With so many destinations on Daytrippen.com, we decided to list our top ten Southern California day trips. All of these trips can be made in one day from just about anywhere in SoCal. This list is not in any particular order and may change from time to time. If we have missed your favorite Southern California day trip or have visited any of these destinations let us know in the comment section below.
Oak Glen Day Trip San Bernardino Mountains
Oak Glen is a year-round day trip destination that is most popular during the fall apple harvest.
Oak Glen is located in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains about an hour and a half from Los Angeles or Orange County, and two hours from the San Fernando Valley.
Apple season is at its peak in the fall from September until the end of November. For a more relaxed day trip without the crowds, it is best to avoid apple season.
Palm Springs Day Trip
With so many things to do in and around Palm Springs, you will want to make several trips to this desert oasis. Year-round sunshine, shopping, outdoor activities, and spectacular scenery make Palm Springs one of our top ten-day trip destinations.
Palm Springs tram, Palm Canyon Drive, Tahquitz Canyon, Indian Canyons, Living Desert Zoo, Palm Springs Air Museum. The list of fun things to do and see in Palm Springs is almost endless making this Mojave Desert city one of our favorite places to visit any time of the year.
Santa Barbara Day Trip
Santa Barbara is about 90 miles north of Los Angeles, well within day-trip distance from LA or Orange County. Santa Barbara offers so many things to do and see it will keep you coming back for more. Popular Santa Babara attractions include miles of amazing beaches, Santa Barbara Zoo, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Mission, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and nearby Santa Barbara wine country. Drive or take Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to Santa Barbara for an amazing day trip.
Catalina Island Day Trip
Catalina Island is located just 26-miles off the coast of Southern California, southwest of Los Angeles. A popular day trip destinations for nearly 100 years Catalina Island has something to offer for everyone. Seaside restaurants, rent a kayak or paddle boat, Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens for a peaceful stroll, scenic city, and island tours. Catalina Island is a fun family day trip or romantic weekend getaway.
Julian Day Trip
One of the most popular activities in Julian is apple picking. During the short apple harvest, the town tends to be overrun with visitors so we recommend visiting at any other time. Julian was once a booming hub during California’s gold rush, today the towns is a bustling tourist destination with a shopping district, gold mine tours, and bakeries selling fresh Julian apple pies. Julian is located about sixty miles from downtown San Diego, California.
San Diego Zoo Day Trip
The San Diego Zoo is big, with over 100 acres of park to explore. Chances are you are not going to see everything in one visit and will return again and again. Unique among major Southern California attractions as the San Diego Zoo does not charge for parking. Plan on spending a full day here in order to view all of the wonderful exhibits the San Diego Zoo has to offer.
Griffith Park Day Trip
Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The park is often called the “Central Park” of California. The centerpiece of the area is the Griffith Park Observatory other attractions include the Los Angeles Zoo and the Hollywood Sign. Kids will find plenty to do in Griffith Park including Travel Town Museum, Griffith Park & Southern Railroad, pony rides, and Los Angeles Live Steamers train rides. Nearby attractions include downtown Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
Los Angeles Chinatown Day Trip
Dozens of restaurants, herbal shops, and temples with their pagoda rooftops make up a tiny Asian world with its residents zigzagging their way through the ocean of day-trippers and residents. A nice thing about a day trip to LA Chinatown is there are two equally interesting destinations within a few minutes walk or drive. Olvera Street is only a five-minute walk and Little Tokyo is easily reached on the Metro Gold Line in less than ten minutes. Visit one or all these interesting places located in downtown Los Angeles.
Heritage Valley Day Trip
Not that far from the hustle-bustle of the big city lies the Heritage Valley. Take a trip back in time along Highway 126 as it passes through the towns of Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula.
The highlight of any journey through the Heritage Valley is taking a trip onboard the Fillmore and Western Railway. Weekend roundtrip excursions take you through miles of orange, lemon, and avocado groves to the town of Santa Paula and back. A trip through the Heritage Valley from Santa Clarita to Ventura is 44 miles and will take approximately 2 hours.
Solvang Day Trip Santa Ynez Valley
Rounding out our top ten Southern California day trips is Solvang, a Danish Village in the Santa Yanez Valley. Day-trippers come to see the Danish windmills, half-timbered houses, the Danish rural church, Round Tower as well as Danish music and folk dancing.
Solvang gets busy on weekends & Holidays, but it is definitely worth mixing in with all the tourists. Numerous Danish Bakeries offer tasty delights that are sure to please. In town and nearby are wine tasting rooms and vineyards. And if you want to try your luck in a casino Solvang has that too.
Part of the fun of a day trip to Solvang is the beautiful scenery you pass on the way. Spend a day or enjoy an overnight getaway Solvang will not disappoint.
What is your favorite Southern California Day Trip? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.