day trip la fight

2024 Lineup

In Order of Appearance

Shoreline Stage

BeatBox Art Car

• Adam Auburn
• Armand Van Helden (Sunset Set)
• Ben Sterling
• Bones B2B Lee Wells
• Cat & Maomi
• David Bullock
• Dennis Ferrer B2B HoneyLuv (Sunset Set)
• Francis Davila
• Freaky Deaky
• Hannah Wants
• JoelAtTheDisco
• Joey Parada
• JOHNJOSÉ B2B HouseRoll
• Julia Govor
• Lilly Palmer (Sunset Set)
• Local Singles
• LondonBridge
• Matt Sassari
• Matthew Richard
• Mike Thomas
• MK B2B Green Velvet
• Neon Black B2B Roy Wilkins
• Nicole Moudaber B2B Paco Osuna
• Patrick Topping
• Rob Moskavi
• Ron Carroll
• Sam Paganini
• Santi Castelle
• SAVAGEHANDS
• Sebastian Sol
• Seth Troxler
• Solardo B2B Joshwa
• Sonny Fodera (Sunset Set)
• Techno Tupac
• Tom & Collins B2B TOBEHONEST
• And the most important headliner of all You

Saturday, June 22

Sunday, june 23.

La Tomatina - Tickets, Accommodation and Transport Options

La Tomatina Tours For 2024

3 day - 3* hotel - 2024.

• Hotel accommodation in central Valencia with buffet breakfast
• Extra Nights Available
• Exclusive PP Travel welcome party
• Compulsory La Tomatina Entry Ticket and return coach transport from hotel to Bunol for La Tomatina
• Free entry (until 9pm) to the official La Tomatina after Party
• Souvenir T-Shirt and Experienced PP Travel Tour Guide

3 Day - 4* Hotel - 2024 - SOLD OUT :(

3 day - 5* hotel - 2024.

• Two nights 5* accommodation at the Westin Valencia in double or twin share Deluxe Room with buffet breakfasts (Extra Nights Available)

Day Trip - 2024

• La Tomatina Entry Ticket and return coach transport between Valencia and Bunol for La Tomatina
• Exclusive PP Travel welcome party in Valencia the night before the fight.
• Special party zone in Bunol, metres from the tomato fight for our pre and post event.
• Experienced PP Travel Tour Guide

La Tomatina Tours For 2025

3 day - 3* hotel - 2025, 3 day - 4* hotel - 2025, 3 day - 5* hotel - 2025, day trip - 2025.

• La Tomatina Entry Ticket and return coach transport from hotel to Bunol for La Tomatina

Our passion for parties and fiestas goes back over two decades when we first embarked on our great series of festival tours. We have always believed in a serious party at PP - that is a tour that has to be run very professionally with fun, experienced and dedicated crew.

It is this experience we believe will make all the difference at La Tomatina. This is not a massive sprawling 16-day festival, like Munich's Oktoberfest. No, this fiesta is really all about a few hours of total madness in the tiny centre of Buñol. You need to be totally prepared to get the most of out it - and that is where our PP crew come in.

Our experienced team at PP will lead you right into the heart of the action to ensure you get the most of this short, but wild experience. Our fully trained crew will have you completely prepared for the battle - and of most importance - will lead you "past the ham pole" right into the thick of it. While tens of thousands of revelers decent upon Buñol annually, a huge number not informed or not led properly miss out on the action altogether - and hardly see an tomato.

We also include 3 awesome parties as part of all our packages. The pre-La Tom party in the heart of Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences at the terrific MYA/Umbracle nightclub. Free entry before midnight. At Bunol, before Tomatina, our exclusive "fun zone", only a few metres away from the start of the tomato fight. Music, drinks, food, toilets and showers. Finally free shuttle bus from our hotels to the Official La Tomatina Party. Free entry to PP pax who catch the special hotel shuttle.

During the naughties the numbers that came to Bunol exploded. The last straw was in 2012 when about 50,000 descended upon this small village. In 2013 the local council introduced for the first time a ticket system. All people must have a wristband to enter and PP Travel was selected as one of the few tour operators that could supply these wristbands entry as part of our package. 20,000 tickets were issued making the now reduced capacity tomato fight a much, much better event to attend.

PP Travel will have a limited number of entry passes and these are included in the cost of all our La Tomatina tour packages.

That is why choosing who you travel with to La Tomatina is of such importance. The actual awesome but crazy fight lasts just hour and without proper preparation you can miss it all.

PP is one of the longest running, most experienced and largest operator to La Tomatina. Annually around 1000 passengers choose travel to Spain with us and we are proud to say that all were given the opportunity to experience Tomatina to the absolute max!

Whether wanting to be in the middle of the carnage or experiencing it a bit more on the sidelines, we are certain all our passengers got the most out this unbelievable event. And with the even getting bigger and bigger and more packed, the leadership you will get from the PP crew is now even more valuable.

Naturally, to operate a tour of this kind, you have to be totally organised and professional. This is why each year thousands of passengers put their trust in PP at Europe's major events like Munich's Oktoberfest. At La Tomatina PP's renowned level of service will again come to the fore. Our La Tomatina parties are awesome and entry to all are included in all packages. The evening before La Tom, at the Terrace Umbarcle club, right in the heart of the Arts and Sciences area (next to most of our hotets). On the day we have our exclusive pre-tomato fight party zone in the heart of Bunol. Later that even join the massive post Tomatina event - the famous official La Tomatina after party.

And to top it all off, we offer five fantastic very modern comfortable hotels - all situated in a superb position in Valencia, all at a very economical tour price.

Or you can join our day tour from Valencia to Bunol instead, which also includes all the parties and entry to La Tomatina.

From start to finish our experienced team will be with you the whole way to ensure you are ready and get the most of this once in a lifetime fiesta - we can't wait to serve you in Spain.

La Tomatina FAQ's

• Holiday Inn Express Valencia (Ciudad De Las Ciencia) 3* Escritor Rafael Ferreres 22, Valencia 46013
• NH Valencia Las Ciencias 3* Avenida Instituto Obrero 28, Valencia 46013
• NH Ciudad 3* Avinguda del Port 214, Valencia 46023
• NH Las Artes 4* Avenida Instituto Obrero 28, Valencia 46013
• The Westin Hotel 5* Carrer d'Amadeu de Savoia 16, Valencia 46010 This exclusive hotel is housed in one of Valencia's most impressive Modernist buildings, 0.6 miles from the Cathedral. Truly a magnificent and luxurious hotel in a wonderful setting close to Valencia's old town centre.

• 2 nights accommodation in your choice of top quality 3* , 4* or 5* hotels in central Valencia with Triples, Twins, Doubles and Single rooms.
• Large hot and cold buffet breakfast each morning.
• Tuesday nights exclusive PP Travel welcome party at the fabulous MYA/Umbracle Terrace nightclub, right in the heart of the City of Sciences and Arts. Free entry before midnight to all PP pax.
• Coach transfers to and from Bunol for La Tomatina on Wednesday.
• Official La Tomatina Entry Ticket.
• Special Bunol party "funzone", just metres from the tomato fight for pre and post events
• Free entry* (on special PP hotel 9pm shuttle) to the official La Tomatina after Party.
• Souvenir T-Shirt.
• Experienced PP Travel Tour Guide - to ensure you get the most out of the Battle of the Tomato.
• Tuesday nights exclusive PP Travel welcome party at the fabulous MYA/Umbracle Terrace nightclub, right in the heart of the City of Sciences and Arts. Free entry before midnight.
• Special Bunol party zone, just metres from the tomato fight for pre and post events
• Free entry* (until 9pm) to the official La Tomatina after Party.

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The 9 Best Day Trips From Los Angeles

By Krista Simmons and Maxwell Williams

The largest city in California, Los Angeles is a world-class tourist destination for its glamorous industries, idyllic weather, cultural attractions , shopping, and dining scenes. But as a popular draw year-round, visitors are bound to explore beyond the city proper. Luckily, there are several nearby day trips that can scratch whatever exploratory itch you have: vineyards and valleys, mountains, desert escapes, and artists' communities. We've pulled together some of the best day trips from Los Angeles to help you plan with all the details on where to go and what to do. Should you fall in love with any of these spots—as we have—we've included where to stay, too, just in case you need more time.

Read our complete Los Angeles city guide here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Known for its quirky cacti and metaphysical flare, J-Tree has drawn an out-there crowd for many years. The National Park is a must-see for any nature lover, especially those who love bouldering, but the surrounding town is worth visiting in its own right. Watch a world-class music act at the iconic honky tonk Pappy & Harriets, cruise Pioneertown to see the set of many Westerns, indulge in a sound bath, and come home with a new collection of crystals. Hey, when in Joshua Tree...

Pappy & Harriets Arrow

Have you even been to Joshua Tree if you haven't stepped foot in Pioneertown? We think not. It's the true spirit of the desert, and not to be missed. Pappy and Harriets is a honky tonk in a dusty, abandoned desert town that looks like it could be the set of a spaghetti Western, but it draws big name acts to come and perform practically in the middle of nowhere.

Joshua Tree Saloon Arrow

This dusty dive bar is like the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park. It's the perfect spot for a bite and a beer when you first arrive into town; the low-key vibes will surely slow you down to J-Tree pace. You'll find plenty hikers and climbers from out of town, posting up for a hearty meal after a long day on the trails, as well as Marines from the nearby Twenty Nine Palms base. Don't expect any froo froo cocktails; just a solid list of classic domestic beers (plus a few craft offerings) and staple spirits. There are also burgers, jalapeño poppers, fish and chips, and a solid basket of ribs. But a saloon like this wouldn't be complete without a cast of characters that staff the bar; sidle up for good humor and plenty of stories from these attentive lifers.

Pioneertown Motel Arrow

Full credit goes to the folks who decided to restore this totally hip Western property. It's truly a gem and a slice of SoCal history. Vaulted ceilings with exposed beams make the cozy rooms, which are adorned with adorable Western elements such as cowhide rugs, Pendleton throw pillows, and Mexican blankets, seem more spacious. The proximity to the stellar music at Pappy & Harriets and the desertscape alone are worth it, but if that doesn't seal the deal, it's the quiet time amongst the landscape, and the epic sunsets, that will.

The Integratron Arrow

This is the ultimate in woo woo—a geodesic dome sound bath in the middle of the Mojave Desert . It's all about the metaphysical energy. Prepare to tap into your inner hippie. Anyone who's looking to explore the idea of meditation or the metaphysical is welcome, and it's a mixed bag. There are guides of sorts who lead the sound bath. They're pros at playing various sorts of instruments from Buddhist prayer bowls to gongs and quartz crystal bowls. Whether you come to some sort of heightened state depends on the person, but it's something you can experience in very few other places in the country, or the world, and worth exploring.

Joshua Tree National Park Arrow

One of the desert gems of America’s parks, Joshua Tree National Park spans nearly 800,000 acres within Southern California’s portion of the Mojave Desert. There’s no wrong way to behold the beauty, whether you’re drawn to rock formations, particular plants, seasonal fauna, or outdoor activities. One sure bet is to head toward the park’s center for a picnic and/or walkabout at mighty Cap Rock, or around Jumbo Rocks where you can check out the giant skeletal Skull Rock. Get acquainted with flora along the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail, a flat loop through 10 acres of cacti and bushes where something colorful is usually blooming any time of the year. Nature lovers, and especially desert fans, may end up loving Joshua Tree more than any other preserve. If time is tight, the park is fine for a driving tour, though traffic may slow you down during peak summer and holiday weeks. But if you’ve wisely reserved ample time (at least one full day is best), take your pick of activities to engage with the landscape, be it camping (reserve ahead of time), climbing, horseback riding, birding, biking, wildflower viewing, or geology touring.

BKB Ceramics Arrow

This small, boutique ceramics shop embodies the industrious yet free spirited ethos of the tiny yet close knit desert community of Joshua Tree. You'll find earthy textures and unique geometric designs baked into beautiful, one-of-a-kind hand thrown pieces. Fellow shoppers are often design geeks and savvy Airbnb owners looking to accessorize their stylish abodes. If we had unlimited space in our suitcase (and plenty of scratch), we'd take a whole set of their turquoise colored mugs.

This sleepy mountain town is one of SoCal's less-frequented weekender road trip destinations, which is a shame, because in spring when the wildflowers are in bloom, the drive along the Rim of the World is breathtaking. Pack your bags for great hiking, unobstructed views of Big Bear Lake, quality antiquing, and down home hospitality.

Noon Lodge Arrow

Considering it's just a hop skip and a jump from L.A. in the San Bernadino Mountains, why aren't you there right now? Windows down, you inhale the ponderosa pine-laden air as you pull up to this unassuming, campy property. Rolling in your luggage there's an imminent quiet, and it's everything you've craved driving in from the city. Huddled around the campfire at nights, you roast s'mores with fellow guests and share like you were bunkmates. It's a pretty bare bones lodge, but it's the best boutique-ish stay in town. What it lacks in luxury it'll make up for in kitschy charm.

Tropicali Arrow

This sunny little snack shack will immediately remind you of the aloha vibes at roadside stands in Hawaii . You may stand in line with a family taking their kids out for a healthy breakfast, or local business owners stopping by for one of their killer island iced coffees with fresh coconut milk on their way to work. This is the perfect fuel for a day of hiking in Big Bear: super clean, sustainably sourced poke bowls with flavor combos, like a take on Tahitian poisson cru with coconut milk, sashimi grade tuna, sweet peppers, lime, and cucumbers. If you're there for breakfast, you'll definitely want to try one of their acai bowls, including the classic Brazil bowl topped with organic granola, bananas, coconut chips, cacao nibs, strawberry pearls, and a peanut butter drizzle.

Big Bear Lake Brewing Company Arrow

Like most breweries worth one's malt, the crowd is super chilled, friendly, and outdoorsy—much more prone to wearing puffers than Prada. Brews are done in the classic California style—in other words, get ready for some hops. The food menu is solid and includes burgers, salads, fish and chips, and tacos. Staff are beyond accommodating and friendly and very well versed in the various selections available on tap. The brewery is awesome for a group gathering, or to toast the end of a day adventuring with friends.

Rim of the World Scenic Byway Arrow

The 110-mile-long Rim of the World Scenic Byway, with its steep climb and sweeping cliffside views of the San Bernardino Mountains, is one of the most under-trafficked road trips in SoCal . Since you rarely hear about The Rim of the World, it gets neither the love nor the visitors of Highway 1. It's especially beautiful if you happen to be there in wildflower season, when the roadsides are paved in mustard yellow flowers. 

Saucy Mama's Pizzeria Arrow

This is the perfect carb-filled way to cap off a day of hiking and adventuring. The place is very family friendly and is filled with local regulars. Expect to find a wait on weekend nights—it might not be New York , but as far as the region is concerned, these are some of the best slices around, and it's worth it. There are classic pies like the meat lover's made with sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and meatballs, or wackier choices like the Austin's Red Hot Kickin Chicken, made with spicy hot wing sauce, onions and chicken breast—a buffalo wing lover's dream. Staff is down home and friendly, just the type you'd want for a casual neighborhood joint.

Action ZipLine Tours Arrow

If you're an outdoor adventurer at heart, this tour is for you. You can choose from zip lining or tree climbing, giving you a unique view of the San Bernardino Mountains and it's stunning pines. During the wintertime, they also offer snowshoeing treks, a real treat for every level of outdoors person. The retired war vehicles that take you up to the top of the zipline course make you feel even more badass for choosing to fly above the tree line. This is a great way to dip your toe into some high adrenaline activities. You're not so high above the canopy that you can't see the ground, making it ideal for first timers. 

Known for its tightly knit artist community and boho flare, Ojai is one of those places that locals yearn to keep weird. As such, you won't find any giant hotel chains or neon signs. Instead, indulge in a relaxing weekend sampling from local breweries and organic winemakers, or unwinding with treatments at the sprawling, oak-tree-lined Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. 

Ojai Valley Inn Arrow

Time seems to slow down as you pull up to this sprawling Spanish revival hotel. Birds chirp from atop the towering oak trees, and the peacefully running fountains set the tone for a zen like serenity that'll carry through your weekend. The Fireplace Shangri-la room is your own personal retreat, complete with an oversized soaking tub and separate shower. Hand-painted Spanish tile, gold-auburn granite, and cobalt blue accents give this room a modern Mediterranean look. But the real highlight is the stucco fireplace with seating, a perfect spot to tuck into a book and indulge in the rejuvenating spirit of Ojai. If that's not enough for you, the pools here are worth the visit alone—attentive staff, killer views, and plenty of space to hop around to keep the scenery fresh. 

Farmer and the Cook Arrow

The shabby chic farmhouse style here makes this just the type of quirky spot you'd expect in a creative community like Ojai. It has a crowd of conscious, chilled-out food loving locals, and whether you're just looking to grab a smoothie and snacks for a day of adventuring around Ojai, or want to have a more intimate sit-down dinner, this is a great option. If the Hungarian-style stuffed cabbage is on the menu, order it. And the pizzas are always a big hit. There are plenty of raw and vegan options, too, which is a nice addition. Come for one of their casual weeknight pizza dinners, or for a low key celebration.

Ojai Valley Brewery Arrow

It's a laid back, cafe style patio and bar area dedicated to drinkers with a penchant for hoppy beers. While there are some nice wines on the menu, you're here for the beer. Try the White Pixie made with Ojai tangerine zest and orchard blossoms, or the barrel aged barley wine made with locally foraged pink peppercorns. They also sell growlers if you want to take some to go. Azu, the restaurant in which the taproom is housed, makes some killer kebabs and burgers, as well as more polished dishes like paella or pan roasted salmon.

The Mob Shop: Bicycle Tour Arrow

It's an organized bike tour, but with that personal homespun and local feel that makes Ojai so special. The crowd is made up of totally geeked out bike people who are really into sharing their local culture via cycling. It's great for someone who wants to be active while exploring the local flora and fauna, and burn off all that awesome food and beer Ojai has to offer. The scent of riding through the pixie orchards in bloom is one you'll want to bottle for years to come.

Chief's Peak at Ojai Rancho Inn Arrow

This place is a great spot to catch some live entertainment on the first Sunday of the month, and to mix and mingle with Ojai folks over simple, well-crafted drinks. The poolside bar space is basically a SoCal summer camp for adults. There's a hearty selection of local wines and beers, as well as seasonal cocktails well-suited for the pool. The crowd is a mixed bag of locals and hotel guests with sunny smiles, all equally part of the creative set.

Casa Barranca Organic Winery & Tasting Room Arrow

It's a cozy, down home tasting room in downtown Ojai, with welcoming warm wood and Spanish revival architectural accents. You'll be in the company of mostly oeno-curious travelers looking to do an afternoon tasting, with a few locals showing friends around. The winery sources organic grapes from around California and brings them to their winemaking facility, where they make a variety of blends. While they may not score as high as some of the cult cabs from Napa , they're still well worth a swirl. This is a great place to get a buzz on before an afternoon of craft shopping.

LAGUNA BEACH & NEWPORT BEACH

The beach communities in Newport and Laguna developed a certain reputation in the mid '00s thanks to the fictional and mostly fictional shows The O.C. and Laguna Beach . But they're so much more than their television portrayals. From excellent surfing, to ocean paddling, to high-end shopping, to nowhere-but-here landmarks like the Victoria Beach Pirate Tower, Newport and Laguna have everything you want in a beach city. 

Duffy Electric Boat Rentals Arrow

This boat rental shop has a laid back beach vibe, which caters to locals and out-of-towners alike. Duffy Electric Boat Rentals is home base if you want to live a yachting lifestyl e but have zero clue how to commandeer a ship. These electric boats make the seafaring life simple, affordable, and easy to navigate. Make sure to pack an A+ picnic (translation: cheese and rosé) to enjoy out on the water. You'll find SoCal natives looking for any excuse to escape the heat and get out on the water—for engagements, birthday parties, and everything in between. Since the Duffy Boats fit 10 people, it's definitely a scene, but it's also fun for couples looking for a different sort of date excursion, too.

Bear Flag Fish Co. Arrow

This delightfully nautical modern fish shack is the fast casual concept every beach town should have. It's a mix of families enjoying an after school special, surfers grinding after a paddle out, and beachcombers looking for a taste of chef-fisherman Thomas Carson's catch of the day. This is definitely some of the best poke on the mainland. Don't skip the ahi or salmon. They have some excellent margs on menu too, making for the perfect pairing for your fish taco or burrito.

Victoria Beach Pirate Tower Arrow

For travelers seeking the esoteric, this lighthouse is a must. It looks like it could be in some remote area of the Azores , and it's walls are studded with pieces of buried coins and treasure. While the name would suggest otherwise, it's simply the staircase to the mansion above, but still is a fun visit, especially for kids. The feeling of being there is one of nerdish curiosity, and if you're looking for a quirky beach walk, this is a great way to end it. It'll make you giddy to know that not all of Newport's residents have lost their sense of whimsy.

A'maree's Arrow

If you want to feel like you're living in an episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," a stop here is a must. Originally opened in 1976, this boutique overlooks the yachts docked in the Newport Harbor and features high end designers from around the globe, as well as interior design items. Stock up on chic espadrilles and hats that'll have you beach ready no matter your next destination, whether it be Monaco or Portofino . If you can, make an appointment for a private styling session with one of the three sisters and prepare to be wowed.

CATALINA ISLAND

Hop on the Catalina Express for the one hour 15 minute ride from the port in San Pedro out to Catalina Island and escape all that LA traffic. If you're looking to go out and back the same day there's nowhere better to go diving or paddling. If you venture out to the far side of the island you might even get to spot some of Catalina's wild bison herd.

Casino Point Dive Park Arrow

The 2.5 acre land-entry dive site was the first public, non-profit dive site in the country, and showcases some of the best sea life California has to offer. There's something for every level of certified diver, from beginner to expert, including the region’s most famed species—giant kelp—and its numerous inhabitants, including massive lobsters, octopus, and moray eels. Don't forget to have your dive master take you to wave to the resident eel, Fang, who tends to hang out around the 40 feet marker.

Catalina Express Arrow

With quick and affordable trips to-and-from Catalina's two main ports—Avalon and Two Harbors—this is the most affordable way to get to Catalina (and the most efficient unless you want to charter a private yacht). This no-frills ferry will remind you of the commuter boats in Greece that shuttle tourists from island to island, but no matter, it's a quick and easy way to get out of the city for the day, and potentially do some wildlife spotting along the way, especially if its whale migration season, which peaks from early summer to early fall. A trip out to Catalina is definitely one of those experiences that makes even locals wonder why it took them so long to explore the natural aquarium right in their own backyard.

Catalina Island Conservancy Arrow

It's worthwhile exploring the more wild side of the island near the Two Harbors area, and there's no better way to do it than on a 4x4 as part of an eco tour at the conservancy. You don't want to miss the bison, originally brought to the island and left to run feral. Seeing these massive, beautiful animals against the California/Mediterranean landscape is absolutely breathtaking. The private non-profit organization is dedicated to rehabilitating and restoring the island, so you can rest assured the money from your excursion is going to a great place.

Descanso Beach Ocean Sports: Kayak Catalina Arrow

There's no better way to see Santa Catalina than by kayak. These guided two-hour tours show you everything from the geology and rock formations to the lion fish and leopard sharks. Think of it as an ocean safari. You'll see kelp forests, coral, curious harbor seals, and more while paddling along the rugged coastline in a modern sit-on-top kayak. No matter which tour you opt for, you'll be blown away by the wildlife and biodiversity perched on your kayak. 

The small town of Los Alamos (a population of about 1800) is the cool kid of California wine towns. Lots of young winemakers are doing interesting things here and chances are good some of them will have time to chat with you all about it. Take a walk up Bell Street, the main drag, and stop in at tasting rooms and at Bob's Well Bread for otherworldly bread and pastries when you're done.

Lo-Fi Wines Arrow

Walking into Lo-Fi, you're greeted by the sweet sound of needle meeting vinyl, and a tasting room staff that's as down home as they come. Los Alamos locals rub elbows with young winemakers and wine-savvy Angelenos. Natural wine has become a bit of a buzz word in the industry, but Lo Fi is the real deal. Using neutral barrels, native yeasts, little to no sulfur additions, and no adjustment of pH, they embrace a nothing added, nothing taken away approach that makes for some really interesting wine reflective of the region. Don’t miss out on their Coquelicot Cab Franc or the Chenin Blanc.

Bob's Well Bread Bakery Arrow

If you've ever dreamed of fleeing the big city for country living, Bob and Jane Oswaks' lifestyle will be major #goals. The Hollywood exec (Bob) left the bright lights to become a beacon of small batch baking in Los Alamos and never looked back. Our bellies are all the better for it. If you're missing a proper Paris baguette , this is definitely a place you'll want to stop. Grab a boule to go with your wine country picnic, or better yet, sit on the patio and enjoy pastries, tartines, and sandwiches. You really can't order wrong.

Bell's Arrow

Bell's is the indie rock, wine country version of your favorite neighborhood restaurant —unpretentious, warm, and welcoming with an undeniable air of cool that comes from just doing you. The room, decorated by kilims and mismatched vintage furniture works the boho vibe just right. Bell's draws serious food lovers from around SoCal looking to get a taste of what they call "Franch" fare—a portmanteau combining French and ranch, referring to the Santa Barbara rancho style of cooking in the region, and a nod to the owners' playful sense of humor. Bell's is the perfect mix of high-low, where dishes like layered crepes topped with local Santa Barbara uni and caviar, and a banging rendition of moulles frites make sense next to Spanish sardines with homemade saltines. This is the type of spot you can rock into any night of the week and be happy, whether you're dining solo or celebrating a landmark birthday with family.

Los Alamos Depot Mall: Antiques & Pub Arrow

For fans of thrifting and antiquing, this collection of jewelry, clothing, home decor, and Americana will be worth dedicating at least an hour to sifting through. It's a roving treasure trove, but if you have some money to spend, keep your eye out for old world walnut furniture and larger pieces that you'll get for a song compared to LA establishments. If you're on a budget, peep the costume jewelry, and be sure to pick up some lemon oil to keep your wooden pieces at home well-conditioned. On a weekend, you'll find road trippers and locals grazing the aisles in between wine tastings, looking to do some retail therapy.

IDYLLWILD, CALIFORNIA

Idyllwild is home to quaint, blissfully uncrowded mountaintop adventures—it’s so far off the beaten tourist trail, it’s actually an unincorporated community. But the townsfolk do have an elected official. You can catch a glimpse of Mayor Max III—a golden retriever pup—while wandering downtown. That’s just the tip of the quirk quotient that comes with an Idyllwild stay. Long a haven for rugged, artsy Californians, Idyllwild is a true hidden gem, full of gorgeous hiking spots, charming bed and breakfasts, and best of all, cool air even in the summer months. Originally a haven for the Cahuilla Indians, Idyllwild has been a summer getaway for millennia.

Idyllwild Nature Center

There are more mountainous hikes around Idyllwild with jaw-dropping views of Strawberry Valley—check out the hike up to Suicide Rock—but the Idyllwild Nature Center is a good intro to the area. There’s a little museum with displays of the local fauna, but the hiking path is the draw here. Surrounded by Manzanitas and pines, the path is shaded and perfect for a 45-minute stroll. In the winter, the Idyllwild Nature Center is one of the few places in Southern California where it’s possible to get into a snowball fight.

The Grand Idyllwild Lodge

This Craftsman-style hotel is exactly what you’d expect out of a mountaintop lodge: cozy, quiet, and close to nature. Of course, viewing decks and fireplaces are necessary amenities at this altitude, and the Grand Idyllwild doesn’t disappoint. Nestled among the Ponderosa pines and Manzanitas, the Grand Idyllwild is as equally close to town as it is popular hiking and climbing spots. With just 11 rooms, make sure to plan ahead.

Merkaba Tea

Crisp mountain air and tea go together perfectly, and Merkaba is a serious teashop. Set in a townhouse painted amethyst purple, you can’t miss Merkaba, nor will you want to. They keep a stock of black and green teas from around the world—think Pai Mu Tan from Fujian Province in China and Purple Leaf tea from Kenya’s Nandi Highlands—as well as their own blends of camellia and other herbal teas alongside a full stock of crystals, local crafts, and teaware.

Gastrognome

The pine-dense forests of Idyllwild are the perfect setting for gnomish activity. Which is why the gnome-themed Gastrognome feels right at home. They offer a menu that could be the answer to the question, “What do gnomes eat?” Apparently, hearty no-nonsense comfort food: Angus ribeye steak, blackened salmon, a classic burger on a brioche bun, and the Gnome Dip, which is Gastrognome’s version of a French dip sandwich, popular amongst woodland creatures and humans alike.

SOLVANG & BUELLTON

Ever since the 2004 film Sideways , which was filmed around town and in the surrounding areas, Solvang has taken on the role of being a serious wine destination. But it wasn’t always that way: at the beginning of the 20th century, a group of Danish-Americans looking to escape the frigid Midwestern winters settled in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara. The town became an uncanny Danish village, complete with windmills and half-timbered style architecture, and that was the attraction for a while. Nowadays, the Danish echo acts as a backdrop for the nearly two dozen tasting rooms all over town, and over 120 wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley.

First & Oak

Tucked into the boutique Mirabelle Inn, First & Oak may look like a rustic French dining experience, but make no mistake; they’re definitely not old school. For one, the tasting menu is choose-your-own-adventure, allowing diners to select from each section, and they accommodate to taste and dietary restrictions. Chef Steven Snook—a protégé of Gordon Ramsay—crafts seasonal menus with an eye towards keeping things close to home. It’s not unusual to be served foraged mushrooms or poached local sea bass served along with mussels and summer squash.

Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum

The Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum isn’t just for hog-heads. Housed in an old Brooks Brothers store, it’s packed to gills with over 100 unique and often beguiling motorcycles rotated in from owner Dr. Virgil Eilings’s vast collection. Some of the bikes are exceedingly rare, like the 1922 Megola front-wheel drive motorcycle that was featured on Jay Leno’s Garage or any of the bikes from early 20 th century British manufacturer MJS. And there’s no shortage of Ducatis and Moto Guzzis for those with the need for speed.

The Landsby Arrow

While Solvang was built in the retro visage of 16th-century-style architecture, the Landsby takes a more modern, comfortably convivial, minimal, cozy Danish approach. Or hygge for short. It makes for a pleasant, serene stay while also being in the epicenter of town. Even more convenient is Mad & Vin, the Landsby’s Danish-cum-Californian cuisine that checks every box: locally sourced, fresh, seasonal ingredients on an inventive menu in a pleasant dining room.

Ostrichland USA Arrow

Fast facts: ostriches can run over 40 miles per hour, and are the biggest bird on earth. You can find 80 of the flightless birds (and 20 emus) in the nearby Buellton at a peculiar ranch called OstrichLand USA . You’ll be able to carefully feed the fascinating creatures alfalfa pellets or simply watch their habits, which include a strange mating ritual dance involving feather ruffling and gentle swaying. It has to be seen to be believed. Afterward, peruse the gift shop for feather dusters and other ostrich-related gifts, as well as eggs—the largest bird eggs on earth—which you can take home and eat.

The River Course at the Alisal

If a day on the links is what you’re craving, there’s no place better to spend it than on the River Course , where you’ll follow the roaming Santa Ynez River as you try not to slice into the oak, native sycamore, and elderberry trees that line the fairway. As you tee up on the elevated tees, you’ll see breathtaking panoramic views of the foothills and valley. The course is a tough one, but don’t worry, the mild California climate will calm your nerves. It’s all set on a dude ranch, so when you’ve handed in your scorecard, you can hit up the property’s wrangler workshops, rodeos, and horseback riding, and you can even participate in a hog washing (if that sounds like something you’d want to do).

SANTA BARBARA & MONTECITO

Even if it’s just a hop-skip north of L.A. via the 101, Santa Barbara feels like a different planet. It’s slower for one thing—you’re mostly strolling on the sandy beaches, shopping, eating, or thinking about the next place to eat. Between the oceanfront hotels, the fine dining, and the access to wine country, it’s no wonder they call Santa Barbara “the American Riviera.” The surrounding towns have much to offer as well, particularly tony Montecito, home to celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Larry David, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Caruso's

Set on the grand campus of the 5-star Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel, Caruso’s pulls its weight as one of the finest dining options in one of the toniest towns in America. Chef Massimo Falsini’s food is a divine treasure trove of locally sourced ingredients, meaning you might find halibut fished off the Channel Islands paired with white asparagus and green garlic in a sweet burro fuso sourced from Napa Valley. Or spring lamb from Sonoma served alongside apricots and carrots in a pool of berry shrub jus. The vegetables come from Caruso’s garden, and even the honey is produced by an in-house apiary. At sunset, the view out over the water is almost as gorgeous as the dining experience. You’ll want to dress up for this one as it’s definitely a linen tablecloth experience.

Widely thought of as one of the most outstanding botanical gardens on Earth, Lotusland was built over a period of 40 years by world-famous Polish opera singer Ganna Walska. Opened to the public after her passing in 1993, the 37-acre ground features a butterfly garden, a cactus garden, a fern garden, a citrus orchard, and even a garden dedicated to plants with blue foliage. That’s not even the half of it. Be forewarned: you must make a reservation in advance, and the visits are restricted to two hours.

Butterfly Beach

Santa Barbara County is known for its beaches, and none is better than Butterfly Beach in Montecito. The sand is pillowy, the water is warm, and the views are majestic. Bring a picnic and lay out on the beach all day, or bicycle on the Cabrillo Bike Path up to Santa Barbara. Make sure to visit close to sunset, as Butterfly Beach faces out to the west.

Hotel Californian Arrow

If you do decide to stay over, the Hotel Californian is the spot to crash. The Moroccan-inspired, 121-room hotel’s interiors were designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard from the Bravo series Million Dollar Decorators, and it shows: it’s decadent and seductive, but timeless and flowing. In addition to seaside rooms looking out over Santa Barbara’s gorgeous beaches, the Californian offers several dining options, including Goat Tree, which merges Californian and Mediterranean influences, and Tan Tan for when you don’t want to leave the pool area.

The Funk Zone

The Funk Zone is not one establishment, but a whole neighborhood of exciting options to shop, eat, and drink. It’s exploded more recently, with graffiti murals providing a backdrop for boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and tasting rooms. Check out Jules by the Sea, a boutique with owner Jules Kramer’s handcrafted jewelry; Spanish restaurant Loquita Santa Barbara; breezy clothing boutique Loveworn; or take the 3-hour Eat This, Shoot That! restaurant and wine-tasting tour.

Long heralded as a surf destination, Oceanside is just as well known as a nexus point in Southern California. Located in between L.A. and San Diego, Oceanside is accessible to family-friendly adventures like Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo, while having enough charisma to stand alone as a beachside vacation spot. Ready to finally take those surf lessons? One of the best places to learn to catch a wave. Want to spend a day on the links? There are several golf courses. Prefer a day out on the water watching for whales? No problem. And of course, there’s fresh seafood around every corner, and ample space to relax on the beach.

Learn to Rip Surf Lessons

Surfing is part of the draw of Oceanside, so it might be high time to dip your toes into the proverbial water when you visit Oceanside. For those who’ve always stood on the beach and admired the surfers riding the waves, but never took the step, Learn to Rip Surf Lessons is perfect. There’s no better place to learn than in surfing mecca Oceanside, where there’s great surf year-round. Learn safety, how to pop up, and how to maintain balance with one-on-one or group lessons.

California Surf Museum

Founded in 1986, the California Surf Museum is a testament to Oceanside’s place in the world of wave riding. With special exhibitions, film screenings, and a collection of noteworthy surfboards and historical photographs, the museum is a cool stop for those with even a casual interest in the sport.

Sea Hive Marketplace

Something between an antique mall and a maker market, Sea Hive is a one-stop shop featuring local artisans, vintage clothing booths, a botanical shop, a florist, booksellers, vinyl record shops, and much more.

333 Pacific

Home to the best surf and turf in Oceanside, 333 Pacific never fails to draw a crowd. It’s an unfussy menu—steak or seafood in a variety of different styles and cuts and manners. The only other choice is to decide whether to eat in the inviting dining room or on the patio looking out onto the beach.

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Sixty Plus Los Angeles Day Trips Attractions Things To Do

January 29, 2024 by DayTrippen

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Explore our extensive list of Los Angeles Day Trips. Uncover exciting adventures, tourist attractions, hidden gems, outdoor adventures, and kids’ activities waiting to be discovered. All the destinations mentioned are within day trip distance of Los Angeles, California. It’s best to start early due to traffic variability. Your trip starts here!

Gardens Nature – Family Activitie s  – Beach Trips – Unique Food – Museums – City Guide – Scenic Drives

Popular Los Angeles Attractions

Take a Walk Along Hollywood Boulevard

Even if you don’t end up in line behind Johnny Depp inside Starbucks or Angelina Jolie in McDonald’s drive-through, Hollywood is still a great place to visit, with some spots you don’t want to miss. There are always popular Hollywood movie star home tours for those who wish for a more behind-the-scenes look into the opulent lifestyles behind the gates of Hollywood’s elite mansions.

Catalina Island Day Trip from Long Beach or San Pedro

Catalina is one of this list’s most popular Los Angeles day trips. Getting to Catalina Island requires a trip to the Catalina Express Shuttle. Ships depart from ports like Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. Activities on the Island are nearly endless. If this is your first trip, we suggest taking the Avalon scenic tour. Read More.

Griffith Park Day Trip Things To Do

Griffith Park is located in the historic Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Park is at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. Spanning over 4,000 acres, Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The Park is often called the “Central Park” of California; it offers a more natural and outdoor feeling.

Malibu Beach Day Trip 21-Miles of Sandy Beaches

If you want to spend a day soaking up the essence of California, then it’s time for a Malibu beach day trip. The 21-mile strip of oceanfront properties is an affluent beachfront city in western Los Angeles County that offers some of the world’s most spectacular beaches and views.

Beverly Hills Day Trip Visit Rodeo Drive

Although most Beverly Hills visitors cannot afford many items that sparkle from the windows of the posh stores that line Rodeo Drive, a day trip to Beverly Hills will allow you to experience how the other half lives. You may want to leave that credit card at home, as many leave spending big bucks for the sheer experience of shopping on Rodeo Drive.

Historic Olvera Street, Los Angeles

To many Latinos, Olvera Street, also known as ‘La Placita Olvera,’ is a significant part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. It holds a special place in the history of the City of Angels as it is the city’s birthplace. In 1953, it was officially designated as a California State Historic Landmark. The Olvera Street Plaza is famous for Mexican-style music, dancing, and holiday celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo, El Dia De Los Muertos (the day of the dead), and Mexican Independence Day.

Santee Alley in the LA Fashion District

If you’re not a sports junkie, a trip to L. A.’s renowned fashion district is worth a visit. While many of the business here is wholesale-related, Santee Alley has some of everything you can imagine. Jewelry clothing, toys, food vendors, and electronics. Note: many items here are knock-offs and replicas, but it’s still an exciting place to visit. Santee Alley is between Santee Street and Maple Avenue in downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Flower District Tours

The LA Flower District features the biggest flower market in the country. The leading vendors are the LA Flower Market (a small admission charge) and the California Flower Mall (free admission). Many nearby shops sell fresh flowers and plants. The Los Angeles Flower District can be found along Wall Street, between 7th Street and 8th Street.

Gardens – Parks – Outdoor Activities

Explore Nature at Malibu Creek State Park

Beautiful running streams and chaparral-covered hillsides are all within an hour’s drive of downtown Los Angeles. Filmmakers once used the park’s rugged terrain to create spectacular film backdrops. One of the most popular trails in the park is the M*A*S*H site. Most of the routes are well-marked and graded for comfortable hiking. However, for those who seek a more challenging experience, there are plenty of single-track trails.

Will Rogers State Historic Park Santa Monica Mountains

Will Rogers did it all. He was a movie star, columnist, philosopher, humorist, radio personality, avid rider, and roper. He also had a beautiful spread of 186 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking the Pacific Palisades’ ocean. His family gifted the home and land to California in 1944. The state established a historic park that is open to visitors.

Paramount Ranch, Where Hundreds of Films Were Shot

Paramount Ranch is located in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. At one time, Paramount Studios used the property as a movie ranch. Hundreds of films, most Western films, were shot on the property. A fire destroyed the on-site movie town. Only two buildings remain: the Church and the train station.

Point Dume Nature Preserve Malibu Coast

Point Dume Nature Reserve is situated on an undeveloped section of land along the Malibu Coast. The headlands offer a fantastic view of Santa Monica Bay. The Santa Monica Mountains and Catalina Island can be seen on a clear day. A stairway on the bluff top allows access to a secluded beach.

Descanso Gardens La Canada Flintridge

Descanso makes a delightful day trip perfect for all ages—one hundred fifty acres of beautiful gardens, woodlands, and chaparral. The rose garden covers five acres and features more than 3,000 roses. There is also a Full Moon Tea House with a Shinto bridge and a Japanese farmhouse. The Enchanted Railroad comes with a 1/8th replica of a diesel train that travels around a garden section for kids.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park

Descanso makes a delightful day trip perfect for all ages. One hundred Vasquez Rocks offer a far-out adventure not too far from the city. The Vasquez Rocks area is a popular backdrop for Hollywood studios. A few movies and shows filmed here include Star Trek, Bonanza, Power Rangers, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Planet of the Apes, and the Flintstones Movie. 

Explore the Rolling Hills of the Palos Verdes Peninsula

Get your hiking boots and come and explore the over 1,600 acres of open space on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Ten of the area’s largest preserves consist of rolling hills, steep canyons, and rocky outcrops with natural habitats and views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Catalina Island. The city of Rancho Palos Verdes owns part of the peninsula.

Terranea Resort Discovery Trails

If you’re visiting for a day or a guest, several trails offer spectacular views of the shoreline scenery with sea caves and rocky beaches. You might even spot a whale or pod of dolphins from the path. Terranea is located approximately 30 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Visit The Channel Islands National Park

Often referred to as California’s Galapagos, the northernmost islands of Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara are teaming with more than 2,000 terrestrial plants and animals, 145 of which can be found nowhere else on Earth.

Fun Family Activities

Take a Ride in the Angels Flight Railway

One of Los Angeles’ most enduring landmarks, the railway was initially constructed in 1901 on the Southwest corner of Third and Hill Streets. Designed to carry passengers up and down the steep incline between downtown and Bunker Hill, then a fashionable residential district, it is the “shortest railroad in the world.”

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios is a part movie studio, part theme park. One day is not enough time to enjoy all this Los Angeles attraction offers. If you are determined to see everything in one day, check out our guide to get the most out of your visit. Also, have a look at exclusive ticket deals.

Los Angeles Zoo Fun and Affordable Day Trip

The Los Angeles Zoo has been known for its diverse collection of animals since it opened in 1966. Zoologists have praised the zoo for having a wide variety of mammals from different parts of the world, including rare species such as Sumatran tigers, Visayan warty pigs, yellow-footed rock wallabies, Cape Griffon vultures, mandrills, okapis, mountain tapirs, and snow leopards.

Visit Knott’s Berry Farm in Orange County, CA

Knott’s Berry Farm has multiple locations in north Orange County, which makes driving from any part of Los Angeles County convenient. The amusement park offers a thrilling combination of first-class roller coasters, exciting rides, interactive entertainment, and elaborate stage shows suitable for guests of all ages. To ensure that you have the best experience, we suggest arriving early.

Enjoy a Ride at the Los Angeles Live Steamers

Visiting the Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad and Museum is a delightful experience regardless of age or whether you have children. Located in the beautiful hills of Griffith Park, this museum has been captivating visitors since 1956 with its charming steam train rides. Los Angeles Live Steamers is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers train rides in exchange for a small donation.

La Brea Tar Pits Los Angeles

The La Brea Tar Pits are a famous cluster of fossil sites in urban Los Angeles, around the Hancock Park area. Brea is the Spanish word for asphalt or tar, which has seeped up from the area for thousands of years. Over the centuries, animals that came to drink the water, which collected on top, fell in, sank into the tar, and were preserved as bones. The La Brea Tar Pits is a fascinating place for any age group.

USS Iowa San Pedro at the Entrance to Los Angeles Harbor

USS Iowa is a floating battleship museum berthed at the entrance to the Los Angeles Harbor. A self-guided tour takes visitors around many parts of the ship. Highlights include the ship’s substantial 16-inch deck guns and the crew’s quarters. San Pedro offers visitors several other attractions, including its historic waterfront district, S.S. Lane Victory, and the Los Angeles Maritime Museum.

Santa Monica Pier Home to Pacific Park

The Santa Monica Pier, once known as the Coney Island of the West Coast, when was built in 1909 as two separate tiers. It is a popular destination where kids can run around, find someone playing the guitar, see artists selling their creations, and observe couples holding hands. The pier is also home to Pacific Park, an amusement park with rides and attractions suitable for all ages. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from the five-story West Coaster roller coaster, the nine-story Pacific Plunge tower ride, and the unique Seaside Swing.

Los Angeles Griffith Park Observatory

Griffith Observatory is perched on Mt. Hollywood in the hills above Los Angeles. The observatory grounds have many points of interest, including an Egyptian sundial and a memorial to James Dean. On a clear day, you will see Hollywood and the Los Angeles basin spectacularly.

California Science Center Los Angeles

The California Science Center showcases engaging exhibits on relevant scientific topics, offering intriguing insights into various aspects of science. One of the center’s main attractions is the Air and Space Gallery, a vast open space that spans seven stories and displays actual air and spacecraft suspended above.

Los Angeles Area Beach Destinations

Zuma Beach Day Trip: a Los Angeles Must-See Destination

Because of its south-facing shoreline, Zuma, as the locals call it, attracts beachcombers year-round, especially during summer weekends. Still, it is quiet for those looking for a serene setting to unwind during the week.

Enjoy an Oceanfront Lunch at Paradise Cove Beach, Malibu ,

Paradise Cove has been the location for numerous movies and commercials, including Lethal Weapon 4, Charlie’s Angels, The Rockford Files, and several Gidget movies shot in the late ’50s and early ’60s. Paradise Beach Cafe has indoor and outdoor seating. The Cafe’s most popular dishes are the hot combo platter and iced seafood samplers specializing in seafood.

Manhattan Beach Shopping and Dining in flip-flops

Manhattan Beach offers a vibrant beach scene and a charming downtown shopping and dining district filled with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. While some of the town’s swankier restaurants and clubs may require you to dress up, the accepted dress code is board shorts and flip-flops.

Venice Beach is a one-of-a-kind Attraction .

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in the theme that can only be the spectacle of Venice. The best way to experience the waterfront scene is via a three-quarter-mile boardwalk. As you shuffle down the tourist-laden trail, you’ll pass an array of off-the-wall shops, tacky souvenir stores, tattoo and piercing parlors, flea markets, and vendors selling all kinds of items.

Marina del Rey Los Angeles Day Trip

Situated between Venice Beach to the north and south of Playa del Rey near Ballona Creek’s mouth, Marina del Rey is an outdoor hub of activity surrounded by high-rise condos, hotels, apartments, shops, and restaurants. It sits at the center of the 22-mile South Bay Coastal Bicycle Trail, stretching from Malibu to Torrance Beach.

King Harbor Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach Pier was initially built to facilitate timber delivery from ships to trains in 1889. The Redondo Beach Pier has undergone six transformations, surviving a series of storms, fires, and demolitions throughout the 20th century on the way to its current design — a sizeable horseshoe-shaped structure given the name – the “endless” pier.

Hermosa Beach Day Trip

During one of its many warm sunny days, locals and tourists can play volleyball on the beach, jog, cycle, and rollerblade along a smoothed-paved path connecting it with the neighboring beach towns.

Unique Food Courts & Destinations

Los Angeles Farmers Market

The original Los Angeles Farmers Market is located on Third and Fairfax and is fascinating to spend the day. The farmers market has more than 100 shops and restaurants to explore. There are so many different places to eat with so many choices for food; chances are you will stop at least a couple of the eateries.

Grand Central Market Foodie Paradise

If you are familiar with the Anaheim Packing House in Orange County, you know what to expect at Grand Central Market. However, GCM was the original model. Grand Central Market is a large, beautifully restored warehouse and home to 36 vendors, including Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Italian, and American cuisine.

Clifton’s Cafeteria and Bars

If you want to relish the Golden Age of Hollywood and the thrill of Downtown LA’s nightlife, Clifton’s is the perfect destination. With five distinctive spaces, Clifton’s offers something for everyone. Clifton’s address is 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, California.

Little Tokyo Los Angeles

In downtown Los Angeles, Little Tokyo is a cultural hub for Japanese Americans living in Southern California. The Japanese Village Plaza is all activities’ main attraction and focal point. You can quickly locate the plaza by looking for the huge wooden fire tower that guards the entrance. Inside the plaza, various stores sell Japanese pastries, bread, and mochi ice cream.

Koreatown Los Angeles: A Hidden Gem

Karaoke, tableside barbecue, shopping, beauty secrets, and hidden gems – Koreatown Los Angeles, also known as “KTown,” offers all these and more. Situated south of Hollywood and just west of Downtown, K-town is one of the most vibrant, diverse, and exciting neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Koreatown features some of the most impressive shopping experiences in the entire city. You’ll find multiple American-style malls here, filled with products and brands you can’t find anywhere else.

Philippe Original Beef Dipped Sandwich

Phillipe has been serving beef sandwiches for over 100 years. The most popular item here is the original beef-dipped sandwich (we recommend getting it double-dipped). You can also get pork, ham pastrami, lamb, and turkey-dipped sandwiches, but nothing beats the beef dipped. Expect long lines, especially if a Dodger game is going on. Philippe is located at 1001 North Alameda, Los Angeles, California.

Santa Monica Third Street Promenade

Third Street Promenade is an exclusive collection of restaurants and shops in downtown Santa Monica. It draws tourists and locals alike, offering something for everyone all along Third Street; artists, performers, and entertainers who are regulars on any given Saturday line the street and do what they do best. It’s entertainment at its best.

Museums & Historic Places

Getty Center Museum

It is one of our list’s most popular Los Angeles day trips. An automated cable-pulled tram will take you on a scenic ride to the hilltop campus. From there, you can explore numerous buildings brimming with artworks worldwide. The grounds of the Getty Center offer visitors a fantastic view of the Los Angeles skyline. Admission to the Getty Center is free.

Ronald Reagan Library

The library was built entirely with private donations, and construction costs are estimated at $60 million. Thousands of visitors view the archives, consistently ranking as one of the most visited libraries annually. Visitors will start their tour with an exhibit that begins with Reagan’s childhood in Dixon, Illinois.

Santa Monica Air Museum

Plane enthusiasts looking for an outstanding exhibition with a growing aircraft inventory will want to take a day trip to the Museum of Flying Santa Monica. Initially opened in 1979 as the Douglas Museum and Library, the museum’s collection consisted primarily of Donald Wills Douglas.

Automobile Driving Museum

It doesn’t matter if you know anything about how engines work or if you can tell the difference between a carburetor, a crankshaft, or a piston from a spark plug — the Automobile Driving Museum has something for all car lovers.

Petersen Automotive Museum

If you’re a car buff, you’ll think you died and went to heaven. With three full floors and over 300,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Peterson houses one of the most extensive galleries of cars and motorcycles. Its purpose is to show the beauty of vehicles and educate its visitors.

Fort Tejon State Historic Park

Fort Tejon offers the history lover an authentic experience. Visitors can talk with soldiers and visit the blacksmith at his forge, the carpenter in his shop, or the barracks. Servants, cooks, officers, and laborers eagerly share their stories with you. Reenactments are a popular theme at the fort, and living history demonstrations occur on the first Sunday of each month year-round.

Heritage Square Museum Los Angeles

Heritage Square Museum is located in downtown LA, alongside the concrete banks of the Los Angeles River. It houses a collection of structures from the late 1800s that were saved from demolition and moved to Heritage Square.

Frank Lloyd Wright Hollyhock House

Hollyhock House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built on Olive Hill overlooking Los Angeles’s city in 1919. In 1927, Aline Barnsdall gave Hollyhock House and eleven surrounding acres to the City of Los Angeles as a public art park in memory of her father.

Getty Villa Pacific Palisades

The Villa, constructed to resemble a villa in Pompeii that was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius’s eruption, is also home to many family-friendly programs to help immerse visitors big and small in this slice of history. Surrounding the Villa is avant-garde landscaping with calm ocean breezes cascading off the sandy beaches just yards away.

The Last Bookstore Los Angeles

The Last Bookstore in downtown Los Angeles is much more than just a bookstore. In addition to being a fully operational bookshop, it also functions as an art gallery, a boutique, a painting and sculpture studio, a live music venue, and an Instagram-friendly location. This unique bookstore offers a constantly changing range of amenities and events, making it a must-visit destination that can be enjoyed repeatedly.

Union Station Los Angeles

Union Station is a hub of activity, with Metro and Amtrak trains arriving hourly. Passenger trains depart hourly South to  San Diego , North to Santa Barbara, and beyond. The Red Line subway’s starting point is directly underneath Union Station. The Metro Gold Line departs from Union Station and takes passengers to Pasadena.

Los Angeles Area City Guide

Ventura California Things To Do Attractions

Contrary to popular belief, some of the best things in life are free — like the sun on your face, sand between your toes, and the water over your feet. And those things and more await visitors in the City of Ventura.

Oxnard, California, a Fun Los Angeles Day Trip

Nestled together in a 36 square mile ecological tapestry, know as much about being California’s strawberry and lima bean capital. It is the gateway to the Channel Islands, located just 11 miles from its sandy shoreline. Although Oxnard retains the charm of a small rural town, the city has plenty of visitor activities.

Pasadena a Delight for Architecture Enthusiasts

Pasadena is well-known for hosting the annual Tournament of Roses Parade and one of the country’s most important college football games. Besides, the city has many scientific and cultural destinations worth exploring. In Pasadena, modern and old architectural styles are blended seamlessly, as American Arts and Crafts-style architecture coexists with contemporary commercial facades, making it a delight for architecture enthusiasts.

Seal Beach Day Trip

Seal Beach is a seaside town south of Long Beach. The main attraction here is the wide sandy beach, with the second-longest wooden pier in the United States. Seal Beach’s main street is a throwback to a classic Southern California surf town. You can find free parking, grab an ice cream, or browse one of the many unique boutique stores during the day.

San Pedro Points of Interest

San Pedro offers an experience like no other. It’s a fantastic seaside destination, with many attractions offering family-friendly prices. There are more than enough things to do in San Pedro to fill an entire day. Start your tour of San Pedro and head to the historic waterfront district. Here, you will find several popular San Pedro attractions.

Road Trips – Scenic Drives

Mount Wilson Observatory

Perched 5,700 feet on the Mount Wilson summit among the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena, northeast of Los Angeles, is the Mount Wilson Observatory. Home to two historically essential telescopes, which have played an indispensable role in modern astronomy, George Ellery Hale founded the observatory in the early 1900s . 

Mulholland Highway From the City to the Ocean

Mulholland Highway is a scenic route that winds through the Santa Monica Mountains. The highway was named after William Mulholland and was built in the 1920s. It was designed to take Angelinos from the city to the ocean. Today, this legendary highway is popular among the rich, famous, and auto enthusiasts with their sports cars and motorcycles. The journey begins in Calabasas, and the first stop is the 588-acre King Gillette Ranch adjacent to Malibu Creek Park.

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is open year-round but is most visited during the poppy season. April and May are usually the best viewing months, depending on how much rain the fields get. While visiting, you might also see some native wildlife: hawks, meadowlarks, lizards, and snakes all seem to enjoy the sea of color as much as human visitors do.

Santa Clarita Valley Los Angeles County

Located in the northern part of Los Angeles County, the Santa Clarita Valley is home to Six Flags Magic Mountain and the epicenter of Hollywood’s film production. With plenty to see and do for residents and visitors, Santa Clarita is a popular place to spend a day.

Take a Road Trip Along Highway 126

State Route 126 connects Interstate 5 in Santa Clarita and U.S. Route 101 in Ventura, California. This highway was constructed in the late 1950s and runs parallel to the Santa Clara River, offering picturesque views of Heritage Valley. Highway 126 passes through the towns of Piru, Fillmore, and Santa Paula and the national landmark of Spanish Rancho Camulos. These towns are known for their vibrant citrus and avocado orchards, roadside stands, historic landmarks, antique airplanes, and railroad history.

Santa Monica Mountains Wine Tasting

With year-round access and the Pacific Ocean backdrop, the Santa Monica Mountains are uniquely populated with several wineries. Most are small. However, a few are commercial enterprises. The best-known wineries are Malibu Family Wines and Rosenthal Malibu Estate.

Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown Los Angeles, aka DTLA, is full of fun, exciting things to do and see. You can easily spend several days exploring everything that DTLA has to offer. Our guide covers a full day of the best things to do and see while visiting DTLA.

Los Angeles Movie Studio Tours

Get a close-up look at a real operating film studio. Warner Brothers, Universal Studios, and Paramount Pictures offer guided studio tours. You don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy this fun activity. On this day trip, you might even meet a celebrity or two.

California Roadside Attractions

Family day trips –  la road trips.

August 22, 2022 at

Could’ve put the South Bay as one entry. Long Beach passed over, as well as the Olvera Street/China Town/Little Tokyo/Boyle Heights districts. Dodger Stadium/Staples Center/Sofi Stadium all not mentioned. WeHo and Silver lake? La Brea Tar Pits along with the Academy Museum and (when finished) the LA County Museum? LA Conservancy tours? Very little inland attractions (Mission Inn) or Orange County, etc

Most of these trips are included on the site. They are listed under different categories. Orange County and Inland Empire have separate sections devoted to them.

Fun Things To Do

• Free Things to Do In Southern California: Low Cost Fun
• Southern California Bucket List
• California Natural Hot Springs
• California & Nevada Ghost Towns
• Unusual Things to Do in Southern California

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• Southern California Whale Watching
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Get Ready for La Tomatina 2024 with Day Trip including Offical Entry Tickets Wednesday, 28th of August 2024

La Tomatina Day Trip including return bus between Valencia and Bunol for La Tomatina with the services of an experienced Tour Guide and the much needed official La Tomatina entry ticket. Also included is entry to a pre La Tomatina party at the fabulous Umbracle Terrace nightclub right in the heart of the City of Sciences and Arts the night before La Tomatina. Plus once back in Valencia there is free entry before 9pm to the huge official La Tomatina After Party (usually Euro20).

La Tomatina Day Trips Include;

• Compulsory La Tomatina Entry Ticket.
• Return Coach transport between Valencia and Bunol for La Tomatina.
• Exclusive welcome party (Tuesday, 27th of August) at the fabulous Umbracle Terrace nightclub, right in the heart of the City of Sciences and Arts.
• Fantastic pre tomato fight FunZone in Bunol.
• Free entry (must be in by 9pm) to the official La Tomatina After Party.
• Experienced PP Travel Tour Guide - to ensure you get the most out of the Battle of the Tomato.

La Tomatina Packages including Official Entry Tickets and Exclusive Parties

Official la tomatina after party.

latomatinadaytrip.com

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The 15 best day trips from Los Angeles

Experience everything that SoCal has to offer with these day trip from Los Angeles to stunning nearby beaches, wineries and small towns

Photograph: Courtesy Shutterstock

L.A. is great and all, but sometimes you need a change of scenery. If you only have one day to spare, consider one of these quick day trips from Los Angeles to some amazing nearby destinations. Luckily, living in L.A. means it’s an easy (well, depending on traffic) and often  scenic drive  to SoCal’s best beaches , small towns, wineries and gorgeous desert landscapes—all within three hours of the city. Oddly enough, taking advantage of the ease with which you can get  out of L.A. is easily one of the best things to do  in L.A.

From wine tasting in Santa Barbara and  vintage hunting in Palm Springs to  camping  in Joshua Tree or feeling the sand between your toes in San Diego, you’re sure to find a short trip (as opposed to a longer road trip ) worth taking on this list. 

RECOMMENDED: The best weekend getaways from L.A.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Top day trips from Los Angeles

1.  coronado.

2 hrs by car There’s a reason Coronado has topped lists of the country’s best beaches: Its wide shores never feel overcrowded, the soft, fine-grained sand is easily walkable and the weather is practically perfect. Just a quick ferry ride or bridge drive from San Diego, this wealthy peninsula has the feel of a resort town with the amenities that come from being near a major city.

The beachfront grounds of the regal, red-roofed Hotel del Coronado  are a must-visit, even if you can’t foot its pricey room reservations. Back in town, stop into hole-in-the-wall diner Clayton’s Coffee Shop for a quick meal or MooTime Creamery for frozen treats. Coronado is also home to a sizable naval base, and while you can’t exactly visit, you can spot fighter jets coming in for landings and submarines surfacing off the coast.  —Michael Juliano

2.  Ojai

1 hr 20 mins by car Ojai is a not-so-hidden gem close enough to L.A. for a day trip, but with a unique, relaxed feel that’s worlds away from busy city life. Start early with a decadent, hearty breakfast at Bonnie Lu’s , then stroll the town’s quaint main street; the antique shopping is great here, but relatively new school shops like Summer Camp are also worth a stop.

Tour an olive farm or a citrus grove, then grab an organic lunch at Farmer & the Cook . Alternatively, grab a a bite to go and explore the nearby trails in Los Padres National Forest , just north of town. If the weather is right, swimming holes abound along the Sespe Creek.

Back in civilization, check out Bart’s Books , an outdoor bookstore housed in an actual house (sans roof), or head up to Meditation Mount   (reservations required)  for incredible views, especially the famed “pink moment” at sunset.

Swing back to the center of town to explore its many wine tasting rooms, or grab a beer and a bite at Ojai Beverage Company . Chief’s Peak, the bar at Ojai Rancho Inn (where you should stay if your trip runs long), is a hip spot for an after-dinner drink; you’ll find more old-timers—and regular live music—at Deer Lodge down the road.  —Kate Wertheimer

Discover the best things to do in Ojai

3.  Santa Barbara

1 hr 50 mins by car Santa Barbara is a scenic and worthy vacation destination regardless of your starting point, but we’re fortunate enough to have relatively easy access (granted that the L.A. traffic gods are working in our favor).

Stearns Wharf is a go-to spot to see the Pacific, and nearby is State Street, filled with tons of shops and people-watching opportunities. And the Wharf isn’t the only place to see the water: Butterfly Beach, a relatively private spot, is situated next to the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel and faces west for ideal sunset-watching views.

Grab lunch at La Super-Rica Taqueria —famous for being one of Julia Child’s favorite eateries. The lines tend to be on the ridiculous side, but it’s worth the wait for novelty’s sake alone.

If you’re traveling with family, spend a few hours at the Santa Barbara Zoo   (reservations required) . Otherwise, grab a glass of Pinot Noir at one of the many tasting rooms along the Urban Wine Trail   (hours and status vary by winery) ; the spots are located in downtown Santa Barbara, steps from the Amtrak station, and source grapes from local vineyards.  —Seth Kelley

Discover the best things to do in Santa Barbara

4.  Laguna Beach

1 hr by car Forget what you know from a certain unfortunate MTV reality show: Laguna Beach is an easygoing oceanfront city graced with lush vegetation, tidepools and a picturesque rocky coastline.

Main Beach is the spot of choice for downtown sunbathing, but you’ll find pristine, less crowded beaches at tide pool-filled Treasure Island, camper-friendly Crystal Cove or hidden Victoria Beach with its weathered, castle-like turret.

Walk the city’s downtown area to find a mix of shops, galleries and restaurants; many eateries cater to the well heeled, so we suggest bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy on a bench at the hilltop Heisler Park. Do, however, follow the smell of fresh waffle cones onto the enchanting Peppertree Lane for a scoop from Gelato Paradiso .

It’s not just about the beach here; you can explore the reservation-only Hortense Miller Garden  or thousands of acres of hillsides and canyons to find hiking trails, nature centers and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center   (closed through fall 2024) , a sea lion rescue. Summertime typically sees the arrival of two festival favorites: Pageant of the Masters , a live stage interpretation of classical paintings, and Sawdust Art Festival , an open-air artisan market that transforms into a Christmas village in late fall. There’s only one road in and out from the 5, so bring some patience during rush hour—alternatively, take the scenic route and follow Coast Highway through Newport Beach.  —Michael Juliano

5.  Solvang

2 hrs by car After Danish immigrants grew tired of Midwestern winters, they began to make their way west and eventually settled in the pastoral Santa Ynez Valley. Though you won’t find many Danes in Solvang anymore, you will find wooden windmills, rural houses and a replica of Copenhagen’s Round Tower. The post-WWII structures are as touristy as they are charming; walk around town to find an assortment of Christmas shops, Hans Christian Andersen and Little Mermaid keepsakes, and sort-of-Danish bakeries.

Solvang’s downtown area is dotted with breweries and pancake cottages, including local standbys Solvang Brewing Company   and Paula’s Pancake House —and an increasingly impressive new culinary scene . For a bit of history on the area, make sure to stop by the humble Elverhøj Museum .

For a more offbeat adventure, head to the outskirts of town to  OstrichLand , which feels like the Jurassic Park of the ostrich and emu world. If you’re visiting in early January, make sure to schedule your trip around the annual Christmas tree bonfire . —Michael Juliano

6.  Balboa Island

1 hr by car, 5 min ferry

Visitors to Balboa Island in Newport Beach can enter the man-made island by driving onto it via Marine Avenue, but it’s far easier—and more fun—to park your car on the Balboa Peninsula and take the Balboa Island Ferry for a quick and scenic five-minute trip across the water.

The first order of business: getting your hands on one of the island’s famed frozen bananas (make the Bluth family proud). Choose from rivals Sugar N Spice or Dad’s Donut & Bakery Shop; both claim to be the originators of the chocolate-covered frozen treat.

Take a jaunt around the 1.6-mile boardwalk surrounding the island, passing by multi-million dollar homes and streets named after gems, before strolling down Marine Avenue, the island’s main artery. Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants ( Wilma’s Patio is a staple), boutique shops, art galleries and the Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society .

Of course, there’s plenty to do out on the water, too: kayaking, parasailing, paddle boarding and the like. If you’ve got kiddos tagging along, the Balboa Fun Zone on the peninsula hosts a Ferris wheel and plenty of arcade games.  —Erin Kuschner

Discover the best things to do in Newport Beach

7.  Los Alamos

2 hrs 20 mins by car Once a major stagecoach stop, this small, easy-to-miss town looks stuck in the past with its Old West style—but behind the facade are trendy treasures waiting to be discovered. Inside Bob’s Well Bread Bakery is a hip, stylish setup serving artisan breads—including gluten free options—croissants, sandwiches and more. Exploring antique shops and art galleries can easily fill a day here, just be sure to call ahead, as some places are only open on weekends.

A big draw of the Los Alamos area is its wine tasting—this is Santa Barbara County, after all—which can be done at Bedford Winery  and other local tasting rooms. Before you leave town, make a pit stop at  1880 Union , an event space with an authentic stagecoach saloon, or spend the night at the Victorian Mansion Bed and Breakfast . For being a single stoplight town (we haven’t actually counted, but you get it), there’s a bevy of delicious places to eat, such as  Full of Life Flatbread (known for its occasional A-list diners) and the destination-worthy Bell’s .  —Stephanie Morino

8.  San Juan Capistrano

1 hr 30 min by car, 1 hr 25 min by train A piece of California history and a quaint old town make San Juan Capistrano an off-the-beaten-path day trip with a lot of charm and a little learning. If you take Amtrak there, the train will drop you off right where you want to be—just a couple of blocks from a good cup of coffee at Hidden House Coffee .

From there, you can tour Mission San Juan Capistrano , founded in 1776 and arguably one of the mission chain’s prettiest links. The mission used to be known as a migratory destination for swallows in February, but the famous birds have been spotty in recent years. If you have your heart set on getting up close with some animals, check out Zoomars   (reservations recommended) , a petting zoo for kids of all ages (read: adults love it, too). It’s a historic ranch where you can also pan for gold like the California miners did. You’re also near Los Rios Historic District , which has some historic homes and museums that are perfect for a walking tour.

When you get hungry, you have several options: Heritage Barbecue serves remarkable Texas-style smoked meats,  Ramos House is a romantic spot known for great food and huge Bloody Marys on the weekends and  Five Vines is a nearby wine bar with snacks and sandwiches. If you want to catch a later train, head over to Swallow’s Inn , the local dive bar, where bras hang from the ceiling and bands play late into the night. You’re still within stumbling distance of the train station.  —Sara Fay

9.  Oak Glen

1 hr 30 mins by car

Though you can visit Oak Glen year-round, the best time to head to this picturesque town to the east is September through November. The five-mile loop of orchards, ranches, shops and restaurants is a necessity for any New England transplant looking for fall foliage, and the town’s most popular activity— apple picking —is a nice alternative to canvassing L.A.’s farmers’ markets.

Many of the orchards, like Willowbrook Apple Farm  (opens Labor Day weekend), offer a cider press to make your own cider, which you can pair with a cinnamon roll or apple dumpling from Apple Annie’s Restaurant & Bakery . Stop by the Turquoise Pueblo  on your way back to L.A. for some beautiful handmade Native American jewelry.  —Erin Kuschner

10.  Solana Beach

2 hrs by car, or 2 hrs by train

If you want to spend a day in San Diego, you can either try to go big (the San Diego Zoo! Balboa Park!  Padres game! All in one day!) or go small-town and spend a chill day in a cool oceanfront neighborhood. The beach towns north of San Diego—no, we’re not talking about Pacific Beach—are the stuff of the Beach Boys lyrics.

In Solana Beach, you’ll find laid-back vibes and beaches that aren’t completely overrun. It’s easy to get there from L.A. via Amtrak, and it’s a perfect way to day-trip because all the spots you’ll want to hit are within walking distance of the station.

Start at  the Naked Cafe for a beach-y brunch, then, either head down to the beach at Fletcher Cove or cruise along the Cedros Design District for window shopping, brewery hopping and people watching. There’s also a mix of cute boutiques, surf shops, restaurants, taco spots and bars along South Coast Highway. If it’s racing season, the Del Mar Racetrack  isn’t far—it would be either a long walk or a short car ride.

Before you catch the train back up to L.A., you have several good options for dinner near the tracks: Station Sushi is a solid locals’ spot for classic and creative rolls, Bangkok Bay  has some of the best Thai food we’ve ever eaten and Pizza Port is known for being a last-slice-and-beer-before-Amtrak place. It’s directly across a pedestrian crosswalk from the train station, and has been slinging pies and pouring pints for three decades.  —Sara Fay

If the San Diego Zoo caught your eye, book a ticket and spend a day with the animals.

11.  Temecula

When hoofing it to Napa and Sonoma isn’t an option, Temecula is your next best destination for a day of wine tasting. Before sampling the grapes, stop by quaint Old Town Temecula, where you can pay a visit to the Temecula Valley Museum  for a historical walking tour.

Then it’s down to business; the heart of Temecula’s Wine Country includes more than 30 wineries, which you can bounce between at your own leisure (don’t drink and drive, folks!) or take a guided tour from one of the many wine tour companies in the area. Taste your way through the 70-acre Wilson Creek Winery and the red-focused Monte De Oro Winery   before heading to Maurice Car’rie Vineyard  for an educated tasting and a loaf of the vineyard’s famous sourdough bread, oozing with brie.

Just down the road, Magical Adventure Balloon Rides encapsulates another popular Temecula activity: riding in a hot air balloon. We can’t think of a better way to end your day in Temecula than by sailing over the town’s vineyards at sunset with a glass of Champagne in hand. —Erin Kuschner

12.  Palm Springs

2 hrs by car Known for its ultra-fancy resorts and legacy of celebrity residents, Palm Springs is worth at least a weekend, if you can afford the time. Still, if you’re limited to 24 hours, make the desert city a choose-your-own-adventure day trip.

Start with brunch at Cheeky’s , and trust us that it’s worth the wait. If you’re in the mood to exercise, check out Indian Canyons , made up of three separate canyons (Palm, Murray and Andreas) that each offer hiking trails and fantastic views of the diverse landscape. Another of the best ways to see Palm Springs is on the Aerial Tramway , which helps visitors escape the heat of the desert with a scenic ride to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains.

If relaxation is your goal, shop at the outlets in Cabazon, or just get a massage and sit by the pool. The Palm Springs Art Museum  is small but displays works from incredible artists including Picasso and Warhol. For dinner, try reservations at Sandfish  for superb sushi and Japanese whiskey.  —Seth Kelley

Discover the best  things to do in Palm Springs

13.  Big Bear

2 hrs by car; access may be limited during the winter This mountain town is home to some of L.A.’s closest ski slopes in winter, but don’t discount a summertime trip, when a dip in a mountain lake is the best way to keep cool. Rent a kayak or paddleboard to tour the water, and keep an eye out for the white-domed Big Bear Solar Observatory perched at the water’s edge on the north shore. The hiking here is also plentiful and offers some amazing views.

If you’re a bit more adventurous, stop by Bear Valley Bikes and rent a mountain bike; there are fire roads for beginners and lots of technical, downhill single track for more seasoned riders.

Back in town, check out the Bowling Barn  and the Alpine Slide , both of which are a blast with or without kids in tow. For a drink with the locals, head to karaoke night (which is pretty much every night) at Murray’s Saloon , the town’s self-proclaimed “five star hole in the wall.”  —Kate Wertheimer

Discover the best things to do in Big Bear

14.  Joshua Tree

2 hrs 15 mins by car You’ll find Joshua Tree National Park on our shortlist for perfect day trips, road trips and weekend getaways from L.A. That’s for good reason: the magical desert spot—with its gnarled, ancient namesake trees, picturesque cacti and giant boulders—should be on every traveler’s bucket list, no matter how much time they have to spare.

Watch rock climbers scale mini-mountains at  Hidden Valley campground (first-come, first-served) or try some scrambling yourself at Jumbo Rocks . If you visit in spring, head south to Pinto Basin for a chance to see colorful wildflowers in bloom.

On the drive out, plan for a pit stop at the Cabazon exit, where you can explore the famed dinosaur park from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (and even, for a fee, climb inside the three-story T. Rex for a photo op in his mouth). Shop for cacti at multiple roadside marts on Twentynine Palms Highway, or hang a left at Pioneertown Road for a stop at Pappy & Harriet’s , which boasts a ghost town, small inn and great live music.

Another worthwhile detour is Landers, home of countless alien sightings and new-age sound baths at the  Integratron   (reservations required) . In the town of Joshua Tree, take your pick from a few tasty restaurants, including Crossroads Cafe   to rub elbows with locals. There are some good thrift shops around here, as well as the kind of quirky public art; be sure to check out the World Famous Crochet Museum , as well as prolific artist Andrea Zittel’s A-Z West tour.  —Kate Wertheimer

Discover the best things to do in Joshua Tree .

15.  Salton Sea and Slab City

3 hrs by car This day trip isn’t for everyone; but if you’re a fan of things decrepit, forgotten and way off the beaten path, head south to Bombay Beach at the Salton Sea. A popular vacation spot in the ’50s and ’60s, these days all that’s left of the once-booming seaside town are photo-worthy ruins and a lot of dead fish.

The Ski Inn remains; stop by for a drink or a greasy bite and decorate a dollar bill to hang on the wall or ceiling. Continue on to Niland, made famous by artist Leonard Knight’s Salvation Mountain , a giant folk art monument made from adobe, straw and thousands of gallons of paint (you may remember it from Into the Wild ). Beyond is Slab City, a former marine training base that now exists as a squat for campers, transients and desert dwellers who’ve created a community complete with a library, skate park and live music stage, “the Range.” If you’re respectful and friendly, folks may share their hot spring and swimming hole secrets, so bring a bathing suit—or do as the locals do and go in your birthday suit.  —Kate Wertheimer

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Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, optimal los angeles itinerary for first time visitors.

I used to live in LA for a long time – ten years to be exact. I spent a good chunk of my formative year growing up in the suburb of LA before getting thrown straight into the heart of the city when I attended UCLA for my undergrad studies.

Safe to say, I spent my best years in LA. I love the city so much and I want to help make your stay here to be as enjoyable as possible. So, I’ve put together a Los Angeles itinerary that is hopefully easy to follow for you, whether you’re spending just a weekend in LA, or a whole week and more.

It’s going to be a long one, so buckle up!

Before we go on, I wanted to say my special thanks to my good friend Kat for being a true champ. This post would not have been possible without her. Kat and I met a long time ago when we were both students at UCLA. She continued to live in LA while I moved across the world to Singapore.

When I was in LA visiting her, she drove me around LA. And I do mean, EVERYWHERE which is not an easy feat in a city as trafficky as LA! We even went to all the parts that we didn’t get to explore as the poor car-less students that we were.

Thank you so much, Kat!! <3

Okay so without further ado, here is everything I know about visiting Los Angeles.

• Tips for visiting Los Angeles
• How to drive in Los Angeles
• Parking in Los Angeles
• Public Transportation in Los Angeles
• How much time should I spend in Los Angeles?
• When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?
• Where to stay in Los Angeles
• Day 1: Central LA (Hollywood)
• Day 2: Historic Downtown LA
• Day 3: Westside LA (The beach!)
• Day 4: Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
• Day 5 onward: Day Trip Ideas from LA

My tips for visiting Los Angeles

To make your visit to LA more enjoyable, here are some of my tips:

1. Get a travel pass to save money! – There are lots of things to visit and do in LA, which means you’ll spend money on those activities. Getting a travel pass could ease the pain!

Here are a few travel passes you can consider:

• Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass – If you are only in LA for less than a week and plan to see as many attractions as possible, it’s usually worth it to get the Go City All-Inclusive Pass to cover you for some of those days. The pass will already pay for itself if you plan to get the multi-day card and plan to visit one of the amusement parks (except Disneyland) – check the list of attractions here .

To make it easier for you, I’ll leave note in the itinerary below which landmarks are included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass.

• Go City Explorer Pass – On the other hand, if you decide that you only want to visit a few select attractions, you can consider this instead. The Explorer Pass entitles you to see these attractions at your own pace – the pass is valid for 60 days and you can select any 2-7 attractions.

2. Book ahead an airport pick up from LAX . Unless you plan to rent a car straight from the airport, this is the best way to get to your hotel from the airport. You can book a private Airport pick up here . Otherwise, you can consider looking at a shuttle bus. It’s cheaper than taking a taxi or ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.

3. Rent a car. Book a car rental that you can pick up and return at LAX here . Why? Public transportation in LA, though arguably better than what it was before, is not the best – I’ll talk more about this later . Taxis must be booked in advance, and ride-sharing could get expensive. Trust me, I didn’t have a car when I was living in LA, and it was a nightmare. For more information on driving in LA, check out the next section of this blog driving in Los Angeles , which includes things like parking in LA.

4. If you cannot drive , then your best bet is to go by tour or sightseeing tours or bus. While it might not be the most efficient way, it will still take you to all the places you’d want to see in LA. Here are some tours that would take you to most of the must-do activities in LA and include hotel pick-up:

• Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches, and More
• The Best of LA Tour: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Griffith Park +More

Tip: The Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus 1-Day Classic Tour could be a great option and is included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass . It normally costs US$ 46 per adult.

5. Take note of the opening time of the attractions you want to see. For example, The Getty and the Griffith Observatory are closed on Mondays and Getty Villa is closed on Tuesdays. So generally, the latter half of the week (Wednesday – Sunday) is the best time to visit LA if you are interested.

6. Learn how to tip the American way – yes, I know, the tipping culture in the US baffles every visitor. It’s confusing! But, you don’t want to shortchange someone just because you disagree with this social norm. The most common instance where you’ll need to tip is when eating at a restaurant. The general rule of thumb is to tip 15% for average service, 20% for great service, and 25% for exceptional service. You don’t need to tip at establishments where the food is not served to you. Fast food, bakeries, or dessert places are examples of these types of establishments, but it certainly would be nice if you felt the staff did an exceptional job. You also don’t need to tip ride-sharing drivers (but again, it is always nice to), but you must tip taxi drivers.

7. Watch out for the CA sales tax! In California, you’re subjected to a sales tax every time you make a purchase. This sales tax is usually not included in the stated price and will be charged upon payment. In Los Angeles, the sales tax is 9.50%. So for example, say you see a nice purse for $30 – it will actually ring up as $32.85 when you pay for it.

8.  Wise Card  worked super well in the US  – If you’re an international visitor like myself, definitely get yourself  a Wise Debit Card . You’ll save on foreign transaction fees with it. I never had to use cash when I was in NYC and  San Francisco !

9. Be at the beach in the late afternoon for sunset – You’ll see some of the best sunsets of your life, so plan to be at the beach during sunset time! I recommend visiting Santa Monica Beach or Venice Beach around 5 PM.

10. Last but not least – HAVE FUN! I feel like most of my travel tips have been negative, but trust me, it will all be worth it. I just wanted you to be mentally prepared to be able to enjoy this special city.

How to drive a car in LA

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that driving is pretty much a requirement if you want to explore Los Angeles. Aside from the vast area, you would need to cover, there isn’t a good public transportation infrastructure in LA.

Anyone can drive and rent a car in LA so long as they have a valid driving license. Good news for international tourists – you don’t need an International Driving License to drive in California . But you DO need a valid driving license from your country of residence.

What is the driving requirement in California? See the DMV page on California driving requirements .

Once you’ve secured a vehicle, be prepared to deal with the LA traffic. You can try to avoid it, but I’ve been told traffic is bad all day long. You just have to accept it and plan your day around it. Be prepared to factor in extra driving time.

Also, make sure you are a confident driver. LA drivers are notoriously aggressive drivers. You’ll also be doing a lot of street parking so make sure you know how to parallel park.

Last but not least, practice basic safety to ensure your car doesn’t become a target for car break-ins – don’t leave anything visible in the seats (bags, earphones, or other small electronics). Always take your valuables with you.

Parking and car parks in Los Angeles

Another thing you need to learn about is how the car park works here. And let me tell you, parking is expensive in LA, especially in the Downtown area. There are usually parking lots with either an hourly rate (capped to a certain amount per session) or a flat rate regardless of how long you park your car. In the downtown area , this is usually a steep flat rate of US$12-15, so you’ll want to keep your car in the same lot while you’re sightseeing. You can refer to this map to plan your parking before coming to downtown LA.

The cheaper way to park your car is to find street parking , which is sometimes metered or sometimes free, but obviously, these are super coveted spots and everyone wants them. Don’t bank on it, but if you do find a street parking spot, make sure you pay attention to the signs since street parking is usually only allowed at certain hours and there might be a block out time for street cleaning.

If you’re lucky you might be visiting a museum/restaurant/shopping mall that offers validated parking , meaning they’ll cover your parking cost or offer discounted parking up to certain hours, so keep looking out for that too!

And again, please take note to not leave any valuables in the car or even leave anything small on the car seat that can be seen from outside, because it might make you a target for car break-ins.

Taking Public Transportation in LA

I came from Singapore, where public transport is probably the best in the world. So I can’t say I was impressed by public transport in LA, but in retrospect, it’s not too bad. It’s still not the most comprehensive, but at least it’s not nearly non-existent like how it was when I lived here ten years ago!

Here is a quick rundown of the two types of services you’d likely take as a tourist in LA:

• The LA Metro – The metro is a transportation agency consisting of rails and buses. Their rail lines now take you from downtown LA to Santa Monica! This is something that didn’t exist when I was in college.
• DASH Bus service – LADOT (short for Los Angeles Department of Transportation)’s bus service that services mostly downtown. Free with the TAP card you use to ride the metro.

To use the above services, you need to get a TAP card online . If you have a smartphone, you can even just pay for the fares through the app instead of a physical card. Then, you can buy a 1-day, 7-day, or 30-day pass for unlimited rides if you’re in LA for longer.

How much time should I spend in LA?

Let me start by saying that LA is a HUGE city and the landmarks are spread apart from each other. Ideally, you should try to spend 5-7 days here if you don’t want to be rushed and want to see everything.

But if you are okay with missing out on certain stuff, you can still see a good amount of stuff in just 3-4 days, or even a weekend if you’re good at organizing your time. After all, you can always come back 😉

When is the best time to visit LA?

So this is why I love LA so much – the weather here is simply the best. It’s great to visit all year round! The summers are not too hot, and the winters are not too cold. Spring and Fall are just downright beautiful. California tends to be dry, so you don’t have to worry too much about rain ruining your travel.

However, forest fires have unfortunately become a common occurrence in California, so be prepared if you’re visiting when it’s forest fire season. Pay attention to the news!

Where to stay in LA

There isn’t a specific area you can stay in LA where everything will be close by. No matter where you visit, you’ll likely still have to drive. That said, here are some recommendations!

If you have a high budget then staying in Downtown LA or West Hollywood is great for that LA feel. Here are some notable hotels if you need ideas:

• Chateau Marmont – Aside from being one of the most iconic hotels in Los Angeles, this hotel is also frequented by A-list celebrities.
• Ace Hotel DTLA – A historic hotel right in the heart of Downtown LA. The building interior is a spectacle on its own.
• The Beverly Hills Hotel – One of the world’s best-known hotels located on Sunset Blvd. It is said that “Hotel California” by the Eagles is based on this hotel.

Otherwise, if you want a more chill beach vibe then I recommend staying closer to the coastline in Santa Monica or Venice Beach. Bonus: It’s also close to LAX!

• HI Los Angeles – Santa Monica Hostel – This is a hostel so expect basic amenities. You can stay in a bunk bed or opt for a private room.
• The Georgian Hotel – This hotel caught my eye during my visit as it looks straight out of a Wes Anderson movie. Aside from that, the location is also really good – right in front of the beach and within walking distance of the Santa Monica Pier.
• Venice Breeze Suites – Located within walking distance of Venice boardwalk. Venice Beach can be a bit noisy and kind of dodgy at night, but it’s still one of the best places to enjoy LA.

The Must-Do Los Angeles Itinerary

To visualize the itinerary better, I’ve created a Google Maps link that marks all the routes and landmarks I’ll mention in this blog.

Here is the complete LA Itinerary map (If you can’t see the map, click here ):

🗺 Save this map to your phone!  If you are a Google user, click on the image of the map above. The map will then be saved to your “Recent” maps viewed.  Click here for instructions on how to view the map later . It will work from your phone too.

I hope you can see why I keep saying LA is huge. Most of the landmarks and points of interest are not concentrated in one place. But don’t worry! This is why I’ve grouped the activities into one area for each day, so you can plan and optimize your time in LA.

Here is a quick look at the areas we’ll be covering in this itinerary:

• Day 5 etc: Day Trip Ideas from LA

PS: If you are getting a travel pass, the Go City All-Inclusive Pass is mostly useful on Day 1 and 2. If you want to visit an amusement park though, it’s still worth it by adding extra days.

Here is a Los Angeles itinerary for your first visit:

Day 1: Central LA (The Hollywood Route)

This itinerary will take you through what LA is best known for – the fame, glamor, and glitz of Hollywood. On my LA Map itinerary, The Hollywood Route is marked in Purple . Here is the same itinerary map zoomed to just the Central LA portion:

Open Map on a new window

1. The Hollywood Sign & Griffith Observatory

Start your morning by going up to the Griffith Observatory. It’s a great place to see Los Angeles city from above, as well as the famous Hollywood sign. Contrary to popular belief though, you can’t get too close to the Hollywood sign since the area around it are private properties. If you do, it might be considered trespassing unless you know the owners of the lands.

The Griffith Observatory itself is an interesting place to visit, but very limited availability. Please also take note that it’s closed on Mondays . Admission is free though! ( Click here for information on Griffith Observatory )

⛰ Tip: If you fancy a hike, a Hollywood Hills Hike tour is included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass (normally US $28 per person). They depart at 10 AM and take 2.5 hours, so plan carefully whether you have time for this given all the other stuff you’d want to do for the rest of the day.

2. Hollywood Walk of Fame

Make your way down to Hollywood Blvd for the Walk of Fame, where you can see the star-studded sidewalk, literally! The Walk of Fame is where 2,600 Hollywood entertainers have earned the achievement of a lifetime, in the form of a 5-point star embedded in the sidewalk along the street.

3. Grauman’s Chinese Theater (TCL Chinese Theater)

Down the street from the Walk of Fame is the famous Chinese Theater, a theater whose decor was modeled after the red Chinese pagoda. It is the site where countless blockbuster movies held their global premiere, including the 1977 George Lucas’ Star Wars!

The theater has changed ownership a few times and changed names because of that – it was originally named Grauman’s Chinese Theater, but to me, it was known as Mann’s Chinese Theater. And now, the official name currently is TCL Chinese Theater!

Aside from being the site of major premieres, the theater is also known for housing over 200 handprints and footprints of famous Hollywood celebrities in the front yard of the theater.

Tip: If you fancy a tour, they have a VIP 30-minute walking tour that runs daily ( check the schedule here ) and is included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass (which normally costs US$ 14 per person). Note that if you take this tour, then you cannot go to Hollywood Museum using the Go City All-Inclusive Pass anymore.

4. Kodak Theater (Dolby Theater)

This theater is perhaps best known for hosting the ultimate Hollywood event – the Academy Awards (aka the Oscars) since 2002. The Kodak Theater has been officially known as Dolby Theater since 2012, but it will always be Kodak Theater for long-time LA residents – such as myself, I suppose. I moved away before the name change and was shocked when I found out!

Tip: They used to have a guided tour that runs daily every half hour from 10 AM – 4 PM, but now it runs more on the latter half of the week (check the schedule here ). The tour is included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass . The tour takes 30 minutes.

5. Hollywood Museum

Across the street from the Chinese Theater is the Hollywood Museum, where you can learn about the history of Hollywood and see props, costumes, and scripts from classic movies.

Tip: Admission is included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass (normally US $15 per person) if you didn’t go for a tour at the Chinese Theater.

6. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

If you love museums, definitely stop by here. You’ll probably recognize it right away from the famous Urban Light installation by Chris Burden , placed prominently at the entrance of the museum on Wilshire Blvd, a major street in LA.

Check out the museum during the day if you want to go in (it only opens till 5 PM), but if you’re just there for the Urban Lights then you can come at night since it is open 24 hours and it’s beautifully lit up when the sun goes down.

7. LA’s Farmers Market & The Grove

One block away from LACMA is LA Farmers Market , a fun place to people-watch, grab a bite, and get some refreshments. They are open every day ( click here for more information ).

Right next to it is The Grove , possibly the most beautiful open-air shopping center I’ve ever been to.

8. Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive is LA’s most luxurious street, known for its high-end stores, celebrity sightings, and the very fancy cars that often line up the very regular street parking spots. Keep your eyes peeled when you’re here, you never know who you might run into!

Where to eat/drink in Central LA

• Pink’s Hot Dogs – It’s a must-visit in LA. Started as a pushcart in 1939, Pink’s has now become a historic road site spot in LA, serving creative hot dogs.
• Urth Caffe – Organic coffee, tea, and healthy breakfast made from local ingredients. They are mostly known to be frequented by celebrities. There are eight locations around LA now, but the one in Melrose is probably the most convenient to go with your itinerary. It also has the highest chance of celebrity sightings.
• The Griddle Cafe – The place for indulgent hearty American breakfast. Think red velvet pancakes and the like.
• In-N-Out Burger – You haven’t been to California if you did not have In-N-Out. Period. There is a branch near the Chinese Theater on Sunset Blvd, so don’t miss this one!
• LA’s Farmers Market – Great place to get local produce and snacks.
• Yamashiro Hollywood – This place has been here forever! I remember coming here for a date back when I was in college. It’s located on top of a hill, so you’ll get a great view with your meal too.
• Lawry’s The Prime Rib – You might have seen them as the brand for seasoned salt in your grocery store, but Lawry’s is originally a famous steak house that has been around in LA since 1938. Their creamed corn is the best!

Day 2: Historic DTLA (Downtown LA)

This itinerary takes you through the modern, rugged downtown of LA, and what makes the city tick. Most of the landmarks on this route are close to each other and very walkable.

TIP: This is the only itinerary on this post that is potentially walkable or can be done through public transport. If you aren’t already staying in downtown LA, you can just arrange transport to DTLA, as you might not need a car for this day with everything being within walking distance.

On my LA Map itinerary, The DTLA Route is marked in Green . Here is the same itinerary map zoomed to just the DTLA portion:

Optional: Walking Tours!

I included this portion because the downtown LA area is just rich with history and very walkable and I think it’s worth paying extra for some local knowledge. Here are some walking tours you can consider:

• Old and New Downtown Los Angeles Walking Tour
• Downtown Los Angeles Architecture Walking Tour
• Los Angeles Beginnings Walking Tour
• If you are here on a Saturday, check out the walking tour by Los Angeles Conservancy . The tour costs $15 per person and they have tons of interesting options!

1. Bradbury Building

Start your morning at the Blue Bottle Coffee downstairs of the Bradbury Building. Bradbury Building is a prominent architectural landmark in LA. Built in 1893, it still retains the original design open-caged elevator and exquisite ironwork that gave this place its fame, in addition to being featured in famous movies, music videos, and television shows (how very LA of this building, right?). It is also most well known as one of the shooting locations for the 1982 Blade Runner sci-fi movie.

2. The Last Bookstore

Just a block away from Bradbury Building, this independent bookstore was made famous thanks to the round of photos on Instagram, and rightfully so – they house a handful of very Instagrammable beautiful creative art displays, with a theme centered around, well, books.

3. Grand Central Market & Angel’s Flight Railway

Right around the corner from Bradbury Building and The Last Bookstore is Grand Central Market. You can settle down here for lunch with lots of options. I recommend checking out the oyster bar or checking out Eggslut for a popular Egg sandwich.

Then, right across the street from Grand Central Market is Angel’s Flight, a funicular railway that connects Downtown LA to Bunker Hill. The ride lasts no more than thirty seconds and costs $1. Nowadays it’s regarded as a tourist novelty, but a fair amount of locals still use the railway too.

4. The Broad

Make your way down to The Broad, a contemporary art museum. And in true LA fashion, tickets to the museum are free but parking will cost you an arm and a leg. So if you’re already parked somewhere nearby, just leave your car and walk over here. The museum is closed on Mondays ( click here for more info on visiting the broad )

The Broad is yet another place that has been made even more popular by Instagram in recent years – thanks to the famous Yayoi Kusama installation “ Infinity Mirrored Rooms “, which is currently on view at The Broad.

If you’re there mainly for the Kusama installation though, be prepared to line up. The good thing is they have put in a virtual queue system that will notify you when your number is up, so you can use the waiting time to wander around the rest of The Broad! More instructions on visiting Infinity Mirrored Rooms are here .

But aside from the famous Kusama installation (which I did not bother waiting for), I think The Broad has a solid offering of modern art – you can see works by famous contemporary artists like Takashi Murakami, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jeff Koons.

5. Walt Disney Concert Hall

Before leaving The Broad, you can walk around the building and check out Disney Concert Hall. You don’t have to go in, but I think the facade from the outside is such an architectural delight.

But if you’re interested, you can go for a complimentary guided tour or self-guided audio tour which runs in the mornings at around 10 am – 3 pm (please check for availability!)

6. Grammy Museum

If music is your thing you might be interested in visiting the Grammy Museum too, where you can learn about the history and past winners of the Grammys. There are some paid exhibitions too.

Tip: The Grammy Museum is closed on Tuesdays . Admission is included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass (normally US$ 18 per person).

6. Olvera Street / El Pueblo Historic District

Los Angeles is nothing without its Mexican community – even the name of the city “Los Angeles” is in Spanish! So, end your day by visiting the colorful Mexican marketplace at Olvera Street. First opened on easter in 1930, the street now houses shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops. You can take the bus DASH Downtown Route A to get there .

The market is open every day, but most merchants are only open 10 am – 5 pm. Click here for more information on visiting . If you’re lucky, you might be there during one of the big events such as Dia De Los Muertos in October or Cinco de Mayo in May – check their calendar here !

7. Arts District

If you still have time after Olvera Street, you can walk over to the Arts District. The arts district was a pretty run-down, sketchy part of LA, but had undergone a major clean-up under its iconic mayor Joel Bloom. Nowadays, it houses many trendy restaurants, cafes, and breweries! You can take the bus DASH Downtown Route A to get there .

Where to eat/drink in Downtown LA

• Blue Bottle Coffee – I know they are not originally from LA, but there is one right downstairs of the Bradbury Building so you might as well try the coffee here if you haven’t before.
• Grand Central Market – Great place to visit with a group and sample many different things at once.
• Eggslut – This breakfast fast-food restaurant became a viral success back in 2011. The most popular item is “The Slut”, which is a coddled egg on top of a smooth potato puree, poached in a glass jar and served with toasty crostini. There is a branch in Grand Central Market!
• Koreatown – Or locally known as K-town. I’m a huge fan of Korean cuisine , but I find the ones in LA are often even better than in South Korea itself. I recommend checking out BCD Tofu House if you do decide to go.
• Ave 26 Tacos at Little Tokyo – The original location is a little bit out of the way, but now there is a location in Little Tokyo! You don’t get more LA than inhaling Lengua tacos off the back of your friend’s car in some shady parking lot.
• Langer’s Deli – One of the few Jewish delis in LA. I didn’t get to try the matzo ball here , but you should!
• Pacific Dining Car – Another iconic LA steakhouse that’s been around since 1921. I heard reservations are hard to get, but you should still try. As the name says, you’d be dining in a railway dining car.
• Clifton’s Republic – Used to be Clifton’s Cafeteria, the building has now turned into a hip bar. There are a total of 4 floors and each floor has a different theme.
• SUGARFISH by Sushi Nozawa – This is a very trendy sushi place in DTLA that is also known for serving great food.

Day 3: Westside LA (The Beach!)

This itinerary is a much more chilled-out day compared to the previous ones. It takes you what you probably had in mind when you hear “California” – the palm trees and the beach! This area is my favorite since not only is it beautiful, but it’s also my old stomping grounds.

On my LA Map itinerary, The West LA Route is marked in Red . Here is the same itinerary map zoomed to just the West LA portion:

1. UCLA Campus – Where the Internet was born

Okay, I might be super biased cause I’m a Bruin, but I do think UCLA is one of the most beautiful college campuses in the US! You can stroll around the campus, see how American college students go about their daily lives, and visit the room where the internet was born at 3420 Boelter Hall (learn more about it here )

PS: I was a Computer Science student and once spent a week straight, day and night, at Boelter Hall finishing my CS project. I have a love-hate relationship with that place.

UCLA was also used as a set for many Hollywood movies and TV Shows. It’s been used to illustrate Harvard University in Gilmore Girls and Legally Blonde , among many others. If that interests you, check out the full list of movies and TV shows filmed at UCLA .

2. The Getty Center

The real name of this place is The J. Paul Getty Museum, but we all call it “The Getty” for short. It’s only a few miles away from the UCLA Campus. The museum houses famous art and painting (most notably Irises by Vincent van Gogh) but aside from that, it’s also famous for its architectural design and an amazing view of LA from above.

Take note that they are closed on Mondays . Admission is free, but you should still reserve a ticket here . Check out what exhibition is currently on here . Parking costs $20 , but if you plan to visit Getty Villa on the same day, parking there would be free.

3. Santa Monica Pier & Third Street Promenade

Once you’re done with The Getty, drive down to Santa Monica and head to the pier. Santa Monica Pier was declared as the official endpoint of the legendary highway Route 66 on the highway’s 83rd birthday. Nowadays you can see a road sign that marks the end of the trail in the Pacific Ocean.

On the pier is a small amusement park called Pacific Park , where you can grab a bite, get on some rides, or play games.

🛼 Tip: You can also rent a bike/roller skate from Perry’s Cafe, included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass (normally US$12 per hour).

From Santa Monica, it’s just a short walk to Third Street Promenade , a peaceful open-air shopping mall that’s perfect to chill out at. And just to add to the LA-ness of this place, one time as I was shopping here and Vanessa Carlton randomly showed up for an impromptu performance (remember her??).

4. Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a neighborhood that started flourishing in the 2010s and was referred to as the coolest block in America by GQ in 2012. You can explore trendy shops, cafes, restaurants, and art galleries here. I recommend checking out Intelligentsia for coffee and Salt & Straw for ice cream.

You can check out merchants in the Abbot Kinney Boulevard here . They also hold events on the first Friday of every month, which you can check out here .

5. Venice Canals Historic District

You can’t stop by Venice without checking out the manmade canals, which are modeled after Venice in Italy (hence the name of this area). If you’ve watched the show “Californication” on Showtime, this area would look REALLY familiar.

If you’re wondering who Abbot Kinney is, he’s the guy responsible for building this area in 1905. The Venice canals used to be 2-3 times bigger than it is today, but most of the canals were closed and turned into normal roads when automobiles gained popularity.

Keep in mind that although historic, they are still expensive high-end residential areas and people DO live here, so be respectful of people’s privacy when visiting… even though I would imagine they’ve gotten used to tourists.

6. Venice Beach Boardwalk

Finally, end your day at Venice Beach, just a short walk from the canals. You should try to get here a little before sunset. Walk around the Venice Boardwalk , check out the famous Venice Beach sign , watch muscular people work out at the open-air Venice Muscle Beach, the Skate bowl watch skaters perform their tricks, and end your day by enjoying one of the best sunsets in the world.

Where to eat/drink in West LA

• C&O Trattoria – Nice place for Italian dinner. The garlic balls are the best!
• In-N-Out – You haven’t been to LA if you did not have In-N-Out!
• SUGARFISH by Sushi Nozawa – I’ve mentioned this in the DTLA portion, but there is also a branch in Santa Monica.
• Sushi Zo – I used to go here for omakase dinner. I’m glad they are still around and kicking!
• Sidecar Doughnuts – My friend Kat brought me here and I’m in love! I did not try the decadent maple bacon doughnut, but I quite enjoyed the Butter & Salt and the Huckleberry doughnuts.
• Afters Ice Cream – Their milk and cereal ice cream is SO good
• Salt & Straw Ice Cream – Portland-based ice cream that has opened a branch in Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Day 4: Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Driving Route

Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH for short) is undoubtedly the most famous highway in America. It’s a very scenic drive along the coast of California, starting from San Francisco and going all the way down to Los Angeles before continuing to San Diego. If you were to do the entire drive it would take you up to a week, but while you’re in LA it’s entirely possible to catch a glimpse of the famous PCH drive.

On my LA Map itinerary, The Pacific Coast Highway Driving Route is marked in Orange . Here is the same itinerary map zoomed to just the PCH portion:

1. The Getty Villa Museum

If you’ve been following my itinerary so far, you would have visited The Getty on the Westside LA route. This villa is part of the same Getty property! But unlike The Getty, Getty Villa is more of an architectural delight than the arts. Sure, the arts were cool, but I feel that the immaculate garden and the beautiful buildings overpowered them.

Take note that they are closed on Tuesdays . Admission is free, but you should still reserve a ticket here – though I must note that nobody checked our reservation when we were there. Check out what exhibition is currently on here .

Parking costs $20 , but if you plan to visit Getty Center on the same day, parking there would be free.

Malibu needs no introduction. You’ve most likely heard of this name before, so try to make a stop here! We stopped by Malibu Lagoon State Beach , evidently a surfer’s paradise based on how many surfboard-carrying vehicles we saw parked on the side of the street. Point Mugu State Park is also a great place to stop and enjoy the beautiful California coastline.

4. Oxnard & Santa Barbara

It’s up to you how long you want to continue the drive, but I suggest making your way up to either Oxnard or Santa Barbara before turning back. Oxnard doesn’t have much for tourists, but it does have some of the BEST Mexican food. We stopped by Carnitas El Rey here, and I still think about their carnitas even 5 years later.

Santa Barbara is a beach town with cute restaurants, spa treatments, and hiking. It could be a day trip in itself if this is something that interests you.

5. Camarillo Premium Outlets

LA is known for shopping, but the best kind of shopping is the one at premium outlets. Stop by here if you need to do some shopping. You can pretty much get the same brands, and sometimes the same clothing that is currently being sold in the mall for much cheaper here. Think Lululemon, Adidas, Banana Republic, Coach, Kate Spade, and so much more. Check out their full list of stores here .

Where to eat along the PCH

• Duke’s Malibu – I have great memories of Duke’s. This was where my sorority held one of our formals!
• Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market – You can enjoy seafood overlooking the Malibu beach
• Carnitas El Rey – If you make it to Oxnard, make sure you stop by here! You know it’s legit when a place only serves one kind of dish – Carnitas. I’m convinced I’ll never find Carnitas as good as this place again…

Looking for more? Day / Short Trip Ideas from LA

If you have more time in LA and you’ve done all of the above itineraries, you can take a look at the following activities:

1. Visit Amusement Parks

Amusement parks are perhaps what Los Angeles is best known for, second to Hollywood. We do have a lot of exciting parks around! Most of these parks are about a 1.5 – 2 hours drive from LA, so visiting one of the parks will take the entire day.

Tip: All of the amusement parks below are already included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass (except Disneyland) , so if you’re planning to visit these parks and other LA landmarks, highly suggest purchasing the pass !

• Universal Studios – Fun park to visit for movie buffs. It’s the closest to the city out of all the amusement parks near LA. Note that Universal Studios is considered a premium attraction and is only included with the 3, 4, 5, and 7-day Go City pass.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain – Great for those looking for more thrills. The rides here are amazing, full of twists, turns, and loops!
• Knott’s Berry Farm – a quintessentially American amusement park. This is the park I used to go to when I was living in LA. They have rides that cater to both adults and children. If you’re here during Halloween month (October), you can also check out Knott’s Scary Farm, their Halloween event.
• LEGOLAND – This is way down south closer to San Diego, about a 2.5-hour drive from LA, but a must if you love those LEGO blocks! Note that if you use the Go City All-Inclusive Pass here, you cannot use it for San Diego Zoo.

2. Go to Disneyland

There are two Disneyland Parks in Anaheim, CA. Disneyland Park is the original Disney amusement park, built in 1955 under the supervision of Walt Disney himself.  Disney California Adventure is the newer park with more exciting rides – I remember I had just moved to LA when this park was first opened in 2001. I was still in high school back then and I had great memories of this place.

Tips for visiting Disneyland

• If you are only going for one day to either of these parks, you can book Single Day Tickets here, it’s cheaper than booking from the Disneyland website. BUT If you want to go to both parks and you are going during the low season, it would be better to buy separate single-day tickets rather than the multiday link below. Check the calendar in the link above.
• If you want to go to both parks during regular or peak season, then the Multiday Tickets will be a better deal (also cheaper through this link than booking straight from Disneyland’s website).
• Download the Disneyland App and use the Genie service to manage your ride wait times.

3. Nature, Beach, and National Parks

If nature and hiking are more your things, you can check out the following areas:

• Joshua Tree National Park – This park is about a 2.5-hour drive inland from LA. If you want to make this a day trip, you’ll have to leave very early to avoid traffic.
• Palm Springs – Palm Springs is close to Joshua Tree National park, and a popular weekend getaway for Angelenos. It’s one of the earliest settlements that has flourished to this day, offering desert life, resorts, and a spa.
• Mojave National Preserve – Also about a 2.5-hour drive inland from LA, just a bit more north. It’s about the halfway point from LA to Las Vegas.
• Big Bear Lake & Lake Arrowhead – These lakes are up in the mountainous region in San Bernardino, just a little under 2-hour drive from LA. In the winter it’s famous for snow sports such as snowboarding and skiing. In the summer, you can do watersports and hiking.
• Catalina Island – Catalina is an island that is about a one-hour ferry ride off the coast of LA. You can do kayaking, ride a glass bottom boat or go snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Southern California Ghost Towns – Unlike Palm Springs, there are plenty of ghost towns left in the desert of California from the early settlements that did not last. All that’s left is an abandoned town and a cool preserved look into life back in the 1800s. You can read this article for more information .

4. Cities near LA

• Santa Barbara – I’ve mentioned Santa Barbara in the PCH route itinerary, but if you didn’t make it up there, it is a beach town with cute restaurants, spa treatments, and hiking.
• San Diego – Visit San Diego Zoo (included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass if you haven’t used it for LEGOLAND), the beach, or have some good food.
• Beach Cities – Stop by Huntington Beach for a whale-watching cruise or Long Beach for the Aquarium of the Pacific (both activities are included with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass)
• Burbank – North Hollywood, Warner Brother’s Studio Tour (included with Go City All-Inclusive Pass), and Porto’s Bakery!

Okay, that was a lot longer than I expected. I guess after living in LA for 10 years, I do know a thing or two about the place.

Leave me a comment below if you found this itinerary useful. I love hearing from you guys!

PS: If you need this guide for later,  click here to save this post on Pinterest !

102 Comments

• June 6, 2024

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for the useful info — very helpful indeed. My family and I are traveling to LA in mid August. We’d heard people saying it’s not safe in LA/DTLA, so we have some concerns. What would you suggest as to where to stay, and what and where to avoid during even day time from a safety perspective.

Best. Moore

• June 7, 2024

Hey Moore, it’s true that DTLA could be gritty, but I think if you blend in and don’t draw attention to yourself, you’ll be fine. I would avoid Skid Row area. In my itinerary above, you would come close to it on Day 2. However, I have to say that I never had anything bad happen to me even when I was traveling alone and I don’t personally know anyone who has had bad experience in LA. Hope you’ll have a great and safe time in LA!

• April 28, 2024

Incidentally, I am father of a Bruin who completed undergrad in Math of Computation in March 2024 and am heading to LA for his graduation ceremony in June 2014. Will follow your advice as we plan to stay there for 15 days. Have booked an Airbnb in Westwood. Cheers!

• April 29, 2024

Mrinal, congratulations to your son and I hope you have a great time in LA!

• March 12, 2024

A trip to Los Angeles is always exciting! There’s never a dull moment, whether it’s the famous Hollywood sign or the energetic streets of Venice Beach. A local food truck serves delicious tacos, so make sure to indulge in some delicious food while watching the sunset at Griffith Observatory. There is something for everyone in Los Angeles.

• February 19, 2024

is your iti good for public commute?

Hi Jen, only Downtown area and maybe west LA is good for commute by bus. The rest, you’ll need a car.

• November 24, 2023

HI Melissa, I am visiting LA next month, have marked most of the places your have mentioned in your itinerary but the way you have sought it out region wise. You save my trip. Thanks for making my upcoming trip successful.

• October 15, 2023

Why have I not found your guide sooner!!! This guide is on point and have sent our relatives from other counties to use this. Thank you!!!

Thank you Julie for your kind words! It’s comment like yours that makes writing post like this worth it!

• September 1, 2023

Hi Melissa:

In terms of visiting your alma mater the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), apparently, UCLA has multiple addresses. As a result, for future reference, at which address/location of UCLA should a taxi drop me off at, and at which address/location of UCLA should a taxi pick me up at?

In addition, in terms of eateries in and around UCLA, which eatery (if any) or eateries (if any) would you suggest, advise, and recommend that I consider eating at that is relatively healthy?

I made it to LA! I am currently here for an LA getaway this summer for seven (7) days in which four (4) days have already elapsed.

In terms of transportation, I have utilized the taxi, and my good old fashioned feet to get me to particular places.

Hey TJ, you can ask to get dropped off at Ackerman Union. That is the student center and it has some food options there. I hope you are enjoying LA!

• August 13, 2023

Hi, thank you very much for this, great help in preparing our itinerary. Our family will go to San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles this December. Do you have a suggestions to experience Christmas in LA?

• July 29, 2023

No car, no experience. LA is huge you must rent to get a better view of the LA vibe.

• July 13, 2023

Hello Melissa,

Thank you for your itinerary! I am going to LA for honeymoon with my husband next week. We will be following your itinerary on Day 1 and day 2 (Hollywood and Downtown LA). We will be driving and I am wondering where can I park in these two areas? Thanks!

Hey Rachael, in those areas you’ll want to look for a dedicated carpark or street parking. carpark is easiest to find, but will be more expensive

Thanks for your reply! Do you have any suggested carparks?

I wouldn’t say I have a suggested carpark per se. But I did find this interactive map of carparks which will tell you the cost and where to park: https://downtownla.com/maps/getting-around/parking . I would say if you’re following my itinerary closely, you might want to park close to The last bookstore since it’s closer to where the other stuff is. For hollywood, park near the walk of fame.

Dear Melissa,

Thank you so much! 🫶🏼

• July 5, 2023

This is such a great site! There’s so many amazing spots that I look forward to visiting with my family and friends. I’m completely obsessed, thank you!!

• July 3, 2023

Thank you for this itinerary. I appreciate it. I have not been able to read it in full and in depth yet. However, I will definitely be reading this in full and in depth when I have a chance.

It would be my first (1st) time visiting Los Angeles as I am planning an LA getaway this summer.

Not too short, but not too long either. Perhaps five (5) to seven (7) days (give or take) as you suggested, advised, and recommended.

I am struggling a little bit right now figuring what I would like to do in LA while I am there.

However, I do not know that I am a man who loves to be in the middle of the action, in the middle of the vibe(s), in the middle of the social scene, to be where the action is, etc. (applies to both daytime and nighttime).

I love to party. I love to go clubbin’, bar hoppin’, socially drink, etc. The nightlife is usually my lifestyle.

In terms of the nightlife, where should I go partying, clubbin’, bar hopping, etc.?

Additionally, if I have another question, or, any other questions, how can you be contacted?

• July 4, 2023

Hey TJ. LA is a city that sleeps early 😉 for nightlife, i would suggest heading to west hollywood.

• May 23, 2023

This is such a thorough and great itinerary! Thanks so much for taking the time to craft something so thoughtful. I’ll be in LA at the end of July for five full days, and I’m following your plan very closely.

Have fun Charles! July should be great for weather in LA

• February 12, 2023

thanks this is great itinerary i’ve been looking for..hope can make it this summer

• January 13, 2023

Such a great list! I’ve been living here my whole life and there are several places on here that I still haven’t been to! Sidecar Donuts has been on my list for a long time. I’m gonna have to go this weekend! 🙂

• December 27, 2022

Exactly the info I needed! Thanks for making the time and content for this post. You’re awesome 😎

• December 24, 2022

Thanks for this useful blog. I plan on visiting Los Angeles this January along with my girlfriend and family. I hope I can eat affordable foods there. See you soon LA.

• November 20, 2022

thank you for taking your time and provide us with this post.

• September 6, 2022

This information is very useful for my next trip to the city and to be able to visit it with my family.

• April 20, 2022

The above blog is very useful for first-time visitors to Los Angeles. The places you have mentioned are very beautiful places. and some great information to check the new places.

• November 30, 2021

Hey Melissa! Awesome itinerary and places to visit. I’ll be flying in for the Kanye West show at the LA memorial collisium in about a week, any advice on where to stay the night of the show? I’ll move around after, since I’ll be here for a week, but I want to make sure the day of goes smoothly.

• November 12, 2021

Hi Melissa! I’ll be visiting LA very soon next week with my sister and I’m so excited and thankful for your detailed itinerary, it really gave me a lot of information and I think it would be very helpful to us there since this is our first time in LA (we’ll be staying for about 2 weeks). Thank you so much!

Prestisa, I’m glad you found it useful! Enjoy LA

• October 12, 2021

This is great informative and helpful content. Thanks for the itinerary!

• September 16, 2021

Your post is about some good advice and tips for visiting the city. It is hard to know where to begin when you visit a large city like Los Angeles.

• July 11, 2021

Beautiful article! Thanks for sharing

• June 26, 2021

Actually, it will be my second time in LA but I can’t wait to be there again!

Thanks for this amazing guide!

• May 19, 2021

Hi i’ll be visiting for my first time ever in July this year, whats a good car rental company to rent a car from with good prices?

• August 13, 2020

Thank you so much for this! I’m heading to LA for the weekend for business but wanted some cool things to do during my downtime. I’m really excited about the Hollywood itinerary since I’m staying in that area. This made my planning so much easier!

• May 30, 2020

This is great! I have yet to pass my test (due to the pandemic) but once I do, I do want to go LA and drive around there myself and experience what it’s like there. Thanks for the itinerary!

• May 23, 2020

I’d love to visit LA, your photos look amazing and it looks like there’s loads to there!

• May 4, 2020

Los Angeles is an amazing city with so many things to see and do! This itinerary is very detailed and is indeed a big help.

• March 23, 2020

these tips are surely very helpful and informative as well my brother who is planning to go to Los Angeles may find these tips very informative, I will surely share this with him, and with my friends as well for their future reference. As it is Los Angeles is so beautiful place that everyone seems to visit .

• March 4, 2020

Hi, love how you break down the itinerary by area. We will be renting a car for your holiday as we are driving down to SF, in this case, do you suggest us staying at different hotel or? Thanks

Hey Hazel, the areas I listed is still good even if you’re driving.

Thank you for your reply.

Would it be better if we stay at different hotel? like Santa Barbara? So that it will be easier to drive down Yosemite National Park and Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel? Actually i am still in dilemna, where to visit first….your advise? Do you have itinitery to share on San Francisco, California?

I did SF – LA- Vegas last year and I’m happy to share my experience with you Hazel?

Great, Thank you!

• February 25, 2020

Hello Marissa,

Thank you for the itinerary you posted it gave me some very good ideas for my first trip.

My wife and I and two children (10 and 12) are visiting LA for first time in April 2020. We will rent a car. Is parking available/expensive around Hollywood Walk of Fame, Farmers Market,Walt Disney concert hall, etc? My son will enjoy the skate bowl at Venice beach. Any other ideas for young children? A friend mentioned the San Diego zoo.

Hi James, my name is Melissa 😉 There are parking around these areas, but they tend to be expensive – you’ll probably end up paying about $15 to park your car. You can try to find street metered parking but they are hard to come by so most likely you’ll just have to pay the cost. If you are following my itinerary you only have to pay one parking fee per day (usually $15 is flat rate you need to pay regardless how long you leave the car). San Diego Zoo is quite far from LA but if you don’t mind the drive then it could be a good option (2 hours without traffic). What about amusement parks like Universal Studios and Disneyland?

• June 18, 2021

Hi Melissa If I follow your itinerary you said for each area you pay parking fee once per day, I’m assuming you park your car (example) somewhere in the Hollywood area and then walk to all the different places in Hollywood you want to see? Are they all walkable within its area? What about the Santa Monica area, is it the same?

• January 18, 2020

We went to Venice beach and it was awful! So many homeless people laying around the beach and just everywhere. It was very dirty and had horrible smell. Did not even feel like I was in America. Santa Monica was a little better than Venice but it also had a homeless problem. I would avoid these 2 beaches in the future and maybe go to Laguna Beach area- we did that and it was beatiful.

• January 7, 2020

Can I drive at LA with an Australian driving license?

yes, there shouldn’t be an issue. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/dl_info#international

• December 9, 2019

Hi, first I want to thank you for this amazing article, one of the best written online for such itinerary.

I am traveling with wife and 2 kids (9 and 4), can you recommend some areas to stay at?

Hi Mohammad, it really depends what you want to do in LA. I would recommend staying near the beach (Santa Monica / Venice) or somewhere near West Hollywood would be good if you are planning to follow all of my itineraries. But as I said, you’d have to drive in LA anyway since the area is huge.

• December 3, 2019

I would like to check with you if it is recommended to rent car with driver or get LA pass or both since either me or my hubby cannot drive but we also would like to explore those places recommended by you.

Will that be better to go SF via flight?

• December 5, 2019

Hey Jesslyna, if you can get a car with driver that would be best, but you can also just book Uber or Lyft when you are there to take you around. You can get the LA pass which includes some bus lines, but I don’t really recommend relying on public transport while in LA.

Thanks for your reply. Is it recommended to go both SF and LA in 2 weeks or LA only in 10 days

I think 2 weeks is doable for both SF and LA.

• November 8, 2019

Hello Melissa and thank you for providing us your itenerary,my friends and I are going to Los Angeles in early December for the first time and your blog is the blest helper for our trip.I would like to ask you 2 things,we are from Greece so the drivers license is a European,do you know if we have to make the license international or it is okay with the European?Also we are going to book the Go Los Angeles card you recommend and I am wondering about visiting universal studios which is in the city pass,is there also a way to pay extra for not waiting in the line and for example visiting the Harry Potter experience or Jurassic world,do we have to pay extra for the experiences inside the universal studio? Thank you for your time,you are the best!!Greetings from Greece

• November 11, 2019

1. Universal Studios – Harry potter and Jurassic World should be included in the Go Los Angeles card since it’s part of the theme park. But if you don’t want to wait in line, you can upgrade at the park for Express privilege. I am not sure how much it costs though, and the upgrade is limited per day. If you aren’t able to upgrade, try to get there early to minimize the wait time, and try to not go on weekends. But you should be okay since early December is not yet the peak season for these parks. Note that admission to Universal Studios is available only for the 3, 5, and 7-Day Go Los Angeles Pass packages

Another option is to buy the express pass separately: https://www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/18057-universal-studios-hollywood-express-vip-los-angeles/?aid=5711 BUT i would only recommend this if you decide not to buy the Go Los Angeles Card.

2. If your driver’s license is in English, you can drive in California with just your European license without converting to international license.

Thank you very much for your help,you are the best!!!

• November 3, 2019

Where would be the best place to stay to do most of what is on your itinerary?

• October 23, 2019

You are a Legend Melissa, amazed by the amount of details especially we are travelling with a little one, so everything counts. Thanks heaps for this and keep posting

i’m glad to have been able to help!

• October 9, 2019

You saved my trip! What a complete and dedicated itinerary. Thank you for that Melissa. Any recommendation for Beverly Hills and hollywood stars homes’ tour ?

Thanks Julia. sorry I just saw your comment – hopefully you found a good tour!

• January 30, 2020

Do you have any recommendations for good home tour?

• September 13, 2019

Thanks for your reply and tips about driving from LA to SD. As for the car rentals, can I use the same car to drive from LAX to SD and to Las Vegas and back? Any trusted car rental companies u recommend?

Hey Adri, yes you can use the same car, provided you pay for the fuel and fill the car up before returning. The road to Las Vegas from LA/SD is nicely built so any car you rent for the city should be fine. As for rental company I usually just go with whatever is the cheapest. I think I went with Enterprise last time and I had no issues.

Great thanks Melissa. Will check them out.

• September 9, 2019

I’m intending to visit grand canyon and antelope canyon next year. Is it mandatory to book a tour in advance? or we can book the entry ticket on the spot

Hey Tris, I’ve only been to grand canyon, but I think you can just purchase ticket on the spot if you are driving. You only need tour if you need transportation to get there too.

• September 8, 2019

This is the best info I have read on LA – thank you!!

I am visiting early October, driving Pacific Highway 1 night Santa Barbara then 2 nights at the Loews Hollywood. So much I want see but so little time. I not bothered about Disney or Wax works etc What are must sees in 2 days? Gosh wish I was there longer!! Should I do beach stuff on day I arrive as we will be that way already? Thank you!

hey Sharon, if you are just there for two days, I recommend doing this itinerary: https://girleatworld.net/los-angeles-itinerary/#westside for the beach, and maybe the downtown LA portion https://girleatworld.net/los-angeles-itinerary/#dtla

This should keep you busy for 2 days!

• August 24, 2019

A great blog to read indeed! Will be visiting LA in Nov for 2weeks. But am totally clueless whether I should be spending time in San Diego or Los Angeles first. Am arriving LAX on a Wednesday morning. Could u kindly advise or propose a route on where I should visit first? Am travelling with teens so we will be doing more of amusement Parks, Disney, Big bear Lake and zoos. Not forgetting outlet shopping as well.

• August 26, 2019

Hey Adri! I am happy you like the blog post. As for San Diego vs LA, I don’t think it matters much which one to go first. However the one you should be aware of is probably the traffic situation when going from SD to LA and then back. I would avoid that route on weekends, and I would also avoid traveling during peak commute times (morning and afternoon).

• August 22, 2019

Loved reading through your adventures! So many places to visit, but we went for a family holiday by car and really enjoyed it. By the way, gorgeous photos!

• July 31, 2019

Hey Melissa

Thank you for your detailed post. Can you recommend a site to buy cheap tickets for Disneyland? The one you posted (klook.com) doesn’t seem to be working now. Thank you!

Hey Andre, I have updated the link. Thank you for spotting this!

• June 7, 2019

Hi Mellisa,

Thanks for sharing with us your itinerary, how about san Francisco? do you have a similar itinerary? thanks

Hey Tris! Glad you enjoyed this LA itinerary. Unfortunately it has been over a decade since I’ve been back to SF, so I don’t have anything on it :/

• May 22, 2019

Hi, Thanks for your detailed itinerary. Which part of LA will you recommend to stay?

• May 20, 2019

I used your itinerary for Tokyo and it was amazing! Will be using your California tips in December 🙂

• May 21, 2019

thanks Emma!! have fun in California

• May 3, 2019

From LAX to the Hotel (i am not sure which hotel to choose) but I am thinking of Hotel Hwood Near the Sunset Strip (Hollywood).of The Dixie Hollywood Hotel.

• May 2, 2019

Hi, your itinerary is very detailed. It will be my first trip to LA. May I know whether should I arrange Greyhound transport instead of the Shared Transport.

Hey Susan – transport to where?

• April 20, 2019

Hi Melissa, great to chance upon your blog and I’m Singaporean. Where would you reccomend the area to stay in LA? I’m travelling with my husband in Nov this year and it is our first time and we would like to get to the know where best to stay for first timers. Thank you

Hey Mael, it really depends what you want to do since LA is huge. If you want to see the Hollywood side then I recommend staying Weho (West Hollywood) area. But if you don’t mind the drive then Santa Monica area close to the beach is nice too!

• April 4, 2019

Thank you, Melissa! I just bought the ticket to LA for the 2nd week of December and it’s gonna be our 1st trip to the states, so your itinerary is really helpful. We’re planning to do the road trip from LA – San Diego – Grand Canyon – Vegas – Pacific Coast – SF. Can you tell me about the December weather in these areas, i. e. How cold will it be in SF and how warm it’ll be in Grand Canyon? Thanks again!

Hey Anya, I assume you are from Singapore? In December it will be cold in all the places you are visiting, especially in relative to Singapore. Definitely bring a jacket and wind breaker for SF. It’s the wind that makes cold weather unbearable. Also note the weather is very dry (again in relative to humid Singapore) so make sure you moisturize hands and especially lips! Mine gets dry to the point my lips start bleeding when I don’t properly moisturize it. It hurts a lot when it gets to that point, so prevent it with daily lip balm.

Hi Melissa, sorry I just realized you replied! Yes we live in Singapore. Thanks a lot! I’ll go with my husband, my 8 yo, and 4 yo daughters so we’ll make sure we prepare the right outfit, esp for the kids.

• March 25, 2019

Thank you so much! I am planning for a trip to LA with senior relatives in a month and I am going crazy with the trip planning. Your itinerary is such a great help!

Thank you for the comment Maggie. Hope you will have fun in LA!!

• March 19, 2019

This is my second time in LA & i must say :: THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL ITENIRARY 😭😭😭 ! It is the best I have ever seen and have helped me as a tourist know exactly where to go. Thank you so much & keep posting !

Thanks Abi! I guess i should rename this itinerary not just for first time visitors? 😂

• February 21, 2020

Melissa, my Kids (25 & 16) will be visiting California for the first time in July. We want to visit the touristy places; Universal Studios, Hollywood sign, Walk of Fame, Museums, Trendy Eateries, Santa Monica Pier and both Disneyland parks. My dilemma is where to stay to easily navigate to these places. We’ll be there for 4 days and will have a rental car.

Please advise on where to stay

• February 24, 2020

Hi Marissa, I would recommend staying near the beach (Santa Monica / Venice) or somewhere near West Hollywood. But you’d have to drive in LA anyway since the area is huge.

• February 4, 2019

I fully agree that without a rental car in Los Angeles it will be difficult without a rental car. I was here last summer and car rental saved our holiday. It’s good that there are good prices and a normal selection of cars.

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15 Top-Rated Day Trips from Los Angeles

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Mar 30, 2022 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Within an hours' drive of Los Angeles, beyond the halting traffic, the landscape becomes rugged and refreshing. This area of Southern California has gorgeous beaches and a sunny Mediterranean climate year-round that gives the impression of an endless summer.

In the oceanfront community of Malibu, sunbathers bask on sandy beaches, and surfers ride the impressive waves. Other dreamy places to visit nearby include the quintessential So-Cal town of Laguna Beach, the fun-loving seaside village of Balboa Island, and the picturesque coastal city of Oxnard.

For those seeking a quaint and romantic getaway, Santa Catalina Island is the ideal choice. Families with kids will want to visit Disneyland, one of the top attractions in California .

Several places on this list are two-and-a-half to three-hours' drive away but are worth the extra journey: the sophisticated beach town of Santa Barbara, fashionable Palm Springs for a desert oasis retreat, California's only castle along the Central Coast, the unique California desert environment of Joshua Tree, and Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Whether you are seeking outdoor adventures or relaxation by the beach, you will find plenty of options just outside Los Angeles. Plan your getaways from the city with our list of the top day trips from Los Angeles.

1. Santa Catalina Island

2. disneyland, 3. santa barbara, 4. palm springs, 5. joshua tree national park, 6. laguna beach: a quintessential so-cal town, 7. malibu's beautiful beaches, 8. san diego, 9. hearst castle, 10. huntington beach, 12. big bear lake: hiking, water sports, and relaxation, 13. balboa island, 14. san gabriel mountains national monument/angeles national forest, 15. tijuana, map of day trips from los angeles.

Santa Catalina Island has been luring visitors since the 1920s, when it was used as a location for Hollywood films. Today, tourists can still appreciate the island's cinematic seaside beauty.

The moment visitors set foot on the island, the idyllic atmosphere becomes obvious. With its leisurely pace, sunny weather, and soothing ocean waves, Santa Catalina Island is one of the most romantic places in California .

Besides being a delightful day-trip destination, the island is perfect for a weekend getaway, short vacation, or honeymoon centered around relaxation and recreational activities. Hiking, cycling, backpacking, sailing, sunbathing, and picnicking are all popular activities.

The picturesque town of Avalon has the island's largest selection of hotels, shops, and restaurants, along with breathtaking ocean views, palm-fringed beaches, and a botanical garden.

All of Avalon's beaches have gentle crystal-clear waters, and most are ideal for swimming. Tucked away in a sheltered cove, Descanso Beach is prized for its beach club, which offers private cabanas and oceanfront restaurant dining.

More remote in feel, Two Harbors boasts secluded coves and unspoiled sandy beaches with swaying palm trees. Two Harbors draws many outdoor enthusiasts because of its wide array of recreational opportunities. Among the many things to do are boating, camping, fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, paddleboarding, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

Santa Catalina Island is an hour-long ferry ride on the Catalina Express from San Pedro, Long Beach, or Dana Point to the port of Avalon. The Catalina Flyer operates ferry boat transportation from Newport Beach to Avalon, which takes just over one hour.

From Los Angeles, it takes about two hours (a one-hour drive to Long Beach plus a one-hour ferry ride) to arrive at Santa Catalina Island.

Most families with kids will already have Disneyland on their list of places to go. Often it's a destination in itself, however Disneyland is an easy day trip from Los Angeles, less than 30 miles away. This world-famous amusement park is a "Magical Kingdom" that delights children of all ages.

Little kids love the charming rides like the oversized Caterpillar cars of Alice in Wonderland; the big-eared planes of Dumbo the Flying Elephant; the Mad Tea Party, with its giant spinning teacups; and the musical boat ride of "it's a small world" in Fantasyland.

Older kids enjoy exciting attractions like the Matterhorn's bobsleds that careen through a scene of the Swiss Alps; the drama of Pirates of the Caribbean; and the Indiana Jones Adventure that features thrilling rides, a cliff-hanging journey, and a "cursed" temple.

Parents will appreciate that Disneyland has a wide selection of shops and restaurants. Some restaurants feature special ambience or entertainment such as appearances by Disney characters to delight the kids.

For a truly memorable experience, dine at the Blue Bayou Restaurant next to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at New Orleans Square. This wildly popular Louisiana-themed restaurant serves Cajun and Creole cuisine (including jambalaya and gumbo) in an enchanting outdoor dining patio illuminated by lanterns. The ambience even includes flashes of fireflies and the sounds of chirping crickets and frogs. Because of the restaurant's popularity, it is highly recommended to make reservations well in advance.

Families can stay overnight within the Disneyland Resort at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel , decorated with a beach vacation motif; the elegant Craftsman-style Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa ; or the Disneyland Hotel , which has a pool and waterslide play area.

Official site: https://disneyland.disney.go.com

Known as the "American Riviera," this balmy beach town, about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, is a favorite getaway destination for Hollywood movie stars. However, almost everyone can appreciate the charm and beauty of Santa Barbara. Handsome historic Spanish-style buildings, towering palm trees, and miles of sandy shores beckon visitors.

The Old Mission Santa Barbara , called the "Queen of the Missions," has a beautifully preserved adobe church that dates back to 1820. This landmark was founded by the Franciscan Friars of Spain in 1786 and is filled with colonial-era artwork. The mission complex also includes a museum that displays paintings and artifacts.

Not far from the Pacific Ocean, the mission is set on 15-acre grounds with luxuriant gardens. A highlight is La Huerta Historical Garden , which features olive, citrus, peach, pomegranate, and peach trees from original mission sites. The Mission Rose Garden is a lovely spot for a picnic.

Other top tourist attractions include the Santa Barbara County Courthouse , a magnificent blend of Spanish, Moorish, Islamic, Romanesque, and Byzantine architectural elements; the Santa Barbara Museum of Art ; the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden ; and the 30-acre Santa Barbara Zoo .

Santa Barbara also boasts many scenic hiking trails , from trails along sea cliffs to paths through chaparral-covered canyons. The hikes range from gentle walks to vigorous uphill treks.

The restaurant scene gives travelers another reason to visit Santa Barbara. Foodies will appreciate the wide selection of restaurants, from gourmet fine dining to trendy eateries.

For French-inspired seasonal cuisine, try bouchon in downtown Santa Barbara's Art District. The menu features classic dishes like duck breast and grilled rack of lamb, as well as locally caught fish and vegetables grown on nearby farms.

Cozy and convivial, Bettina specializes in wood-fired pizzas and other authentic Italian dishes. In the Art District area of downtown Santa Barbara, Loquita treats guests to delicious Spanish cuisine prepared from local ingredients and served in a trendy dining room or on the bougainvillea-draped garden patio.

Sushi aficionados will be wowed by Sushi|Bar Montecito within the historic Montecito Inn . This Michelin-starred restaurant offers an exceptional dining experience, focused on 17-course sushi menus.

If you'd like to try a famous local taco joint, head to La Super-Rica Taqueria for authentic Mexican fare. This tiny, casual eatery almost always has a line of people waiting to order at the counter. You can choose to take out or sit down in the bright, cheerful dining room.

Los Agaves is an award-winning Mexican restaurant with two locations in Santa Barbara. The ambience is inviting yet casual (you order at the counter), but the cuisine is refined and made with high-quality fresh ingredients. Offering a unique twist on Mexican flavors, Mesa Verde Restaurant serves hearty plant-based vegan cuisine.

In addition to upscale restaurants, Santa Barbara also has many luxury hotels that deliver a first-rate vacation experience. For a pampering seaside holiday, treat yourself to a stay at one of the high-end beach resorts in Santa Barbara, which feature 5-star service, ocean views, fabulous swimming pools, chic restaurants, and other amenities.

Palm Springs became a legendary winter resort in the 1930s, when Hollywood movie stars came here to relax in style. Holiday seekers still flock to this desert oasis (107 miles from Los Angeles) to bask in the sunshine at luxury resorts and enjoy recreational activities, especially from January until April when the weather is mild.

The attractive natural scenery makes Palm Springs a pleasant place to enjoy outdoor activities, such as swimming, tennis, and golf. Other tourist attractions and things to do include hiking and rock climbing.

Gorgeous wilderness trails are found at Indian Canyons (a desert oasis outside downtown Palm Springs). This pristine nature site includes Palm Canyon , with its lush flora and dramatic mountain views; Andreas Canyon , a favorite spot for bird-watching; and Murray Canyon , which has a creek and waterfalls.

Another magnificent nature site is Mount San Jacinto , a 10,000-foot, snow-dusted mountain, which can be ascended by an aerial tramway. From the 8,500-foot drop-off point, the views of the desert floor are spectacular.

Considering its quiet location, Palm Springs has a surprising number of cultural attractions and events. The Palm Springs Art Museum boasts a superb collection of California paintings, Native American art, and Western American art, as well as Pre-Columbian artifacts.

A must-see attraction for those who appreciate mid-century modern design, the Palm Springs Art Museum is devoted to modern and contemporary architecture, art, and design. The museum displays more than 12,000 items and includes an iconic modernist building.

Many travelers visit Palm Springs to admire the city's modernist architecture. During Modernism Week , visitors can take guided tours of the town's notable mid-century modern buildings.

Palm Springs is also known for its upscale shopping , from fashion boutiques and locally owned craft shops to outlet malls.

In the sun-parched California desert, Joshua Tree National Park was named after the trees (known scientifically as " Yucca brevifolia ") that are indigenous to the Mojave Desert. Native Americans gathered the tree's flower buds, as well as seeds, for consumption and used the tree's fibrous leaves to make woven baskets.

The moniker "Joshua" comes from 19th-century Mormon pioneers, who thought the tree's twisted spiky branches resembled the biblical figure's outstretched arms leading them to the Promised Land.

Since the park is 131 miles from Los Angeles (about a two-hour-and-45-minute drive away), those visiting Joshua Tree National Park just for the day will want to try one of the shorter hikes or walks . Other things to do at Joshua Tree National Park include bird-watching, bouldering, admiring wildflowers (in springtime), and horseback riding.

The Fortynine Palms Oasis trail is a moderately strenuous three-mile round-trip hike that features strands of fan palm trees and refreshing pools of water.

For a short and easy walk, head to the Cottonwood Spring Oasis , where a permanent spring and shady cottonwood trees provide an inviting environment. One of the best places to visit near Los Angeles for birding, this lush palm oasis attracts hummingbirds, bushtits, and Gambel's Quail.

The Hidden Valley trail is another moderate nature walk that would appeal to day trippers. The one-mile (round-trip) loop trail traverses a valley enclosed by rocks and includes a picnic area.

If you want to turn your day trip into an overnight getaway, consider camping at Joshua Tree National Park. The park has beautiful campgrounds for tents and RVs that generally offer a quiet ambience. The campsites are scattered throughout the park.

About 55 miles south of Los Angeles, this dreamy beach town is blessed with a mild sunny climate and seven miles of sandy shoreline. Nature enthusiasts are drawn to the spectacular scenery, while surfers come for the great waves.

More than simply a place to sunbathe and surf, Laguna Beach has many tourist attractions , including splendid gardens, scenic hiking trails in the rolling hills, art galleries, and cultural events.

The JoAnne Artman Gallery (326 North Coast Highway) displays a collection of award-winning art from museums or private collections. The Laguna Art Museum (307 Cliff Drive) is focused on California art created by local artists or featuring state history as a theme.

About 33 miles from Los Angeles' city center, Malibu is known for its fantastic beaches and opulent oceanfront homes. Many Hollywood movie stars reside here, and the paparazzi are known to lurk around the beaches in hopes of spotting celebrities.

Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu has a stunning 27-mile coastline with striking sea cliffs. The Pacific Ocean waves are ideal for surfing but not for swimming. In this breathtaking natural environment, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area offers over 500 miles of hiking trails.

Although Malibu has an air of glamour and exclusivity, all of the town's beaches allow public access (up to the "mean high-tide" level), even when bordered by private beachfront property. The public beaches are open from sunrise to sunset every day, while the public-private beaches are difficult to spot from Highway One, as they are hidden from view; many of these beaches bordering private property are only accessible through gates or adjacent beaches.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach is one of the best surfing beaches; it also has picnic tables and a saltwater marsh with abundant birdlife.

A popular spot that feels like a hidden gem when it's not crowded, El Matador Beach is a sandy beach with sea caves.

Malibu's longest stretch of shoreline, Zuma Beach extends for nearly two miles and features a wide shoreline of fine white sand. This expansive public beach has top-notch amenities, including beach volleyball nets, public restrooms and showers, and restaurants.

Year-round balmy weather, beautiful beaches , and a wealth of tourist attractions make this sunny Southern California town one of the most beloved places to visit in California.

San Diego's Balboa Park delights visitors with its gardens, museums, and ornate Spanish Colonial-style buildings, as well as the San Diego Zoo (home to exotic animals and beloved pandas).

Families with kids enjoy visiting SeaWorld , which features killer whale shows, roller coasters, splashy water rides, an aquarium, and close-up experiences with dolphins.

Founded in 1769, San Diego has noteworthy historic areas. The Old Town of San Diego, with its original adobe buildings, is designated a State Historic Park. The Victorian-era edifices of the Gaslamp Quarter have earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places; this trendy area is now brimming with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and theaters.

Farther away than the other destinations on this list, Hearst Castle is worth the journey because of its unique cultural value and sensational setting. This incredible landmark is perched high on a hilltop at the southern end of Big Sur on California's Central Coast, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Renowned for its dramatic natural beauty, Big Sur stretches for 90 miles north of Hearst Castle.

San Francisco newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst created California's only castle over a 28-year period (from 1919 to 1947), enlisting architect Julia Morgan to construct a lavish Spanish-style mansion with 165 rooms. The castle's architectural inspiration came from 16th-century churches in Andalusia.

The sumptuous interior is adorned with tapestries, paintings, and other treasures from Europe that Hearst purchased to display throughout the castle. In fact, Hearst Castle is now an art museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, although it is listed as a State Historical Monument and is operated by the California State Parks system.

Hearst called his secluded retreat "La Cuesta Encantada" ("The Enchanted Hill") because of the sublime surroundings, including 127 acres of lush Mediterranean gardens filled with palm trees, vibrant flowers, fountains, terraces, and decorative pools.

Also on the grounds are tennis courts; Moorish-style guest cottages; and the marvelous Neptune Swimming Pool , which features classical elements reminiscent of ancient Greece. Equally dazzling, the indoor Roman Pool reveals exquisite floor-to-ceiling mosaics of shimmering Venetian-glass tiles.

The Hearst Castle estate is now the property of the state of California and is open to the public for guided tours. Tickets may be purchased at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center , which has casual dining options, a gift shop, and restrooms. Tours include a five-mile shuttle bus ride up into the hills to arrive at the estate property.

For those taking a day trip to Hearst Castle from Los Angeles (231 miles away), a convenient option is to take an organized tour.

Made famous by the Beach Boys music group in the 1960s, Huntington Beach is known as " Surf City USA" because it's one of the best places to surf in Southern California. The town's beaches still live up to their reputation.

Huntington Beach boasts 10 miles of beautiful sandy shoreline in addition to other tourist attractions such as its Main Street, Central Park, and Pacific City shopping and dining area.

Surfers love the crashing ocean waves and the legendary surfing culture. Huntington Beach, with its five public beaches, is also a mecca for other outdoor sports, including beach volleyball, bicycling, jogging, and nature walks. Just a few miles from the beach, the picturesque Huntington Harbor is a great place for paddleboarding and kayaking.

Bird-watchers will find plenty of terrain to explore at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve , home to over 200 species of birds, including cormorants, egrets, hummingbirds, owls, sandpipers, and swallows.

Oxnard is a lovely waterfront city with miles of pristine white-sand beaches and plenty of things to do . It's worth taking the 60-mile drive from Los Angeles to enjoy the town's relaxing atmosphere, fresh air, and outdoor activities.

The beaches of Oxnard draw many surfers and sunbathers. Other things to do include sailing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, and golf.

Sunsets at the beach are incomparable, with the glimmering Pacific Ocean waves and the glowing afternoon light reflected on the Channel Islands in the distance.

In addition to the natural attractions, Oxnard is known for its excellent restaurants, shopping, community performances, and concerts.

At Big Bear Lake, visitors can escape to an invigorating mountain setting (just 97 miles from Los Angeles). Surrounded by pine forests, the lake has sparkling, crystal-clear waters that are ideal for fishing, as well as summertime swimming, jet skiing, canoeing, and kayaking.

Other favorite summertime sports at Big Bear include hiking, horseback riding, and golfing. Many visitors enjoy lakeside picnics and BBQs on warm days.

During winter, Big Bear is one of the best places to visit in Southern California for alpine skiing and snowboarding. Two of California's top ski areas are found here at Big Bear Mountain Resort : Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, together offering around 1,000 acres of skiable terrain and 1,600 feet of vertical drop for exhilarating downhill runs.

Families with kids love the powder snow during wintertime at Big Bear. Snow tubing and sledding are popular activities for the little ones.

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Big Bear, CA

Balboa Island is a tiny island within Beacon Bay of Newport Beach , about 45 miles from Los Angeles. Visitors may arrive by ferry, which drops off near a colorful Ferris wheel .

With its sunny vacation ambience, this quaint seaside town invites relaxation. The town has a sandy, palm-fringed beach with gentle waves and a bustling marina where water sports enthusiasts enjoy sailing, jet-skiing, and paddleboarding.

Visitors will enjoy taking a leisurely stroll down Marine Avenue , a pleasant street lined with enticing restaurants and shops.

During wintertime, whale-watching is a popular activity.

Another attractive beach town, Corona del Mar , is just two miles away from Balboa Island.

Travelers can escape from the Los Angeles metropolitan area by taking a 50-mile drive to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument/Angeles National Forest, a peaceful wilderness environment.

During the summer and fall season (when the weather is not too hot), advanced hikers can take on the challenge of ascending Mount San Antonio , affectionately known as "Mount Baldy" because of its barren landscape.

During winter and spring, the mountain is usually covered in snow, and mountaineers approach it with ice boots, crampons, and ice axes. The 10,000-foot peak is the highest in the San Gabriel Mountain Range as well as the highest point in Los Angeles County.

Looking for a less extreme adventure? The area has many easy and moderate hikes as well as campgrounds, picnic sites, and swimming areas. A variety of hiking trails wind through the forest, and some trails accommodate mountain bikers and horseback riders.

Hiking Tip : Watch out for "Poodle-Dog Bush," a shrub with bell-shaped lavender flowers that can cause skin irritation and blisters similar to a reaction from poison ivy.

An exciting day trip about a four-hour drive away from Los Angeles, Tijuana gives visitors a taste of a foreign country just across the U.S. border. Tijuana may have a reputation for seediness and crime, however a recent cultural renaissance and government investment have enhanced the tourist appeal. With a measure of caution, visitors can enjoy the highlights of Tijuana .

Tijuana is known as the "corner of Mexico" and has a vibrant downtown area with a historic plaza , a typical Spanish bullring , and a modern cathedral . The urban center also boasts noteworthy architectural landmarks including the ornate Moorish-style Palacio de Frontón Jai Alai .

For a dose of culture, tourists can check out the avant-garde Centro Cultural Tijuana , which hosts art exhibits, music concerts, movie screenings, and cultural performances. The center also has an area designed for children, an aquarium, and a botanical garden.

Shopaholics will want to check out the Avenida Revolución , a bustling street with many retail boutiques. This avenue also has many trendy restaurants, where tourists can enjoy the delicious local cuisine.

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48-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Los Angeles

The 15 Best Day Trips From Los Angeles

It's easy to fill an itinerary for a Los Angeles vacation, even if you never venture outside the downtown-Hollywood-beach triangle. But one of the best things about LA is its proximity to so many different kinds of destinations from snow-capped mountains to farmland-filled valleys, from artist-attracting deserts to laidback beach towns.

Go beyond the borders of the city proper on one of these day trips—all within a four-hour drive—to dive deeper into California's colorful history.

Joshua Tree: The Woo-Woo Wild West

TripSavvy / Chris VR

The desert destination is known for its Seussian trees, scenery seemingly ripped from an old-timey western, and animal skulls-and-macramé aesthetic. The national park is a huge draw, promising dark skies for stargazing, wildlife viewing, and bouldering. The dusty streets of the nearby towns bring nature lovers, hippies, and hipsters together at artist studios (especially in October during HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours ), festivals ( Desert X ; Joshua Tree Music Festival ), and at the more trippy attractions like the Integratron , a geodesic dome in which sound baths are performed.

Getting There:  It’s a three-hour drive each way along I-10 and CA-62 (Twenty Nine Palms Highway). Leave long before or after rush hour or you'll spend much, much longer in the car.

Travel Tip:  A trip to the high desert isn’t complete until you pay a visit to the Cabazon dinosaurs as seen in "Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure" while drinking a Hadley's date shake.

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park: Black History

Ted Streshinsky Photographic Archive/Getty Images

In 1908, Colonel Allen Allensworth, an escaped slave and ordained Baptist minister who retired as the Army's highest-ranking Black officer, and four like-minded peers settled a secluded spot in the Central Valley creating the only California town founded, financed, built, populated, and governed entirely by African Americans. At its peak in the 1920s, Allensworth had about 300 residents, a school district, hotel, and many businesses. Sitting on the original townsite, the state park has several recreated buildings including a school and church and a visitor center with a film to explain what led to the town’s demise in the 1960s.

Getting There:  It's about two-and-a-half hours north of LA using I-5, CA-99, and CA-43.

Travel Tip:  McFarland, a small farm town 19 miles away, and its high school's powerhouse cross country program were the subject of a feel-good Disney film , which used the school, almond orchards, the prison, Esperanza market, and Tacos El Cazador , where you should stop for horchata and tacos al pastor, as shooting locations.  

Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth

Courtesy of Disneyland Resort 

Sure there are now Disneylands around the world, but you’ll never forget a visit to the very first one. Take a spin on nine rides that remain from opening day in 1955 including Autopia and Jungle Cruise, eat a churro, watch fireworks, buy souvenir ears, and explore the many wondrous attractions that have been built over the past 65 years including the Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, and most recently, the Star Wars land, Galaxy’s Edge.

Getting There:  Approximately an hour from LA, a straight shot down I-5, driving is usually quickest. Or take Metrolink from Union Station to Anaheim and connect to the free Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) shuttle . 

Travel Tip:  Before Oga’s Cantina opened in Galaxy's Edge with a droid DJ and adult beverages, the park was dry; save for the expensive private Club33. Want a Blue Bantha? You must make reservations up to 60 days in advance. 

Santa Ynez Valley: Pastoral Paradise

Heather Daenitz/Visit the Santa Ynez Valley 

Welcome to  Sideways country. Made up of six small towns, farmland, and vineyards, this valley is the best option for a boozy trip thanks to the prized pinot noirs, chardonnays, cabernets, and syrahs that its 120 wineries produce. Many of the wineries themselves can be visited for samples and tours, or sip and shop in Los Olivos where tasting rooms mingle with art galleries and plant nurseries. Grab a bite at Buellton’s Industrial Eats , Los Alamos’ Bob’s Well Bread Bakery , or Solvang’s First & Oak or Mad & Vin . Solvang is an adorable Danish-American village full of Scandinavian architecture, Christmas shops, windmills, and pastries.

Getting There:  Drive north on US-101 until Santa Barbara and then cut over the mountains using the San Marcos Pass (CA-154). Depending on traffic it takes about two hours from LA.

Travel Tip:  There’s plenty to do with under-21 squad members: OstrichLand , lavender farms, horseback riding with Vino Vaqueros , water sports on Lake Cachuma, a virtual-reality arcade, and the Quicksilver miniature horse ranch.

Catalina: Island Time

Courtesy of Visit California 

If a taste of the tropics is what you seek, look no further than the most accessible and developed of the Channel Islands. Take it easy sipping Buffalo Milks (the island’s signature cocktail) at the beach club , sailing, wandering Avalon's quaint streets, or being pampered at the spa. Or have an adrenaline-pumping day riding zip lines, scuba diving, or traversing the dusty backcountry in an open-air biofuel Hummer looking for bison and staring down sheer cliffs.

Getting There:  Most people take a Catalina Express ferry from Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point. If seasickness is a concern, take a 15-minute helicopter flight from Long Beach. 

Travel Tip:  For a more rugged adventure, take the ferry to Two Harbors on the west end instead for hiking trails, campgrounds, excellent kayaking, a dive shop, and a sandy beach.

Presidential Libraries: California’s Commanders In Chief Collected

Courtesy of Reagan Presidential Foundation 

Presidential libraries and museums offer an in-depth look into past leaders of the free world. Southern California has two: Richard Nixon’s and Ronald Reagan’s . The first is set on the land where his parents ran a citrus ranch and contains the house where he was born as well as exhibits on communism and Watergate. Reagan's museum is in Simi Valley, and some of the info even comes straight from him by way of a hologram. Step aboard the Air Force One he logged 660,000 miles on.

Getting There:  Nixon’s compound is about 40 miles from downtown LA in the Orange County city of Yorba Linda off the CA-90 freeway. Reagan’s is almost 50 miles northwest from downtown.

Travel Tip:   Simi Valley and the surrounding countryside offer excellent hiking spots including Rocky Peak, Sage Ranch Park, and Corriganville Park, a former movie ranch featured in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood .

Chumash Indian Museum: Day In The Life of California’s Original Residents

Courtesy of Chumash Indian Museum 

Set on Chumash ancestral land once known as Sap’wi, the Chumash Interpretive Center in Oakbrook Park opened in 1994. The museum houses artifacts and replicas related to the tribe and a recreation of a Chumash village. There are opportunities to play native games, learn Chumash words, make crafts, and walk in nature while learning about their connection to the land and how they used various plants. Inquire about occasional docent-led hikes to see cave paintings. 

Getting There:  Take the 101 freeway 36 miles from Hollywood through the San Fernando Valley to Thousand Oaks.

Travel Tip:   Another important Chumash site is Painted Cave State Historic Park in the mountains above Santa Barbara, where rock art dating back to the 1600s colors the sandstone walls.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: The World’s Largest Trees

TripSavvy / Vince Fergus

The woodsy national parks sit side by side in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains and offer a range of elevations (up to 14,494 feet), landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems. But the real reason to seek out this forest is to see its trees, foremost of which are General Sherman, the world’s largest living tree, and General Grant, the second largest. There are day hikes at all difficulty levels from casual flat strolls through giant sequoia groves or past alpine lakes to a steep 8-mile trek to Mist Falls. 

Getting There:  The closest entrance point from LA is Ash Mountain in Sequoia. At roughly four hours, it’s a time and distance commitment, but worth it. 

Travel Tip:  Temperatures drop off in the evenings and winter snow can linger until summer. Check the weather and trail conditions a week or two before you go to properly gear up. 

Ventura: Surf And Taco Turf

Afton Almaraz/Getty Images 

It’s a quintessential SoCal beach town with laidback locals, reliable waves, small-town congeniality, seemingly infinite outdoor pursuits, and a spate of brunch spots and outfitters. Spend time on the water, whether by renting a boat or parasailing from Ventura Harbor Village , visiting the marine life tank at the Channel Islands National Park visitor center, or enrolling in lessons with Surfclass or Ventura Makos Surf Camp . Refuel at one of the restaurants that make up the Ventura Avenue Taco District . (Order quesarritos from the secret menu at El Taco De Jerez .)

Getting There:  Roughly 60 miles from Santa Monica, drive north on the PCH (CA-1) through Malibu for scenic vistas or take the quicker inland US-101 route. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner stops in town.

Travel Tip:  Stay for a spectacular sunset. Trek up to the highest point in town, the 107-acre Grant Park, where you can look out over the town, the Pacific, and Anacapa and Santa Crux Islands. Or watch from the patio at MadeWest Brewing Co. with a cold Sound Sail lager in hand.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve: Flower Power

TripSavvy / Amanda Capritto

The landscape here is blanketed in bright oranges (from California’s state flower and park namesake), yellows, whites, and purples from mid-February through May. Enjoy the view along eight miles of trails (some paved for wheelchair access), from picnic tables, or at the interpretive center. Check the live cam to ensure there’ll be something to see that’s worth the drive.

Getting There:  Northeast of downtown by about an hour and a half, take US-101, I-5, and CA-14 to outside Lancaster.

Travel Tip:  Visit Vasquez Rocks on the way there or back. Named after a notorious bandit who used the dramatic rock formations as a hideout in the 1870s and seen in numerous Hollywood movies including Star Trek and Blazing Saddles.

Bakersfield: Basque Feasts and Country Beats

Courtesy of Visit Bakersfield 

When visiting Bakersfield’s Basque Block, a historically Spanish and French area, make sure to go hungry. Many of the dining halls, including Wool Growers , Pyrenees Café , Chalet Basque , and Benji’s have been open for decades. Often served family-style at communal tables, meals start with bread, cabbage soup, beans, salsa, boiled vegetables, french fries, and sometimes pickled tongue and spaghetti before moving on to main courses like roasted lamb, sweetbreads, oxtail stew, pork chops, or fried chicken. Wash it down with Picon Punch, a typical brandy and grenadine cocktail. The annual Basque Festival is in May.

Work off the meal with a little line dancing to the Bakersfield Sound, a country sub-genre of twangy guitar, fiddle, drums, and pedal steel popularized by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Most of the original honky-tonks are gone, but the beat goes on at Owens' glossy museum-meets-nightclub Crystal Palace . Learn more about the genre at the Kern County Museum .

Getting There:  By car, it’s just shy of two hours north of LA on I-5. Greyhound also offers bus service between the two cities. 

Travel Tip:   The César E. Chavez National Monument in Keene, about 30 miles south of Bakersfield, salutes the important life and work of the titular leader. La Paz was the home and office (filled with photos, books, and artifacts) from 1970 and is his final resting place.

San Juan Capistrano: This Mission Is For The Birds

Courtesy of Mission San Juan Capistrano 

The 21 missions set up by Franciscan missionaries on behalf of Spain in the 1700s had a massive impact on California’s history, indigenous populations, and the landscape. SJC, founded in 1776 by Junipero Serra, presents an honest, balanced picture of how the mission program changed, challenged, and ultimately almost wiped out the Acjachemen (Ah-HAWSH-eh-men) Nation in interactive exhibits. There’s a draw for birders as well. Mid-March through October, large flocks of cliff swallows migrate 6,000 miles from Argentina to nest and mate in SJC’s eaves, an annual event celebrated with the Swallows Day Parade .

Getting There:  It’s about 60 miles south from downtown on the I-5 just before San Clemente. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train stops at the SJC station.

Travel Tip:  The mission is located in the Los Rios Historic District , the state’s oldest continually occupied neighborhood. Explore the area and spot the three original adobe homes that remain from the late 1700s.

Pasadena: Days of Vines and Roses

There’s far more to this old-money city east of LA than the New Year’s Day parade and Rose Bowl. Architecture buffs will admire the Italianate city hall and the craftsman Greene & Greene Gamble House (used as Doc Brown’s house in the  Back To The Future  franchise). Spend a day visiting its museums ( Norton Simon art museum; USC Pacific Asia Museum ) gorgeous gardens (at the Arboretum , Descanso Gardens , and the Wrigley Mansion ground), or pick up a beach read at Southern California’s oldest bookstore, Vroman’s (1894).

Getting There:  Take the Arroyo Seco Parkway (aka CA-110), from downtown or hop aboard the Metro’s Gold Line at Union Station. It has stations from Pasadena to Azusa. 

Travel Tip:  Grab a bite to eat in San Gabriel Valley. Although most known for authentic Chinese cuisine, eaters can also find quality Vietnamese, Indonesian, Taiwanese, Singaporean, and Indian spreads as well.

Lake Arrowhead: Four Seasons of Fun

Courtesy of LakeArrowhead.com 

This getaway is a wooded wonderland boasting fresh air, beautiful forests, and year-round activities for lovers of the great outdoors. Learn to waterski with the McKenzie School, go fishing, mountain bike or skate at SkyPark At Santa’s Village , or take advantage of the natural swimming pool. Fall colors are best seen from hikes or while taking the perimeter tour aboard a vintage paddleboat, the Lake Arrowhead Queen . And winter’s first snow signals the start of ski season at resorts like Snow Valley or Rim Nordic (cross country and snowshoeing). 

Getting There:  Lake Arrowhead Village, which is where you’ll find all the shops and restaurants, is 90 miles from LA on CA-189. 

Travel Tip:  A fun detour along the way is a replica (13752 Francisquito Avenue) of the first In-N-Out Burger . Opened in 1948 in Baldwin Park, the 10-square-foot space was also California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand. 

San Pedro: Port Worth a Call

 Ian McDonnell/Getty Images

LA's port is the busiest in the nation and also offers plenty to do: the World War II-era battleship USS Iowa , several historic houses including the Banning Museum , parks with lighthouses or views to Catalina, the remains of Fort MacArthur’s batteries and bunkers, the Korean Friendship Bell, and the Marine Mammal Care Center , where you can hang with sick and injured seals and sea lions as they recuperate. Another important stop is the Terminal Island Memorial , which commemorates the Japanese fishing village that once thrived there before its 3,000 residents were forced to relocate to internment camps after the attack on Pearl Harbor. By their release in 1945, the village was long plundered and decimated. 

Getting There:  The harbor is 20 miles south of LAX off I-405 and I-110.

Travel Tip:  Stock up on souvenirs at Crafted , a market hall in a converted 1940s warehouse brimming with independent vendors and their handmade art, foodstuffs, and trinkets.

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Stabbing at LA Fitness in west Miami-Dade leaves two men hospitalized, police say

One man was stabbed and another injured Thursday morning after a fight broke out at an LA Fitness on Southwest Eighth Street in west Miami-Dade, police said.

At around 8:09 a.m., Miami-Dade Police officers arrived to find two adult males injured after a reported fight at the gym, 14100 SW Eighth St., said Detective Angel Rodriguez.

One man had a stab wound and the other was injured during the altercation. Both were taken to the hospital by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and are in stable condition, he added.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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33 Fun Day Trips from Los Angeles That Capture the California Summer Vibe

You finally have a day to get away from Los Angeles, but you don’t want to travel too far. 

Oh, how I love living in LA! The city has it all: glamour, beaches, hiking trails, and, of course, unbeatable weather. But sometimes, we just need to break free for a day. And there are endless fantastic day trips from Los Angeles that are just a short drive away. 

Almost every weekend, I find myself exploring a new area within a few hours of LA, and I’ve compiled the ultimate cheat sheet to help you plan your own last-minute day trips. So, here it is—a curated list of 20 of my favorite day trips from Los Angeles that are well worth the short-ish drive.

Easy Day Trips from Los Angeles: Less than 1 Hour

1. griffith park.

Distance:  ~6.5 miles/10 minutes   Type:  Park & Observatory   Best Time to Go:  All year round 

If you’d like to get the best shot of the Hollywood Sign and of the entire Los Angeles, Griffith Park is a must on an LA itinerary . This park is one of the biggest urban green spaces in North America and it’s packed with trails that have awesome city views. The iconic Griffith Observatory is free to enter and has telescope viewing and science exhibits. 

If you’re into movies, you can catch a flick at the historic Greek Theatre or tour the famous Warner Bros. Studios nearby. And definitely don’t miss getting a selfie with the Hollywood sign from one of the park’s many viewpoints.

2. Universal Studios Hollywood 

Distance:  ~10 miles/15 minutes   Type:  Amusement Park & Studio Tour   Best Time to Go:  Spring or Fall 

Universal Studios Hollywood is a legendary theme park and studio tour that has been entertaining visitors for decades. It’s a fun day trip, with behind-the-scenes looks at how movies are made, themed rides based on popular films, and even a Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

CityWalk, the entertainment complex outside the park, has lots of restaurants, shops, and street performers. It’s a great way to end your day at Universal Studios Hollywood. 

Budget Tip!  The annual pass may even make more sense than getting a day pass, especially if you live in SoCal. 

3. Pasadena 

Distance:  ~20 miles/20 minutes   Type:  City   Best Time to Go:  All year round 

Pasadena, with its stunning architecture, is a cool spot just outside downtown LA. Stroll around Old Town or catch a show at the gorgeous Pasadena Playhouse. The Norton Simon Museum, with its awesome collection of European and Asian art, is a must-visit, too.

For a chill and pretty afternoon, visit the Huntington Library. This place is huge, with beautiful gardens, rare books and manuscripts, and art galleries. And, if you’re here in spring, the famous rose garden is a sight to see in full bloom.

4. Santa Monica 

Distance:  ~20 miles/20 minutes   Type:  Beach & City   Best Time to Go:  All year round

A perfect blend of beach and city vibes, Santa Monica is the classic image everyone has of LA. Stroll down the famous Santa Monica Pier and play on the carnival games and rides, or watch street performers while munching on some cotton candy. A must-see is the end of the Route 66 marker, which marks the beginning or end of the famous highway.

Head to Third Street Promenade for major retail therapy in an outdoor pedestrian mall. Otherwise, rent a bike and ride along the beach path from Santa Monica to Venice Beach to ogle the musclemen at Muscle Beach and cool street art.

5. Venice Beach 

Distance:  ~20 miles/25 minutes   Type:  Beach & Quirky Town   Best Time to Go:  All year round 

Venice Beach is the place for people-watching in LA. The boardwalk overflows with street performers, fortune-tellers, vendors selling all sorts of things, and the overall eclectic crowd that calls this town home. Be impressed by the boarders at the famous Venice Beach Skatepark and those doing 360’s on the waves by the pier. 

For a little slice of Italy in the States, walk along the Venice Canals and admire the gorgeous homes and landscaping. Or, rent a paddleboat or kayak to explore the waterways yourself. Finish off your day with a sunset at one of the many beachside restaurants and bars. 

6. Disneyland Resort, Anaheim 

Distance:  ~25 miles/30 minutes   Type:  Amusement Park   Best Time to Go:  Spring or fall

No trip to Southern California would be complete without a day or two at the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland Resort , Anaheim. Just a short drive from downtown, Disneyland has thrilling rides like Space Mountain and attractions such as It’s a Small World for all ages. Not to forget, the parades and fireworks are simply magical.

The resort comprises two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Disneyland Park is where you can meet beloved Disney characters and visit fairy-tale castles, while California Adventure Park takes you to the Golden State’s landmarks and stories with a dash of Pixar flare. 

7. Malibu 

Distance:  ~30 miles/35 minutes   Type:  Beach   Best Time to Go to Malibu:  Early Fall or Spring

Drive up the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), and you’ll reach Malibu, a beach town known for its celebrity homes and stunning coastal views. Spend your day lounging on the sand at Zuma Beach or exploring the tide pools at Leo Carrillo State Park. My personal favorite is El Matador Beach, which is filled with sea stacks and fine sand. 

You can also hike in Malibu Creek State Park to see the famous M A S*H filming location. For a touch of luxury, swing by Malibu Country Mart, Malibu’s fancy spot for shopping and eating. You’ll spot so many posh cars parked out front that it almost seems like a car museum.

8. Newport Beach & Balboa Island

Distance:  ~45 miles/50 minutes   Type:  Beach   Best Time to Go:  Summer

Escape the city and head down to the charming coastal town of Newport Beach. With its sunny beaches and upscale shopping and dining options, this is one of the most popular day trips from Los Angeles. You can spend your morning surfing or sunbathing at the beach and your afternoon shopping along Balboa Island’s waterfront boutiques.

For a bit of history, take the Balboa Island Ferry to get to the island and explore its charming cottages. You can also spot dolphins and whales on a boat tour around Newport Bay or catch a performance at The Newport Theater Arts Center. And when hunger strikes, don’t miss out on trying the famous Balboa Bar, a local dessert invention that’s a must-try for any foodie. 

9. Laguna Beach 

Distance:  ~50 miles/55 mins Type:  Beach & Art Town   Best Time to Go:  Year-round

Located in Orange County, the small coastal town of Laguna Beach boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in California. Spend a day here enjoying the sun, sand, and sea at Main Beach or Thousand Steps Beach. It’s also one of the few places in California that is great for snorkeling or diving.

For a more cultural experience, visit the Laguna Art Museum, which showcases contemporary art by California artists. You can also take a stroll around town and admire public art installations and galleries or join an art class to try your hand at pottery or live model sketching. And don’t forget to end your day with a beautiful sunset over the Pacific ocean at Heisler Park. 

10. San Juan Capistrano 

Distance:  ~55 miles/55 minutes   Type:  Historic Landmark  Best Time to Go:  Year-round, but spring for the swallows

San Juan Capistrano is a town known for its mission architecture and the annual return of the swallows. The Mission San Juan Capistrano has gorgeous architecture and gardens, which you can also take a self-guided audio tour on.

The Los Rios Historic District has homes and shops dating back to the 1700s. You can even go see the famous Oldest House in California, built in 1794. And of course, be sure to visit during the spring when the swallows return to their nesting grounds at the mission.

Best Day Trips from Los Angeles: Less than 2 Hours

11. ventura and the channel islands national park.

Distance:  ~70 miles/1 hour 5 minutes   Type:  City & National Park   Best Time to Go:  Spring or Fall 

Ventura is a great little city located just north of LA, with a thriving arts scene and plenty of outdoor activities. Head out on the water with Ventura Boat Rentals and go fishing or whale watching. I especially came out here for a Demolition Derby, which was super fun.

One of Ventura’s main draws is its close proximity to the Channel Islands National Park . Take a ferry to one of the five islands and spend the day hiking, kayaking, or camping in this beautiful protected area. It’s one of the most under-visited national parks in the country!

 📖 Read Also: 11 American Places So Surreal, You’ll Think They’re Photoshopped

12. The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve 

Distance:  ~70 miles/1 hour 20 minutes Type:  Wildflower Reserve  Best Time to Go:  March and April

Every year, the rolling hills of the Antelope Valley are covered in endless fields of bright orange poppies. This natural phenomenon only lasts for a few weeks in spring, and it’s particularly great during the “super blooms”  that occur every few years with a lot of rainfall.

I’ve gone out three times to Lancaster County now to chase this fairy tale scene, and each time is more beautiful than the last. 

Travel Tip!  Put in Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, but the best fields may actually be outside the reserve itself. 

13. Ojai 

Distance:  ~80 miles/1 hour and 25 minutes Type:  City & Outdoor Activities    Best Time to Go:  Year-round, but especially spring

Looking for a chill spot away from city noise? Ojai’s a cute little town on the Ojai Valley, surrounded by mountains and a super laid-back vibe. Take a hike in the surrounding Los Padres National Forest mountains, taste some wines at the local wineries, and swing by the Ojai Olive Oil Company to get the scoop on how olive oil is made. And stop by the side of the road to sneak freshly picked citrus fruits grown in Ojai! 

14. Lake Arrowhead

Distance:  ~80 miles/1 hour and 30 minutes  Type:  Outdoor Activities   Best Time to Go:  Summer or Winter 

Whether shrouded in snow in the winter or glistening under the summer sun, Lake Arrowhead is a popular mountain resort town in the San Bernardino National Forest. The lake itself, a private yet accessible centerpiece, is perfect for boating, fishing, and swimming, with Lake Arrowhead Village providing shopping and dining options shoreside. 

Hiking trails lead adventurers through dense forests to sweeping mountain vistas, or you can relax on one of the public beaches. In the winter, you can also hit the Snow Valley Mountain Resort slopes or go tubing at Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park.

 📖 Read Also: 11 Dreamy Lakes in West USA That Will Take Your Breath Away

15. Santa Barbara

Distance:  ~95 miles/1 hour 30 minutes   Type:  Beach Town  Best Time to Go to Santa Barbara:  Spring to Fall

Go for a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway with the ocean on one side and mountains on the other to no other than Santa Barbara. Once you arrive, stroll the downtown area filled with cute cafes and outdoor patios. The Stearns Wharf will have fresh seafood waiting for you.

Take a hike up to Inspiration Point for panoramic views of the city, spend the day at the beach, or visit the Old Mission Santa Barbara, one of California’s most beautiful Spanish missions. Santa Barbara is also a popular destination for wine lovers, with numerous wineries and vineyards to tour and taste some of California’s best wines.

16. Santa Catalina Island

Distance: ~20 miles/1 hour 30 minutes by ferry Type: Island & Outdoor Activities Best Time to Go: Spring or Summer

If you’ve ever wondered what that island just beyond the Pacific is, it’s Catalina Island. Take a ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro or find a sailor friend to sail to Catalina Island. This beautiful island off the coast of Southern California is a great day trip for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Get the island beach experience and eat ice cream in the main town of Avalon, with its colorful buildings and quaint shops. And for a unique experience, take a tour on a glass-bottom boat to see the marine life surrounding the island.

17. Temecula Wine Country

Distance:  ~95 miles/1 hour and 40 minutes   Type:  Wine Tasting & Outdoor Activities   Best Time to Go:  Spring or Fall 

If you don’t want to go  all the way to Napa and Sonoma , then Temecula Wine Country is your wining and dining place in SoCal. With over 40 wineries, you can spend an entire day sipping on award-winning wines while going through the rolling hills and vineyards on a guided tour.

You can also go hot-air ballooning over the vineyards, explore Old Town Temecula, or head to Lake Skinner for fishing, camping, and hiking. 

 📖 Read Also: 5 Best Temecula Hot Air Balloon Tours Over Wine Country

18. Palm Springs 

Distance:  ~105 miles/1 hour and 45 minutes Type:  Desert Resort City   Best Time to Go to Palm Springs:  Fall to Spring 

Palm Springs, with its sunny climate and majestic mountains as the backdrop, is a popular desert oasis that has attracted Hollywood celebrities for years. It’s also known as the “playground of the stars” due to its abundance of luxury resorts, golf courses, and spas. 

To taste Old Hollywood glamour, visit the Palm Springs Walk of Stars or take a celebrity house tour. There are lots of hiking trails in the nearby canyons, and the famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you to the top of Mount San Jacinto. 

19. Big Bear Lake 

Distance:  ~100 miles/2 hours   Type:  Outdoor Activities & Winter Sports   Best Time to Go:  Anytime, but winter is best 

Another San Bernardino Mountain Range favorite, Big Bear Lake, is a popular year-round destination with many outdoor activities. Most famous for Big Bear Mountain Resort, you can hit the slopes for skiing and snowboarding during winter or go tubing at the Alpine Slide. In the summer, you can dip in the lake, go hiking, wakeboarding, or zip-lining.

20. San Diego

Distance:  ~120 miles/2 hours   Type:  City  Best Time to Go to San Diego :  Year-round

With its sunny beaches and a world-famous zoo, San Diego is basically Los Angeles’s more laid-back sister city.

Spend your San Diego day at Balboa Park, the city’s largest urban cultural park with museums, gardens, and performing arts venues, until your legs are sore. Or catch some waves and wave to some sea lions at one of its many beaches, such as La Jolla or Mission Beach.

Go on a San Diego food tour to munch on everything from fresh seafood to authentic Mexican cuisine. For partying, I’ve been a frequent visitor to the Gaslamp Quarter, where they hold festivals that are always worth the drive.

Los Angeles Day Trips: Less than 3 Hours

21. solvang.

Distance:  ~130 miles/2 hours  and 5 minutes Type:  City & Danish Culture   Best Time to Go:  Spring or Fall 

Take a trip to the Danish countryside without leaving California. Solvang, located in the Santa Ynez Valley, is a fascinating little town with windmills and half-timbered buildings that will make you feel like you’re in Europe. 

Munch on some authentic Danish pastries or visit one of the many wineries in the area. The town center even has a Little Mermaid statue that’s just as small as the real one in Copenhagen. 

22. Santa Ynez Valley 

Distance:  ~130 miles/2 hours  and 5 minutes Type:  Wine Country   Best Time to Go:  Spring or Fall

For wine lovers, the Santa Ynez Valley region has over 120 wineries and vineyards. You can tour and taste delicious wines from local producers or even go on a hot air balloon ride over the valley. And if you’re not into wine, the sprawling countryside also offers outdoor activities like horseback riding and golfing. 

23. Calico Ghost Town  

Distance:  ~130 miles/2 hours  and 5 minutes Type:  Ghost Town  Best Time to Go:  Year-round 

Located in the Mojave Desert, Calico was once a bustling silver mining town. But when the mines closed, so did the town, which was left abandoned. In 1951, Walter Knott (of Knott’s Berry Farm fame) purchased the town and restored it to its former glory.

Now a popular tourist destination, you can explore the historic buildings, pan for gold, and even ride an old steam train. On President’s Day, I’ve heard rumors that you can attend a civil reenactment (something on my bucket list). 

24. Joshua Tree National Park

Distance:  ~130 miles/2 hours 15 minutes   Type:  National Park  Best Time to Go to Joshua Tree :  Fall or spring

Joshua Tree National Park is a must-visit, period. Its unique landscape of desert flora and famous Joshua trees gives you access to endless hiking, rock climbing, camping, and stargazing.

I highly recommend you come in the late spring and fall, when the weather is prime for outdoor activities. And when you do, don’t miss places like Skull Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View, and Hidden Valley. Aside from snapping some shots with the desert trees that only grow here, make sure to stay for at least one sunset. 

 📖 Read Also: Perfect One Day in Joshua Tree Itinerary for First-Timers

25. Tijuana, Mexico

Distance:  ~140 miles/2 hours 20 minutes   Type:  City  Best Time to Go:  Anytime, but check border crossing wait times

You’re literally so close to Mexico, you can take a day trip to Tijuana, a city just across the US-Mexico border. Sometimes, I hear of people from San Diego just crossing the border for cheaper gas and a Costco run. 

Although it’s not known as the safest destination, it’s a cool way to experience Mexican culture without having to fly too far. You can spend the day exploring the city’s famous Avenida Revolucion and eating your fill of authentic tacos and margaritas.

Travel Tip!  Bring your passport and necessary travel documents with you before crossing the border, and check border crossing wait times beforehand here .

26. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park 

Distance:   ~150 miles/2 hours 40 minutes   Type:  National Park & Desert Oasis  Best Time to Go:  Winter through Spring

Head to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California. This desert oasis is home to palm groves, slot canyons, and scenic desert landscapes that are just as beautiful as Joshua Tree but without the crowds.

Camping here means you can stargaze at night and explore the park’s many hiking trails during the day. Be sure to check out the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, which leads to an oasis of palm trees in the middle of the desert.

27. Salton Sea 

Distance:  ~165 miles/2 hours 40 minutes   Type:  Lake & Artsy Best Time to Go:  Fall and Winter 

Once a popular vacation spot in the 1950s, the Salton Sea is now a shell of its former self. This inland lake was accidentally created when the Colorado River breached its banks in 1905, and today, it is home to misfits and artists.

Bombay Beach is one of my favorite urban exploration spots to visit, with reconditioned abandoned structures and quirky art installations. Hike in the Painted Canyon, a beautiful slot canyon that leads to a hidden palm oasis.

Travel Tip!  The lake smells not the greatest in some areas becuase of the lake’s high salinity levels and decaying fish.  

Los Angeles Day Trips: Less than 4 Hours

28. slab city and salvation mountain.

Distance:  ~190 miles/3 hours 5 minutes   Type:  Offbeat & Cultural  Best Time to Go:  Fall through spring 

Slab City and Salvation Mountain is an off-grid community with an eclectic mix of residents, hand-painted art installations, and quirky events.

The most famous attraction in this area is Salvation Mountain, a colorful and spiritual monument created by Leonard Knight. You can see the rest of Slab City, known as “the last free place on earth,” and its many art installations and makeshift homes built from found materials.

Travel Tip!  As amazing as this place is to visit, I would not recommend staying overnight as there can be some sketchy happenings.

 📖 Read Also: 18 Weirdest Roadside Attractions Across West America 

29. Morro Bay

Distance:  ~200 miles/3 hours 15 minutes   Type:  Coastal Town  Best Time to Go:  Summer or winter whale watching

On California’s Central Coast, Morro Bay is one of the most beautiful places in the state. The actual Morro Rock towers over the bay, making it a favorite hangout for whale watching, fishing, and kayaking.

But better yet is the nearby state park, Montana de Oro, with its dramatic cliffs and secluded beaches. The sunset viewed through the arches of the sea stacks was one of the most breathtaking sights I’ve ever seen in my life!

30. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Distance:  ~205 miles/3 hours 35 minutes   Type:  National Parks  Best Time to Go:  Spring through Fall

While it’s a longer drive from Los Angeles, a trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are well worth the journey. These two national parks are the closest place you’ll get to seeing the towering sequoia trees and powerful waterfalls.

General Sherman, the largest tree in the world, is located in Sequoia National Park. You can also hike through the Giant Forest to see other impressive sequoias. Kings Canyon is Sequoia’s smaller, less-visited neighbor, but being so close, you can do both parks on the same trip.

31. Death Valley National Park

Distance:  ~215 miles/3 hours 35 minutes   Type:  National Park & Desert Landscape Best Time to Go to Death Valley :  Fall to Spring

Despite its ominous name, Death Valley National Park is one of my favorite places in California, as long as you don’t go in the summer. Located in the Mojave Desert National Preserve, this park is known for its extreme temperatures, with the lowest and hottest point in North America. It’s also recognized as an International Dark Sky Park and one of the best night skies I’ve ever seen. 

Some of my favorite spots in Death Valley  include Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, and Zabriskie Point, a viewpoint on top of the colorful badlands. For another amazing sunset contender, hike the tallest dune you can find at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes for some epic photoshoots. 

Travel Tip!  Avoid going during the summer when temperatures reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

 📖 Read Also: 10 Hottest National Parks in the US to Avoid This Summer

32. Alabama Hills

Distance:  ~215 miles/3 hours 40 minutes   Type:  Scenic Area Best Time to Go:  Spring and fall 

Another of my favorite places on Earth, Alabama Hills is a beautiful and unique landscape of rounded boulders in front of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This area has been a filming location for many Western movies, including Django Unchained and Iron Man.

Camping spots are all boon-docking, but lately, you’ll see more “day use only” signs popping up, meaning you can’t camp there anymore.

If you’re coming all the way out here, make a detour at some other alien landscapes like Fossil Falls and Trona Pinnacles. Fossil Falls is a geological formation from the remnants of an ancient waterfall. Trona Pinnacles, on the other hand, is a series of tufa formations rising out of the desert floor. 

33. Las Vegas, Nevada

Distance:   ~270 miles/4 hours   Type:  City & Entertainment  Best Time to Go to Las Vegas:  Year-round, but avoid major holidays

Las Vegas is the city that never sleeps. Known for its epic nightlife, jingling casinos, and shows to keep you entertained for your entire life, Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations in the country. It might not be the easiest place to take a day trip, but after a weekend of debauchery, I’m sure you’ll be good to go come Monday morning. 

Aside from the bright lights of the Strip , hike in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area or take a day trip to the Hoover Dam or the Valley of Fire State Park.

If you do want to try your luck at the casinos, set a budget beforehand and stick to it. Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. 

Final Thoughts: Best Mini Road Trips from Los Angeles, California

Living in Los Angeles really made me fall in love with the United States. Wandering on these California road trips has been some of the most enlivening experiences of my life. It’s crazy to me how much adventure one could actually squeeze into a single day or a weekend. But standing atop the highest dune in Death Valley at sunset or finding myself enchanted by the eerie beauty of Trona Pinnacles dispelled any doubts I had.

If these suggestions inspired you, be sure to check out my other posts on everything Cali.

Before you Close That Tab…Where to Next in California?

I’ve lived and vanlifed around, about, and through all of California for 3 years. If you’re looking for more information on California, check out these other destination itineraries.

• Perfect One Day In Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary
• Perfect One Day In Redwood National Park Itinerary
• Perfect One Day In Joshua Tree Itinerary For First-Timers
• One Day In Death Valley Itinerary For Adventurers
• Perfect One Day in San Diego Itinerary: What Not to Miss
• Perfect One Day in San Francisco Itinerary for First Timers
• Day Trip to Lake Tahoe: One Day Itinerary for All Seasons
• Perfect Day Trip to Sonoma Itinerary for Wine Lovers
• Perfect Day Trip to Napa Valley Itinerary for Wine Lovers
• Perfect One Day in Los Angeles Itinerary from a Local

Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

Man hospitalized after stabbing at LA Fitness in Miami-Dade

The incident happened at the gym at 14100 southwest 8th street in tamiami, by bri buckley • published june 20, 2024 • updated on june 20, 2024 at 11:15 am.

A man was hospitalized after a fight led to a stabbing at an LA Fitness in Miami-Dade Thursday morning, authorities said.

The incident happened at the gym at 14100 Southwest 8th Street in Tamiami.

📺 24/7 South Florida news stream: Watch NBC6 free wherever you are

Miami-Dade Police said the incident happened around 8 a.m. after a fight led to a stabbing.

The gym's manager confirmed there had been a stabbing involving two men in a locker room.

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Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said crews responded, and police said one man was hospitalized in critical but stable condition.

A second person was also injured in the fight.

Camila Vergara was at the gym to work out just after the incident happened and said she saw the stabbing victim being taken out on a stretcher.

‘F— Elon': Cybertrucks tagged with vulgar message for Tesla CEO in Fort Lauderdale

Video shows attempted burglar try to bust through window of Venetian Islands home

"The guy that got stabbed, he was actually smiling when he left," Vergara said. "It was because another guy stabbed him, they were arguing over a locker and one of them stabbed the other and I think the other hit the one that stabbed him with a chair."

No other information was immediately known.

Check back with NBC6 for updates.

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Conservative media uses misleading camera angle of Biden to falsely claim that he was wandering aimlessly

Conservative media outlets selectively used a camera angle that left out important context to spread a claim Thursday and Friday that President Joe Biden wandered off from a meeting of world leaders, but the full video at another angle captured by NBC News tells a different story.

Instead of wandering off, Biden was walking toward a group of parachutists who had just landed in an Italian clearing and gave them two thumbs-up. 

The deceptive video began spreading online shortly after a photo opportunity at the G7 summit in Puglia, in southern Italy. Biden and other leaders from some of the world’s largest economies stood on a green lawn while people in military uniforms parachuted in carrying oversized flags of the different countries. 

Several cameras, including one from NBC News, were present to document the meeting, where Biden was expected to push for more support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. 

But the cameras captured slightly different angles, and Biden’s critics seized on one of them to push their allegation that Biden, 81, is absent-minded and too old to be president. 

The video is one of many that have circulated widely online in recent weeks attempting to cast relatively normal moments as gaffes or evidence that Biden is suffering from a mental decline. Experts have warned that while advanced technology like generative artificial intelligence can spread misinformation, so-called cheapfakes that often use only minor or selective editing can be more effective at spreading false narratives.

The NBC News video contains nothing to suggest that Biden wandered, a word that often implies aimless walking. Instead, it shows he was walking toward a specific destination: a group of at least three kneeling parachutists. 

Many of the deceptive videos went viral on X, which under owner Elon Musk has transformed into an increasingly influential media outlet in conservative circles — one that’s hostile to the Biden administration and where false stories spread with few checks by the platform. 

The New York Post, controlled by the conservative Murdoch family, posted a video Thursday that appeared to be taken with a phone in the vertical position, meaning that it showed little of what was happening on either side of Biden. The video shows Biden walking about seven steps away from the other leaders, seemingly with no destination, and giving at least one thumb-up to whatever was off-camera. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni follows him, touches his arm and directs Biden’s attention in the opposite direction. 

The New York Post, in text superimposed on the video, said that Biden “appears to wander off” and “has to be pulled back.” Its post on X got 4.2 million videos , according to X’s tally Friday. 

Andrew Bates, the White House senior deputy press secretary, criticized the Post’s reporting. 

“The Murdoch outlets are so desperate to distract from @POTUS’s record that they just lie,” he wrote on X . 

“Here, they use an artificially narrow frame to hide from viewers that he just saw a skydiving demonstration,” he wrote. “He’s saying congratulations to one of the divers and giving a thumbs up.” His post received 2.4 million views. 

A spokesperson for the Post did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. 

But the claims continued from conservative and Republican accounts, which used the same video or other camera angles with limited context. A post from a Republican National Committee used a video that, although it had a wider angle, still did not show what Biden was walking toward. It received 2.9 million views on X. 

“WHAT IS BIDEN DOING?” the RNC post asked. The RNC did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. 

A post on X from Clay Travis, a conservative talk radio host, used the same video as the RNC. He wrote that Biden “just goes wandering off” and that other national leaders “are babysitting our president in Italy.” His post received 1.1 million views . In a follow-up post Friday, Travis said he stood by his view that Biden is not mentally fit to be president.

The RNC's and Travis' posts did not have community notes on them Friday, though X users had proposed some and were in the process of voting. 

The NBC News video angle clearly includes what the others did not: the group of kneeling parachutists who were only steps away from Biden. As they’re kneeling, Biden walks toward them, stops and gives them two thumbs-up. At least one of them appears to acknowledge Biden by standing at attention. 

Meloni does pull Biden back to the group as someone appears to begin speaking, but there’s no indication in the NBC News video that Biden was unaware of his surroundings. 

Deceptive videos of Biden have become a common tactic during the 2024 presidential campaign, which features Biden and 78-year-old former President Donald Trump. Last year, conservative pundits used low-quality video to spread a false claim that Biden fell asleep during a memorial for wildfire victims in Hawaii. 

David Ingram covers tech for NBC News.

Fight By Fight Preview | UFC Saudi Arabia

The UFC makes its maiden voyage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this weekend, bringing a fight card that, while impacted by late-stage changes, remains one of the top Fight Night collections of the year.

Featuring a main event in the middleweight division that carries clear championship ramifications and backed by bangers across the board, Saturday’s debut at Kingdom Arena promises to be an action-packed affair.

Here’s a closer look at the matchups that make up this weekend’s card.

Main Event: Robert Whittaker vs Ikram Aliskerov

Location: Kingdom Arena — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Where to Watch: ABC/ESPN/ESPN+

Other Main Card Matches:

Sergei Pavlovich vs Alexander Volkov

Kelvin gastelum vs daniel rodriguez, muhammad naimov vs felipe lima, johnny walker vs volkan oezdemir.

Prelim Matches:

Shara Magomedov vs Joilton Lutterbach

Nasrat haqparast vs jared gordon, rinat fakhretdinov vs nicolas dalby.

• Kyung Ho Kang vs Muin Gafarov

Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs Brendson Ribeiro

Sedriques dumas vs denis tiuliulin.

• Xiao Long vs Chang Ho Lee

Main Event Matchup: Robert Whittaker vs Ikram Aliskerov

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Restructured only last week, Saturday’s main event between Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov is a fascinating pairing between a former champion and a rising star.

Whittaker, who was initially scheduled to face Khamzat Chimaev, rebounded from his UFC 290 loss to now-champion Dricus Du Plessis with a unanimous decision victory over Paulo Costa earlier this year. “The Reaper” has fought a non-stop slate of top talents in the middleweight division over his career, and carries on doing so here, accepting the change in opponents without hesitation.

FULL FIGHTS: Ikram Aliskerov vs Phil Hawes | Ikram Aliskerov vs Warlley Alves | Robert Whittaker vs Yoel Romero 1 | Robert Whittaker vs Paulo Costa

Aliskerov was a couple days away from stepping in with newcomer Antonio Trocoli in Las Vegas before he was selected to fill in here opposite Whittaker. The 31-year-old Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) has blown through his first two UFC opponents without much trouble, and gets the major step up in competition he’s desired here.

There is currently a great deal of jockeying for position going on in the middleweight title picture, with the next championship pairing as yet unannounced and several hopefuls trying to firm up their place in the hierarchy. A dominant effort for either man here will strengthen their individual case and create a ripple effect throughout the rest of the upper tier of the 185-pound weight class.

Other Main Card Matchups

Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov meet here in a matchup of Russian heavyweight finishers and occasional training partners.

Pavlovich competes for the first time since being pressed into action in an interim title bout against Tom Aspinall last November at Madison Square Garden. The setback snapped his six-fight run of first-round finishes but did little to diminish his standing in the heavyweight ranks, as he buzzed Aspinall in the very early moments of the bout and remains one of the most feared knockout threats in the division.

The 35-year-old Volkov has transformed since his own loss to the British standout in March 2022, delivering three straight stoppage victories to return to title contention. After using strikes to dispatch both Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexandr Romanov in the first round, Volkov showed off his submission game last time out, finishing Tai Tuivasa with an Ezekiel choke in the second round.

These two are quite familiar with each other, having spent time on the mats together over the years, so it will be interesting to see how the early moments of this one plays out. Will the compatriots be tentative and watching for setups they know, or will they come out swinging, looking to make a statement in Saudi Arabia?

It’s a clash of welterweights looking to get back into the win column as Kelvin Gastelum and Daniel Rodriguez square off in the middle of the main card.

Gastelum returned to the 170-pound weight class last December after a prolonged rough patch at middleweight, falling to Sean Brady by submission in Austin. The last time the former Ultimate Fighter winner earned a victory in a welterweight contest was all the way back at UFC 180 when he submitted Jake Ellenberger to move to 10-0 in his career.

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This will be Rodriguez’ first appearance since losing to Ian Machado Garry last spring and serving a six-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance prior to his proposed bout against Santiago Ponzinibbio last September. The 37-year-old has been a perennial tough out since touching down in the UFC and will look to get back to the form that produced wins in seven of his first eight trips into the Octagon here.

Welterweight is one of those divisions where there are always hopefuls pushing forward, leaving stalwarts like these two constantly in a position to fend off ascending talents. Each certainly needs a victory to get things moving in the right direction again, but earning a win would also buy them some space from the pack of talents currently climbing the ranks, as well.

Muhammad Naimov welcomes Oktagon MMA standout Felipe Lima to the UFC in this compelling short-notice pairing.

Naimov landed on the wrong side of the results in his Season 4 appearance on the annual talent search series, but turned a short-notice call to face Jamie Mullarkey last summer into a second-round knockout win that established him as an intriguing new addition to the roster. Since returning to the 145-pound weight division, Naimov has added wins over Nathaniel Wood and Erik Silva to his resume to run his winning streak to six heading into this one.

Lima steps in for Melsik Baghdasaryan, arriving on a 12-fight winning streak. Last time out, the 26-year-old Brazilian, who trains at the Allstars Training Center in Stockholm, collected the Octagon MMA bantamweight title with a unanimous decision win over Jonas Mågård.

This is a full circle moment of sorts for Naimov, as he got his UFC break under nearly identical circumstances, and now serves as the tenured fighter welcoming a newcomer into the Octagon. This is a huge opportunity for the talented Lima, and it will be fascinating to see how this one plays out.

Stalwarts in the light heavyweight division, Johnny Walker and Volkan Oezdemir open the main card at Kingdom Arena this weekend.

Walker got out of the gates well last year, building off his win over Ion Cutelaba the previous September with consecutive victories over Paul Craig and Anthony Smith to creep back into contention before an accidental knee prematurely halted his clash with Magomed Ankalaev. The two rematched in the opening main event of the year, and the towering Brazilian was felled in the second round.

The 34-year-old Oezdemir got himself back into the win column last fall in Paris, submitting short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov with relative ease. Consistent results have escaped the Swiss standout since his electric beginnings in the UFC, but he’s continued to be a tough out and Top 15 fixture the entire way.

Both men are capable of swift and impressive finishes and have each fought a steady collection of fellow ranked competitors and challenging assignments. Light heavyweight is always a bit wide open, so a strong showing for either man here will help solidify their footing and put them in a favorable position heading into the back half of the year.

Preliminary Card Fights

Highly regarded prospect Shara Magomedov welcomes Joilton Lutterbach to the UFC on Saturday.

“Shara Bullet” scored a unanimous decision win over Bruno Silva in his promotional debut last year at UFC 294, moving to 12-0 in the process. The 31-year-old Lutterbach arrives with an impressive 38-10 record and a diverse combat sports background, having competed in MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and karate events in the past 15 months.

Lightweights Nasrat Haqparast and Jared Gordon look to build off dominant efforts in their most recent outings as they share the Octagon here.

Joining Us For UFC 304 In Manchester? Get Your Tickets!

Haqparast enters on a three-fight winning streak, having most recently collected a first-round knockout win over Jamie Mullarkey back in December. Gordon turned in the best performance of his career last November, dispatching Mark Madsen in the first round of their clash at Madison Square Garden.

Rinat Fakhretdinov and Nicolas Dalby collide here in an outstanding welterweight pairing on this weekend’s preliminary card slate.

Fakhretdinov enters on a 20-fight unbeaten streak, having earned three wins and a draw through his first four UFC appearances, while Danish veteran Dalby touches down on a four-fight winning streak, most recently having stopped Brazilian prospect Gabriel Bonfim. This should be a thrilling battle between two durable, dangerous talents looking to take another step forward in the welterweight chase.

Kyung Ho Kang vs Muin Gafurov

Bantamweights aiming to start their 2024 campaigns with a win meet in this one as Kyung Ho Kang and Muin Gafurov share the Octagon in Saudi Arabia.

Fontainbleau Las Vegas Hosting Power Slap 8 During IFW! Get Your Tickets.

After collecting a second straight win by submitting Cristian Quinonez in his first appearance last year, Kang landed on the wrong side of the scorecards in his bout with John Castaneda at UFC 295 in November. Gafurov lost his short-notice debut to Castaneda last June, then followed it up with a 73-second submission loss to Said Nurmagomedov at UFC 294 in October to find himself stuck in a two-fight slide heading into this one. 

Russian light heavyweight Magomed Gadhziyasulov makes his promotional debut on Saturday, stepping in with recent DWCS grad Brendan Ribeiro.

Unbeaten in eight pro bouts, the 30-year-old Gadzhiyasulov, who trains in Bahrain, has earned five first-round stoppage wins on his way to his first UFC appearance. Ribeiro scored an impressive first-round finish to earn his UFC contract last fall, but then landed on the opposite side of a similar result in his maiden voyage into the Octagon earlier this year against Zhang Mingyang.

Sedriques Dumas steps in on short notice to face off with Denis Tiuliulin this weekend at Kingdom Arena.

A member of the DWCS Class of ’22, Dumas jumps in for Abu Azaitar, the last man he defeated, hoping to bounce back following a controversial first-round stoppage loss to Nursulton Ruziboev earlier this year. The 36-year-old Tiuliulin touches down in Saudi Arabia angling to end a three-fight skid and collect his second UFC victory.

Xiao Long vs ChangHo Lee

The bantamweight finale from Road to UFC Season 2 kicks things off this weekend, with Xiao Long and ChangHo Lee doing battle for a place on the UFC roster.

China’s Xiao advanced by the narrowest of margins in each of his first two bouts, winning a split decision and majority decision to advance to reach this weekend’s finale. By contrast, Lee kept the judges out of the mix, earning stoppage wins over Rana Singh and Daermisi Zhawupasi to punch his ticket to the final pairing.

Don't miss a moment of UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Aliskerov , live from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prelims start at 12pm ET/9am PT, while the main card kicks off on ABC at 3pm ET/12pm PT..

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VIP And General Admission Tickets On Sale now; Event To Stream Exclusively Around The Globe Live And Free On Rumble 

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Follow Dana White and his trusted advisors as they face the euphoric highs and crushing lows of the fight business in Fight Inc: Inside the UFC. 

‘Fight Night’ producer Will Packer says he’s ‘living proof’ that diverse content is good business

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Will Packer knows that diversity in movies is good business.

The producer has become a standout in Hollywood, making films with mostly Black casts that cater to an underserved audience — and that audience has rewarded him for it. His 2017 film “Girls Trip,” starring Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith, was the highest-grossing comedy of that year. Comedies “Think Like a Man” and “Ride Along” have seen massive success at the box office.

He’s since branched out into projects for streaming, documentary features and television (both scripted and unscripted), diversifying his slate at a time when the industry is seeing upheaval in its business model. His next project is “Fight Night,” a true-story limited series for Peacock that chronicles the biggest heist in the state of Georgia’s history, starring Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson and Taraji P. Henson. But Hollywood’s current contraction shouldn’t mean that diverse projects should be abandoned in favor of the bottom line, he said.

“It takes folks pushing the industry to see the economic benefit of doing organically diverse content,” Packer said. “And I like to think that I’m one of the people that is doing the pushing.”

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This year is the 10th anniversary of Will Packer Productions. What are you most proud of?

Sustainability and longevity in the context of a very fickle industry where not a lot of companies last that long. As the ever-changing industry has continued to shift, we have somehow been able to stay relevant and valuable to our media partners and to audiences, which is most important.

What has helped you stay relevant?

I like to think it’s because two of the things that I really try to focus on are commerciality and authenticity. We focus on things that will be appealing to our core audience and do it at a time when we realize they don’t have to consume your stuff.

It’s laughable to me how self-important as an industry we can be. And I have peers who think that if you build it, they will come. And it’s like no, not at all. Not when you’re in an oversaturated environment. Audiences want something that they can’t get elsewhere that feels urgent, that’s loud, provocative, oftentimes — something that’s going to speak to them.

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What more needs to be done to diversify Hollywood?

You know, I’m an eternal optimist. There definitely has been progress — you look at the voices in front of and behind the camera, and they’re more diverse than ever before. But we started from where there was such a dearth of any kind of real, authentic diversity, we have so far to go. Even though I’m optimistic, I don’t have any delusions of thinking that we’ve turned some incredible corner. If anything, when you have a constriction of content now, studios pulling back, the first things that get cut are things that are considered, you know, diversity initiatives.

I’m living proof that diverse content is good business. Unfortunately, we’re seeing it become tougher for diverse filmmakers, because it’s tougher for all filmmakers, but it always hits the marginalized voices first and hardest. And we’re seeing it now.

What projects are you excited about?

I’m on my way to set right this very minute on a project I’m very excited about called “Fight Night.” It is a limited series that I’m doing for Peacock. It is a true story based on the biggest heist in Georgia’s history, and one of the biggest heists in the country, actually. It happened after a Muhammad Ali fight back in 1970 when he couldn’t get sanctioned to fight anywhere; he’d been blackballed because of his stance against the Vietnam War. An interesting collection of white government officials, Black entrepreneurs, promoters and, frankly, out-and-out hustlers came together to put together this unsanctioned boxing match. And afterward, there was this underground casino party that attracted celebrities, athletes, entertainers and gangsters from all over the country. And that party got robbed. We’re telling the true story of that night.

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Rapid-fire questions

What are you listening to now?

I’m listening to an audiobook called “Tools of Titans.” Music-wise, I’ve been listening to the Kendrick-Drake tracks. When I work out, that’s good energy. And then earlier this year, I went to Trinidad for Carnival, so I’ve been playing soca since then.

How do you get focused?

Focus has never been a big problem for me. I can’t afford to not be focused. So, I am somebody that always has a million things going on, but I’m a very good compartmentalizer.

What do you do to relax?

Sit on the beach. I’m an amateur boater; I love to go out and be near the water. That’s where my soul kind of finds peace, that’s where I can unplug.

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The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.

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Samantha Masunaga is a business reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She’s worked at the paper since 2014.

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