railroad Past: Depot Museums That Bring History to Life California's historic railroad depots offer a thrilling portal to the Golden State's railroading heyday. Many of these beautifully restored

Ride the Rails: A Family Day Trip on the…
Step Back in Time: Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad offers a charming, family-friendly day trip (or special evening experience) just minutes from Yosemite National Park's

Royal Gorge Route Railroad:…
A Perfect Colorado Day Trip: Riding the Royal Gorge Railroad Located in the heart of Colorado's Royal Gorge Region, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad delivers one of the most breathtaking train journeys in America. This

All Aboard! Day Trip to Western Railway…
Streetcars, Interurbans & Wildflowers: Western Railway Museum The Western Railway Museum in Suisun City offers a delightful family day trip, packed with history, vintage train rides, and outdoor fun. Nestled along the

Steam Train Rides in Ely: Nevada…
Nevada Northern Railway in Ely is a functional historic railroad and museum. A visit to this museum will let you see a real working 19th-century steam locomotive in all its grit and glory. Ely has a long history of rail

Balboa Park Miniature Railroad: A…
The Balboa Park Miniature Railroad, a charming 1/4-mile miniature railroad located near the entrance of the San Diego Zoo, has been a part of the local history since 1948. It provides a gentle and scenic ride through some of

A Fun-Filled Day Exploring Sonoma Train…
Tucked in the heart of Sonoma County, Sonoma TrainTown is a whimsical amusement park that’s been delighting families and train buffs since the late 1960s. Just 13 miles west of Napa and an hour’s drive from San Francisco,

Roaring Camps Railroads Day Trip Santa…
Roaring Camp Railroad offers a wonderful day trip for the whole family, from grandparents to young children. If you are in the Santa Cruz area, be sure to add this unique train experience to your to-do list. Roaring Camp