day trips to california

Weekend Getaways in California: 34 Trips You Can Take

If you want to take a weekend trip in California, this guide includes more than three dozen places you can go for a quick getaway, from beautiful beaches and stunning forests to film locations and wine tastings.

If you're interested in finding things to do or planning a weekend getaway that might be closer to your home, you can skip on over to browse weekend getaways in Northern California or find out what the best things to do are in Southern California.

Beverly Hills

Who isn't familiar with Beverly Hills after the iconic drama 90210? Popular with art lovers and shoppers, this city is for anyone looking to enjoy a day of luxury or enjoy the most elite nightlife. Roam around and check out the million-dollar mansions, top designer showrooms, or art and film museums in the area.

California's Big Sur coast is the place most people think of when they say "California coast highway," a landscape of mountains diving into the sea, with a ribbon of road clinging to the cliffs. In Big Sur, the stars are brighter, and there's plenty of undeveloped landscape and some fantastic beaches.

Big Sur is popular for romantic getaways, outdoor recreation, driving tours, and hiking. It has some extraordinary beaches, too.

The northernmost town in Napa Valley is beautiful enough to take your breath away. Calistoga is the spa capital of Napa Valley, a charming small town with less pretense than some of its southern neighbors. You'll find some interesting things in the area besides its visitor-friendly wineries, making it an excellent place to enjoy a "wine country" scenery but with different things to do while you look at it. It's great for family outings, romantic getaways, and wine tasting.

Cambria is a longtime favorite of visitors to California's central coast, and with good reason. It's far enough from the ocean to be sunny even when the beach is shrouded in summer fog and a cute little downtown to stroll and browse through. The lodgings along Moonstone Beach below town represent possibly the greatest concentration of nice places to stay in the state, and the area is filled with a lot of nice bed and breakfast inns. Cambria is a good place to base a visit to Morro Bay or Hearst Castle as well.

Catalina Island

Catalina Island is only 26 miles from bustling Los Angeles but a world apart. Preserved in a conservancy, the island has only one town of any size, where residents often drive golf carts instead of automobiles. It's a place of extraordinary natural beauty and one of the best places to de-stress in the state.

Catalina is popular for romantic getaways, active weekends (especially diving), and family fun. It's a good place to get away from it all, rest and relax, or enjoy a romantic interlude.

Crescent City

Crescent City is on the northern California coast, just off U.S. Highway 101 and only 20 miles from the California-Oregon state line. It's the home of a port for a commercial fishing fleet and offers a variety of things to see in do for both locals and visitors. It's famous for the nearby redwood forests and whale watching, and finding agate rocks on the beach has become a touristy thing to do as well.

Death Valley National Park

TripSavvy / Amanda Capritto

In Death Valley, the earth sheds its mantle of green and gives way to fantastic geologic formations with fanciful names like Devil's Golf Course and Badwater Basin. It's the lowest (and hottest) place in the United States, yet its historic National Park lodge, the Inn at Death Valley (formerly the Furnace Creek Inn), offers pamper-me luxury and finer service than you might expect in the middle of the desert.

Death Valley is perfect for outdoor recreation and driving tours. Many visitors also enjoy the nearby ghost towns, and it's a photographers' favorite.

 Kevin Nguyen-Tu / Flickr / CC BY ​2.0

There's enough to do at Disneyland and California Adventure to keep people busy for days, but you can have a fabulous visit in just a couple of days if you use a few of our secrets. Ride the rides, try all of the delicious foods, and create those magical memories that'll last a lifetime.

Eureka is a good base location if you're interested in exploring Humboldt County and the redwood forests of Northern California. Or maybe you'd rather go looking for Bigfoot — the mythical creature has supposedly been sighted more here than in almost any part of California.

It's a great destination for hiking and outdoor recreation, or for just enjoying the beautiful Victorian architecture.

Hearst Castle

othree / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr

Built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, the Hearst Castle is a fascinating look into the lifestyle of one of early 20th-century America's richest men. It sits atop a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with the bigger-than-life main house surrounded by guest quarters bigger than most visitors' homes. The castle is especially fun during an evening tour (summer only) or when it's decorated for the holidays.

Hearst Castle is perfect for family outings. Architecture-lovers may be interested in its designer Julia Morgan, and history buffs may enjoy the summer night tours, which showcase the Castle as it was in Hearst's day.

Hearst Castle is within 200 miles of Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose.

It's been decades since Hollywood gained its reputation as the center of American filmmaking, and today's Hollywood sometimes fails to live up to visitors' ideas of it. Nevertheless, it's fun to visit for the people who enjoy more touristy attractions, such as the Walk of Fame. It's also the home of the Hollywood Bowl, the Dolby Theatre where the Academy Awards are held, and more.

Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is perhaps Orange County's least-overdeveloped beach town and one of its prettiest. Created as an artist's getaway, Laguna Beach still feels artsy, with excellent art galleries and some fun summer arts festivals.

Head to Laguna Beach for beach play, shopping, art galleries, and festivals — its seaside location also creates the perfect mood for romance.

Lake County

Lake County lies north of Napa Valley, its southernmost town just up the hill from Calistoga. It's home to the largest natural freshwater lake named Clear Lake. It's completely within California's borders and about 100 miles in circumference. It's one of California's nicest hidden gems and is a must-visit for those interested in fishing, boating, and small wineries.

A clear lake in a natural bowl formed by the granite mountains around it, Lake Tahoe is a favorite of Northern Californians year-round. Although it's famous for winter skiing, it's even busier in summer when there are more things to do and a perfect place to escape the summer heat.

Lake Tahoe is great for family outings, outdoor recreation, skiing, driving tours, hiking, fishing, boating, and doing nothing. If you're interested in gambling, you can stay on the Nevada side of the lake.

Lassen National Park

TripSavvy / Ana Alarcon

In 1915, decades before Mt. St. Helens blew its top, Mount Lassen erupted, raining volcanic ash for 200 miles. The blast created an other-worldly landscape of boiling mud pots, steaming ground, roaring fumaroles, and escaping sulfurous gasses, giving rise to place names like Bumpass Hell and Fart Gulch. Lassen National Park offers great experiences for family outings and outdoor recreation, and it has some beautiful driving tours. The thermal features draw photographers who try to capture their beauty. This lightly-visited national park deserves a lot more attention than it gets, so go now before everyone else discovers it.

Often overlooked as a tourist destination, Long Beach offers a central location for exploring other parts of the Los Angeles area, close to major freeways and with some fun attractions of its own, such as a gondola ride or an art walk in the East Village Art District.

Long Beach is great for family getaways and with night owls who enjoy music and dancing. It's also one of the country's most dog-friendly cities.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the biggest and most famous city in California, and there are more than just a few things to do and see.

Lining the Santa Monica Bay north of the Los Angeles Airport, the towns of Venice Beach and Marina Del Rey offer a wide variety of things to do and a range of environments from funky Venice Beach to the high-end hotels lining the marina. These beach towns offer beach play, shopping, water sports, and amusement rides.

The three main beach towns south of LAX—Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Hermosa Beach provide some of the best places for a visitor to get a look at the real California beach life. You'll find places for long walks beside the ocean, volleyball games on the sand, surfers, and scenic piers where you can watch them.

If you're interested in the cultural and artistic side of L.A., you can explore more than 200 professional theaters and 300 museums, more than any other U.S. city. As long as you enjoy the arts, you'll find something in Los Angeles that fits your particular taste, whether it's cutting-edge or ultra-traditional.

It's hard to talk about Los Angeles without including movies and films. Many big films premiere in L.A., and the downtown area is full of beautiful, old movie palaces. It's the perfect destination for film buffs of all kinds, from those who enjoy classic silent films to cutting-edge indies.

The Malibu coast on the north edge of Los Angeles has a reputation bigger than its geographic area. If you're planning a trip to California and are looking forward to a beach day, Malibu is probably one of the first locations you'll think of, and for good reason. There are almost two dozen beaches in Malibu, and they all have their own unique characteristics. Outside of the beaches, you'll find some excellent wineries in the mountains just inland.

Mendocino Coast

California's Mendocino coast boasts some of its wildest and most spectacular coastal scenery. The area seems almost littered with cute little bed and breakfast inns, and few can resist the sight of the town of Mendocino and its New England-style architecture. The forests are filled with blooming rhododendrons in spring, and the Mendocino Botanical Garden always has something in bloom. It's a good place to settle into comfortable lodgings and do nothing at all.

Mono County

The area east of the Sierras is little visited, but one of California's most fascinating places. Its high desert landscape features dormant volcanoes, unique rock formations, a lake so salty that little can live in it, steaming geothermal features, and some of the country's best snow skiing.

If you're looking for a location great for family outings, outdoor recreation, driving tours, hiking fishing, and photography, Mono County is the destination for you. It's also affordable, with moderate hotel prices and many free attractions.

 Taylor McIntyre / © TripSavvy

Of the three towns on the Monterey Peninsula (the others are Pacific Grove and Carmel), Monterey is the most traditional, staying close to its roots as a cannery town. Today, carefully tended sea creatures find a home at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (a former sardine cannery) and Fisherman's Wharf is home to more whale-watching boats than fishing trawlers, but Monterey is still a favorite place for many visitors. Maybe it's those gorgeous ocean views.

Napa Valley

The long, narrow valley anchored by the town of Napa on the south and Calistoga on the north makes a perfect place for a weekend escape. Besides the obvious wine and food-related activities, you can have fun getting muddy during a spa day at the area's famous mud baths.

Newport Beach

Many Southern California residents don't even know about the charming part of Newport Beach, Balboa Peninsula, and the islands that cuddle inside the marina. This part of Orange County seems like it came from a different era and it's sure to charm you. Take a leisurely stroll on the pier, take a harbor cruise, or rent a Duffy boat.

Perhaps best known for its annual New Year's Day parade and as the home of Cal Tech University, Pasadena carries an air of early 20th-century elegance and is home to some of the best Arts and Crafts-style architecture you'll find anywhere. Check out the many fun museums the city has to offer, like the Kidspace Children's Museum .

Pasadena is good for architecture, art, and public gardens.

Palm Springs

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

In the 1950s, Palm Springs was Hollywood's playground, the site of many big-name movie stars' second homes. After a period of decline, the city is once again glamorous, with many of its "mid-century modern" (designer-speak for the 1950s) properties being restored to their former glory. Tour companies can take you to visit Indian Canyons, through the desert in a Hummer, for a drive along the San Andreas Fault, or to see the electricity-generating windmills up close.

Palm Springs is great for driving tours, shopping, casinos, golf, and simply laying around a swimming pool.

Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach is a collection of luxury hotels and challenging golf links, strung along the legendary 17-Mile Drive south of Carmel. Its natural beauty is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're soaking up the sun or hitting the green of the many golf courses.

Pebble Beach is popular for golfing, outdoor recreation, excellent lodging, and dining—and its luscious scenery and top-notch restaurants make it ideal for romantic escapes.

Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach calls itself "classic California," and with good reason. A five-minute drive from busy Highway 101 takes you to the quintessential California beach town, with a bustling fishing pier, surfers in the water, amazing saltwater taffy, and clam chowder for sale nearby. Just around the edge of the bay, you'll find Oceano Dunes, a large sand dune park where you can play all day.

Head to Pismo Beach for family outings, outdoor recreation, driving off-road vehicles on the sand dunes, beach camping, fishing, and beach play.

Russian River

The Russian River runs southward from northern California, turning west through Sonoma County toward the sea. The small towns on and near the Russian River are some of the cutest in this part of California—and each has a distinct personality. Swimming, kayaking, and canoeing are all welcome on the beautiful water, or if you prefer to stay on land, you can walk around the redwoods instead.

San Diego is California's sunniest coastal city and offers lots of water-oriented activities. It's also home to animal-based attractions and a fun theme park based on LEGO toys. San Diego's tourist scene changes slowly, but if you've never been or haven't been there in a long time, give it a try.

San Diego also boasts historic sights that include the state's first Spanish mission (1769), Old Town (and the new Gaslamp Quarter that replaced it), and a monument to the first European to explore the California coastline.

San Francisco

This tasty mix of tourist attractions and the real city behind the tourist facade will have you planning a return trip lickety-split.

Known for the Golden Gate Bridge, the iconic cable car, and the home of everyone's favorite family, the Tanner's (from the television show Full House), San Francisco is a diverse enough city that it has a little something for everyone.

If movies are your thing, San Francisco is an oft-repeated backdrop for films of all kinds. Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope Studios are here (in the oddly-shaped building at Kearny and Columbus), as is Lucasfilm (in the Presidio). The city is also known for its multitude of film festivals.

Santa Cruz sits at the north end of the Monterey Bay and is home to the largest surviving oceanfront amusement park in California. It's a cozy town with a lively music scene, extraordinary natural beauty, and a laid-back ambiance that makes it easy to relax. On summer weekends, Highway 17 going toward Santa Cruz is choked with cars heading for the beach, but the rest of the year, it's less crowded and more fun.

Santa Cruz is popular for family outings, outdoor recreation, surfing, boating, and shopping. In the winter, monarch butterflies congregate on the trees near Natural Bridge.

Santa Monica

It's technically a part of Los Angeles, but as L.A.'s most famous beach area it's worthy as a destination of its own. With a beautiful stretch of sand, a lavish oceanfront path, and a seaside amusement pier, it's easy to see why this is one of L.A.'s best attractions. If you're looking for a spot for a beach day or a place to spend all your money in shops, Santa Monica is a great choice.

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park and adjacent Kings Canyon are a great alternative to Yosemite. It's less visited, has bigger trees (it's home to General Sherman, the largest living thing on Earth), and features a glacier-carved granite valley that's beautiful. While the two are separate national parks, admission to one gets you admission to them. both.

Sequoia National Park is perfect for family outings, outdoor recreation, driving tours, and hiking. It's also a good place to get away from it all.

Yosemite is one of the country's oldest national parks and one of the most popular. Unfortunately, the park's beauty threatens to be its downfall, with the valley overcrowded in summer and the campgrounds so packed that you may feel like you're in the middle of a freeway at rush hour. Go to the valley off-season or head for locales outside the valley any time, and you'll have a lot more room.

Yosemite is iconic for its outdoor recreation, driving tours, hiking, fishing, wine, and cuisine. Off-season, it's a good place to get away from it all.

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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

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.

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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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Day Trips In California: Your Guide to a Quick Escape

Here are the best day trips in California for your holiday. If you want to know where’s good to see in one day in California, then here’s everywhere you need to know.

California is full of diverse ecosystems ranging from deserts to beaches to mountaintops. If you’re looking to take in relaxing destinations, you can take a trip to small charming towns. Alternatively, large national parks will allow you to get close to varied wildlife and lush nature.

If you’re looking to recharge your batteries, California offers plenty of one-day getaways – let’s look at a few of them.

1. Day trip to Monterey and Carmel

The Monterey Peninsula is close to San Jose and offers picturesque beaches with plenty of attractions to keep you occupied for the day. You get to enjoy pristine beaches, the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, eat delicacies at both fine dining restaurants and homely places to enjoy casual eats as well.

Stroll down Cannery Row, John Steinbeck’s haunt, for a leisurely walk.

If you like exploring on two wheels, you can rent bikes and follow the coast around the peninsula on your way to Asilomar State Beach, Pacific Grove, and the scenic 17-Mile Drive. The southside of Monterey’s Peninsula gives you the chance to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small town that is known for its art galleries, romantic homes, and shopping. You can get plenty more stunning destination ideas on Viator.com .

2. Day trip to California Living Museum, Bakersfield

Bakersfield houses the California Living Museum (CALM) that opened to the public in 1983, even though it was founded three years ago.

The Museum interprets and displays native California plants and animals for the purpose of research, conversation, and education. More than 20,000 Kern County students get a chance to be educated here and experience indigenous flora and fauna that are native to California. Bakersfield is a great destination, whether you choose it for a day trip or as a stop on a Las Vegas to Yosemite road trip .

3. Day trip to Hollywood

Hollywood has rightfully gained a reputation for being the centre of American moviemaking. It’s been the home of many starry-eyed actors, with a few hitting global renown. It offers people lots to do as a day trip destination, starting with the famous Walk of Fame. It’s also the home to the Dolby Theatre, which is the host to the Academy Awards.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a must-visit destination for both LA locals and tourists. It’s a working movie studio that comes with a theme park. You can experience the well-known Studio Tour to enjoy thrilling rides and see movies being made with your own eyes.

4. Day trip to Oak Glen in the San Bernardino Mountains

Oak Glen can be visited throughout the year, even though it stands out in its resplendent beauty during the fall apple harvest season from September to November. Located in the foothills of the statuesque San Bernardino Mountains, Oak Glen offers a unique apple-picking experience to visitors on a day trip.

5. Day trip to La Jolla near San Diego

La Jolla is Spanish for ‘the jewel’, and it’s an appropriate name for a beautiful cliffside town near San Diego. It offers day trip visitors great shopping, stunning views of the coast, lovely art galleries, and the best beaches in the area. The town is famous for romantic getaways, family outings, kayaking, and beaches.

It also happens to be an excellent destination for food enthusiasts, who are spoilt for choice at a few of San Diego’s top-rated restaurants. 

6. Day trip to Laguna Beach, Southern California

Laguna Beach is probably the one of Orange County’s beach towns that is the least overdeveloped. It feels a bit artsy with exceptional art galleries. It’s located halfway between LA and San Diego and is ideal for a day trip or a simple beach getaway.

Apart from lounging at the picturesque beach, you can also head out to enjoy an adventurous exploration of 20,000 acres of protected wilderness. Activities to enjoy are mountain biking, hiking, views of verdant hills, marine sanctuaries, and dramatic vistas.

7. Day trip to Lake Tahoe, Long Beach

Lake Tahoe is a great day trip for Northern Californians all around the year. It’s a clear lake in a natural bowl, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

While it’s famed as a winter ski destination, it’s busier in summer as you have plenty of outdoor and indoor recreation options to beat the summer heat. You can enjoy family outings, driving tours, golfing, fishing, boating, hiking, or just relax and do nothing at all. 

8. Day trip to Palomar Observatory, near San Diego

Established in 1928, the Palomar Observatory was then the biggest astronomical observatory on earth. It’s operated by the California Institute of Technology and is a world-famous centre of astronomical research.

The observatory is the proud owner of three research telescopes: a 60-inch telescope, the 200-inch Hale Telescope , and the 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope. The observatory operates every clear night and is used for student training, instrument development, and scientific research. It’s a well-known tourist destination for tens of thousands of global tourists. 

9. Palm Springs, Southern California

Centrally located in the Sonoran Desert in Southern California, Palm Springs is a great California day trip destination with top-class golf courses, healing hot springs, pampering spas, and luxury hotels.

Outside Palm Springs is Coachella Valley, which offers picturesque trails perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback rides. You can go to the top of San Jacinto Peak with the help of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and enjoy spectacular city views. The 1938 Palm Springs Art Museum is a great destination to learn about performing arts, natural science, and regional art. You can also visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens to enjoy a view of flora and fauna of the desert ecosystem.

I’ve got a great list of the best things to do in Palm Springs here, and some top tips for the almighty Coachella Festival here too.

10. Carpinteria

Carpinteria, a small and charming Californian coastal community, is located between Santa Barbara and Ventura. Known for its safe yet spectacular beaches, Carpinteria is a great day-trip destination. While in the town, you can scroll down the lovely downtown, taking in the galleries, boutiques, stately palm trees, and restaurants. Its beautiful white sand beach is a popular destination for both surfers and families.

You can also take a detour to the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve that has excellent hiking trails that offer you picturesque views of the ocean.

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• UK Winter Travel Guide: Where to Go
• Road Trip Around the USA: How Much Does the Dream Cost?
• Best Places to Hike in Costa Rica
• 19 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Costa Rica

Hi, I'm Vicky! I wrote this. You can find me on all the social media @VickyFlipFlop. I love a bit of adventure, will try anything once, and have a strong passion for the local food and drink, whatever it may be. I'm here to help inspire you to travel to places a little out of your comfort zone, or at least to explore the usual destinations in a different way. Stay, have a look around, and if you have any questions – let me know below.

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Best California Day Trips: Northern and Southern California [Local’s Guide]

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LOOKING FOR THE BEST CALIFORNIA DAY TRIPS?

As a large state, there are many California day trips and so little time to see them all.

From the beautiful beaches of Santa Barbara and Orange Country to the rugged cliffs of Big Sur and the culturally-rich San Francisco — there’s a California day trip for everyone, whether you’re in Northern California or Southern California.

So how do you narrow down the best places in California to visit?  You get advice from a local, of course! 

This article is a compilation of California day trips, advice, and recommendations from someone who has lived in California her whole adult life and has been to all these places, most, many times.

Ready to discover all the top California day trips? Let’s get this California party started!

Note:  This article contains a lot of information about visiting unique destinations in California. To find the info you need quickly, use the Table of Contents above.

california day trips

California map: best california day trips.

Southern California Day Trips

Below are short trips from Los Angeles and day trips from San Diego, all within driving distance. I always recommend Discover Cars if you need to rent a car because of their FREE cancelation policy, so you don’t have to worry if plans change.

Even though I own a car, most of these trips are enhanced when you drive to your California day trip in a convertible with the cool California wind blowing in your hair.

I’ve rented a convertible several times to drive up the coast; there is no better feeling than taking in the Pacific air. Check out this road trip checklist to ensure you have everything you need for a safe trip.

Without further ado, California day trips in no particular order…

1. Malibu Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : 1 hour, depending on traffic (DOT) | Miles : 34 miles

🛑 For this post DOT means ‘depending on traffic’ 🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘

The Malibu coastline, situated at the northern tip of Los Angeles, boasts a reputation that surpasses its physical boundaries.

When envisioning a quintessential beach day during your California vacation, Malibu is likely to be among the foremost destinations that come to mind, and with good reason.

With nearly twenty-four distinct beaches to choose from, each possessing its own distinctive qualities, Malibu offers a beachgoer’s paradise.

Moreover, venturing beyond the sandy shores, you’ll discover the presence of exceptional wineries nestled amidst the nearby mountains.

Malibu Travel Tip

We live in Los Angeles, so Malibu is a regular spot to get beach time and luxury all in one day.

Head to the beach adjacent to the Malibu Pier, Surfrider Beach. The beach is pretty empty since most LA locals are in the water surfing.

After a long day at the beach, we always head up to Malibu Farm Restaurant for dinner and a drink, then shop in the few little shops at the end of the pier. It’s a great day and feels like a mini vacation.

The Stop Light Tacos Trio and the Malibu Blue Nachos are favorites, as is the Cucumber Mescal drink infused with pineapple, ginger, infused mezcal, cucumber juice, agave and smoked salt. It’s one of my favorite drinks in LA.

Malibu is also great for celebrity sightings. The last time I was there, so was Bill Hader , getting a drink with a lady friend.

For AHHHH-mazing shopping, head north .7 miles (about 2 minutes) to  Malibu Country Mart , where you will see fabulous Malibu locals wearing UGGS.

‼️ Bring a sweater or jacket. Malibu is chilly, especially at night after a day of clear sunshine.

Malibu is chilly ; I don’t care what anybody says or how many nearly naked-toned bodies are walking around, hence the UGGS.

California Day Trips

2. ojai day trip.

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : about 1 hour, 30 minutes DOT | Miles : 67 miles

One of my favorite day trips would have to be a trip to Ojai. I love this place so much that I’ve thought about retiring here.

Ojai (pronounced like a startled greeting: OH-hi) is situated in a small, east-west valley about 15 miles from Ventura and the Pacific coast, surrounded by citrus groves and oak trees crowned by the Santa Ynez Mountains.

It feels like a little Napa Valley without the wineries and tourists.

Ojai is the kind of place you can buy cannabis for your sick dog, and it be totally normal (which I’ve done).

Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen own a house in Ojai. I saw the former chatting with locals — he is also a local — at the coffee shop on the main street (Ojai Ave), and that was also perfectly in the ordinary, as if Sam Malone himself were holding court at Cheers .

Ojai Travel Tip

🚲 Must-do: Rent a bicycle from Bicycles of Ojai (108 Canada Street) and pedal the 16-mile paved path from Ojai’s Libbey Park to the beach in Ventura.

Ojai is a great place to decompress and stroll down Ojai Avenue for excellent boutique shopping and fabulous restaurants featuring California cuisine. Be sure to take in some hiking in the mornings.

It’s a place that sets a slow leisurely pace, with a few fantastic spas , excellent restaurants, and plenty of great hiking spots underneath the oak trees.

If you can visit during the week, you’ll have the whole place to yourself and feel like a local.

Some must-dos: Bart’s Books on the corner of Matilija and Canada, one block from Ojai Avenue. It’s famous for being a (mostly) outdoor bookstore and for selling ridiculously low-priced books.

I don’t say this lightly because of my deep love for all of California; Ojai is one of my favorite places in California to do absolutely nothing and have a good time doing it. The drive alone from Los Angles to Ojai is worth the adventure.

3. Palm Springs Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : about 2 hours DOT | Miles : 106 miles

A Palm Springs weekend getaway is a very “Los Angeles” thing to do. We love going to Palm Springs because it’s so close, and a weekend away feels like you went somewhere; the same can be said about  Santa Barbara . Although a weekend is a great amount of time, a day trip from Los Angeles is possible as well.

During the 1950s, Palm Springs enjoyed its heyday as Hollywood’s playground, the favored destination for numerous prominent movie stars seeking second homes. 

After experiencing a period of decline, this city has now reclaimed its glamorous status, as many of its “mid-century modern” properties from the 1950s are undergoing meticulous restoration, restoring them to their former splendor.

Visitors can embark on tours organized by specialized companies, offering a range of captivating experiences. These include exploring the scenic Indian Canyons, embarking on exhilarating desert excursions in a Hummer, traversing the famous San Andreas Fault, or getting an up-close view of the magnificent windmills that generate electricity.

Palm Springs is an ideal destination for those seeking memorable driving tours, indulging in shopping sprees, trying their luck at casinos, playing golf on prestigious courses, or simply unwinding by the poolside, basking in the city’s laid-back ambiance.

Must-do: Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 5,873 feet up into the cool climate of the San Jacinto Mountains.

This is the world’s largest revolving cable car and one of my favorite things to do in Palm Springs. The Mountain Station 3-story facility has a cocktail lounge, dining facilities, gift shop and observation decks. It’s so much fun. Get your ticket below, this is likely to sell out.

⭐️ Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket ⭐️

Palm Springs Travel Tip

Palm Springs has some great thrift stores where you can find amazing treasures. Check out the Antiques Galleries of Palm Springs and a local-favorite store, Revivals , that offers both vintage and contemporary finds.

4. Santa Barbara Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : 1.5 hours, DOT | Miles : 95 miles

Even if you go to Santa Barbara only for a taco at La Super-Rica Taqueria, it’s worth the drive from Los Angeles. It’s a beautiful drive, mostly on a scenic road along the Pacific Ocean.

Known as “The American Riviera,” Santa Barbara is home to some of the best beaches in California; its topography creates eye-candy vistas at every turn.

Nestled amidst the majestic and picturesque Santa Ynez Mountains, the south-facing coast presents awe-inspiring vistas from each beach along the Pacific Ocean.

Shielded by the Channel Islands that lie offshore, the shoreline is safeguarded against powerful waves.

Renowned figures such as Oprah and Prince Harry are drawn to lay down roots in this enchanting destination, attracted by its undeniable allure. Santa Barbara is truly breathtaking, with no better word to capture its essence.

Not surprisingly, there are loads of things to enjoy in Santa Barbara, and almost all of them take place outside since Santa Barbara has some of the best weather in California.

Santa Barbara takes biking seriously. It’s a bike town. Bikes on the University of California at Santa Barbara campus get the right of way on the extensive bike bath. 

Santa Barbara Travel Tip

Leadbetter Beach , West Beach , and East Beach sit along the Cabrillo Bike Path so that you can access these beaches easily on two wheels.

State Street cuts through downtown for ten blocks and leads right onto Stearns Wharf. It has some of the best boutique shopping, theaters, galleries, and restaurants. My favorite coffee shop is Handlebar Coffee Roasters , a few blocks from State Street. 

5. Big Bear Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : 2 hours and 15 minutes (DOT) | Miles : 103 miles

Big Bear is a year-round destination for Angelenos and LA’s most popular go-to ski mountain in the winter because it is so close and easy to get to.

The highly-rated Snow Summit is just minutes from town, and the nearby Bear Mountain offers the most extensive beginner and teaching ski area with 75 inches of snow per year.

During the summer, Big Bear offers just as much to do, if not more, than it does in winter, making it a family-friendly destination. The destination caters to a wide range of interests, from thrilling water sports to invigorating hikes, adventurous ATV rides, and exhilarating zip-lining experiences .

Big Bear year-round is an excellent choice for families, surpassing Lake Arrowhead’s variety of activities available. Lake Arrowhead is a little more quiet and less developed than Big Bear.

Big Bear Travel Tip

Must-do: Zip Line Tour takes you zipping down a hill at 45 mph. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of the 9 zip lines ranging in length from 140 to 860 feet over the beautiful Johnson Valley.

This two-hour Segway Tour is a great way to see a lot of Big Bear quickly! Glide on off-trail woodland tracks and along quaint village roads on a Segway X2 PT, which, specifically designed for rugged territory, handles with ease. 

6. Catalina Island Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : About an 1 hour via high-speed ferry from Long Beach

Catalina Island is the only destination on this list you have to take a boat to get to .

Catalina Island is located  off the coast of southern California . It spans approximately   76 square miles , and the Catalina Island Conservancy has permanently safeguarded almost 90% of the island’s area .

As islands go, when you get to Catalina, you feel isolated from the rest of the world, surrounded by water. It’s a great day trip from Los Angeles to take visiting relatives or to escape with a romantic partner.  

To get there, you must go via ferry or private boat. I’ve done both, and both are a lot of fun. 

Catalina Island Travel Tip

The fast and cheapest way to get to Catalina Island is by ferry.  The ferry departs from the four cities closest to Catalina:

• Newport Beach

The   Catalina Express  and the  Catalina Flyer  get you to Catalina on a one-hour ferry ride. The round trip ticket costs around $84. Please book in advance, especially during peak season.

If you want to know more about visiting Catalina Island, visit Best Time to Visit Catalina Island: Insider Tips From a Local .

7. Solvang Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : 3 hours | Miles : 142 miles

Solvang may be familiar to you if you’ve ever seen the Oscar award-winning film Sideways , which was filmed almost entirely on-location throughout Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley.

Sideways  highlights Solvang and the beautiful Santa Ynez wine country accurately, but if you have yet to see the movie, let’s talk about Solvang because this destination is very much worth fighting LA traffic to visit.

Solvang sits in the Santa Ynez Valley, separated from the Pacific Ocean by the Santa Ynez Mountains. It’s a broad, scenic valley with a distinctively rural feel — perfect for a Sunday drive from Los Angeles.

The Santa Ynez Valley includes the towns of Solvang, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Buellton, and the area along CA Hwy 154 between the San Marco Pass and US Hwy 101.

Taking a day trip to Solvang is like going to another country for the day. Many Angelenos go to Solvang for the day because it’s a great escape from the hustle of LA; it’s a wonderful place for a romantic getaway.

Solvang’s Danish heritage is obvious everywhere; you can sample traditional Danish foods at several restaurants and bakeries. Interesting shops line the main street downtown, near Wulff’s Windmill.

Solvang Travel Tip

If you only have a day, take a leisurely drive up CA Hwy 154 from Santa Barbara to Los Olivos, through Solvang to US Hwy 101, one of the best routes in the country. 🚗 If you need to rent a car , check out Renting a Car in Los Angeles .

8. Hearst Castle Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles and San Francisco : 4 hours | Miles : 200 miles from both

One of my favorite places to visit in California is Hearst Castle .

William Randolph Hearst, the publishing tycoon, started to build a fabulous estate on his ranch overlooking the village of San Simeon in 1919. He called the estate “La Cuesta Encantada” – Spanish for The Enchanted Hill.

Originally intended to be a family home for Hearst, his wife Millicent and their five sons, by 1925 Hearst’s marriage was effectively over and San Simeon became his domain and that of his mistress, the actress  Marion Davies .

In the Roaring Twenties and into the 1930s, Hearst Castle reached its social peak.

By 1947, the hilltop complex included a twin-towered main building, three sumptuous guesthouses, and 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and pools.

The stunning and sprawling property and castle overlook the lush, green hills of San Simeon. I highly recommend you see Hearst Castle at least once.

While in San Simeon make sure to visit Elephant Seal Beach, where about 17,000 elephant seals call home. It is quite the sight. 👉🏻 From San Simeon CA, head north from Hearst Castle onto California Highway 1, for about four and a half miles.

Hearst Castle Travel Tip

There are four different tours to choose from at Hearst Castle. When you arrive, the tour guides recommend you go in a particular order, and you can only go on one tour per day.

Since I’ve been to Hearst Castle four times with four different people, I’ve taken tour number one FOUR times! I’m ready to move on to tour 2! But my partner has yet to visit Hearst Castle, so I’ll most likely take the first tour for a fifth time.

Don’t feel too sorry for me. I love this piece of land, the Castle Hearst built for his ego, the stories of old Hollywood, and the parties that went on here.

Hearst Castle is within 200 miles of Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose.

9. Pismo Beach Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : 3 hours, 30 minutes | Miles : 176 miles

Pismo Beach proudly boasts its status as the epitome of “classic California,” and it certainly lives up to the title. A mere five-minute drive away from the bustling Highway 101 lies this quintessential beach town, exuding all the charm and allure one associates with the Golden State .

With a vibrant fishing pier, adventurous surfers riding the waves, delectable saltwater taffy, and tantalizing clam chowder up for grabs, it’s no wonder Pismo Beach captures the essence of California coastal living.

Venture just beyond the bay’s edge, and you’ll discover the magnificent Oceano Dunes—a sprawling sand dune park beckoning you to indulge in endless hours of exhilarating play.

Pismo Beach is the ultimate destination for family outings, offering a plethora of outdoor recreational activities to satisfy every taste.

Whether you’re driving off-road vehicles across the sandy dunes, setting up camp right on the beach, casting your fishing line into the sparkling waters, or simply basking in the joy of beachside fun, this coastal gem has it all.

Take surf lessons on Pismo Beach or a wine tour in Paso Robles with a Pismo Beach pickup for the day! Paso Robles wineries are some of the best in Central California.

Pismo Beach Travel Tip

I have visited Pismo Beach several times, it’s a relaxing place. Each visit, I enjoyed the laid back vibes, variety of activities and attractions, fantastic restaurants, and excellent  Pismo Beach Luxury Hotels right on the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean.

10. Temecula Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : 2 hours | Miles : 87 miles

You may already be familiar with California’s renowned wine regions like Napa and Sonoma Valley, but let us introduce you to Temecula Valley, the emerging wine destination in Southern California.

Although Temecula wineries have consistently claimed top honors in California’s prestigious wine competitions for many years, it is only recently that tourists have begun gravitating towards the region’s scenic rolling hills for day trips and weekend getaways.

Visitors can indulge in various activities, including great hiking the breathtaking Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve or paying a visit to the charming Green Acres Horse Ranch .

For those seeking a picturesque experience, a balloon ride over the pristine valley and vineyards is an unforgettable option among many others. Take this Private SUV Wine Tour of Temecula Valley to see the wineries in style without worrying about driving, which doesn’t mix well with wine tastings.

Temecula Valley is indeed becoming a hot spot for wine enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, with more than 40 vineyards, so you have many options for wine tastings.

Temecula Travel Tip

Buy this Temecula Shared Hot Air Balloon Ride in advance, it’s likely to sell out.

11. Long Beach Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : 1 hour | Miles : 24 miles

Often overlooked as a tourist destination, Long Beach offers a central location for exploring other parts of the Los Angeles area, close to major freeways and with some fun attractions, such as a gondola ride, an art walk in the East Village Art District, and the Long Beach Aquarium . Long Beach is great for family getaways.

I’ve visited Long Beach many times to see the Aquarium, the Queen Mary and leave LA from the fantastic Long Beach Airport (one of the best burgers is served there).

For the fabulous Long Beach Aquarium get skip-the-line tickets, here .

Long Beach Travel Tip

Long Beach is wildly underrated. It’s also one of the country’s most dog-friendly cities; gotta love this sprawling city for that!

12. Joshua Tree Day Trip

📍 Distance from Los Angeles : 2 hours, 30 minutes | Mi les: 127 miles

Oh, Joshua Tree! Joshua Tree is one of my favorite California day trips. I love it more than Palm Springs because there are so many peaceful hikes to discover.

Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. It is a stunning place with miles and miles of fantastic walks throughout the desert.

One could spend days here enjoying the 1,242 miles of Joshua Tree and it makes an excellent day trip from Los Angeles.

When you come across a solitary Joshua tree standing amidst a barren desert backdrop, it’s impossible not to pause, step out of your vehicle, and capture a photo destined for Instagram.

These unique plants, adorned with contorted branches and spiky, pom-pom-shaped leaves, evoke images from the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss or a Tim Burton film.

Joshua Tree National Park, located near Palm Springs, California, is a treasure trove of these iconic sights.

As one of California’s most exquisite and lesser-explored natural gems, the park boasts not only captivating flora and fauna but also expansive desert oases and a striking landscape adorned with rocky formations.

It’s an ideal setting for activities like hiking, rock climbing, photography, or even setting up a tent to sleep beneath a brilliantly starry sky untouched by light pollution.

Joshua Tree National Park is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers seeking solace in its captivating beauty.

Joshua Tree Travel Tip

Check here for up-to-date information on park closures due to fires, seasonal climbing closures, campground closures, and road and trail closures.

Entrance Passes

Standard Entrance Pass is $15 —$30 Annual Entrance Pass $55

Northern California Day Trips

Now that we covered not all but many California day trips from Southern California, it’s time to head to the opposite end of the state, Northern California.

I’ve lived in San Francisco and Los Angeles; each has unique terrains, climates, and activities that make each special. If I had to choose which is better, I wouldn’t be able to. It’s apples and oranges. 🍎 (I do like apples more though).

However, San Francisco wins for the snobbiest group compared to Angelenos, it pains me to say.

13. Sausalito Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 25 minutes | M i les : 11 Miles

We usually biked across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito when I lived in San Francisco. Once you cross the bridge, it’s all downhill and a thrilling, curvy hill to bike. It’s steep, so be careful. It’s just the ride back isn’t that fun.

Sausalito is a lovely little town right on the water. It can be touristy. There are boats docked at the water’s edge, and several restaurants dot the Bay. Spinnaker is good and sits the farthest out over the water. Have a cocktail with a view of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. What more could one ask for!?!

Sausalito has many boutique shops, candy stores, ice cream shops, and a lovely path along the water. Sausalito is a great day trip from San Francisco; you can be there and back in a few hours.

Sausalito Travel Tip

Rent a bike and bike to Sausalito for the day, it’s a pretty short ride. Or rent a car and drive to Sausalito from San Francisco, then rent a kayak to take in the Bay for the day.

San Francisco to Sausalito Bike Rentals: Check rates and availability 🚲

14. Big Sur Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 3 Hours (DOT) | Miles: 147 miles

The first time I drove up the California Coast in a rented convertible with my best friend in my 20s, I was shocked by Monterey County, located on the stunning (stunning is a word made for California) Central Coast of California. It as love at first sight.

It includes the coastline that spans the scenic views of Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, and Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is gorgeous. 👀

If you’ve seen Big Little Lies , you know of what I speak.

The 90-mile stretch of Hwy 1 running through Big Sur California is a legendary route for a road trip combining sea, mountains, and woodland with stunning views and unspoiled nature that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Big Sur is known for its massive ragged cliffs and Hwy 1 that hugs the edge. It’s thrilling to drive on this part of Route 1. I’ve done this drive dozens of times from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back. It takes about 8 to 9 hours, and is so much fun in a convertible.

If you have two weeks, take your time on this route. Stop at Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea , and make sure to pay the overpriced entrance fee for the 17-Mile Drive; it’s worth it!

Big Sur Travel Tip

Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thompson, have all penned novels in Big Sur because it’s remote and sparsely populated. Stop for lunch or dinner at Nepenthe , opened in 1949 and famous for it’s signature roast chicken with sage stuffing and cranberries, the most succulent steaks and Ambrosia burgers, which are made with coarse ground meat from naturally raised beef. 

15. Half Moon Bay Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 40 minutes | Miles : 29 miles

Half Moon Bay is one of the quintessential day trips from San Francisco. Only a 45-minute drive south of San Francisco and has some of the nicest beaches in Northern California, which is the one thing San Francisco doesn’t have.

This laid-back coastal town has surfing, a 4.7-mile paved portion of the California Coastal Trail, and overnight camping for longer stays.

I visited Half Moon Bay many times from San Francisco; it is an activity-driven place for hiking, kayaking, and breathing clean ocean air and a nice respite from city living.

Half Moon Bay Travel Tip

Good eats include Sam’s Chowder House , specializing in lobster rolls and authentic New England-style seafood (voted Best Seafood in the Bay Area), and Half Moon Bay Brewing Company , where you can sit on the heated deck and sample quality, local craft beers.

16. Napa Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 1 hour | Miles : 49 miles

Napa Valley is the long, narrow valley anchored by the town of Napa on the south and Calistoga on the north.

It makes a perfect place for a weekend escape. When I lived in San Francisco, I’d take my East Coast family members just for the day to sample wine.

Besides the obvious wine and food-related activities, there are great hikes in Napa, excellent boutique shopping, and you can have fun getting muddy during a spa day at the area’s famous mud baths.

Yountville, Napa, Sonoma, and Calistoga are so close together that you can drive through and stop at all of these places in one day.

Sample wine in Napa, have lunch and shop in Yountville, and then take a mud bath in Calistoga. That might be too much for one day, but you get the idea. It’s possible.

Decades ago, when my dad first took me to Napa, you could walk into any winery (even the big ones like Charles Krug ), and be escorted on a tour and tasting. Not anymore; you MUST get a reservation in advance. During peak season, the summer, get reservations at least three weeks in advance.

Napa Travel Tip

The best thing about going to Napa is there are a lot of tours to choose from, so you don’t have to drive. Driving doesn’t mix well with wine tasting. If you don’t want to  rent a car , take a tour from San Francisco — which gives you many options for how to get to Napa from San Francisco . Napa is about 14.3 miles from Sonoma so that you can hit both these wine regions in one day or on a weekend trip. Many tours will pick you up in San Francisco, drive you to wineries, and then drop you back in San Francisco.

If staying in Napa or Sonoma you can find many Sonoma to Napa Wine tours . .

🍷I highly recommend a tour so you can enjoy wine tastings responsibly. HERE

17. Sonoma Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 1 hour | Miles : 50 miles

A mere 14.3 miles from Napa is Sonoma Valley, California, a beautiful region renowned for its natural beauty, rich history, and exquisite wines.

Located in Northern California, Sonoma Valley stretches across a scenic landscape, encompassing several charming towns, vineyards, and picturesque wineries.

This idyllic destination offers visitors a unique blend of rolling hills, vineyard-covered slopes, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Sonoma Valley affords the perfect day trip from San Francisco; it’s close, laid back, and not as busy as Napa; you could even get into a winery without a reservation, which is nearly impossible to do in Napa.

Napa is known for its world-class wineries, tasting rooms, and excellent Cabernet Sauvignons, while Sonoma offers a more relaxed atmosphere with farm-to-table experiences.

You may prefer one depending on the type of wines you like and your desired ambiance. But remember that you can always visit both regions during your stay to appreciate what each has to offer fully.

While getting a tasting in Napa without a reservation is nearly impossible, it’s more possible in Sonoma to walk into a small family-owned winery and buy a tasting.

Sonoma Travel Tip

The best thing about going to Sonoma is there are a lot of tours to choose from, so you don’t have to drive. Driving doesn’t mix well with wine tasting. If you don’t want to  rent a car , take a tour from San Francisco — one of the most popular destinations in California, famous for its hills . There are a ton of Sonoma to Napa wine tours perfect for a California day trip.

If you are staying in Napa or Sonoma you can find many Sonoma to Napa Wine tours .

18. Carmel-by-the-Sea Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 2.5 hours | Miles : 125 miles

I’m starting to realize that I’ve said several times that a destination on this list is my favorite spot in California, and I’ll say it about Carmel-by-the-Sea. It’s perhaps in the top three of my favorite places in California.

I’d love to move here when I’m 80 and end my days in this beach town. It feels surreal; it’s so fairytale-like. However, it is one of the country’s most expensive places. Clint Eastwood was its Mayor at one time.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming coastal town nestled along the scenic shores of California’s Monterey Peninsula. This enchanting destination exudes an irresistible charm and timeless beauty, making it a favorite retreat for artists, writers, and nature lovers.

Its beaches are covered with pure white sand crowned by giant cliffs with Cypress trees and their dark green caps lining the shore. Again, stunning is the only word for it.

Another thing about California is the beaches are rarely crowded because there are so many.

One of the defining features of Carmel-by-the-Sea is its idyllic village-like atmosphere. The town is renowned for its picturesque streets with whimsical cottages, fairytale-like architecture, and abundant flower gardens.

Walking through its inviting curvy streets, you’ll find an array of boutique shops, art galleries, cozy cafes, and renowned restaurants that offer a delightful blend of local and international cuisine.

It’s a great low-stress getaway with a mate, my partner and I always have a low-key time here, eating at the many bistros and wine tasting spontaneously with little fuss.

Carmel-by-the-Sea Travel Tip

Highway 1/Cabrillo Highway/Pacific Coast Highway is the scenic coastal route that connects San Francisco to Carmel, a 125-mile stretch that will take you about 3 hours to cover if traffic conditions are favorable and if you drive non-stop. It’s worth the drive.

19. Monterey Bay Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 2 hours | Miles : 120 miles

There are so many t hings to do in Monterey , California. Monterey Bay, about 17 miles from Carmel, is an excellent family destination.

One of the iconic attractions of Monterey Bay is the Monterey Bay Aquarium . Nestled at the water’s edge, this world-renowned institution immerses visitors in the mesmerizing underwater world of the Pacific Ocean.

From mesmerizing exhibits featuring mesmerizing jellyfish and playful sea otters to educational programs on marine conservation, the aquarium provides an unforgettable experience that fosters a deep appreciation for the ocean’s diversity.

A must-do in Monterey is to take the scenic 17-Mile Drive; it won’t disappoint. I’m not into golf, but it boasts the prettiest golf course in the country and 20 million-dollar properties.

This picturesque road winds along the coastline, offering breathtaking vistas of rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and majestic cypress trees.

As you drive through this scenic route, you’ll encounter iconic landmarks such as the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, and the stunning views of the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Monterey Bay Travel Tip

The annual migration pattern of thousands of Monarch butterflies who’ve come to nest in the tree branches of Pacific Grove’s  Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary takes place from October through February.

20. Stinson Beach Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 1 hour on very curvy switchbacks | Miles : 23 miles

Stinson Beach is a great day trip from San Francisco. Even though it’s a mere 23.6 miles from San Francisco, it takes a good hour to drive it because of how slowly you have to take the switchbacks.

You also have to watch for cyclists on their bikes, as many come from San Francisco. I’ve biked to Stinson (although, before cell phones, I’m not sure I’d do it now), but it’s a great way to see this part of the country up close.

There’s not much in Stinson. It’s very low-key, with a couple of touristy restaurants that are very protective of their restrooms. I don’t even know if I’d call it a town.

In my opinion, there’s one reason to go to Stinson, to hike the beautiful trails with views of the beach below. Pack a lunch or eat at one of the few touristy spots. We caught a good live band at one of the restaurants and had a few drinks before returning to San Francisco for the night.

Stinson Beach Travel Tip

Know that going to the bathroom is nearly impossible in Stinson unless you eat at one of the touristy restaurants. I try to steer clear of average food, but the options in Stinston are few. Maybe pack a lunch and pee on the trail. Or have an overpriced drink and an average app at one of the few restaurants and use their facilities.

In the movie Basic Instinct , Sharon Stone’s character’s beach house is in Stinson Beach.

21. Muir Woods Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 40 minutes | Miles : 16 miles

Muir Woods National Monument , located just north of San Francisco, is a sanctuary of natural beauty and tranquility.

Named in honor of renowned naturalist John Muir, this magnificent forest invites visitors to immerse themselves in a world of towering redwood trees, serene walking trails, and a profound sense of awe.

As you step foot into Muir Woods, you are immediately greeted by towering coastal redwoods, some of the tallest living organisms on Earth. Their majestic presence casts a peaceful shade over the forest floor. For that reason, you are hiking in mostly shade, it’s amazing.

These colossal giants, reaching heights of over 250 feet, create a canopy of green that filters sunlight and creates a magical ambiance.

The Main Trail, the most popular route, allows you to traverse along the banks of Redwood Creek, crossing rustic wooden bridges and immersing yourself in the tranquil symphony of nature.

Along the way, you’ll encounter informational signs providing insights into the redwood ecosystem, the flora and fauna that call this place home, and the historical significance of the area.

It’s a wonderful place and only 16 miles from San Francisco, making it one of the best California day trips.

Muir Woods Travel Tip

For an easy hike take Muir Woods Trail – Bridge 3 and back. It’s about a 1.3-mile path that follows the Redwood Creek Trail, which is the most popular taken way for anyone visiting the Muir Woods National Park.

22. Calistoga Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 1 hour, 30 minutes | Miles : 75 miles

Calistoga, the northernmost town in Napa Valley, possesses an undeniable beauty that leaves one breathless.

Serving as the spa capital of the region, this enchanting small town embraces a charming ambiance, free from the excessive formality found in some of its southern counterparts.

While its visitor-friendly wineries offer delightful wine country scenery, Calistoga goes beyond expectations by presenting an array of intriguing attractions that cater to various interests.

One main street runs through town with boutiques, outdoor restaurants, and bars. The spas and hotels sit outside the immediate downtown but are within walking distance.

Most of the hotels have spas, mineral baths, and mud baths.

It’s a very laid-back vibe, and I find myself wanting to leave after two full days. Something about too much relaxation and wine tasting makes me anxious. Taking one of the famous Calistoga muds baths is an unforgettable experience, one should do it at least once, your skin is baby-smooth for days.

Calistoga Travel Tip

Favorite places to stay in Calistoga are: Indian Springs Resort & Spa is very nice with a large mineral pool on-site and Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs is legendary. For something more affordable with smaller pools try Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa .

23. Yosemite Day Trip

📍 Distance from San Francisco : 4 hours | Miles : 170 miles

Yosemite National Park stands as one of the country’s most treasured and historic natural reserves, captivating visitors with its awe-inspiring beauty.

While its popularity is undeniable, the park’s allure also poses challenges, particularly during the summer months when the valley becomes overcrowded and campgrounds resemble bustling highways during rush hour.

However, there are strategies to make the most of your Yosemite experience: consider visiting during the off-season or exploring lesser-known locales outside the valley, where you can relish in the park’s vastness and find tranquility.

Yosemite’s appeal extends far beyond its overcrowded valley.

This iconic destination offers a myriad of outdoor recreational activities, picturesque driving tours, invigorating hikes through pristine wilderness, opportunities for fishing amidst breathtaking landscapes, and the chance to indulge in the region’s finest wines and cuisine.

During the off-season, Yosemite transforms into a peaceful refuge, allowing you to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the serenity of nature.

Yosemite Travel Tip

Visit this majestic place from November through April to ensure a wonderfully quiet and crowd-free park. The park is open year-round, but nearly 75% of visitors come from May to October.

Best California Day Trips: FAQs

Is California Safe to Travel to?

Yes. But I can’t answer that for you. Statistically, it’s safe to visit California .

In truth, there’s no definitive answer to the travel safety in California  question. However, there are general safety measures all travelers will want to take. The most obvious is, don’t walk alone at night, especially if you’re female.

Contrary to often-sensationalized media reports, California gets a bad wrap, though it’s not totally undeserved, as there are unsafe parts in California, just like every other state.

For a tourist, I’d recommend skipping Skid Row in Los Angeles, although my daughter’s school has an annual field trip to Skid Row to feed people experiencing homelessness.

However, US and international travelers still flock to California year after year — So if it were that unsafe,  Wouldn’t people stop going?

Fact: Travelers Love California

According to Visit California,

• Tourism spending in California is on course to reach $155 billion in 2023, 107% of the 2019 amount. 😎
• Travel-related spending from domestic visitors is expected to recover to 112% of 2019 levels in 2023, while international spending will recover to 86%. 🤩

It is generally a very safe city to visit . —world nomads travel insurance ( source )

Further, California is the most visited state in the country. It’s the most popular destination in America.

With such a sinister reputation, and many convinced California is unsafe, it seems travelers would avoid California at all costs; but the opposite is true.

California is the most visited state in the United States. The state’s vast area is home to various vibrant cities, amusement parks, beaches and natural wonders that are popular among travelers from America and the rest of the world. — World atlas ( Source )

So what’s the verdict —  Is California safe for travel now ?  The answer is still  yes  and  no … depending on your experiences and worldview.

What cities are 2 hours away from Los Angeles?

Malibu, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County are the only three major cities within two hours of Los Angeles. Solvang, Lake Arrowhead, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Par k are about 2.5 — 3 hours from Los Angeles, not two hours as some claim on the internet.

The San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest are also within two hours of most LA neighborhoods.

Is San Diego a day trip from Los Angeles?

Um, that depends on how much sleep you need. If you are staying in Los Angeles, San Diego is a three-plus hour drive, 127 miles. You could do it, but it would be a lot of driving in one day. The traffic between these very distinct cities is significant. If you have a helicopter, well then, that’s a different story.

How many days should you visit California?

Ten to 14 days is the sweet spot, but you could spend much longer. We recommend spending  at least ten days  in the California, as you can visit additional places like Big Sur and Lake Tahoe, as well as major national parks like Yosemite.

What month is best to go to California?

The best months to visit California are September, October, and April, when crowds are tolerable, and temperatures are mild.

What is the closest island to Los Angeles?

Catalina Island is the closest island to Los Angeles and only accessible by ferry or private boat. The island is just 22 miles long and 8 miles across and is the southernmost island of California’s Channel Islands. It’s stunning.

How close is San Diego to Los Angeles?

San Diego is 127 miles from Los Angeles. If you’re lucky or leave at 2 am, you could do it in two hours, as people claim on the internet. However, I’ve lived near San Diego and now live in Los Angeles; you will most likely run into traffic. Realistically it takes just under 3 hours.

What is the cheapest month to visit California?

The cheapest month to visit the Golden State is the shoulder season, April through May and September through October. It is the least crowded during this time as well.

Final Thoughts: Best California Day Trips

So as you can see, there are so many great California day trips to take for locals and visitors alike, thus why California is the most visited state in the country.

I had a blast writing this post and reminiscing about all my visits to these unique spots on this list. It has made me want to revisit them all over again. I never get tired of any of these destinations, I’d like to live in all of them, if only life were longer.

California is close to my heart. I came here as a young adult, and once I stepped foot in this state, I immediately knew it would be my permanent home.

I love it here, and I hope you visit one of these destinations or all of them, you will remember each fondly for a lifetime.

California Travel Planning Guide

🚑 should i buy travel insurance for california.

100% YES! – With basic coverage averaging $1.50 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from SafetyWing , one of the biggest names in travel insurance. (Read more)

💦 Can you drink the water in California?

Yes — But I wouldn’t. It doesn’t taste very good and there are contaminants in it. You’ll want to buy a Water-To-Go Bottle , which filters drinking water while on the go (traveling) and helps keep you hydrated.

🚙 Is it safe to rent a car in Californi a?

Yes — Renting a car in California is one of the best ways to explore this vast, awesome state, and kind of a must! I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks both international companies and local California companies, so you get the best rates. ( read more )

🏨 What’s the best way to book my California accommodations?

For California hotels, Booking is the best site, but for hostels, use Hostel World . If you’re considering a California Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which has better rates than Airbnb.

🧳 What do I pack for California?

Head to the Ultimate California Packing List to get all the information you need about packing for a trip to California.

🛫 What’s the best site to buy airfare to California?

For finding cheap California flights, I recommend Skyscanner.

Jessica Iler is the founder of CA Girl Travels. She is a writer and entrepreneur working in the creator economy since 2016, building websites, writing for Medium.com, and helping others become writers. She is on a mission to help entrepreneurs make money online and travel the world while doing it.

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• Travel Destinations
• United States

Where To Go On A Day Trip In California

Published: November 15, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Vale Wold

• Beaches & Islands
• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Tips

Introduction

California, with its stunning landscapes and diverse attractions, is a paradise for day trips. Whether you’re a local looking for a quick getaway or a visitor wanting to explore more of this beautiful state, California offers a plethora of options. From vibrant cities to breathtaking natural wonders, there is something for everyone.

With its vibrant and iconic cities, California boasts of two of the most popular destinations: San Francisco and Los Angeles. Both cities offer a blend of culture, history, and entertainment. San Francisco, known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf, is a city that never fails to captivate visitors.

On the other hand, Los Angeles is famous for its glamorous lifestyle, celebrity sightings, and world-renowned attractions like Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the beautiful beaches of Santa Monica. Whether you’re strolling along the Walk of Fame or enjoying the sunshine at Venice Beach, Los Angeles offers endless possibilities.

If you’re a nature lover, California has got you covered. From the stunning beauty of Lake Tahoe to the rugged coastline of Big Sur, the state is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Lake Tahoe, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is a year-round destination with activities such as hiking, skiing, and boating. The crystal-clear waters and majestic mountains make it an ideal spot for relaxation and adventure.

For a scenic drive along the coast, Big Sur is a must-visit. With its jagged cliffs, turquoise waters, and towering redwoods, it is a place of unparalleled beauty. Take a hike in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and witness the jaw-dropping McWay Falls, a waterfall that cascades onto a secluded beach.

San Francisco

Known for its iconic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and vibrant culture, San Francisco is a city that never fails to captivate visitors. Start your day trip by taking a stroll across the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge offers spectacular views of the city, Alcatraz Island, and the scenic coastline.

Once you’ve crossed the bridge, head to Fisherman’s Wharf, a lively waterfront area known for its fresh seafood, souvenir shops, and street performers. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in a bowl of clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, a San Francisco specialty.

Afterward, hop on a historic cable car and ride up the steep hills of San Francisco. The cable cars are not only a convenient mode of transportation but also a unique way to experience the city’s iconic streets. Enjoy the scenic ride as you pass through neighborhoods like Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and Chinatown.

Speaking of Chinatown, be sure to explore its bustling streets and vibrant atmosphere. Take a walk along Grant Avenue and Stockton Street, where you’ll find an array of shops, restaurants, and herbal medicine stores. Don’t forget to visit the ornate Chinese temples and soak in the rich cultural heritage of this historic neighborhood.

For a taste of San Francisco’s bohemian spirit, head to the Haight-Ashbury district. Known as the birthplace of the counterculture movement in the 1960s, Haight-Ashbury is filled with colorful Victorian houses, unique shops, and trendy cafes. Take a stroll along Haight Street and immerse yourself in its vibrant and eclectic atmosphere.

No visit to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to Alcatraz Island. Take a ferry from Pier 33 and embark on a guided tour of the infamous prison. Learn about the history of Alcatraz and its notorious inmates, including Al Capone and “Birdman” Robert Stroud. The audio tour provides fascinating insights into the daily life of prisoners in this formidable fortress.

As the day winds down, make your way to Lombard Street, often referred to as the “crookedest street in the world.” This iconic street features eight hairpin turns and is lined with beautifully manicured gardens. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the city as you drive or walk down this unique landmark.

End your day by exploring the vibrant nightlife of San Francisco. From trendy bars in the Mission District to live music venues in the Tenderloin, the city offers a wide range of entertainment options. Catch a live performance at the historic Fillmore or enjoy a cocktail overlooking the city lights at a rooftop bar.

San Francisco truly offers a mix of breathtaking scenery, cultural diversity, and eclectic experiences. Whether you’re exploring its iconic landmarks or immersing yourself in its vibrant neighborhoods, a day trip to this enchanting city is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, is a city that embodies glitz, glamour, and diverse experiences. Start your day trip in Hollywood, the legendary neighborhood known for its iconic Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Hollywood Sign. Take a stroll along Hollywood Boulevard and spot the stars embedded in the sidewalk, representing a wide range of celebrities.

For a taste of the luxurious lifestyle, head to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. This upscale shopping district is home to high-end designer boutiques, luxury car showrooms, and elegant restaurants. Even if you’re not planning on splurging, it’s worth a visit just to soak in the glamorous atmosphere.

If you’re a fan of art and culture, make a stop at the Getty Center. This world-class museum showcases an impressive collection of European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. Additionally, the Getty offers stunning views of the city and beautifully manicured gardens, making it a peaceful retreat from the bustling city life.

For a taste of outdoor adventure, head to Griffith Park. This expansive urban park offers hiking trails, horseback riding, and the iconic Griffith Observatory. Take a hike up to the observatory to enjoy panoramic views of Los Angeles and explore its fascinating exhibits on astronomy and space science.

No visit to Los Angeles is complete without a trip to the beach. Head to Santa Monica, where you can soak up the sun on the sandy shores, take a ride on the Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Third Street Promenade. You can also rent a bike and ride along the scenic bike path that stretches from Santa Monica to Venice Beach.

For a taste of nature within the city, visit the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. This beautiful botanical garden features a wide variety of plants and trees from around the world. Take a leisurely walk through its peaceful gardens, discovering hidden ponds, colorful flowers, and unique plant species.

If you’re a fan of the silver screen, don’t miss a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. This iconic theme park offers thrilling rides, behind-the-scenes studio tours, and live shows. Step into the world of your favorite movies and TV shows, and experience the magic of Hollywood firsthand.

End your day in Los Angeles by exploring its vibrant food scene. From food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants, the city offers a diverse culinary experience. Indulge in tacos from a local taqueria, savor the flavors of international cuisine in Koreatown, or treat yourself to a gourmet meal at one of the city’s renowned eateries.

Los Angeles is a city that caters to every interest and is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories. Whether you’re exploring its iconic landmarks, enjoying its outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in its vibrant culture, a day trip to the “City of Angels” will not disappoint.

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a pristine alpine lake that offers breathtaking beauty and a wide range of outdoor activities. Start your day trip by enjoying the scenic drive along the lake’s rim, taking in the crystal-clear waters and majestic mountain peaks.

If you’re visiting during the winter months, Lake Tahoe is a paradise for snow enthusiasts. With over a dozen ski resorts to choose from, you can hit the slopes and enjoy world-class skiing or snowboarding. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there are slopes suited for every skill level.

During the summer months, Lake Tahoe transforms into a playground for water activities. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the calm waters of the lake, or go on a scenic boat tour to admire its stunning shoreline. Fishing enthusiasts will also find plenty of opportunities to cast their lines and try their luck at catching trout or salmon.

For hikers and nature lovers, Lake Tahoe offers an abundance of trails with varying levels of difficulty. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, you’ll find options to suit your preferences. Don’t miss the opportunity to hike to one of the many breathtaking viewpoints, where you can take in panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Emerald Bay is one of the most iconic spots in Lake Tahoe and is a must-visit during your day trip. This stunning bay is home to the picture-perfect Emerald Bay State Park, where you can hike down to the shoreline or take a boat tour to explore Fannette Island and its historic Tea House.

The town of South Lake Tahoe offers a vibrant atmosphere with its lively casinos, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. Stroll along the streets, try your luck at the gaming tables, or indulge in a delicious meal at one of the many lakeside restaurants.

As the day comes to a close, make sure to catch a memorable sunset over Lake Tahoe. Find a spot along the shore or hike to a scenic viewpoint to witness the sky ablaze with hues of orange, pink, and purple as the sun sets behind the mountains.

With its pristine beauty and abundance of outdoor activities, Lake Tahoe is a perfect destination for a day trip. Whether you’re seeking adventure on the slopes, tranquility on the water, or simply the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, Lake Tahoe offers it all.

Big Sur, located along the central coast of California, is a rugged and enchanting stretch of coastline that offers breathtaking views and natural wonders. Start your day trip by driving along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), also known as Highway 1. The winding road hugs the cliffs, providing mesmerizing views of the dramatic coastline and crashing waves.

One of the highlights of Big Sur is Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Here, you can hike to McWay Falls, a stunning waterfall that cascades directly onto a secluded sandy beach. The short trail leading to the waterfall offers magnificent viewpoints and opportunities to take memorable photographs.

For those seeking more adventure, explore the trails of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The park offers a variety of hiking options that wind through ancient redwood forests, along breathtaking ridges, and to rocky beaches. Don’t miss the chance to hike to Pfeiffer Beach, famous for its unique purple sand and picturesque Keyhole Rock.

If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, visit the Esalen Institute. Nestled on the cliffs of Big Sur, this renowned retreat center offers hot springs, massage therapy, and stunning ocean views. Book an appointment for a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs, surrounded by the serenity of the coastal landscape.

Point Sur State Historic Park is another hidden gem in Big Sur. Take a guided tour of the historic Point Sur Lighthouse, which has been in operation since 1889 and offers panoramic views of the coastline. Learn about the history of the lighthouse and the challenges faced by its keepers in the past.

Nepenthe is a beloved restaurant and a must-visit when in Big Sur. Perched on a cliff, it offers sweeping views of the ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountains. Indulge in delicious California cuisine while enjoying the stunning scenery. The Phoenix Shop, located adjacent to the restaurant, is also worth a visit for unique gifts and souvenirs.

End your day with a visit to the Henry Miller Memorial Library, a literary and cultural center celebrating the life and work of American writer Henry Miller. Explore the bookstore and relax in the peaceful garden while immersing yourself in the inspiring atmosphere.

Big Sur is a place of unparalleled natural beauty that will leave you awe-inspired. Whether you’re exploring its breathtaking state parks, relaxing in its hot springs, or simply enjoying the scenic drive along Highway 1, Big Sur offers a memorable day trip experience.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, often referred to as the “American Riviera,” is a charming coastal city that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, Spanish architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. Start your day trip by exploring the historic Stearns Wharf, California’s oldest working wharf. Take a leisurely stroll along the wooden planks, indulge in fresh seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants, and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline.

Make your way to State Street, the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. This bustling thoroughfare is lined with boutiques, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants. Spend some time exploring the shops and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this pedestrian-friendly street. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, a stunning Spanish Revival-style building with a beautiful sunken garden and a panoramic view of the city from the clock tower.

For a taste of the local wine scene, head to the Funk Zone. This eclectic neighborhood near the waterfront is home to numerous wineries, breweries, and tasting rooms. Take a wine tasting tour and sample some of Santa Barbara County’s renowned wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.

Santa Barbara is also known for its beautiful beaches. Visit East Beach, a wide stretch of sandy shoreline perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, or playing beach volleyball. If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and explore the calm waters of the Pacific Ocean.

For a glimpse of the city’s Spanish colonial heritage, visit the Santa Barbara Mission. Founded in 1786, the mission offers guided tours that provide insights into the history, art, and architecture of this iconic landmark. Take a stroll through the mission’s lush gardens and immerse yourself in its tranquility.

If you’re interested in art and culture, visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. This museum houses an impressive collection of European, Asian, and American art, including works by renowned artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, and Pollock. Explore the galleries and appreciate the diverse range of artistic styles and periods.

End your day with a visit to the Santa Barbara Harbor. Watch the boats come and go, and indulge in fresh seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take a sunset cruise to enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline as the sun dips below the horizon.

Santa Barbara’s picturesque scenery, vibrant culture, and array of activities make it an ideal destination for a day trip. Whether you’re exploring its historic sites, indulging in its culinary offerings, or simply enjoying the beauty of its beaches, Santa Barbara is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a desert wonderland located in Southern California. With its unique landscape, bizarre rock formations, and iconic Joshua trees, it offers a truly mesmerizing experience. Start your day trip by exploring the park’s most famous landmark, the Joshua Tree itself. These distinct trees, with their twisted branches and spiky leaves, dot the desert landscape and create a surreal atmosphere.

Take a scenic drive through the park and marvel at the fascinating rock formations, such as Skull Rock and Arch Rock. These natural wonders have been shaped by wind and water over millions of years, resulting in stunning and otherworldly structures.

The park is a favorite destination for hikers, with numerous trails catering to different levels of experience. Embark on the Hidden Valley Trail, a relatively easy 1-mile loop that takes you through a hidden valley surrounded by massive rock formations. This trail showcases the park’s diverse flora and fauna, offering glimpses of desert wildflowers and the chance to spot desert bighorn sheep.

For more challenging hikes, consider tackling the Ryan Mountain Trail or the Barker Dam Trail. Although more strenuous, these trails offer rewarding panoramic views of the desert landscape and are especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.

If you’re a fan of stargazing, Joshua Tree National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, making it an ideal spot to observe the night sky. The absence of light pollution allows for excellent visibility of stars, planets, and even the Milky Way. Pack a picnic blanket, sit back, and marvel at the celestial wonders above.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the park’s namesake, the Joshua Tree Visitor Center. Here, you can learn about the park’s history, geology, and wildlife through interactive exhibits and ranger talks. Pick up maps and information about the park’s trails to make the most of your visit.

For a unique camping experience, consider spending a night in one of the park’s campgrounds. Fall asleep under a blanket of stars and wake up to the serene beauty of the desert. Just remember to pack plenty of water and be prepared for the desert’s extreme temperatures.

Joshua Tree National Park offers a captivating escape into nature, showcasing the rugged beauty of the desert. Whether you’re hiking among the Joshua trees, stargazing under the vast night sky, or exploring the park’s fascinating rock formations, a day trip to Joshua Tree is an unforgettable experience.

Napa Valley

Napa Valley, located in the heart of California’s wine country, is a world-renowned destination for wine lovers and food enthusiasts. With its picturesque vineyards, charming towns, and award-winning wineries, Napa Valley offers a delightful day trip experience. Start your journey by driving along the scenic Silverado Trail, admiring the lush vineyards and rolling hills that define the region.

Wine tasting is a must when visiting Napa Valley. The region is home to over 400 wineries, ranging from boutique family-owned estates to grand châteaus. Explore the tasting rooms and indulge in samplings of Napa Valley’s wide variety of wines, including well-known varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

For a unique wine country experience, consider booking a vineyard tour or a wine train excursion. These guided tours provide insights into the winemaking process and offer the opportunity to savor the flavors of Napa Valley while enjoying scenic views of the vineyards.

In addition to wine, Napa Valley is also renowned for its exceptional culinary scene. Treat yourself to a gourmet meal at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants or enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at a charming local eatery. Many wineries also offer food and wine pairing experiences, allowing you to savor delicious bites while sampling their wines.

Take a break from wine tasting and explore the charming towns of Napa Valley. Stroll through the streets of Yountville, known for its world-class restaurants and elegant boutiques. Visit the town of St. Helena, home to art galleries, upscale shops, and the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.

If you’re a nature lover, take the time to explore the scenic parks and nature reserves of Napa Valley. Bothe-Napa Valley State Park offers picturesque hiking trails, picnic areas, and even a swimming pool. Skyline Wilderness Park is another great option, with its miles of trails winding through oak woodlands and grassy meadows.

End your day in Napa Valley with a soothing visit to one of the many luxurious spas. Indulge in a relaxing massage or rejuvenating treatment, surrounded by the serenity of the vineyards. Unwind and let your stresses melt away as you soak in the tranquil ambiance of wine country.

Napa Valley is a truly enchanting destination, where you can immerse yourself in the world of fine wines, exquisite cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re sipping on award-winning wines, dining in gourmet restaurants, or enjoying the natural beauty of the region, a day trip to Napa Valley is a true feast for the senses.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, is a pristine wilderness that offers awe-inspiring natural beauty and outdoor adventures. A day trip to Yosemite is a chance to immerse yourself in the grandeur of towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and ancient sequoia groves.

Start your exploration of Yosemite Valley, the heart of the park. Stand in awe of iconic landmarks like El Capitan, one of the world’s largest granite monoliths, and Half Dome, a famous rock formation that attracts hikers from around the world. Capture the spectacular view of Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America, and take a leisurely stroll along the paved trails to admire its magnificence.

Hiking is a popular activity in Yosemite, with trails of varying difficulties to suit all levels of fitness and experience. Whether you choose a shorter hike to Bridalveil Fall or embark on a more challenging adventure to Nevada Fall or Vernal Fall, each trail offers its own unique rewards, from breathtaking vistas to the soothing sound of rushing water.

For a more leisurely experience, take a scenic drive along the Tioga Road or Glacier Point Road. These routes offer stunning views of the park’s alpine meadows, lakes, and granite peaks. Stop at Glacier Point for a panoramic view of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding high country, or enjoy a picnic by one of the picturesque lakes along the way.

Do not miss the opportunity to visit Mariposa Grove, home to some of the world’s oldest and largest living trees – the giant sequoias. Take a peaceful stroll among these towering giants and feel a sense of awe and wonder at their sheer size and age. The Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree are among the most famous trees in the grove.

If you’re interested in learning more about the park’s history and wildlife, visit the Yosemite Museum and the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. These educational centers provide exhibits and interactive displays that delve into the natural and cultural history of Yosemite, as well as information on the park’s flora and fauna.

End your day in Yosemite by finding a quiet spot to enjoy the breathtaking sunset. Whether you’re perched on a granite ledge or gazing at the peaceful reflection in a tranquil lake, witnessing the changing colors of the sky as the sun sets behind the mountains is a truly magical experience.

Yosemite National Park offers a remarkable blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Whether you’re marveling at the towering waterfalls, hiking to stunning viewpoints, or simply immersing yourself in the peacefulness of the wilderness, a day trip to Yosemite is sure to leave you with lasting memories of this natural wonderland.

Bathed in sunshine and blessed with beautiful beaches, San Diego is a vibrant coastal city with a laid-back atmosphere and a wealth of attractions. A day trip to San Diego offers a delightful blend of cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and scenic beauty.

Start your day by exploring Balboa Park, a sprawling urban oasis that houses numerous museums, gardens, and cultural institutions. Visit the renowned San Diego Zoo, home to a diverse array of animal species, or wander through the stunning Botanical Building and enjoy the colorful display of plant life.

Stroll through the historic Gaslamp Quarter, known for its Victorian-era buildings, lively nightlife, and eclectic dining options. The neighborhood offers a mix of trendy bars, rooftop lounges, and acclaimed restaurants, making it a perfect spot for lunch or an evening out.

For a taste of San Diego’s coastal beauty, head to the stunning beaches. Coronado Beach, with its pristine white sand and postcard-worthy views of the iconic Hotel del Coronado, is a favorite spot for sunbathing and sandcastle building. Pacific Beach and Mission Beach offer opportunities for swimming, surfing, and people-watching along the lively boardwalk.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the historic Cabrillo National Monument, located on the tip of Point Loma. Take in breathtaking panoramic views of San Diego Bay, explore the tide pools, and learn about the region’s rich maritime history.

If you’re interested in maritime adventures, visit the USS Midway Museum. Housed in a decommissioned aircraft carrier, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into naval aviation and the history of the USS Midway. Explore the aircraft hangar, climb aboard vintage aircraft, and hear stories from the sailors who served on the ship.

For a dose of culture, head to the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Step back in time as you wander through the preserved buildings and shops, learn about the city’s early history, and maybe even catch a live performance of traditional music and dance.

As the day comes to a close, visit the iconic Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the rugged coastline as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky with a mesmerizing array of colors. It’s the perfect way to end your day in San Diego.

With its warm climate, beautiful beaches, and array of attractions, San Diego offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Whether you’re exploring its cultural landmarks, enjoying its outdoor activities, or simply soaking up the laid-back California vibe, a day trip to San Diego is sure to leave you with cherished memories.

Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea

Located along the stunning central coast of California, Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea are two charming coastal towns that offer a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and artistic culture. A day trip to these picturesque destinations promises unforgettable experiences and breathtaking views.

Start your day in Monterey by exploring Cannery Row, a historic district that was once home to sardine canning factories. Today, it is a vibrant waterfront area filled with boutique shops, seafood restaurants, and art galleries. Visit the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, where you can marvel at marine life from the kelp forests of the Pacific to the playful sea otters.

From Cannery Row, head to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can indulge in fresh seafood, enjoy scenic views of the harbor, and perhaps even spot sea lions basking in the sun. Take a leisurely stroll along the coastal trail, which offers panoramic vistas of the rugged shoreline and the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean.

A short drive from Monterey, you’ll find the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Known for its beautiful white sand beaches and fairytale-like cottages, Carmel offers a peaceful retreat from the bustle of city life. Explore its quaint streets lined with art galleries, boutique shops, and gourmet restaurants. Don’t forget to visit the iconic Carmel Mission, one of California’s oldest continuously operating missions, with its stunning Spanish colonial architecture and peaceful courtyard.

For nature enthusiasts, a visit to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a must. Just south of Carmel, this breathtaking reserve is known for its rugged coastline, scenic hiking trails, and abundant wildlife. Take a leisurely walk along the trails, keeping an eye out for sea otters, seals, and migrating whales. Don’t miss Gibson Beach, a serene hidden gem where you can relax and enjoy the sounds of crashing waves.

As the day draws to a close, make your way to Carmel Beach to catch a mesmerizing sunset over the Pacific Ocean. The soft golden light, crashing waves, and sandy shores create a picturesque backdrop for an evening stroll or a romantic picnic.

Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea capture the essence of coastal beauty and offer a delightful blend of history, art, and natural wonders. Whether you’re exploring the lively streets of Cannery Row, immersing yourself in the artistic vibes of Carmel, or soaking in the tranquility of Point Lobos, a day trip to these charming towns will leave you with cherished memories of the California coast.

California, with its diverse landscapes and iconic destinations, offers an abundance of options for memorable day trips. From the vibrant streets of San Francisco and the glamorous allure of Los Angeles to the natural wonders of Yosemite and Joshua Tree National Parks, there is something to suit every interest and preference.

Whether you’re immersing yourself in the cultural landmarks of San Diego, exploring the vineyards of Napa Valley, or marveling at the rugged coastline of Big Sur, each day trip in California promises a unique and unforgettable experience.

As you venture out on your day trips, take the time to appreciate the beauty surrounding you. Revel in the fragrance of the ocean air, feel the warmth of the golden sun on your skin, and savor the flavors of California’s diverse cuisine and world-class wines.

Keep in mind that California is a vast state, so plan accordingly and allow ample time to fully enjoy each destination. Research and choose the activities that resonate with you the most, whether it’s hiking in national parks, exploring cultural landmarks, or simply relaxing on the beach.

Remember to stay hydrated, wear comfortable clothing and footwear, and be respectful of the natural environment and the local communities you visit. As always, follow all safety guidelines and regulations to ensure a pleasant and stress-free experience.

With California’s rich history, captivating landscapes, and abundance of attractions, your day trips will undoubtedly create memories that will last a lifetime. So grab your camera, hit the road, and embark on a California adventure that will leave you with a deep appreciation for all that this diverse and beautiful state has to offer.

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California Beautiful

17 Awesome Day Trips in Northern California

• August 2, 2022

California Beautiful Team

Is there anything better than a day spent exploring a new place?

Whether you’re in search of great food, beautiful scenery, or interesting history, Northern California has it all.

From the towering Sierra Nevada mountains to the rugged coastline of the Pacific Northwest, there is no shortage of breathtaking places to explore in this region.

Northern California is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States.

If you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, there are plenty of great day trips to take in Northern California.

Here are 17 of our favorite day trips in Northern California.

1. Explore the Muir Woods

Just a short drive away from the bustling city of San Francisco lies the Muir Woods National Monument.

This scenic park is home to some of the tallest trees in the world, and it’s a popular spot for hiking, picnicking, and wildlife watching.

The best way to explore Muir Woods is on foot, following one of the many well-marked trails that wind through the park.

Along the way, you’ll get up close to towering redwoods, babbling brooks, and shady woodlands.

Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife, including deer, squirrels, and birds.

And be sure to bring your camera—the Muir Woods is a truly magical place, and it’s impossible to leave without taking some amazing photos.

2. Go Whale Watching Off the Coast of Monterey

Monterey is a beautiful coastal town in northern California that is well-known for its stunning views and rich history.

One of the best ways to experience all that Monterey has to offer is by going whale watching.

Every year, hundreds of whales migrate along the coast, and many of them can be spotted just offshore from Monterey.

Whale-watching trips are offered year-round, but the best time to see whales is during the spring and summer months.

On a whale-watching trip, you may have the opportunity to see majestic creatures like blue whales, humpback whales, and orcas.

You will also get to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Monterey coastline.

So, whether you are a nature lover or simply looking for a fun activity, whale watching is definitely worth checking out on your next visit to Monterey.

3. Take a Scenic Drive on Highway 1

California’s Highway 1 is one of the most scenic drives in the world.

The winding road hugs the coastline, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

Along the way, there are plenty of places to stop and explore. California’s state parks are some of the best in the country, and there are plenty of beach towns to visit.

The best time to take a drive on Highway 1 is during the week when traffic is lighter. However, even on a busy weekend, the drive is worth it.

There is nothing quite like a drive through California’s Highway 1.

4. Pay a Visit to the Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of Northern California’s most iconic landmarks.

The bridge spans nearly two miles across the Golden Gate Strait, connecting the city of San Francisco to Marin County.

You can enjoy sweeping views of the bay area from the bridge, and there is also a pedestrian walkway where visitors can get up close to the massive red steel structure.

Whether you’re looking for a photo op or just want to experience one of America’s most famous bridges, a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge is sure to be a memorable experience.

5. Stroll Around in San Francisco’s Chinatown

A day trip to San Francisco’s Chinatown is a fun and educational experience for the whole family.

Chinatown is the oldest and largest Chinatown in the United States , and it is filled with history and culture.

Start your day by exploring Grant Avenue, the main street of Chinatown. Here you will find many shops and restaurants, as well as the Chinatown Heritage Center.

Then, head to Portsmouth Square, which is at the heart of Chinatown. This is a great place to people-watch and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the neighborhood.

Be sure to visit some of the temples and museums, such as the Chinese Temple and Museum, before heading home.

A day trip to Chinatown is a great way to learn about another culture and experience something truly unique.

6. Check Out Folsom City

If you’re looking for a fun place to visit in northern California, be sure to check out Folsom City .

This charming town is located just a short drive from Sacramento and is renowned for its beautiful parks, vibrant downtown area, and rich history.

You can enjoy a variety of activities in Folsom City, from hiking and biking in the many parks to exploring the local shops and restaurants.

There’s also a lively arts scene, with a number of galleries and performance venues.

And don’t forget to visit the famous Folsom Prison! Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, Folsom City is sure to please.

7. Go Hiking in Yosemite National Park

If you’re looking for a breathtaking hiking destination, look no further than Yosemite National Park in northern California.

From glittering waterfalls to soaring mountains, there’s something for everyone in this famous park.

And with over 800 miles of trails to explore, you could easily spend days hiking through Yosemite .

Whether you’re tackling Half Dome or just taking a leisurely walk through the woods, you’re sure to be impressed by the natural beauty of this place.

So if you’re looking for an unforgettable hiking experience, pack your bags and head to Yosemite National Park.

8. Take a Scenic Train Ride Through the Sierra Nevada

One of the best ways to see the stunning scenery of Northern California is to take a scenic train ride through the Sierra Nevada.

The Sierra Nevada is home to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world, and the views from the train are simply breathtaking.

The ride takes you through dozens of tunnels and past countless waterfalls, giving you a front-row seat to one of nature’s most incredible wonders.

Best of all, the trip can easily be done in a day, making it the perfect getaway for busy families or couples looking for a romantic escape.

So if you’re ever in Northern California, be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity and hop aboard a Sierra Nevada scenic train.

9. Picnic at the Breathtaking Lake Tahoe

A day trip to Lake Tahoe is the perfect way to get away from it all and enjoy some time in nature.

The lake is surrounded by towering mountains, and the clear blue water is inviting.

There are plenty of picnic spots to choose from, and the scenery is simply breathtaking.

You can enjoy hiking, biking, and picnicking in the summer months, and in the winter, you can hit the slopes at one of the nearby ski resorts.

No matter how you spend your day, a day trip to Lake Tahoe is sure to be an adventure.

10. Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the United States.

Located in Northern California, the park is home to several volcanoes, including the world’s largest active volcano, Lassen Peak.

You can explore the park’s many hiking trails, go rafting or kayaking on one of its lakes, or take a scenic drive through the park.

In addition, the park offers a variety of educational programs about its volcanic history.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just want to learn more about volcanoes, Lassen Volcanic National Park is definitely worth a visit.

11. Tour the Leland Stanford Historic Mansion

The Leland Stanford Mansion is a great day trip for history buffs and architecture lovers alike.

The mansion was built in 1856 by railroad magnate Leland Stanford, and it is a prime example of Second Empire architecture.

The mansion was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987, and it is now open to the public for tours.

You can explore the grounds, which include lush gardens, and take a tour of the interior of the mansion, which features period furnishings and original works of art.

The Leland Stanford Mansion is a must-see for anyone interested in California history or architecture.

12. Check Out the California State Capitol in Sacramento

If you’re ever in northern California, be sure to check out the state capitol in Sacramento .

The building is an impressive sight, and it’s surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Inside, you can take a tour and learn all about the history of California.

There are also several museums on the grounds, including a museum of art and a museum of natural history.

Even if you’re not a history buff, the Capitol is definitely worth a visit.

13. Visit the Shasta Dam

The Shasta Dam is a great day trip for those looking to learn more about the history of California’s water infrastructure.

The dam, which was completed in 1945, is the fifth tallest in the United States and provides vital water storage for the state.

You can take a tour of the dam, learn about its construction, and even get a chance to see inside one of the enormous hydroelectric turbines.

The dam is also a beautiful spot for hiking and picnicking, with stunning views of Shasta Lake and the surrounding mountains.

Whether you’re interested in history or just looking for a nice place to spend a day outdoors, the Shasta Dam is definitely worth a visit.

14. See the Waterfalls at McArthur-Burney Falls State Park

McArthur-Burney Falls State Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern California.

The park is home to a large number of waterfalls, including the massive Burney Falls.

you can enjoy hiking, picnicking, and camping in the park, as well as swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Britton.

The falls are best seen from the viewpoint at the top of the trail, but there are also a number of other trails that offer up-close views of the waterfalls.

Whether you’re looking for a short day trip or a longer camping adventure, McArthur-Burney Falls State Park is definitely worth a visit.

15. Drive Through the Redwood Forest

A day trip through the Redwood Forest is a great way to see some of the most majestic trees in the world.

The forest is home to some of the tallest trees on Earth, and driving through it is an awe-inspiring experience.

The best time to drive through the Redwood forest is in the spring or early summer when the trees are in whole leaf and the weather is warm.

Be sure to bring a camera, as there are plenty of photo opportunities along the way. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a deer or two!

16. Stop by the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

If you find yourself in northern California, be sure to make a stop at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

Set on 47 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the gardens feature more than 85,000 plants and flowers.

Highlights include a Rhododendron Dell with over 500 varieties of rhododendron, as well as a Fern Canyon, where you can stroll along a boardwalk through a 30-foot-tall canyon of ferns.

There’s also a native plant garden, an herb garden, and even a succulent garden—something for everyone!

In addition to the gardens themselves, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens also offer classes and workshops on gardening, cooking, and art.

So whether you’re a green thumb or just looking to learn more about plants and nature, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens are definitely worth a visit.

17. Take a Walk at the Humboldt Lagoons State Park

Looking for a day trip that will take you on a walk on the wild side? Look no further than Humboldt Lagoons State Park.

Located along the stunning Northern California coast, this state park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and pelicans.

And with 10 miles of hiking trails winding through forests and along the shoreline, there are plenty of opportunities to spot some of these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.

So pack your daypack with snacks and water, and head out for an adventure at Humboldt Lagoons State Park.

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32 Fantastic Day Trips In Northern California For a Weekend Getaway

When it comes to captivating day trips in Northern California, the region is a haven of breathtaking landscapes and hidden gems waiting to be explored. 

Enveloped by the Pacific coastline, this dramatic area offers a myriad of natural wonders and enchanting landscapes that draws adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike. 

From majestic mountains to spotless beaches and dense forests to charming vineyards, Northern California offers a diverse tapestry of landscapes that sets the stage for unforgettable day trips.

Traverse the rugged trails of towering redwood forests, bask in the sun-kissed shores of idyllic coastal towns, immerse in the world-famous wine regions, and unravel the cultural and historical riches that grace Northern California’s landscape.

In this post, I have covered the gorgeous places for perfect day trips in California, ideas for bay area day trips, California day trips for couples, one day trips in California and the best spots for one day getaways in California.

Whether you seek adrenaline-pumping adventures or serene escapes into nature’s embrace, Northern California promises an array of day trips that will leave you in awe. 

So, lace up your  Hiking Boots , pack a picnic basket, and prepare to embark on a journey of discovery and wonder. 

First things first! I recommend you get travel insurance ALWAYS whenever you are on international or domestic travel! 

Check out this  insurance  by Safety Wing, which offers a pretty good cover for you and your family! They even provide monthly insurance, much required for slow travelers like us!   Book here !

If you want to drive for your Northern California Day trip vacation and looking for a rental car, check out  Discover Cars ,   one of my favourites in the US because of its ease of use, availability of vehicles and pricing!

BEST DESTINATIONS FOR DAY TRIPS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Napa valley.

Napa Valley, located in the heart of the golden state’s wine county, is one of the most popular spots for day trips in Northern California.

Recognized as the throbbing core of California’s wine industry, Napa is a quaint place adorned with undulating vineyards, effluent castles and mountains. 

It is located one hour from San Francisco, making it one of the ideal getaways for  weekend trips from San Francisco .

Although Napa Valley is only 30 miles, it is home to over 400 wineries serving the best wines in the World, from sparkling wines to chardonnays and zinfandels. 

Napa Valley is home to one of the prominent wineries Chateau Montelena ,  which won the top honours in the white wine section at the “Judgment of Paris” wine competition in 1976.

By taking a guided wine tour from San Francisco, check out the other wineries in the area, including Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, the best winery in Napa.

Take this excellent guided Tour with a picnic lunch for the best wine tour experience at Napa Valley.

Enjoy the views of rolling vineyards, sipping your favourite wine as you go on the three-hour vintage train ride from Napa to St. Helena.

Explore Napa downtown and visit Oxbow Public Market for its renowned gourmet food.

Apart from the wineries, Napa is known for its natural hot springs like the Vichy Springs. 

Stay over the weekend at the Calistoga Hot Springs, a resort with a geothermal pool and cosy spa services. Check out my exclusive guide for  things to do in Calistoga .

Explore Napa on a unique private  sidecar   or book a rental  E-bike ; quite a cool thing to do in Napa Valley. Check out these tours:

• Private Sidecar Winery Tour through Napa Valley
• Napa Valley Electric Bike Rental
• Half-Day Napa Valley E-Bike Tour

Go Kayaking. Try this   Napa Valley – River History Kayak Tour – Single Kayaks . Experience Napa Valley’s natural beauty and fascinating history on a fun and memorable kayak tour. 

With an informative local guide leading the way, hop in a comfortable and beginner-friendly kayak, and paddle down the valley’s waterways. Identify birds, and see rare animal species. 

Learn about the first people to settle in the area and see historic buildings damaged in the 2014 earthquake. Book your Tour  here

If you want Kayak alone, you can book this Tour .

Don’t miss Napa’s top attraction, a romantic hour-long journey in a hot air balloon over the valley’s various wineries. You will discover the background of Napa’s wineries on the trip from Yountville.

Recommended Wine tours:

• Private Wine Tour in Napa Valley SUV for up to 6 Guests
• Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Napa Valley
• Sonoma & Healdsburg Wine Tours
• Napa Wine Tour SUV up to 6 Guests
• Napa Valley Open Air Wine Trolley Tour with Lunch

ANDERSON VALLEY

Anderson Valley, nestled in the rolling hills of Mendocino County along the banks of Anderson Creek and the Navarro River, is one of the beautiful locations for day trips in Northern California.

It is located approximately a 90-minute driving distance from San Francisco, and this beautiful valley should be on your list if you are looking for the best  Northern California beach towns .

Anderson Valley gets its name from one of its early pioneers, William Anderson. The valley has many stunning vineyards, lush forests and charming small towns.

Thanks to the region’s fantastic climate, which favours the production of one of the best world-class wines like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Alsatian grape varietals and sparkling wines. 

Take guided tours which will take you through the region’s finest vineyards, like Roederer Estate and Lazy Creek Vineyards.

Don’t miss the famous annual Pinot Noir Festival if you visit Anderson Valley in May. It is a 3-day festival filled with music, wine, educational events and plays.

Enjoy the delicious food pairings served by the county’s best chefs. You can also acquire exclusive wine and other experiences during the popular silent auction.

Apart from wine, Anderson Valley is also known for many other activities. It is home to gorgeous state parks like the Hendy Woods State Park, which boasts some of the tallest redwoods in the region.

You can hike through the towering forests or go fishing in the nearby rivers.

Take a leisurely bike ride on Highway 128, which winds through the valley’s panoramic countryside and the lovely Yorkville Highlands.

Anderson Valley is a hotspot for artists and artisans. Browse through the art galleries and studios that showcase the work of local painters, sculptors and potters.

Stop at the popular microbrewery Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Philo, which produces some of the region’s most delicious craft beers.

ANO NUEVO STATE PARK

Visit the  Ano Nuevo State Park , one of the largest elephant seal breeding colonies globally and a renowned destination for day trips in Northern California.

The park, located one hour from San Francisco, is home to Ano Nuevo Island and Point and features expansive dunes and marshlands.

The main draw of Ano Nuevo State Park is the elephant seal colony that inhibits the park’s beaches.

The pleasant weather, coastal prairies and marshes and the ideal ocean bluffs make the park a comfortable breeding site for elephant seals, and the park hosts around 10,000 elephant seals annually.

Somewhere around November is the breeding season for seals, and as the months pass by, you will see little pups rolling on the shores. You can witness this beautiful scene until around early March, making this place one of the top  things to do in Pescadero .

I recommend timing your visit right and taking a guided walking tour to learn about these seals since you cannot walk down towards the seal alone. Book the Tour ahead of your visit since this is popular.

Hike the 4-mile Ano Nuevo Point Trail to see the lovely seals and get a close-up view of the little ones. Obtain a permit if you visit the park between April and November.

Wearing sturdy  Hiking Boots   is a must since the trail passes through varied terrains like wetlands and muddy areas. Also, dress in layers. You might need one of these accessories, which I regularly use:

• Hiking Leggings
• Ultralight First Aid Kit
• Wind Jacket 

The park offers wheelchair accessible boardwalk that provides a unique perspective on the park’s coastal dunes.

You might witness the endangered California red-legged frog and San Francisco garter snake on the trails or in the surrounding region.

Check out the 19th-century lighthouse and even the historic keeper’s house, now a natural habitat for birds and sea lions. 

Browse the natural history exhibits at the park’s visitor centre and the remnants of prehistoric indigenous villages.

If you have spare time, add the nearby Cove Beach adjacent to the park.

The park is open between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM. You will have to buy an admission ticket which costs $10.

Bodega Bay , 30 minutes from the famed Marshall Store and approximately 45 minutes from San Francisco, is one of the great  beach towns in Northern California . 

The town, which now has just 100 residents was once home to the Miwok and Pomo Indians for centuries.

Bodega Bay is perfect for a quiet beach retreat or an ideal day trip in Northern California.

The coastline is naturally designed, making it apt for surfing and bodyboarding.

If you want to see whales and seals migrating with their families, head to Bodega Head, a rugged peninsula.

Hike the 1.7-mile Bodega Head Trail loop. Wheelchairs can also access the trail for the specially-abled, older people or kids with strollers. 

Also, try hiking the smaller trails on the Northern side of the Bodega head that offer gorgeous views of the Pacific.

Alternatively, you can reach the top of the cliff via a road that ascends from Campbell Cove Beach. 

You will be rewarded with gorgeous vistas a few miles up the ridge. There is also a paved parking area nearby.

Bodega Head is also a hot spot for migratory whale watching in the Bay area, one of the top  things to do in Bodega Bay California .

You will see volunteers helping the visitors to spot Whales, especially from Jan to May, the peak whale migration period. 

An exclusive flat boulder on the south of the parking lot serves as an auditorium place to watch whales.

Take the  Private Sailing Tour of Bodega Bay ; you can sail a 33′ boat with a licensed captain.  Book here .

Head to the Bodega Marine Lab, run by the University of California, Davis, which researches coastal and shoreline biological communities and environmental challenges.

Include a stopover at the Cypress Tree Tunnel near the  Point Reyes National Seashore   on your way to Bodega Way.

The Cypress Trees have grown so that it creates a tunnel-like path.

You can plan for a day trip to the Potter School, which is 150 years old, and located behind St. Theresa’s Church.

Visit Doran Beach for many activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, kayaking, surfing and horseback riding.

Rent bikes to roam around. If you are an avid surfer, ride the tide at Schoolhouse Beach.

Shell Beach and Wright Beach can also be added to your itinerary for a quieter beach trip.

Want to relax on the sandy beaches while flying a kite? Make your way to Candy and Kites. Kites of various shapes and sizes, as well as some delectable candies, will be on display.

Don’t miss a glimpse of the Bodega Harbour and the gorgeous sunsets while you are here at one of the best beach towns in California.

Plan to spend your nights at the Bodega Dunes, located adjacent to Bodega Harbour, admiring the fantastic night skies.

Check out the Westside Regional Park and Campground if you plan to camp or park your RV.

Visit this place during Spring, and a carpet of vibrant wildflowers on the shore will welcome you.

Note that this region is a part of the Red Red Triangle great white shark feeding ground. So follow the local rules when you are at the beach. 

Access this place via the Westshore road, which parallels Bodega Harbour. There are cool rest spots for refreshments along the way.

Check out the Vineyards near Occidental, located along the Bodega highway.

If you have spare time, unwind on the Sonoma Coast State Beach, on the Southern end of the Bay. 

CALAVERAS BIG TREES STATE PARK

Calaveras Big Trees State Park, located within the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 2.5 hours from San Francisco, is one of the top spots for day trips in Northern California.

Established in 1932, this 6,000-acre massive park is home to some of the World’s giant sequoias and is one of the most accessible all-season spots to see the best  redwoods near San Francisco .

The park is a popular destination for hikers, nature lovers and campers, offering a unique opportunity to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of these towering giants up close.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park features North Grove and South Grove. The North Grove is easily accessible, primarily flat, with easy hiking trails that wind through the redwoods.

North Grove is also the park’s longest-running visitor attraction in California, preserving two Giant Sequoias groves.

The North Grove of the park recalls the tale of the “Discovery Tree,” a giant sequoia that fell in the 1850s.

According to legend, counting the rings on the trunk took five men 22 days, leading them to assume the tree was 1300 years old.

Augustus T. Dowd discovered the gigantic redwoods in this location, and by 1853, tourists were flocking to the Calaveras North Grove.

Check out Beaver Creek, ancient volcanic formations, natural meadows, and giant old-growth redwoods.

The South Grove is a bit more challenging, with steeper trails and around 5 miles of hiking trails. You will find the renowned Louis Agassiz Tree, which measures 25 feet in diameter. 

If you have spare time, check out the other attractions, including the Bradley Trails, Lava Bluff and the dramatic Stanislaus River. 

In addition to hiking, Calaveras Big Trees State Park offers a variety of other activites like camping, birdwatching, fishing and picnicking.

The park is home to around 129 well-maintained campsites open from Spring to fall and needs prior reservations. There are also six exclusive day-use picnic sites.

Folsom, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills in Sacramento County on the banks of Folsom Lake, is one of the top destinations for day trips in Northern California.

Folsom has many historic sites that offer a glimpse of the city’s rich history.

Check out the Folsom Powerhouse state historic park, home to one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the World.

Visit the Folsom City Zoo sanctuary, home to many animals like bears, tigers and monkeys. The zoo also has picnic areas and playgrounds.

Take a guided tour of the Folsom Prison Museum, another iconic landmark in the city, which features artefacts related to the state’s second-oldest prison and some rare collections depicting the history of  Gold Rush towns in California .

Folsom is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The city is home to over 50 miles of hiking and biking trails, including the famous American River Bike Trail, which stretches 32 miles along the American River.

If you have spare time, head to the downtown district, which features beautiful art galleries, live music venues, theatres, nightclubs, and various international multi-cuisine options.

Fort Bragg is a melting pot of cultures, traditions and experiences and is one of the top spots for Day trips in Northern California.

It offers a unique blend of history, nature and adventure and is one of the  best hidden vacation spots in the US .

Thanks to its popularity soaring in recent years, some attractions have drawn larger crowds, meaning Fort Bragg is almost out of the hidden places to visit in the USA.

But it is yet to match the mainstream tourist destinations, so make your way to this lovely city before it happens.

Founded in 1857 as a military garrison, Fort Bragg has significantly shaped the country’s military capabilities and is one of the unique  things to do in Northern California .

This beautiful hamlet is located 10 miles North of Mendocino and 150 miles North of San Francisco. You can easily rent a car from  Discover Cars  and visit Fort Bragg for a perfect weekend holiday.

Explore the historic downtown home to vibrant murals and learn history related to the 1906 earthquake which destroyed San Francisco.

Visit Glass Beach, covered in little bits of colourful glass pebbles. The place was a former dump site for all the glass bottles. Over time the glass bottles eroded over and now look like coloured pebbles.

Check out the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, one of the oldest working  lighthouses in California .

Look for whales from the headlands or head to the Noyo Harbor for Kayaking. On the Kayak trip, you may even spot sea lions, otters, or sea birds.

If you are here between December and April, the whale watching months, head to MacKerricher State Park, which houses thousands of migrating whales. 

The park is also known for its vibrant native coastal birds and harbour seals. 

Visit Laguna Point for glimpses of the rich marine life and stunning views. You will spot rows of elephant seals and plenty of migrating birds.

Don’t miss the renowned Skunk Train, a historic carriage ride that takes you through the heart of the forests along the giant redwoods on a 7-mile journey up Pudding Creek and along the Noyo River Canyon.

Recommended Tour:   Skunk Train: Pudding Creek Express from Fort Bragg

Prebook your ride on the Skunk Train Pudding Creek Express from Fort Bragg and avoid the hassle of booking the day off.  Book here !

Take a stroll or picnic at the 47-acre Mendocino botanical garden, home to various vibrant flowering plants, including rhododendrons, heathers and camellias.

For local brews, check out the North Coast Brewing Company. If you are a wine lover, plan tours of the nearby wineries that offer to taste and are set amidst gorgeous landscapes offering beautiful views.

Overall, if you want a quiet weekend getaway on the northern coast of Pacific California, Fort Bragg is perfect for plenty of outdoor excursions, beaches, and excellent food. It is an ideal destination for a  solo getaway   with your loved ones.

HUMBOLDT REDWOOD STATE PARK

If you want one of the best day trips in Northern California amidst the giant redwoods, visit  Humboldt Redwoods State Park .

Home to Rockefeller Forest, the World’s largest contiguous old-growth coastal redwood forest that covers 1/3 of the park’s 55,000 acres, Humboldt Redwoods State Park is one of the best  redwoods near San Francisco .

The forest, located approximately half an hour South of Eureka, is named in honour of 19th-century scientist Alexander von Humboldt.

You’ll discover some of the state’s densest redwood forests and some of the most significant redwood-lined roadways, thanks to ongoing conservation efforts dating back to the early 1900s.

You will notice that more than 100 of the World’s known trees over 350 feet are located in this park, including the World’s fourth-tallest living redwood, Stratosphere Giant. 

Since the park is massive, driving a car is the best way to explore. 

Drive on the famous 32-mile stretch, Avenue of the Giants, also known for its renowned Shrine Drive Through Tree. Pay a $10 fee to drive through the tree.

Recommended Tour:   Avenue of the giants redwoods private day tour from San Francisco

On this tour, discover the world-famous Avenue of the Giants Redwood – The Kingdom of the Giant Redwoods and some of the World’s tallest and oldest Redwoods on Earth.  Book here ! 

If you want to rent a car,   book here !

Include Founder’s Grove, the fallen Dyerville Giant, Williams Grove, Flatiron Tree, and Gould Grove on your drive to spot gigantic redwoods.

You can pick up a brochure from the visitor centre to learn about these old-growth redwoods, and other pit stops along this route.

The park features around 100 miles of hiking trails that run through the redwoods. My favourites include Giant Tree & Flat Iron Tree Hike and Rockefeller Loop Trail, which are 0.6 miles. 

You can also hike the 1.3-mile Founders Grove and Dyerville Giant Hike for stunning vistas of the redwoods. Bull Creek Loop is a challenging hike, about 15 miles.

Go fishing, boating or take a refreshing plunge in the beautiful South Fork Eel River, running beside the redwoods. 

Unwind on the local beaches at the end of Lost Coast Drive. If you want to extend your trip and plan to camp, Humboldt Redwoods State Park features 250 family-friendly, well-equipped campsites.

If you have spare time, take a short detour to Ferndale to witness Victorian architecture.

DAY TRIPS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Lake almanor.

Nestled in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range in Plumas County, Lake Almanor is a hidden gem and a top spot for Northern California day trips.

Lake Almanor has become a popular destination for Norcal day trips with its clear waters and 28 square miles of stunning coastal line filled with endless recreational activities.

The main draw of Lake Almanor is its excellent fishing opportunities. The Lake is stocked with several fish species, including bass, trout, rainbow and catfish.

If you are an angler, you can cast your line from the shore or rent a boat and explore the bay’s many coves.

Lake’s calm waters make it ideal for swimming, water skiing, and paddle boarding. Launch your Kayak or boat from any boat launches available around the Lake and explore this beautiful Californian hidden gem.

Almanor Lake also has several gorgeous hiking trails. Hike the Bizz Johnson Trail for fantastic lake vistas.

If you are looking for 1 day vacation ideas in California, visit Jenner, a gorgeous gem on the rugged coast of Northern California in Sonoma County.

The main draw of Jenner is its location, and it sits where the Russian River meets the Pacific, offering sweeping views of the river and the ocean.

Jenner is surrounded by rolling hills, forests and cliffs, creating a dramatic backdrop to the ocean.

The varied terrain of Jenner is apt for avid hikers and adventure seekers. Visit the Salt Point State Park, which offers a plethora of options for hiking and horseback riding.

Don’t miss the Jenner Headlands Preserve, a 5,630-acre massive preserve known for its 14 miles of gorgeous hiking trails which wind through the towering redwoods and Douglas fir forests.

Check out these  Hiking Boots  which you might require. I use this regularly on my hiking excursions.

The calm waters of the Russian River are apt for Kayaking. If you want to try diving or fishing, visit the Stillwater Cove Regional Park.

Beach bums can head to beaches like Goat Rock Beach and Blind Beach, popular spots among the locals known for whale and harbour seal watching. 

Wine enthusiasts should visit the Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery, known for their world-class wines.

Jenner’s downtown is dotted with cosy gift shops and art galleries for your souvenir collection.

Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine Lake in North America, situated at the Nevada-California border, is a year-round and renowned destination for Day trips in Northern California.

It is a 2-hour drive from Sacramento, attracting crowds from across the globe to enjoy  snow in California .

The Lake’s North and South sides have unique attractions for California day trips.

Lake Tahoe averages 215 inches of snow annually. It can reach 500 inches at its highest cliffs, making it one of  the best places to visit in California in December   for families and outdoor adventures.

The abundance of snowfall makes this stunning freshwater lake a haven for thrill-seekers. 

You will be rewarded with many activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice climbing, tubing and sledging.

Lake Tahoe is best explored on a guided e-bike tour. Check out this tour: 

Tahoe Coastal Self-Guided E-Bike Tour – Half-Day | World Famous East Shore Trail

Explore Lake Tahoe at your own pace with this self-guided electric bike tour on East Shore Trail, and make stops when you choose to. Your journey along the trail ends at Sand Harbor, a popular area for swimming and boating.  Book here !

Another recommended bike tour in Lake Tahoe:   Full-Day Self-Guided Bike Tour of Lake Tahoe

Thankfully, there are many well-equipped ski resorts, with Heavenly, Palisades Tahoe, and Northstar California being the most well-known.

If skiing isn’t your thing, don’t worry; you will get into the winter spirits by taking a gondola ride to the top of a cliff near the South of Lake Tahoe, partaking in other water sports, or going on a winter hike.

Recommended Tour:  Scenic Snowshoe Adventure in South Lake Tahoe, CA

This exciting snowshoe tour offers many opportunities to stop and photograph breathtaking Lake Tahoe views while snowshoeing.  Book here .

If you visit the lake area during summer, check out the high-altitude beaches for sunbathing. 

Try the guided Tahoe Via Ferrata tour, an adventurous protected hiking experience with iron and steel rods attached to the rock face.

Alternatively, go hiking on the popular trails on the south side of the Lake. Beginner hikers can try the 2-mile Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake Trail or the 1.4-mile Cascade Falls Trail. 

Lake Tahoe is adorned with many beautiful state parks nearby. Stroll around Emerald Bay or go swimming in the calm waters of the DL Bliss state parks.

Don’t miss the Inspiration Point near Emerald Bay for fantastic lake views. Visit the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point State Park.

Recommended Tour:   Emerald Bay Helicopter Tour of Lake Tahoe

Showcasing beautiful Fallen Leaf Lake, Cascade Lake, Taylor Creek, and Pope Beach, this tour heads to breathtaking Emerald Bay.  Book here !

Other recommended Helicopter Tours of Lake Tahoe:

• Tahoe Helicopter Tour: Lakes and Waterfalls
• Lake Tahoe Helicopter Tour: Circle the Lake

If you are looking for a secluded nudist beach, check out one of the  best nude beaches in California  and also Lake Tahoe’s most popular location for photos, The Secret Cove Nude Beach, located about 2.6 miles south of Sand Harbor and a mile from the Nevada region.

Try Kayaking or Stand Up Paddleboarding at Sand Harbor Beach. 

Recommended Kayaking Tours:

• Clear Kayak Tour of Lake Tahoe
• Clearly Explorer: Charter with Clear Kayaks
• Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Rentals – Special Insight on Crystal Clear Coves

Lake Tahoe, known for its gorgeous blue lupines, has one of the best  flower fields in California  during Spring and can give you the impression that you have arrived in New Zealand or Iceland.

Hike these popular trails for the best super bloom experience; Mount Rose Wilderness, Meiss Meadows, Miracle Mile, Lake Winnemucca and Big Meadow trail.

Check out the nearby Crag Lake hike to explore the beautiful pine meadows and witness the spectacular scenery of granite cliffs.

Recommended Private Boat/Charter tours of Lake Tahoe:

• 2 Hour Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe
• Sunset Wine & Cheese Emerald Bay Boat Charter
• 2 Hour Private Boat tour on Beautiful Lake Tahoe in the White Lightning
• Private Yacht Class Boat Tour on Lake Tahoe
• 2 Hour Sunset Private Boat Charter With Captain
• Private boat tours of Lake Tahoe for up to six guests
• Private Boat Charter on Lake Tahoe with Captain Half Day
• Half-Day Luxury Yacht Class Tour on Lake Tahoe
• Lake Tahoe Private Boat Charter With Captain

Round Lake and Dardanelles Lake can be added for more adventure to your day trip schedule.

South Tahoe is also a hot spot for nightlife and casinos, including the Calneva, once owned by singer Frank Sinatra. Take the self-guided craft beer tour around the breweries south of Lake Tahoe.

Recommended Driving Tours in Lake Tahoe:

• Ultimate Lake Tahoe Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
• Driving Lake Tahoe: A Self-Guided Tour From Incline Village to South Lake Tahoe
• Driving Lake Tahoe: A Self-Guided Tour from South Lake Tahoe to Tahoe City

Do not forget to capture stunning shots of the Lake and the surrounding landscapes from the Emerald Bay lookout.

Recommended Tour:   Sunset Hike and Photography Tour in South Lake Tahoe

Sunset is one of the best times to explore Lake Tahoe, but you can easily get lost if you’re unfamiliar with the trails. Your guide can show you where to take the best photos and be on hand to take creative pictures of you.  Book here

Recommended Tour:  Lake Tahoe Small-Group Photography Scenic Half-Day Tour

Tahoe photographic tours offer a unique way to enjoy Lake Tahoe’s natural wonders and receive photography tips as you are led by an experienced photo guide providing guidance and sharing information about the area.  Book here !

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK

Lassen Volcanic National Park , located near the Sacramento Valley in the Cascade Range and about 2.5 hours from Reno, Nevada, is one of California’s frequently overlooked National Parks.

Despite its gorgeous beauty and many activities, it is one of the offbeat national parks apt for snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

It is popular among the locals and tourists for day trips in Northern California.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its beautiful rock formations and hot springs and is one of the top places for   weekend trips from San Francisco .

This is one of the best places to play with  snow in California   in December and enjoy adventurous activities like sledging, cross-country skiing and the free ranger-led snowshoe tour.

Go snowshoeing or hiking on one of these beautiful trails that runs through alpine lakes and meadows and are usually dotted with beautiful wildflowers in late Spring; 3.8 miles Mill Creek Falls Hike or the 4.2 miles Devil’s Kitchen Trail. Hike up the Cider Cone for stunning vistas of the Park.

Burney Falls is a spectacular cascade you should not miss while visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park. 

Take a dip in the Sulphur Works hydrothermal area or Little Hot Springs Valley while admiring the gorgeous Lassen peak in the backdrop.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is recognized for its beautiful Californian wildflowers during the post-snowmelt season.

Like Lake Tahoe, the peak blooms occur a bit later during the season, towards September, which varies for different wildflower species.

Plan to visit the park from May to July to witness one of the most beautiful  California flower fields .

Explore the nearby Subway Cave Lava Tubes, one of the spooky  caves in Northern California , located 15 min drive from Manzanita Lake. Get a flashlight for the best experience!

THE MENDOCINO COAST

Located a 3-hour drive from San Francisco, Mendocino, one of the best weekend getaways in Northern California, is known for its magnificent Victorian structures, saltbox cottages, stunning beaches, and incredible views.

Founded in the 1850s, with its rustic allure, Mendocino has a laid-back location that is excellent for glamping, camping, and trekking, making it an ideal place for one of the best day trips in Northern California. 

Mendocino has a beautiful blend of redwood forest and astonishing ocean vistas on Highway 128.

Mendocino is adorned with incredible natural sea caves, a series of above and underwater caves carved out of the sandstone cliff formed over millions of years by the compression of sand and mud.

Take a guided tour of this one of the most exciting and unique sea  caves in Northern California , or go kayaking to take in the best views of the Pacific.

Hike the trails in   Mendocino Headlands State Park  to spot the migrating grey whales and see the iconic landmark Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, one of the gorgeous  Californian Lighthouses .

Recommended Tour:  Railbikes along Pudding Creek

You might spot blue herons, osprey, an occasional lounging turtle, a playful river otter, a deer munching on the foliage, and during peak berry season, maybe even a bear.  Book here !

Relax in the MacKerricher State Park tide pools, one of the best  tide pools in California .

Recommended Tour:  Skunk Train: Wolf Tree Turn from Willits

Train enthusiasts, family travelers, and nature lovers will all enjoy this two-hour Skunk Train journey. 

You will ride from the valley floor to the highest point of the rail line, admiring the views of the redwood forest and Noyo River Canyon. 

Stop to check out the oldest tree along the track, the Wolf Tree. A scenic and relaxing tour of nature.  Book here !

Mendocino’s proximity to the Anderson Valley wine area, with more than 30 wineries, makes it one of  California’s best beach towns .

Don’t miss out on visiting well-known vineyards like Navarro Vineyards, recognized for its Alsace varietal wines, and Roederer Estate, famed for its award-winning champagne. 

Recommended Tour, especially if you are with your loved one:  Professional Holiday Photoshoot in Mendocino

What’s better than getting your picture clicked with your loved one at one of Mendocino’s world-famous locations and photo-worthy beaches?  Book here !

DAY TRIPS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS

Mono Lake, located in Mono County near the edge of the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is one of the beautiful locations for day trips in Northern California.

Mono Lakes is also one of the geologically rich  lakes in Mammoth Lakes , with fossils indicating its age at least 900,000 years. 

The lake is known for its strange and very high alkaline water, making it at least ten times saltier than ocean water. 

Though the lake’s waters are unsuitable for ideal swimming conditions, some claim they have healing properties similar to hot springs.

Mono Lake is home to alkali flies, brine shrimp, and millions of beautiful migratory birds. 

Stop by the visitor centre for an interactive birdwatching experience and browse various exhibits which narrate the importance of the coastal birding ecosystem.

The unique terrain around Mono Lake is carpeted with limestone formations that add a dramatic outlook to the panoramas, which are a part of South Tufa State Reserve.

These formations, nicknamed Tufa Towers, are one of the top attractions near Mono Lake. 

Enjoy hiking, cross-country skiing at Mono Lake throughout the year, and camping nearby Lundy and Lee Vining Canyons. 

You can follow a self-guided tour from the parking lot that forms a loop back up to your car. This is also one of the  best things to do in Mammoth Lakes Ca .

On your visit to Mono Lake, stop by Panum Crater, a 600-year-old volcanic cone, one of the many natural attractions in the area.

It is a 30-minute drive North of Mammoth Lakes off Highway 395 to reach Mono Lake. 

The lake is open throughout the year all day, and the entry is $3 per adult. You can pay at the parking lot.

If you have spare time, explore the nearby June Lake, about 15 miles from Mono Lake. Check out my exclusive guide for  things to do in June Lake Ca .

MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT

One of the ideal places for fun day trips in Northern California amidst the redwoods is the  Muir Woods National Monument , just a 35-minute drive from San Francisco.

Established in 1908, this state park is named after famous naturalist John Muir and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Muir Woods is known for its 600 to 1,200 years old ancient-growth redwoods, towering 258 feet, making it one of the  most popular places to see the best redwoods near San Francisco .

This is the best place for trampers as this offers many lovely trails, even for beginner hikers.

Recommended Tour:   4-Hour Muir Woods Hiking

Take a guided tour to see all the beautiful redwoods and learn about the history of the same. A professional photographer will also accompany you on this tour.  Book here .

I recommend starting with the Muir Woods and Bohemian Grove trails, which are 1.3 miles and 2 miles long. 

It takes about 30-45 minutes, and you will pass through the magnificent canopies dominated by the redwoods on these trails.

You may then branch out to more challenging pathways, my personal favourites, The Ben Johnson Trail, which is 3.4 miles long, and the Sun Trail, which is 4.7 miles long.

Dipsea Trail, which is 9.7 miles long, is for advanced hikers. 

Pack your bags with enough snacks and drinks since it will be exhausting. However, the breathtaking redwoods and Stinson Beach vistas will make you feel better.

Check out the  Muir Woods Shuttle , run by Marin Transit, available from May to October. 

Recommended Tour:  San Francisco to Muir Woods Shuttle

On this tour, enjoy the stunning scenery and gorgeous walking trails, spend over an hour walking around the majestic Muir Woods Redwood National Monument, and cross the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge.  Book here .

The Shuttle requires reservations since it fills up quickly, especially on weekends and throughout the summer. It has multiple stops around the North Bay.

Recommended Tour:  Big Bus Muir Woods Tour

On this tour, listen to the live commentary during the 45-minute drive to the national forest. Entrance to the park is included. You will also get 1.5 hours to explore on your own.   Book here .

If you time your visit right, you may witness the annual Dipsea Race, which travels through the park on its way between Stinson Beach and Mill Valley.

Other Recommended Muir Woods Tours:

• Muir Woods Tour of California Coastal Redwoods
• Muir Woods Express with Golden Gate Bridge Visit
• Nature Lover’s Experience: Muir Woods Tour with Aquarium Visit
• Muir Woods Visit with San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
• Muir Woods and Sausalito Small-Group Tour
• Small Group Half-Day Muir Woods and Sausalito Afternoon Tour
• Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Tour
• Muir Woods, Sausalito and San Francisco, All in One Day
• Small Group Muir Woods with Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour
• Small Group Tour: San Francisco and Muir Woods with Lunch in Sausalito
• Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour, including a return by ferry boat

HALF MOON BAY

Half Moon Bay, about an hour’s drive south of San Francisco in San Mateo County, has been known for surfing for ages and is a hotspot for day trips in Northern California.

The city derives its name from its crescent moon shape and attracts locals for its tranquil.

With its incredible coast lined with beaches, bluffs, and miles of hiking trails inland, Half Moon Bay is one of the  best Northern California beach towns  for nature lovers, hikers, and families.

Go swimming or relax on the two-mile sandy shores of the Half Moon Bay State Beach, one of the local’s favourites and enjoy the fantastic sunset views. 

Visit Mavericks, a famous Surfing spot in Half Moon Bay, located on the North end of the Bay at the Princeton-by-the-sea village. Sign-up for Surfing lessons if you are an avid surfer. 

Visit JV Fitzgerald Marine Reserve to do tide pooling when there is a low tide.

Recommended:  30 Beautiful California Tide Pools You Should Visit

There are nine state parks in this county where you may go hiking.

One of the best ways to explore Half Moon Bay is to bike along the 4.7-mile Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail, which offers spectacular ocean bluffs between Pillar point harbour and poplar avenue. 

Visit the  Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve  if you are an experienced hiker. The preserve features many lovely trails that run through old-growth coastal redwoods and beautiful ocean vistas.

Suppose you’re looking for wine and dining, head to Harbor Village and Downtown. You will find excellent beachside restaurants worth your time and money while offering quality cuisine.

Recommended Tour:  Half Moon Bay Hustle Scavenger Hunt

Explore scenic Half Moon Bay by car during this fun and interactive scavenger hunt. Discover hidden landmarks as you interact with locals and uncover off-the-beaten-track locations.  Book here !

Davenport, which dates back to 1867 and is known as California’s slow coast, is located near Half Moon Bay along Highway 1 and is one of the offbeat locations for day trips in Northern California.

Visit the famed Davenport Cove Beach to enjoy the gorgeous views of Shark Fin Cove, a distinctive rock formation, and the iconic swing.

Also, be sure to check out the neighbouring hills to see the famous Davenport Crack and the sunset atop the hills for gorgeous ocean views.

If you want a beach with craggy cliffs and powdery sand, head to Bonny Doon Beach.

Wine lovers should not miss the local wineries like the Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room, which offers some of the town’s exotic wines.

You can also take a wine tour of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Recommended Tour:  Participate in a Fun Scavenger Hunt in Davenport by Zombie Scavengers

Survive an apocalypse in Davenport with Zombie Scavengers! An app will provide a list of items needed to survive the zombies. Find these items in any order and perform fun zombie-themed challenges for points.  Book here !

Private Transfers To and From Davenport:

• Private Transfer from Orlando (MCO) Airport to Davenport
• Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Davenport
• Private Transfer from Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport to Davenport
• Private Transfer from Davenport to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport

Occidental is a tiny, quaint community in western Sonoma County, known for its renowned cultural attractions in its lovely downtown district. 

Though the city’s Main Street only extends for two blocks, it is home to a wide variety of renowned attractions, including delicious dining experiences at acclaimed restaurants like the 1879 Union Hotel and Restaurant or the famed Negri’s Italian Dinners and Joe’s Bar, known for its Italian classics since the midcentury. 

Art galleries, boutiques, cafes, and cultural organizations like the Occidental Center for the Arts also line the district. 

At the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, visitors can learn about gardening or explore a 70-acre wildlands preserve as part of guided tours. 

The city also serves as the starting point for the famous 10-mile Bohemian Highway drive, attracting cycling and car clubs throughout the Northern California region.

POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE

Point Reyes National Seashore is a prominent cape that stretches over 71,000 beautiful acres along Marin County’s Point Reyes Peninsula and is a popular destination for Day trips in Northern California.

The reserve is located about an hour North of San Francisco and is a popular stop on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip since it’s right along Highway 1.

It attracts over 2.5 million visitors annually and is one of the best spots for weekend trips in Northern California.

Point Reyes National Reserve, a wild, pick-axe-shaped peninsula maintained by the NPS, is packed with enriching beauty comprising over 100 square miles of coastal wilderness, 80 miles of undeveloped shoreline, and 150 miles of trails, making it one of the largest parks in California.

The rolling golden hills with long, never-ending beaches, a charming downtown, forested ridges, and rich history offer travellers many opportunities – from witnessing the rich wildlife to watching the abundant marine life.

Recommended Tours: 

• Discover Point Reyes National Seashore and Giant Redwoods
• Discover Point Reyes’s natural wonders and ancient redwoods, all-inclusive

One of the first  things to do in Point Reyes  is to get all the information you need for your trip. 

Stop by Bear Valley Visitor Centre, one of California’s most informative visitor centres and the main visitor centre at Point Reyes National Seashore. 

You can get an orientation of the park’s trails, the history of Point Reyes through its exhibits, and the roads, including weather-related closures.

Head to Heart’s Desire Beach, Marshall Beach, and Indian Beach on Tomales Bay if you want secluded beaches.

On the northern side of Great Beach, Kehoe Beach is also an offbeat beach.

Hike the 9.4-mile Tomales Point Trail, packed with splendid views that will lead you to a coastal bluff leading to Tomales Point, one of the most beautiful spots in Point Reyes.

Hike the Alamere Falls, located in the Phillip Burton Wilderness, one of the best hiking trails in northern California.

Check out my complete guide if you want the best  hikes in Point Reyes California .

The Point Reyes Peninsula offers many pretty lighthouses on the west coast and  magical sunset views , and whale watching.

Visit the 1870 Point Reyes Lighthouse, one of the most beautiful  lighthouses in the California  coast.

This famous lighthouse is only accessible when you walk down the 308 stairs opening up to the views of birds and marine life. 

Check out the Point Reyes Lifeboat Station, the Pacific Coast’s last remaining rail-launched lifeboat station. 

Click insta-worthy pics of the 100-year-old, 380-foot cargo shipwreck, the Tomales Bay Shipwreck or the Inverness Shipwreck located near Inverness. It is one of the most photographed spots in Point Reyes.

Don’t miss the Cypress Tree Tunnel, an iconic place with beautiful cypress trees alongside the arch. 

Enjoy a stroll around the place and capture the best shots. The best time to visit the Cypress Tree Tunnel for the most dramatic pictures is at sunrise. 

The entire area gets beautifully illuminated, creating the perfect lighting for beautiful photos.

Point Reyes is also a renowned fishing town known for its mouth-watering seafood cuisine. 

REDWOODS NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS

If you’re looking for one day getaways in California, head to  Redwoods National and State Parks , which run 40 miles along the California coast just south of the Oregon border.

This gorgeous park system managed by NPS and the California State Parks Service is a collection of massive 139,000 acres, including Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is blessed with old-growth forest and the Roosevelt elk in the prairies between the redwoods.

The largest (but not tallest) Coastal Redwood tree may be seen in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

The Del Norte Coast features a significant population of old-growth redwoods and a beautiful beach.

If you want to drive to see the redwoods, drive through Howland Hill Road, Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, Cal-Barrel Road, and Davison Road.

Avid hikers looking for more adventure can try the 0.5-mile Trillium Falls Trail, which is considerably easy.

Also, hike the Lady Bird Johnson Loop Trail, 1.5-mile and the Simpson-Reed Trail, 1 mile, which can be completed in a half-day.

The 2.5-mile Prairie Creek Foothill Trail Loop might take one full day since the trail offers a lovely mix of Roosevelt elk and the gorge redwoods.

Stroll through a river bottom grove at Stout Grove. For stunning panoramas, visit the Crescent Beach and Klamath River Overlooks, great vantage points for coastal whale watching.

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco, located on the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, is a hot spot for Day trips in Northern California and one of the best Northern California Beach Towns.

It is home to many giant companies such as Wells Fargo, AirBnB, Levi Strauss, Twitter and many more on the list you come across daily.

The entire city of San Francisco can be best explored by a hop on hop off bus tour.

Recommended Tour:  San Francisco Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour | 1 Day Pass, Unlimited Use

On this tour, you will get unlimited bus access from 10 AM to 5 PM on the city’s Red Loop, which has 17 stops in total. Buses leave every half hour so you will never be waiting too long.  Book here !

The   Golden Gate Bridge  is the major world-famous attraction in San Francisco, which you cannot afford to miss while here.

Recommended Golden Gate Bridge Tours:

• Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Cruise
• Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise
• Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Twilight or Sunset Cruise
• Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise
• San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Guided Bike Tour
• Golden Gate Bridge Guided Bicycle or E-Bike Tour from San Francisco to Sausalito

You can hit the nearby Baker Beach to get a more panoramic view of the Bridge and relax on the beach.

Hikers can try the 1.7-mile Batteries to Bluffs loop hike. You will be rewarded with stunning vistas of the Pacific at the top of the trail.

Include Fort Funston and the 3.5-mile stretch of Ocean Beach, which are sandy beaches with calming waters.

Visit the Coit Tower in Pioneers Park atop telegraph hill, an idyllic vantage point for stunning photographs with views of the Bridge and ocean.

The tower’s ground floor lobby has murals from the 1900s depicting the early stages of San Francisco.

Take a tour of the historic cable car, known for its ringing bells and is moved by an underground cable.

Recommended Tour:  Big Bus San Francisco Night Tour

Get a unique perspective on San Francisco by taking a 1-hour nighttime bus tour. See neighbourhoods such as Fisherman’s Wharf, Embarcadero, Chinatown and the Financial District while listening to commentary from a live guide. Multiple tour departure times are available to suit your schedule.  Book here !

Don’t miss the famous Alcatraz Island, a prison in the early 1900s. It is believed that no one could escape this prison because of its location.

You can take a ferry to the island, for which you must make advanced reservations.

Recommended Tour:  Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo

This combo tour package lets you see San Francisco’s top sights and attractions. Ride the open-top double-decker bus for one whole day, hopping on and off at over 15 stops around the city. 

Cruise across the bay to the infamous prison known today as the Rock and explore the infamous Island.  Book here !

Recommended Alcatraz Island Tours:

• Alcatraz Inside and Golden Gate Bridge Express Visit
• Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip
• Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour
• Alcatraz Muir Woods Express with Golden Gate Bridge Visit

San Francisco is also known for its music festivals like the Stern Grove Festival and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. If you are looking for music events, San Francisco is one of the best spots for day trips in northern California.

If you are with your loved one, you should definitely not miss the guided  Love tour !

On this 2-hour tour, you will hop on a ‘70s-era VW bus and get to know the hippie past and hipster vibe that makeup San Francisco today. Settle into a neon-blue seat and dig your shoes into a groovy shag carpet.  Book here !

Explore the Railway Museum and the cable car museum to learn about the history of transit in San Francisco. 

Recommended Tour:  Cable Car City Tour in San Francisco

On this tour, explore the best sights of San Francisco at your leisure while riding the world-famous Cable Car!  Book here !

If you are with kids, take them to the Walt Disney Family Museum to engage with Disney artefacts.

Recommended Tour:   San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour

See filming locations from over 55 productions on this movie site tour from Fisherman’s Wharf.  Book here !

Many wineries and vineyards in the San Francisco region serve world-class wines and offer guided wine-tasting tours.

Recommended Tour:  Wine Country Small-Group Tour from San Francisco with Tastings

Explore Sonoma Valley wine on a small-group tasting tour from San Francisco to boutique wineries, making sightseeing stops. Learn about Sonoma wine varietals and terroir as you sip.  Book here !

Recommended Wine Tours:

• Painted Ladies Wine Country Tour
• Private Napa Sonoma Wine Tour & Custom Concierge
• Private Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour from San Francisco
• 6-Hour Sparkling Wine Tour – Napa Valley

San Francisco is known for its many state-of-the-art multi-cuisine restaurants. I am sure you will be spoilt by the numerous choice available in this beautiful city. 

Check out these guided Food Tours, followed by which you can take the ghost hunting tours for more fun.

• Little Italy and North Beach Walking Tour in San Francisco
• San Francisco walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours
• San Francisco Signature Dinner Cruise
• Haunted SF: Ghost Hunting, True Crime and Mystery

Check out my exclusive guide for  weekend trips from San Francisco .

Recommended San Francisco Day Trip Tours:

• San Francisco Chinatown Walking Tour
• 1.5-hour San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour
• Elite Flight Tour Over San Francisco
• San Francisco Bay Air Tour
• 2-Hour Sunset Sail on the San Francisco Bay
• Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour
• GoCar San Francisco Tour
• Skip The Bus: San Francisco By Luxury Van Tour
• Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Tour
• San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise
• Small Group Tour: San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito with optional Alcatraz
• San Francisco Premier Brunch Cruise
• Private City Tour of San Francisco
• San Francisco Fire Engine Tour
• Vantigo San Francisco City Tour

THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS

The Sierra Nevada Mountains stretch between the Central Valley and Great Basin regions and are among the most gorgeous locations for day trips in Northern California.

From towering granite peaks to lush alpine forests, the Sierra Nevada Mountains offer a myriad of opportunities for adventure and exploration.

The range is home to world-renowned locations like Yosemite National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Lake Tahoe, attracting millions of visitors annually. 

If you want to try your luck, spin the wheel in some world-class resorts and casinos in Lake Tahoe.

One of the most striking features of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is its towering peak, Mount Whitney, which climbs more than 14,500 feet above the region’s skyline and is also the tallest in the US. 

The Sierra Nevada mountains also have unique ecosystems, ranging from high-altitude alpines to low-lying deserts.

The mountains are home to diverse wildlife, including mountain lions, black bears and bighorn sheep.

If you are an avid hiker and seeking adrenaline-pumping activites, Sierra Nevada Mountains are a haven for you. Hike the incredible trails dotted with towering sequoias, which offer gorgeous mountain vistas.

Try rock climbing or skiing in the best ski resorts in the region. Many campsites in the Sierra Nevada Mountains offer the best star-gazing experience.

SONOMA COUNTY

For wine lovers, another county is waiting to be explored, which produces more wine than Napa Valley, which is Sonoma County, one of the hotspots for day trips in Northern California.

Sonoma County, located an hour from San Francisco, boasts a natural landscape that will leave you awe-inspired.

From the rugged Pacific coastline to the undulating vineyards, Sonoma County is a paradise for nature lovers.

Sonoma County is also one of the  best places to visit in California in December  for its pleasant weather, tasting different types of wines, attending festivals and enjoying fine dining with fewer crowds.

You can explore this gorgeous county on an e-bike. There are several bike rentals and guided bike tours available. Check out some of them mentioned below:

• Independent Hassle-free Bike Rental in Sonoma
• Sonoma Wine Country Bike Tour
• Santa Rosa Bike ‘n’ Brew

One of the unique ways to explore Sonoma is via a sidecar.

Recommended:  Sonoma Valley Sidecar Wine tours

Experience the wine country of Sonoma Valley by riding in a sidecar in this small group guided tour. 

You will visit three wineries in the Napa Valley region, where you can taste wines (at your own expense) and a unique French-style gourmet picnic.  Book here .

Explore the 19th-century historic Sonoma Plaza, home to Mission San Francisco Solano, the northernmost Franciscan mission in California.

Browse the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, which showcases intricate designs and contemporary works by local and international artists.

Sonoma is home to around 425 internationally-renowned wineries known for producing world-class wines.

Take a guided wine tour through the Russian River Valley, known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, or venture into the Dry Creek Valley, celebrated for its Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.

• Private Wine Country Tour Including Photography Services
• Custom Private 6-hour Sonoma & Napa Wine Tour from San Francisco
• 8-Hour Exclusive Wine Tour Experience for up to 6 Guests / Napa-Sonoma
• 6-Hour Exclusive Wine Tour Experience for up to 6 Guests / Napa-Sonoma
• Custom private 8-hour Sonoma & Napa Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco
• 8-Hour Private, Customized Wine Tour up to 6 Guests Napa Valley & Sonoma
• Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through North Sonoma County
• Private Guided Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour and Tasting
• Sprinter Wine Tour for up to 14 people
• Private Napa or Sonoma Valley Wine Tour
• 8-Hour Private Wine Tour Experience for up to 6 Guests – San Francisco to Sonoma
• The Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour
• Private Wine Tour of Napa and Sonoma
• Custom private 6-Hour Napa Valley or Sonoma Wine Tour in a Luxury Vehicle
• Wine Tour, enjoy a wonderful day in Napa or Sonoma wine country. Private Driver

On the wine tours, you can visit many family-owned wineries and learn about the wine-making process from passionate vintners.

Since most wineries have both outside and indoor tasting areas, you can taste wine on the terrace or indoors next to a cosy fire if it drizzles.

If you want to make sure to cover the most of your time, take this  Sonoma Valley Guided Winery Tour with Picnic Lunch ,  where you can visit boutique wineries as you learn about the region’s rich history and enjoy a picnic lunch.

If you love white wines, try out Sonoma Chardonnay, which is perfect for the weather in winter here that blends perfectly with the views.

Check out the annual Sonoma County wine auction event to indulge in some of the best food and wine pairings.

I highly recommend this guided Healdsburg Boutique Wine and Food Pairing Walking Tour introducing you to Boutique Wine.

Go on a  Kayaking tour   on the Russian River. See the Pacific from a new perspective on this kayak tour on the Sonoma Coast. Paddle alongside a whale if you are lucky.  Book here !

Recommended Tour:  Sonoma Coast Hike and Kayaking Tour

Experience two quintessential Sonoma County activities on one convenient day trip from Santa Rosa. 

Hike the picturesque Sonoma Coast and kayak the mouth of the Russian River near Jenner with a small group of fellow adventurers.  Book here !

Explore Bartholomew Memorial Park, which showcases artefacts related to the region’s history of winemaking and agriculture.

If you have spare time, explore Healdsburg, located at a 45-minute driving distance from Sonoma.

Check out my exclusive guide for  things to do in Healdsburg Ca .

TOMALES BAY

Nestled along the rugged coast of Northern California in Marin County, Tomales Bay beckons visitors with its charm.

With its gorgeous landscapes, abundant wildlife and diverse recreational activities, this hidden gem is a haven for nature enthusiasts and a popular place for day trips in Northern California.

Explore the massive 2000-acre Tomales Bay State Park, home to stunning hiking trails and a natural habitat for various varieties of animals.

Tomales Bay is one of the premier oyster destinations. Indulge in freshly harvested Oysters from one of the Bay’s renowned farms.

You must try the Oysters from Tomales Bay Oyster Company, especially their barbecued oysters. Also, try the Hog Island Oyster Company.

On your way to Tomales Bay Oyster Company, stop by Tomales Bay Foods in Point Reyes Station to pick up locally-made cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery.

Pair your culinary delight with a glass of local wine or craft beer for a truly authentic taste of Tomales Bay.

STINSON BEACH

Located in Marin County and at a 45-minute driving distance from San Francisco, Stinson Beach is one of the beautiful locations for fun day trips in Northern California.

This pretty town with only 700 residents is known for its red cliffs and white sandy beaches and is surrounded by Mount Tampa and Muir Woods National Monument landscapes.

Recommended Tour:  Private Muir Woods Outdoor Adventure with Stinson Beach and Mount Tamalpais Park

Experience Muir Woods Escapade Outdoor Adventure ( Visit Stinson Beach, Bolinas & Mount Tamalpais Park).

Explore the best-kept secrets and sights of the San Francisco Bay Area and Marin County’s must-see wonders, hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path attractions.  Book here !

Stinson Beach is an idyllic weekend destination for San Francisco residents looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Stinson Beach is the only swimmable spot in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Though the water here is quite cold, ideally, summers will be jam-packed.

This pretty beach town offers many adventures like surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.

Avid surfers can also check out the nearby Bolinas Beach.

Recommended Tour:  Private Surf Lessons At Stinson Beach In Marin

Catch some waves in the Pacific Ocean at Stinson Beach with this private surfing lesson. You’ll get one-on-one attention from your professional instructor, which ensures the best possible chances of surfing success.  Book here !

If you have spare time, you can include the 3-mile hike to the cataract falls, about 30 minutes from Stinson Beach.

Bird watchers can visit the Bolinas Lagoon. Don’t miss Stinson Beach Books, a traditional house converted into a local bookstore.

The store has immense collections of authors and writers about the town’s history, local flora and fauna and books about local art.

Take the 5-hour food and farm tour if you have spare time. The tour starts at Point Reyes Station, which will take you around the town’s best bakeries, local farms and cheese-making outlets. The tour includes a super lunch as well.

Check out the Made Contemporary Craft Gallery, showcasing local handcrafted crafts, such as clay, wood, textile, and metal, created by local skilled artists. You can shop for souvenirs as well.

MORE DAY TRIPS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

The pacific coast highway.

With the shimmering Pacific Ocean on one side and rugged cliffs on the other, the Pacific Coast Highway is one of California’s most iconic drives and a renowned destination for day trips in Northern California.

Take in the crisp ocean breeze as you drive along the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway, also called Highway 1, which stretches 600 miles.

The highway was initially constructed in the 1930s and remains one of the World’s most astounding architectural feats today, which winds through towering redwood forests, elevated peaks, and vast beachfront scenery. 

Driving along Pacific Coast Highway is also one of the top  things to do in Pescadero California .

The famous coastal road trip destination, Big Sur, is also along Highway 1, one of the ideal locations for Northern California Day trips.

Check out my exclusive guide if you are planning for  Big Sur road trip .

Along the PCH, a multitude of iconic destinations beckon to be explored. 

Recommended Tour:  Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1

Skip a crowded bus tour and book this Big Sur PCH Highway 1 Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour instead, allowing you to explore the area at your own pace in the comfort of your vehicle.  Book here !

Go North towards Pacifica or South towards charming towns like Santa Cruz, Monterey and Santa Barbara; you will be amazed by the gorgeous ocean vistas. It is one of the best day trips in northern California you can plan since you can cover many places.

Check out my guide if you want to explore gorgeous  beaches in Monterey .

You will pass by famous locations, including  Big Sur , San Francisco and  San Luis Obispo .

Along the route, take a pit stop by the famous attractions such as the Devil’s Slide scenic walking path or the unique Bigfoot Discovery Museum, chronicling the legend of the infamous monster. 

Recommended Tour:  Highway 1 Self-Driving Audio Tour (Pacific Coast Highway)

Designed to accompany you from San Francisco to Los Angeles, the audio narration tour will share facts and stories about the cities and landmarks you pass.  Book here !

Stop by San Simeon, home to the Elephant Seal Rookery, known for its spectacular ocean views along the rocky cliffs and plenty of outdoor activities. 

Here is a complete guide to the awesome  things to do in San Simeon Ca .

Explore the magical Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park along the Pacific Coast Highway, where the McWay Falls cascades into a clear beach.

Of course, there are tons of culinary delights along the PCH for your gastronomical adventure. You let your taste buds guide you as you discover the flavours of the Pacific coast.

Recommended Tour:  Big Sur Self-Driving Audio Tour in California (Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway)

Explore so many beautiful spots in Big Sur with this self-drive audio tour that goes down the Pacific Coast Highway, California’s Highway 1.

Download the app, get the map and password, and your route is marked for you.  Book here !

Truckee, nestled in the Sierra Nevada much closer to Lake Tahoe, is one of the unique day trips in Northern California.

The city named after the Truckee River was known for its lumber and ice-harvesting. It is also one of the famous  Gold Rush Towns in California .

Thanks to the favourable weather, you will find the river in full gush during the warmer seasons and enjoy the beautiful snow-capped mountain vistas in the backdrop.

Truckee is also incredibly charming and offers endless things to do, such as hiking, mountain biking, Kayaking and fishing.

Recommended Tour:  Guided Fly Fishing on Truckee River, Lake Tahoe, Truckee and Reno

Fly Fishing the World famous Truckee River, which flows out of Lake Tahoe, is a great experience not only for beginners but experts alike.  Book here !

Truckee was a hotspot for sledge runs and ice rinks in the 1890s, which made it a popular tourist destination. 

If you want to hike in Truckee, head to Johnson Canyon. The trail is unpaved and will be dotted with vibrant wildflowers. 

The hike is comparatively easy, and you will get incredible vistas of Donner Lake.

Head to Truckee River, a hotspot for white water rafting and tubing for more adventure. 

Recommended Tour:  Truckee River: Boca to Floriston Run (Class III Whitewater)

Paddle your way through California’s flora and fauna on a 4.5-hour whitewater rafting tour down the Truckee River.  Book here !

Recommended Tour:  Truckee River Rafting Tour from Reno

Catch a glimpse of the Sierras as you go down the river on this Truckee river rafting tour.  Book here !

If you are into history, visit the Donner Memorial State Park, a National Historic Landmark located 5 minutes away from Truckee, to learn about the Donner Party exhibits.

The state park is home to cabin sites, and it also screens informative videos narrating the history of Truckee.

Designated as a California Cultural District in 2017, Truckee’s downtown is dotted with stunning art galleries and studios, including Gallery 5830, Riverside Studios, and the Mountain Arts Collective.

Some quirky shops will take you through the history of this historic railroad town.

This will be a unique shopping and browsing experience since you might hear trains whistling while you shop. 

In recent years, Truckee has become a major foodie destination, home to a blend of international cuisines and exclusive fixed-price dining experiences.

Grab your favourite drink from one of the many bars or craft microbreweries in the Old Town. 

Other Recommended Tours near Truckee:

• From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
• Downtown Reno Tour

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park is a testament to mother nature’s grandeur and power.

This 1,200-square-mile park is one of the most famous locations for day trips in Northern California.

Its massive granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and diverse ecosystem make it one of the most famous  Californian things to do .

From the iconic Half Dome and EL Captain to the eternal mist of Yosemite Falls, every vista seems plucked from a postcard.

Recommended Tour:  4-Day Half Dome Backpacking

There’s only one way to get away from the crowds in Yosemite: backcountry adventures. On this epic four-day tour, meet your expert guide in Half Dome Village, and set out to see the park in its true majesty.  Book here !

Recommended Group Tours in Yosemite:

• Full-Day Private Tour and Hike in Yosemite National Park
• Yosemite Full-Day Private Tour
• Full-Day Small-Group Yosemite & Glacier Point Tour Including Hotel Pickup
• Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour
• Jeep 4 X 4 Yosemite Park Tour with Hotel Pickup
• Private Hummer 4 X 4 Tour of Yosemite, Including Hotel Pickup
• Off-Road Giant Sequoia 4×4 Tour
• Private Yosemite & Glacier Point Van Tour (Large Family) – with Hotel Pickup!
• Semi-Private Yosemite Tour with Ahwahnee Lunch – with Hotel Pickup!
• Private Yosemite & Glacier Point SUV / Van Tour, Including Hotel Pickup
• Devils Peak Yosemite Sunset 4×4 Jeep Tour
• Yosemite Panorama Trail Self-Guided Audio Tour
• Yosemite Valley & Glacier Point Adaptive Tour

Yosemite’s dramatic granite monoliths, such as the Cathedral Rocks and the Sentinel Dome, create a backdrop of sheer magnificence.

Recommended Tour:  Sentinel Dome and Taft Point from Glacier Point

This trip meets and ends at Glacier Point (personal auto transport is necessary). After viewing the high country from Glacier Point, embark on a 6.8-mile trek to both the summit of Sentinel Dome (8,122′) and the Fissures and Taft Point.  Book here !

Recommended:  Discover Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes + Eastern Sierra’s breathtaking natural wonders

If you are wondering which is the best place to get a perfect glimpse of Yosemite, check out my guide on 30 top  Yosemite photography spots  that you can visit for some Insta-worthy pics.

Yosemite national park is a haven for early risers and evening strollers. If you are craving the perfect  Sunrise in Yosemite  or looking for  Yosemite Sunset spots , I got you covered.

Recommended Photography Tours in Yosemite:

• Experience Yosemite: Beginner or Advanced Photography Lesson
• Private Family Photo Day in Yosemite

Yosemite is a wonderland for hikers; it features around 750 miles of hiking trails that run through old-growth redwoods like the Mariposa Grove and water streams, nothing less than a scene from the movie Narnia. 

I recommend trying a few of my favourite hiking trails, including the 7.2 Miles Yosemite Falls Hike and 8.5 Miles Panorama trail. 

Try the 16 miles Half Dome Hike if you are an experienced hiker. This trail requires a permit and is obtained by a lottery system online.

Check out my guide about  easy Yosemite hikes   to include in your Yosemite day trip itinerary.

Recommended Hiking Tours in Yosemite:

• Private Family Hike in Yosemite
• Yosemite Valley Private Hiking Tour
• Private Guided Hiking Tour in Yosemite
• Yosemite Valley Discovery Walk
• Guided Yosemite Hiking Excursion
• Full Day Small Group Hiking Tour of Yosemite Valley
• Yosemite Day Hike from Glacier Point, Including Panorama Trail
• Private Giant Sequoia Grove Hike

Stop by Glacier Point and Tunnel View for the unrivalled vantage points of the valley. Alternatively, explore the Tuolumne Meadows areas for the best Yosemite Park experience.

Recommended Tour:  Private Tuolumne Meadows Hiking Tour

On this tour, explore Yosemite’s High Sierra Meadow on a full-day adventure and Tuolumne Meadows with a knowledgeable guide.  Book here !

Try Fly fishing in Yosemite National Park. Check out these recommended tours below for the best fly fishing experience.

• Private High Country Fly Fishing Adventure
• Family Fun Private Half-Day Fly Fishing Adventure
• Private Full Day Fly Fishing For Beginners and Experienced Anglers

Yosemite is also known for its many gorgeous hidden waterfalls. If you time your visit right, around May or June, you will witness the beautiful Sentinel Falls, Horsetail Falls, Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls.

Recommended Waterfall Tours in Yosemite: 

• Vernal and Nevada Falls
• Private Dike Hike of Hetch Hetchy and Wapama Falls  

Enjoy ice skating, snowshoeing, tubing, snowboarding and skiing, overlooking the majestic Half Dome views during winter.

Recommended Winter Tours in Yosemite:

• Yosemite Valley Private Winter Hiking Tour
• Private Guided Snowshoe Hike in Yosemite
• Private Giant Sequoia Grove Hike or Snowshoe
• Private Snowshoeing Adventure from Badger Pass to Dewey Point

Visit the nearby Yosemite Valley Museum and Indian Village and enjoy a multi-cuisine meal at one of the many best restaurants in the park.

Check out the beautiful art gallery for souvenir collections. Book the campsites and hotels before your trip since the place is usually crowded.

Driving Tours in Yosemite:

• Yosemite National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Guide
• A Drive through John Muir’s Yosemite Valley: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
• Yosemite: Audio Driving Tour

There are free shuttle buses that take you through the significant sights of the park. Buy a $30 ticket to enter the park, valid for seven days with multiple entries.

Check out this classic  Yosemite Camping Trips  if you want to stay in Yosemite for a couple of nights.

Recommended long tours in Yosemite:

• 5 Day Yosemite Backpacking – Amazing Sunsets
• 5 Day Yosemite Backpacking – Yosemite Icons
• 2 Days Private Tour and Hike in Yosemite National Park
• 6-Day Yosemite Backpacking – The Hidden Yosemite
• Private Yosemite Explorer Package | 3 Days of Adventure
• The Ultimate Yosemite National Park Full Experience- 5 Days Vacation Package

MOUNT WHITNEY ELEVATION

Located on the border between Inyo and Tulare, Mt. Whitney stands in the Golden State’s heart, the highest point in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Mount Whitney is a beautiful location for day trips in Northern California.

Hike the Mount Whitney Trail at Whitney Portal, which leads you through the awe-inspiring Sierra Nevada mountains, with their majestic granite peaks and serene alpine lakes.

With an elevation of 14,505 feet, Mt. Whitney is the tallest mountain in California and the highest peak in the contiguous United States.

Its prominence of 10,075 feet makes it a true landmark that can be seen from miles away.

Hiking the 22-mile Mount Whitney Trail with 6,100 feet of elevation gain is a challenge in itself. 

But the hike is worth it since you will be greeted with dazzling vistas of the mountains. Take a pitstop at the outpost camp, which you will encounter at around 10,365 feet and take the rugged wilderness of the forest.

As you hike further, you will pass by Trail Camp, perched at 12,000 feet which offers breathtaking views that energize you for the onward journey. 

And as you reach Trail Crest, standing tall at 13,645 feet, you know you are at the highest trail pass in the United States.

As you stand on the rooftop of California, you can’t help but feel a profound connection to nature and a deep appreciation for the journey you have undertaken.

If you have altitude sickness, please carry the necessary meds and other utilities. Due to the thin air, you may face nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath.

Layered clothing is essential to combat the freezing temperatures that accompany the lofty heights.

Fun Fact:  The first successful ascent of Mt. Whitney occurred on August 18, 1873, by a team of local climbers: Charles Begole, John Lucas, and A.H. Johnson. 

They overcame previous failed attempts and etched their names in history as the pioneering conquerors of this majestic peak.

Monterey County officially comprises four beach towns, and it is hard to pick one since they are among the best Northern California beach towns, with a multitude of fantastic spots to explore with friends and family.

Most people include a visit to Monterey as a part of   the Big Sur road trip itinerary . It is one of the popular weekend getaways for day trips in Northern California from nearby cities.

Monterey, about an hour’s drive from Santa Cruz, is famed for its rocky coastline, rich sea life, and, as a result, exceptionally fresh seafood.

Recommended Tour:   Monterey 1-Day Tour

On this tour, ride along the scenic route of the 17-mile drive, explore the city of Monterey and discover Pebble Beach and Lone Cypress. Visit Fisherman’s Wharf and Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Book here !

Drive to the iconic Monterey’s Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California.

Take the Monterey Bay Whale Watch tour to see the wild side of the Sea, where you may observe whales and dolphin pods.

On Cannery Row, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which houses over 1000 marine animals, including sharks, rays, and sea otters, waiting to be found.

Recommended Tour:  Historic Cannery Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of John Steinbeck’s Monterey

On this tour, learn about the rise and fall of the local fishing industry, Steinbeck’s work, the neighbourhood’s revival, and more.  Book here !

Check out Adventures By The Sea, where you can canoe, Kayak, paddleboard, or rent an E-bike to pedal around this gorgeous seaside town.

Recommended Monterey Tours:

• Monterey Bay Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Del Monte Beach to Cannery Row
• Monterey & Carmel Explorer

If you want to learn more about California’s history, head to Sacramento, California’s state capital. 

It is one of the popular locations for the best day trips in northern California since it is home to many historical attractions.

Sacramento has become famous for its farm-to-fork model of agriculture in the recent past.

Stroll around the charming Old Town Sacramento that will take you back to the city’s Gold Rush era of the 1850s.

Take a free tour of the State Capitol Building, an administrative building and a museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Check out the California State Railroad Museum, which is often considered the most popular railroad museum in the USA.

Go biking along the American River Bike Trail or Stroll around midtown and downtown to admire the colourful murals.

Recommended Tour:   Sacramento Street Art Walking Tour – See the Murals Sacramento is Famous For

This private tour takes you along the neighbourhood’s tree-lined streets in search of the best street art while also checking out restaurants, nightlife spots, and shops.  Book here !

Head to Tower Bridge or go on a Historic River Cruise with Hornblower for fantastic sunset views.

Recommended Tour:   Sacramento Alive After Five Cruise 21 +

Make the most of your night in Sacramento with this 1.5-hour cruise along the peaceful Sacramento River.  Book here !

Take a guided tour of the Leland Stanford Mansion or explore Sutter’s Fort to learn about the history of this beautiful town.

The riverside area is a top tourist spot to enjoy beautiful riverside dining and shopping.

Recommended Tour:   Sacramento Historic River Cruise

Take in the sights of Sacramento from the river on this 1-hour cruise. Snap photos of Old Sacramento’s landmarks and highlights while listening to live onboard narration.  Book here !

Visit the two zoos if you enjoy watching animals, and don’t miss the nearby Scandia Family Fun Center rides. 

Recommended Tour:   2-Hour Climbing and Ziplining in West Sacramento

Enjoy a different perspective of Sacramento while challenging yourself on a ropes course through the canopy of California Valley Heritage Oak trees.  Book here !

In summer, beat the heat by dipping in the two incredible water parks, and in colder months, go ice skating in the rinks nearby.

One of the fun activites in Sacramento is to go on a scavenger hunt or ghost tour. Check out these recommended tours:

• Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour.
• Sacramento City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Operation City Quest
• Old Sacramento Scavenger Hunt

Recently, Sacramento is getting popular for its craft beers and multi cuisines. So don’t miss exploring the local food scene whilst you are here.

Recommended Sacramento Food and Wine Tours:

• Sacramento Sutter District History and Food Walking Tour
• Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour
• Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour
• Cider and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch – near Sacramento
• Pedal, Drink, and Bar hop through Sacramento on a 15-seat Beer Bike.

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

One of the pretty beach towns for planning one of the best day trips in Northern California is Carmel-by-the-Sea, located in the Monterey Peninsula.

This little coastal town is adorned with 1920s and 30s fairytale cottages, tucked-away alleyways, calm beaches, art galleries, and restaurants.

Carmel-by-the-sea, about one square mile in size, is truly an artist’s inspiration, filled with fashionable boutiques, art galleries, and tiny beachside eateries, surrounded by lovely architecture.

Recommended Tour:  Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea

On this tour, see highlights of Carmel, such as the First Murphy House, Church of the Wayfarer, Tuck Box, Hog’s Breath Inn, and more, while you hear the city’s history and stories from your guide.  Book here !

In contrast to the gorgeous buildings, the shoreline features rocky cliffs and pleasant, sandy beaches.

Recommended Tour:  Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Fairytale Houses: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

On this self-guided audio tour, you will escape the crowds and explore the houses at your pace, led by a knowledgeable guide right in your pocket.  Book here !

Carmel-by-the-sea can be best explored by renting an e-bike or taking an e-bike guided tour, one of the unique things to do.

Recommended E-bike tours in Carmel-by-the-sea:

• Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5-Hour Electric Bike Tour
• Scenic Carmel-By-The-Sea Guided E-Bike Tour

Visit Carmel River State Beach for various adrenaline-pumping activities such as swimming, kayaking, surfing, or lazing under the sun on the white sandy beach.

Visit Mission Trail Nature Reserve and Point Lobos State Reserve if you enjoy photography, hiking, or birding. 

These are the most well-known in California, attracting visitors from all over the World.

On Ocean Avenue, look for the charming fairytale cottages for which this best beach town in California is famous.

Recommended Audio guided tours in Carmel-by-the-sea:

• Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
• Carmel by the Sea: A Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
• Scenic Path Carmel-by-the-Sea: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
• Off the Beaten Path in Carmel-by-the-Sea: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
• Carmel-by-the-Sea Mission Areas: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
• Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Bohemian Art Scene: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Drive through the Seventeen Mile Drive that runs through Pebble Beach Resort and Pacific Grove with spectacular vistas if you have some spare time.

If you are a fan of wine, head to the wine-tasting places, such as Wrath Wines and Scheid Vineyards, where you can even take a wine tour, one of my favourites.

Recommended Tour:  Macaron making with a Master Chef – Carmel-by-the-Sea

If you want a new recipe to add to your go-tos, check out this fun Carmel-by-the-Sea Macaron Baking Class with a Master Chef.  Book here !

That’s it about the best day trips in northern California. Have a great weekend.

MAP OF DAY TRIPS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from California

Day trips from california.

• California to Napa Valley
• California to Los Angeles
• California to Yosemite National Park
• California to Napa
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

2. Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour

3. All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Ynez Valley

4. 6 Hour Napa or Sonoma Valley Wine Tour by Private SUV

5. Death Valley Sunset and Starry Night Tour from Las Vegas

6. Muir Woods with Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour

7. Wild West Day Trip to Virginia City from Tahoe with Train Ride

8. Small-Group Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco

9. ​All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara

10. Death Valley Small Group Day Tour from Las Vegas

11. Private Shopping Tour from San Francisco to Petaluma Outlets

12. Full-Day Lake Tahoe Circle Tour including Squaw Valley

13. 8-Hour Private Sonoma or Napa Wine Tour with Concierge Service

14. Semi-Private, Modified "Hop-On Hop-Off" Wine Tasting Tour from Paso Robles

15. Small-Group Day Trip to Yosemite from Lake Tahoe

16. Small-Group Day Tour of Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beaches from Anaheim

17. Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara

18. Big Sur McWay Falls California Coast One Day from Monterey Carmel

19. Half-Day Small Group Offroad 4x4 Truck Tour in San Diego

20. Small-Group Death Valley National Park Day Tour from Las Vegas

21. Shared 8-Hour Los Angeles City Sightseeing Tour from Long Beach

22. Guided Tour of Historic Virginia City and Carson City from South Lake Tahoe

23. Yosemite National Park & Sequoias Private Tour from San Francisco

24. Whale-Watching and Orange County Beaches Tour from Anaheim

25. Best in LA: Private, Full-Day, Guided Sightseeing Tour

26. Los Angeles Highlights Tour from Long Beach

27. Yosemite Valley Discovery Walk

28. Paso Robles Wine Adventure with pickup from Paso Robles, CA

29. Death Valley Sightseeing Tour with Stargazing and Wine Tasting

30. Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through North Sonoma County

What travelers are saying.

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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 listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book 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.

Jessica Puckett

María Casbas

CNT Editors

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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Napa Valley

Anderson valley, año nuevo state park, bodega head.

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The Napa Valley Wine Train runs vintage locomotive excursions throughout the valley, offering traveling dining experiences year-round . Michelin-starred restaurants serve up delicious Californian cuisine, expertly paired with bottles from top regional and international wineries. Where to Stay

Scenic drives meander through the region, including winding Highway 128, which traverses the lovely Yorkville Highlands. More trips from San Francisco

More ideas: California wineries

The peninsula spans four miles along the Bodega Bay and Harbor area, known as the assumed landing site for the seminal 1579 Pacific Coast voyage of Sir Francis Drake. Visitors can swim at beautiful Sonoma Coast State Beach, which is located on the peninsula's southern end, or explore the lovely University of California-Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, which is known as one of the region's best spots for observing migratory whales. A beautiful trail network also offers excellent opportunities for recreational hiking throughout the area. Bodega Head Map

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

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Humboldt Redwood State Park

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Lassen Volcanic National Park

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The Mendocino Coast

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Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument , 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, CA 94941, Phone: 415-561-2850

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Point Reyes National Seashore

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Redwood National and State Parks

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Russian Gulch State Park

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San Francisco

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The Sierra Nevada Mountains

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Romantic Day Trip: Sonoma County

The region, which is home to charming cities like Santa Rosa, is home to 13 designated American Viticultural Areas and over 425 internationally-renowned wineries, which can be explored as part of wine trail experiences and guided winery tours. Unique Bartholomew Memorial Park showcases exhibits related to the early history of winemaking and agriculture in the region. Visitors can peruse cultural museums like the Pacific Coast Air Museum and the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art or visit living history sites such as the preserved 19th-century Spanish Mission San Francisco Solano, which details the area's Spanish colonial past. Over 13,000 acres of regional and state parks also call the region home, including the Jack London State Historic Site, connected to the famed American 20th-century author.

Stinson Beach

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The Pacific Coast Highway

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Unique stores such as independent bookstore Word After Word showcase carefully-curated goods, while community spots like arts classroom Atelier offer a variety of crafting workshops. In recent years, the town has become a major foodie destination, home to global fusion cuisine, and elite prix fixe menus. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, rafting, mountain biking, and rock climbing experiences at nearby Donner Lake.

Yosemite National Park

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• 1. Napa Valley
• 2. Anderson Valley
• 3. Año Nuevo State Park
• 4. Bodega Head
• 5. Calaveras Big Trees State Park
• 7. Fort Bragg
• 8. Humboldt Redwood State Park
• 10. Lake Tahoe
• 11. Lassen Volcanic National Park
• 12. The Mendocino Coast
• 13. Mono Lake
• 14. Muir Woods National Monument
• 15. Occidental
• 16. Point Reyes National Seashore
• 17. Redwood National and State Parks
• 18. Russian Gulch State Park
• 19. San Francisco
• 20. The Sierra Nevada Mountains
• 21. Romantic Day Trip: Sonoma County
• 22. Stinson Beach
• 23. The Pacific Coast Highway
• 24. Truckee
• 25. Yosemite National Park

Northern California is one of the Pacific Coast's most striking natural regions, extending northward from San Luis Obispo County to the state's border with neighboring state Oregon. Napa and Sonoma Valleys are among the world's top wine-producing regions, showcasing hundreds of vineyards that can be explored on wine trails or as part of guided wine country tasting tours. Stunning old-growth redwood and giant sequoia forests are on display at the Redwood National and State Parks system or world-renowned Yosemite National Park. Visitors can also drive the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, which meanders through areas like San Luis Obispo, Big Sur, and the Mendocino Coast and offers stunning ocean views.

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Here Are 10 Unique Day Trips In Southern California That Are Bucket-List-Worthy

Angela is the staff writer for Only in Your State - Southern California.

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It’s that time of year when we’re all getting a little antsy for a vacation. If you aren’t able to pack your bags and leave for an out-of-town adventure, then take a look at all of these splendid day trips hiding right here in Southern California that will make you feel like you’re on a mini getaway. We’ve put together an incredible list of unique day trips in Southern California that will take you from the perfect blue skies of San Diego to the heated streets of San Bernardino. These are some day trips from Riverside and lots more. Get ready to knock a few things off of your Southern California bucket list, friends. There’s nothing like this list of fun and excitement in the heart of California’s most beautiful region! Did your favorite Southern California experience make the list? Let us know!

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Do you have any favorite spots on this list of unique day trips in Southern California? Or do you adore them all and have a hard time picking a favorite? If you love taking SoCal adventures as much as I do, then you might want to check out this road trip in Southern California that covers some of our most charming small towns.

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Day trips from riverside california.

What are the best waterfall hikes in Southern California?

If you’re game for a good hike, then there’s a whole heap of Southern California waterfalls that you need to visit. From epic hikes into the mountains to low-key beachfront falls, there’s nothing like the region’s beautiful natural wonders.

• Escondido Falls is a 150-foot waterfall that’s dusted in moss and accessible way of a 3.8-mile roundtrip hike.
• Head to Hermit Falls for a shorter hike at 2.6 miles, and though the waterfall is smaller you’ll find that the area is less crowded.
• La Jolla Canyon Falls is deep in the heart of Malibu, accessible by car and a short hike into the Santa Monica Mountains.

What are the most beautiful lakes in Southern California?

When most folks think of beautiful lakes in California they’re quickly reminded of Lake Shasta and Lake Tahoe in the northern reaches of the state. Still, there are numerous lakes and reservoirs in the southern region as well.

• Head to Big Bear Lake, the most popular vacation spot among southern folks, or perhaps:
• Lake Havasu is shared by Arizona and California in tandem.
• Silverwood Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains is also a great day trip for families who are looking for respite from the city.

What are the best beaches in Southern California?

Southern California is truly known for its beaches, the miles of coastline that stretches from one end of the region to the next. Some of the best beaches in Southern California include:

• The famed El Matador Beach in Malibu, most commonly used for movie and photoshoots, and the Santa Monica Beach with its ever-famous pier.
• Zuma Beach can be found right next to Point Dume, a great surfing spot, and
• Coronado Beach in the San Diego area is perfect for families and young folks alike.

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Explore Southern California

The Happiness Function US

My Husband and I Did a 5-Day Road Trip Along the Most Iconic Highway in California: Here's Where To Stay, Eat, & Play

Posted: April 25, 2024 | Last updated: April 25, 2024

Our 5-day Highway 1 Road Trip itinerary covers Avila Beach, Cayucos, Cambria, San Simeon, and Baywood-Los Osos along the Central Coast of California in San Luis Obispo County.

A road trip along California’s famous Highway 1 is a bucket list trip if you love adventures with ocean views, wildlife, and fun outdoor activities.

My husband, Pablo, and I drove from San Luis Obispo (SLO) to San Simeon and are sharing what we did to help you plan your trip. From hiking and kayaking to foraging for seaweed, discover things to do, find the best places to eat (gluten-free friendly), and learn where to stay.

When Highway 1 Road Trip invited us for a hosted adventure, we jumped at the chance because we’d been dreaming of driving the iconic route for years.

How To Get There and Where To Start

If you’re not from California, like us, fly into the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP). It’s a small airport and easy to get in and out of.

You’ll want to rent a car if you’re flying in. Pick up your vehicle at the airport by the baggage claim area (it’s super easy).

Start your adventure right from the airport and head southwest towards the coast to kick the day off at Avila Beach.

If you’re not flying in, no problem. Still, start at Avila Beach.

Where To Stay

Highway 1 is known for its cute artisan communities recognized for their laid-back coastal vibe. You can find boutique hotels and motels or inns overlooking the ocean. It’s the perfect road trip for adventurous couples and friends.

The Pacific Motel – Cayucos

We stayed at The Pacific Motel in Cayucos for half our road trip.

The owners take pride in what they have built. The motel has a hip surfer ambiance that is ideal for people wanting a relaxing and casual adventure near Cayucos. The rooms are trendy and within walking distance of the beach. They also serve a nice coffee bar in the morning.

The motel has fire pits, ping pong, a cute shop that supports local businesses, beach towels, beach chairs, and a beer and wine cooler. Guests can use beach cruisers from The Pacific Motel to get around town if they don’t want to walk.

It’s one of the cutest places we have stayed at, and we loved walking to breakfast and the beach every morning.

The Baywood Inn – Baywood-Los Osos

When we walked into our room at the Baywood Inn , we immediately ran to the huge windows and balcony facing Morro Bay.

Staying here is like staying in an apartment. There is a living room with vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, a small kitchenette, a bathroom, and a bedroom. It’s within walking distance of a handful of restaurants and an excellent location to access hiking, kayaking, and the Morro Bay Marina.

Breakfast is complimentary with your stay. When you check-in, the inn will tell you which restaurant is hosting breakfast.

Best Time To Visit

The Central Coast of California has a Mediterranean climate, meaning you can visit year-round. However, depending on the type of adventures you want, like getting in or on the water, spring, summer, and fall will have warmer temperatures. June, July, and August are busy, so be sure to plan ahead if you travel during the summer.

We visited during April. It was warm enough to wear a light jacket. Every day was sunny except for two days when the famous coastal fog rolled in. It was neat to see the fog, so it didn’t mess up our plans. We still hiked and explored until it burned off later in the day.

The wildflowers bloomed during our spring trip, and we saw the Elephant Seals. I can’t recommend the beauty of traveling along Highway 1 in the spring enough.

Explore Avila Beach, drive to Cayucos, check into The Pacific Motel, then walk Moonstone Beach in Cambria

Kick the adventure off by driving straight to Mersea’s for food near Avila Beach. We both got fish tacos – they were so good.

The restaurant is at the end of a pier. You might also see seals hanging out on the platform (we did). The water is a beautiful blue, and it will take your breath away.

After eating at Mersea’s, drive to Avila Beach a little down the road. You can access the beach here, and there are a bunch of boutique shops and restaurants.

Hit the road, drive towards Cayucos, and check into The Pacific Motel . If there’s still time in the day, drive a little further north towards Cambria and walk the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk .  It’s pretty at sunset.

For dinner, Pablo and I had a wonderful garden patio dinner at Robin’s Restaurant in Cambria. When we visited, they served mouthwatering, handcrafted meals and even had gluten-free cheesecake. If you’re road-tripping with your dog, pets are allowed on their darling patio.

Day 2 – Morning

Tour Hearst Castle in San Simeon  

Rise and shine. Then, walk to breakfast at the Hidden Kitchen in Cayucos. They have gluten-free waffles and breakfast tacos that are out of this world. Sit out back on their patio and enjoy oceanfront views.

After breakfast, hop in your car and drive Highway 1 north towards San Simeon to tour Hearst Castle . With the help of architect Julia Morgan, media mogul William Randolph Hearst funded the elaborate estate—the “who’s who” of the entertainment industry would retreat here by invitation only.

Today, you can take a guided tour to see all the magnificent art William Randolph Hearst collected from around the world. We thought the most interesting parts of the tour were walking through the gardens, seeing the Neptune Pool and the Egyptian Fountain, and walking across gold-plated tile in the Roman Pool. Online reservations to take a tour can be made 60 days in advance.

After we visited the castle, we drove to the Cavalier Coastal Kitchen . I ordered a BLTA on gluten-free bread, and Pablo got a fried chicken wrap that hit the spot. If you’d like to take in the views, a path is near the parking lot that overlooks the ocean. You might have the beach to yourself — we did.

Day 2 – Afternoon

Visit the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery near San Simeon and go seaweed foraging in Cayucos

Drive to the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery to work off your food coma. Located right off Highway 1, park your car and walk the trails along the coast to see the seals basking in the sun.

Walk to the north of the parking lot if you want to take photos — it has better vantage points. Watching the Elephant Seals was one of my favorite parts of our trip. Plus, it’s free to see them.

Did you know you can eat other seaweed besides the nori found around your sushi roll? During a seaweed foraging tour with Kelpful , you’ll learn all about the seaweed you can gather and eat. You can only do this special eco-activity when the tide is low. Visit Kelpful’s online scheduler to make a reservation.

We met our guide outside of Cayucos and walked down to the tide pools. We tasted raw seaweed from the ocean and saw crabs and an octopus while exploring. The experience was heartfelt, informative, and inspired us.

For dinner, check out the Lunada Garden Bistro . We walked there from our motel in Cayucos. They served up some of the best steaks we’ve ever had – and that’s not an exaggeration.

Day 3 – Morning

Hike Fiscalini Ranch Preserve outside of Cambria

From The Pacific Motel, walk to breakfast at Bijou Bakery in Cayucos . They have delicious gluten-free pastries (I got a lemon scone) and regular pastries (Pablo got a croissant). After enjoying a lovely breakfast on their patio, head back to the motel and pack up. Check out and drive toward Cambria to hike the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve .

We loved the trail along the bluff. There are neat spots to sit along the trail that remind us of Games of Thrones . Keep your eyes peeled for Harbor Seals – we saw one hanging out on the rocks. It’s free to hike here.

After, head into Cambria for lunch at Linn’s Restaurant . Try their famous Olallieberry pie – they have a gluten-free and regular pie crust. We were in pie Heaven.

Day 3 – Afternoon

Check into the Baywood Inn and walk El Moro Elfin Forest in the Baywood-Los Osos area

In the afternoon, drive south towards San Luis Obispo and check into the Baywood Inn . If you still have energy, drive and explore the El Moro Elfin Forest . It’s about a 5–10-minute drive from the inn, and you can get good views of the estuary. It’s free to hike here.

For dinner, Noi & Doi’s 2 nd Street Café , across from the Baywood Inn, serves some fantastic Thai food. The beef fried rice and green curry with tofu did not disappoint. We got ours to go and enjoyed a sunset dinner from our inn overlooking Morro Bay.

Day 4 – Morning

Kayak in Morro Bay  

If hungry, drive 10 minutes into Los Osos and grab breakfast at Celia’s Garden Café . Pablo ordered corned beef hash, and I ordered an omelet. It reminded me of a good old fashion diner breakfast — they give you huge portions of food.

After breakfast, drive to A Kayak Shack at the Morro Bay State Park Marina. The manager at A Kayak Shack said the best time to paddle is early morning before the winds pick up, so keep that in mind. We did a self-guided trip and cruised around the bay. It was terrific, and we even saw otters.

Make sure you stay at least eight kayaks length away from the otters so you don’t stress them. If they get stressed, they could have trouble finding food or taking care of their young.

After kayaking, have lunch at the Bayside Café across from A Kayak Shack. Guess what we had? If you guessed fished tacos – you’re our people.

Day 4 – Afternoon

Hike at Monta ña de Oro State Park outside of Baywood-Los Osos

Montaña de Oro State Park is one of the largest state parks in California. We used AllTrails to find a hike that suited our adventure level for the afternoon. We walked along the Bluff Trail and loved it.

Along with a beach to sun at and enjoy the water, the Bluff Trail wanders along the ridge, and you get fantastic views of the ocean and rocky coastline. We even saw more otters (or seals) frolicking in the waves.

After hiking, if you’re up for some tasty Mexican cuisine, walk to La Palapa across from the Baywood Inn. I ordered chicken enchiladas, and Pablo enjoyed the carne asada. It hit the spot.

Check out of your inn, go to breakfast, and drive to the SBP Airport

On your last day, check out of your inn and head to breakfast in Los Osos. We grabbed pastries and lattes at Ascendo . It is right across from Celia’s Garden Café.

They did offer gluten-free muffins while we were there. I grabbed a gluten-free blueberry muffin and a chai latte, and Pablo ordered a croissant and latte.

After, find a place to gas up your rental and return to the SBP Airport.

We couldn’t believe how fast the trip went and were sad to leave. We honestly sat in the airport looking at real estate because we loved visiting so much and were dreaming about living in this area full-time.

More Towns To Explore Along Highway 1 Nearby

If you have more time in the area, you might also enjoy visiting Ragged Point, further north of San Simeon.

The Edna Valley wine region, Arroyo Grande Valley, Oceano, and Nipomo are south of San Luis Obispo.

Have a wonderful time. The area truly is remarkable.

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Ultimate California Road Trip Itinerary: From the Pacific to the Redwoods!

Are you looking for the best California road trip itinerary to explore the most beautiful places in the Golden State? Our 10 days in California itinerary will take you from the rugged coast and beautiful beaches to the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. Hike the Mojave desert, sleep underneath a yucca tree, and visit the lowest place on the continent while you road trip in California. Read our 10 day California Road Trip guide now. You may also like our post on 20 Best Road Trips in the USA .

Welcome to our ultimate California road trip planner!

We created this planner to help you plan the perfect road trip around California and it contains all the essential information you need to plan your trip today including budget and costs, what to eat, where to stay, etc.

Here you will find recommendations for a variety of California itineraries as well as get more information on California road trip must-see attractions including the Golden Gate Bridge, Big Sur, Yosemite, and Los Angeles.

Our mission? To make sure you have a blast in California!

Also Read: Portland to San Francisco Road Trip Itinerary California To Texas road trip planner Best Things to do in Washington State

California is our favorite destination ever.

I have been enamored with California long before I visited it.

California, San Jose, and the West coast are randomly thrown around in conversations in India – because everyone knows someone working in Silicon Valley – and you can’t help but know about this slice of America.

Growing up, I knew more about Cisco, Apple, Google, and Yahoo (remember when everyone used Yahoo?!) than San Francisco, Yosemite, and Big Sur.

And Disney – because everyone knows Disney!

California has such a unique history.

The oldest, tallest, and widest trees live here and guess what, they have been around since prehistoric times – yes, even dinosaurs lived among the redwood trees!

One of the lowest, aridest, and hottest places on earth is right here in California in Badwater Basin.

And as for scenic places: California has so many of them!

We love Big Sur and its rocky coast, the wildflower super blooms, blue Lake Tahoe, Mono Lake and its tufas, unique shapes of Joshua trees!

There are so many things to see in California road trip that the list just goes on!

Also Read: 24 Best Places to Visit in California in winter

Dotted Globe contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full  Disclosure  here. Thank you!

And that’s why in our California road trip itinerary of 10 days, we take you around all these unique and beautiful places in the Golden State.

Our California 10 day road trip itinerary is perfect for driving around dreamy landscapes of yellow poppies, orange orchards, purple foliage, and lush green vineyards.

We have divided this California roadtrip itinerary into 4 essential stretches as per the geographic features of the state – yepp, we are that geeky – and you can customize it as you want. 

Best waterproof walking shoes for California beaches

If you are a beach person like me, then extend the Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary to 10 days.

If you are a mountain lover like my hubby, then take a 10 day road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite.

Pick your favorite area and stay there as long as you want. Or follow our California in 10 days itinerary exactly as described!

As always, we have also included suggestions for if you have more or less time.

Whatever you chose, you are going to have the time of your lives – because this is California!

“Every time I come, I’m still amazed at the breadth California has. Big Sur, Yosemite, the desert… I love it.” – Theo James, the English actor

Best of California Road Trip 10 Days Itinerary

We, like most people, have seen California in bits and pieces rather than in one go.

We first visited California almost a decade ago and did San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the theme parks.

Second time around, we visited Death Valley National Park on a road trip from Vegas.

Then I lived and worked in the Bay area in tech (oh, the irony!) and that’s when we explored the California National Parks, North Coast, and the Sierra Nevada side of the state.

Our most popular posts: 22 Best City Breaks in the USA The Best Things to do in New York on your first visit Ultimate List of Best Places to visit in the USA

Most recently, we did the San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip along the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway – oh and also road-tripped Southern California and Disney with the kids.

On our next trip – we plan to do the North Coast and Redwoods Scenic Highway AGAIN.

Yeah – that’s how much we love California – have been to many destinations several times and still can’t have enough.

The best way to tour California is obviously by driving. The state is beautiful but huge and it’s not easy planning California trip that covers all the major attractions with limited time in hand.

And planning a California road trip with kids is even more difficult – how do you prioritize between theme parks and natural attractions?

And that’s where we rush in – your knights in shining armor – delivering the ultimate 10 day California road trip itinerary. 

Our California trip planner is more like going on a series of best California road trips – each more gorgeous than the previous.

Also, we follow this road trip along two of California’s most popular routes: south on the SR1 or Pacific Coast Highway and then back north along the scenic SR 395 through Eastern California .

That’s what makes our itinerary the absolute best California driving trip planner!

You can also call it the California National Parks road trip because we will be visiting the most popular of them on an epic road trip.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Stretch 1: Down The Pacific Coast – 4 Days

Often enough, when someone talks about a California driving holiday, this stretch along the Pacific Coast Highway is the one they actually mean.

Constantly ranked among the top scenic drives in the world, the coastal drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles is the best of both worlds.

It combines the urban getaways of California’s two largest cities with the natural panoramas of Big Sur and the Pacific. 

If you have limited time, we would recommend spending 3 to 4 days along this route.

If you want to focus only on this coastal road trip, then just drive south on a road trip from San Francisco on SR1.

Take your own time to enjoy roadside stops like Carmel-By-The-Sea, Morro Bay, and the stunning Big Sur.

Hike or camp and explore nature.

Here’s our suggestion for this stretch of 10 day California itinerary planner.

San Francisco – 1 Day

Start with our San Francisco road trip planner.

San Francisco is our favorite city to start a 10 day California trip.

The city is quite easy to fly into; the 3 airports of San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland are located close by and many airlines have deals to the Bay area.

We would recommend spending a minimum of one day in San Francisco before picking up your rental car and driving south.

Or you can rent a car before, see SF, and then drive the PCH.

You can also start your 10 day road trip from Los Angeles, in that case, adjust your plans accordingly.

Read this now! Whatever you do – don’t casually park your car at an empty garage in San Francisco. Car Break-ins in San Francisco are very common, as we discovered to our ill-fortune . On our latest trip to San Francisco, we had parked in a garage two blocks away from Pier 39 and came back to find the rear glass broken and both our children’s suitcases gone!  We had to spend quite some time to sort the issue and it left a sad memory on an otherwise awesome road trip around California in 10 days. We would recommend parking at your hotel while taking a cab or the tram to explore the city. 

San Francisco has many names – SF, San Fran, Fog City, the City by the Bay, Frisco (though don’t say that in front of locals) or simply, the City – going back to the days of the Wild West when there was nothing much in Northern California but the city.

San Francisco is colorful, vibrant, and bohemian.

It’s amongst our favorite US cities – right there at the top along with New York , Chicago , and New Orleans.

There are quite a few things to do in San Francisco: unsurprisingly most of them begin at or near the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco’s gigantic urban park.

Begin your visit at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center near the southern end of the bridge.

Learn interesting facts and see construction relics from the building of the Golden Gate Bridge before visiting the bridge itself.

Next walk across all 1.7 miles of this engineering marvel and icon of America.

The views of the bay from the bridge are beautiful and you feel an indescribable thrill while walking across it.

Definitely the highlight of your California travel itinerary!

Up for more adventure?

Bike the Golden Gate!

We have done it twice – most recently with our 3 yrs and 6 months old kids – it is a superb experience.

We love biking across to Sausalito, exploring the quaint town, and taking the ferry back to San Francisco.

You can also bike to the redwoods if you have more time.

Read our ultimate guide to biking the bridge here.

If not biking, then use the rest of your day to explore San Francisco’s highlights: Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, Lombard Street, and Ghirardelli Square.

If you want to spend more time in San Francisco, see the Painted Ladies – those famous SF houses shown in Full House!

You can also check out the city from the Twin Peaks.

The Golden Gate Park is perfect for a stroll.

Ride the cable car to Chinatown and have some dumplings and noodles for lunch.

Spend an afternoon admiring the beautiful architecture of the Palace of Fine Arts or visit the prison of Alcatraz Island.

Visit the beautiful redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument or whale watch and hike at Point Reyes.

San Francisco is a beautiful city and you can easily spend a couple of days there as a part of your 10 day trip to California.

Read our San Francisco posts now to plan this part of the trip: San Francisco 3 to 5-day itinerary ideas 17 Best Things to do in San Francisco on your first visit

The area around San Francisco is also full of activities and tourist attractions.

Here are some suggestions if you want to spend a few more days exploring around the Bay Area during your California itinerary of 10 days:

Napa & Sonoma 

Take a day trip from San Francisco to Napa Valley along the Silverado Trail.

Sonoma County is also a great place to visit for wine lovers.

You can tour the many vineyards, taste local wines, dine at Michelin starred restaurants, and visit famous tasting rooms.

If you happen to visit in the fall, you will see beautiful fall colors in the vineyards and be able to attend grape stomping. 

San Jose is popular with millennials and those working in Silicon Valley.

You will find plenty of trendy nightclubs and bars in San Jose.

If you enjoy shopping, check out the high fashion brands on Santana Row.

For outdoor lovers, a hike to Mission Peak is a must while families will love the Winchester Mystery House.

Silicon Valley

If you love tech then you need to visit Silicon Valley.

It boasts the largest concentration of geeks and nerds – and as a fellow geek, I say it quite fondly!

Start your visit at the Computer History Museum to know everything about the machine that changed our lives.

Then see Google’s Android lawn sculptures in Mountain View or the garage where Hewlett Packard began in Palo Alto.

Visit Stanford University’s sprawling campus as well as Facebook and Apple!

Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip – 2 Days

On to the next part of the 10 day road trip in California.

After seeing San Francisco, drive south along the SR1 or Pacific Coast Highway.

Over the next 2 days, you will follow the coastal route to Los Angeles while making plenty of stops along the way.

Check the coastal communities of Half Moon Bay and Davenport before reaching Santa Cruz.

If you have kids, spend some time at the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk.

Next visit Monterey and Carmel by the Sea. Hike in Point Lobos or walk the coastal bluffs at Garrapata State Park.

On the way, you will see secret beaches, hidden coves, and beautiful views. 

As you begin driving PCH1 while following our 10 days in California itinerary, you understand why artists settle here, photographers and writers both wax lyrical about this region, and why the drive is called the most beautiful in the world.

We recommend staying somewhere in the vicinity of Carmel Highlands for the night.

The next day, rise early for the star attraction of the drive: the 90-mile long rugged, wild Big Sur.

Big Sur is 6 hours from Los Angeles and you have a big day ahead.

It is really hard to describe Big Sur.

Rocky cliffs, foaming waves, spring wildflowers, lighthouses, migrating whales, turquoise water, redwood trees: Big Sur has everything.

It is gorgeous in a wild way.

In Big Sur, you will find amazing state parks, some of California’s best hiking trails, iconic beaches, and tons of marine life, including otters, elephant seals, and dolphins.

Some areas of Big Sur can be closed at any given time of the year due to floods or landslides – so we recommend checking out the PCH status before your 10 days road trip California.

Read more about all the attractions including the beautiful McWay Falls in our post One day in Big Sur . 

Other attractions of the Pacific Coast Highway drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles include Monterey’s famous 17-mile drive, the seaside towns of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, the famous Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara, and the beaches of Malibu.

For the purposes of this California Itinerary of 10 days, we would suggest 2 to 3 days on PCH.

However, if you have more time then the PCH is easily a 4 day to week-long road trip in itself.

To read more about all the awesome stops on PCH and planning a detailed itinerary, check out our article on Planning a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway . 

Also Read: Top 10 Convertible drives in the USA

Los Angeles – 1 Day

While San Francisco and Silicon Valley are for tech lovers, Los Angeles is for Hollywood fans.

How long to stay in Los Angeles is a tricky question.

If you only have one day in Los Angeles, start by seeing the famous Hollywood sign and then visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame to take selfies with your favorite stars.

Also, see the Kodak Theatre (now Dolby Theatre) which hosts the Oscars and tour the movie star homes on Rodeo Drive.

If you have more time to explore Los Angeles, we suggest starting with lunch at the Santa Monica Pier.

Then visit the Griffith Observatory and see Los Angeles from above.

Or you can take a behind the scenes VIP studio tour at one of your favorite studios: pick from Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures or Sony!

You can also check out the beautiful exhibits at the Getty Center or the beautiful modern art at the Broad.

LA also has many other top museums and a large number of attractions – read our post on Best Things to do in Los Angeles for more ideas.

For more help in planning your day, read our Los Angeles itinerary for first-time visitors .

Here are some suggestions to explore the area beyond Downtown Los Angeles:

No California family road trip is complete without a trip to Disney.

Both of California’s Disney Parks are located close to Los Angeles in Anaheim.

On the best California vacation itinerary, you have to meet Mickey, Goofy and other beloved cartoon characters!

Kids also get to meet Disney’s princesses in full attire at the parks.

To plan a California family vacation itinerary including a trip to Disney, read our Disney posts .

Universal Studios

To understand all about movie-making, see movie sets, and enjoy thrilling rides visit Universal Studios.

This theme park has really cool attractions and the Studio Tour will take you through sets based on Shutter Island, Jaws, King Kong, and more.

Harry Potter fans will love visiting Hogwarts and taking thrilling rides based on the books and movies – and is a must-visit if you are spending 10 days in California.

Channel Islands National Park

For a unique experience, customize our itinerary for California 10 days and visit the remote Channel Islands.

Comprised of 5 islands, the park has excellent wildlife, sea caves, and lots of natural beauty.

You can take a ferry to the park from Ventura.

Optional: San Diego – 1 Day

From Los Angeles, you can venture on the next part of California 10 day itinerary or extend your trip down the coast by visiting San Diego.

Not many people know that San Diego is the oldest city on the West Coast.

It has beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture and lots of history. 

Read our post 22 Best Things to do in San Diego now to know more about this beautiful city.

If you have one day, you can visit the Historic Old Town and understand the Mexican and Wild West roots of the city.

Next, visit the famous Balboa Park with its beautiful architecture, renowned museums, and the San Diego Zoo.

Round off your time in the city by exploring the historic Gaslamp Quarter and its Victorian architecture and trendy eateries, hotels, and pubs.

This area is perfect for ending the day with dinner and drinks.

If you have more than a day, visit the famous San Diego Sea World and see the dolphins in action.

San Diego is home to many beautiful beaches; the Mission Beach boardwalk is very popular.

Other things to see include Mission San Diego, Sunset Cliffs Park, and the bustling waterfront area of Seaport Village.

If you have more time on 10 day itinerary California, check out the dramatic sculptures in the desert city of Borrego Springs.

Related: For more California road trip ideas, check out our post on 12 Best California road trips

Stretch 2: Through The Arid Californian Desert – 2 Days

Continue on the California road trip route planner through deserts of southern California.

While most people associate California primarily with the coast and then with the dense redwood forests, the state is also renowned for its unique desert landscapes.

Most of these parts of southern California have a desolate beauty.

It is full of desert cities like Palm Springs which offer unique tourist attractions for visitors.

In this post, we focus our California 10 days itinerary on exploring two of the region’s national parks: Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park – 1 Day

Located partly over the Colorado desert and the Mojave desert, Joshua Tree National Park is named after the iconic Joshua tree.

This is a type of Yucca tree that is twisted, scraggly, and found only in the Mojave desert of California.

The easily recognizable tree looks even more dramatic in the desert landscape and bare rock formations of Joshua Tree National Park.

The national park is one of the most underrated California road trip destinations.

Its unique vistas have drawn photographers and artists to the park for decades.

Read our post on One Day in Joshua Tree to plan your trip.

There are many things to do in Joshua Tree and its otherworldly landscape.

One of the best ways to see Joshua Tree is by driving around the paved road in the park.

Campsites in Joshua Tree are spectacular and hikes through Yucca trees and cacti adventurous.

The Hidden Valley Trail is a short mile-long trail that offers great desert landscape views.

The park has many popular geological rock formations that are used for rock climbing.

The park also has a dark night sky and is good for stargazers, astronomy enthusiasts, and night sky photographers.

Wildlife and birding opportunities around the park are also numerous.

Read more in our post 24 Best Things to do in Joshua Tree National Park .

While deciding how to plan a trip to California, we recommend keeping more time aside to explore the many attractions surrounding Joshua Tree.

You can easily include them on a South California road trip from San Diego to Joshua Tree in this order: San Diego – Anza Borrego – Galleta Meadows – Salton Sea – Palm Springs – Joshua Tree.

Here’s some more information about these desert experiences that are worth adding to your itinerary if you have the time.

Salton Sea 

The Salton Sea is an inland lake created by flooding from an irrigation canal of the Colorado River that carries water to the Imperial Valley in 1905.

Several resort communities were built along the new lake.

However, the lake has no discharge and as a result, the water became unusually saline causing the death of marine life.

As a result, the communities were abandoned and are extremely popular with ruin photographers.

If you have teens, then definitely include Bombay Beach ruins in your California vacation itinerary – they will love to see random objects lying on the beach.

Today, the Salton Sea shoreline is filled with deteriorating structures and RV communities.

The Salton Sea is also located directly on top of the San Andreas fault and geothermal activity including mud pools are present along the coast.

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is popular for birding, boating, picnicking, and camping. 

Palm Springs

Palm Springs, located in the Colorado desert region, is one of the biggest Californian desert cities.

If you want a relaxing vacation, then Palm Springs is one of the best California ideas.

One of its main attractions is the Palm Springs aerial tramway which takes you up Mount San Jacinto and offers great views of the surrounding area.

Palm Springs also has many great museums, boutique stores, restaurants, and resorts.

It is one of the most popular winter vacation destinations in the USA.

If you plan to visit Palm Springs, then check out our post on 30 Best Things to do in Palm Springs, California.

Anza Borrego and Galleta Meadows Sculptures in Borrego Springs

While California has many beautiful state parks, few know about its largest – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

This park is at its most beautiful in the spring when the cacti flower and the desert landscape comes alive with colors.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park is just two hours away from San Diego and can be seen on a San Diego Joshua Valley road trip.

In nearby Borrego Springs, you can see the unusual Galleta Meadows Estate sculptures.

These sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda are free to visit and beautiful works of art.

By driving all over the land you can spot dragons, serpents, wooly mammoths, and other fantastic creatures.  

Also, read our post on Planning the ultimate Southern California itinerary.

Coachella Valley Preserve 

Coachella’s Thousand Palms Oasis is a unique chance to see the oasis environment in the middle of the desert.

The oases directly sit on fault lines and the water seeping through the faults has given life to California Fan Palms and other big palms in the arid desert.

Wildlife including sheep, goats, bobcats, etc, also can be spotted at the oasis.

Entry to the reserve is free and it has many hiking trails plus offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

There are also other hiking areas close to Coachella Valley Preserve including Indian Canyons where you can hike through slot canyons. 

Death Valley National Park – 1 Day

Comprising of areas of the Mojave desert and the Great Basin desert, Death Valley is vastly different than Joshua Tree National Park.

For the most part, Death Valley is devoid of vegetation and is home to a variety of geological formations including the badlands, sand dunes, and the famous salt flats.

Death Valley also has the distinction of being the lowest point in North America and is also one of the hottest and driest places in the country.

No trip to Death Valley National Park is complete without visiting the Badwater Basin salt flats.

The salt flats, at 282 feet below sea level, are the lowest place in North America.

Death Valley National Park has many scenic drives that are perfect for exploring around the park.

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes are good for taking a stroll, exploring the desert plants, viewing animal tracks, and sunrise/sunset photography.

The park has many interesting geological formations.

Death Valley also has a dark night sky and is great for stargazing and photographing the Milky Way.

Read our post on 14 Best Things to do in Death Valley National Park for more information.

We know you are planning to roadtrip California, but we can’t talk about Death Valley without mentioning Las Vegas.

Las Vegas is also a great city to begin your road trip to California.

The distance between Vegas and Death Valley is just over 2 hours and the route is quite scenic.

In fact, it is one of our favorite road trips from Las Vegas.

You can see the Sin City and then go on a road trip through California – an epic Las Vegas Los Angeles San Francisco trip, if you will!

Or you can also go on a memorable Las Vegas Grand Canyon road trip from California.

For Las Vegas travel inspiration, read our post on 52 Best Things to do in Las Vegas .

Stretch 3: Up Through The Sierra Nevada – 4 Days

After seeing Death Valley, take a road trip on California’s Scenic Highway 395.

This road trip is scenic whether you do it from north to south or like we recommend here, from south to north.

The best time to see the aspens turn yellow here is in fall.

The total distance from Death Valley to your final destination of Yosemite is 4 hours when the Lee Vining road to Yosemite is open in the summer.

However, we recommend keeping aside 4 days for this road trip as it has some of the most underrated road trip destinations in California including the Manzanar National Historic Site, Alabama Hills, Ancient Bristlecone pine forest, Bodie Ghost Town, etc.

For more information on these Route 395 stops, see this article .

For the purposes of this itinerary, we focus on the popular attractions of Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe. 

Route 395 will take you high up into the Sierra Nevada mountains, known for their spectacular beauty.

The Sierra Nevadas are home to many national and state parks including the mighty Yosemite and crystal clear high mountain lakes.

For the rest of your Californian road trip, you will be exploring the High Sierras and its many breathtaking attractions.

This is a welcome respite after the desert landscapes of Death Valley and Joshua Tree and depending on when you visit you will be able to see beautiful meadows, wildflowers, fall foliage, and even snow!

Mammoth Lakes And Mono Lake – 1 Day

Contrary to their name, Mammoth Lakes is not a lake but a winter ski town in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Mammoth Mountain is the main winter skiing area with a variety of ski runs.

In summer, it is a favorite with mountain bikers and hikers.

The town does have several beautiful lakes that are accessible only in the summer but none of them are named Mammoth.

The area has beautiful alpine meadows with wildflowers in spring and natural hot springs for some R&R.

In one day, we recommend taking the roughly one hour drive around the Lakes Basin and visiting all the lakes.

You can hike, picnic, kayak, and fish in whichever lake you like.

Or maybe just hang up a hammock and read a book by the lake.

Nearby Mono Lake is a saltwater lake surrounded by unique towering limestone formations called the tufa.

The lake visitor center has great information about the formation of the lake and the tufa while the short South Tufa trail is great for exploring the surrounding area.

The trail takes you along the lakeshore and among the tufas.

We suggest stopping here for an hour or so; Mono Lake accepts National Park Pass for entry.

On the way from Mammoth Lakes to Mono Lake, you will pass by June Lake and Devils Postpile Monument.

June Lake Loop Road is a great place to see the fall colors while the Devils Postpile National Monument is a unique geological formation of basalt columns.

Rainbow Falls, a 31m plunging waterfall, is another popular attraction of the monument.

Past Mono Lake, take the Lee Vining Road into Yosemite.

The official name of the road is Tioga Pass Road and it is closed in winter and spring (usually November to May) due to snow.

In that case, you can’t really visit Yosemite from the eastern side.

To know alternative routes in winter, check here . 

Yosemite National Park – 2 Days

Best known for its giant sequoia trees, bald granite cliffs, and spectacular waterfalls, Yosemite National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yosemite along with Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park is known as the ‘Big Three’ and receives over 4 million visitors each year.

Yosemite is a must-stop on any Ca road trip itinerary.

The best time to visit Yosemite National Park is from the summer to fall when Tioga Pass Road is open.

We suggest spending 2 days in Yosemite National Park to hike, drive along scenic roads, and see the major attractions. 

On your first day, start by taking a Yosemite Valley Tour.

The Yosemite Valley is surrounded by the bald granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Most of the waterfalls including Yosemite Falls are also located in the valley.

The Valley is also where most of the park services including accommodations, shuttle buses, etc are located.

The Valley has hiking trails for all difficulty levels that lead to stunning views of Yosemite.

Lower Yosemite Falls hike is a short and easy trail that goes to the base of the falls.

Touring the Yosemite Valley via the free shuttle bus is the easiest way to see the national park.

However, if you are visiting in summer (especially long weekends) it can get very crowded – so plan to start early in the morning.

The Valley Visitor Center has great information and exhibits about the history and geology of Yosemite, plus it is a good place to get souvenirs, postcards, and magnets.

The aptly-named Mirror Lake reflects Half Dome peak and is beautiful to visit.

However, it dries up towards the end of summer and is best seen in spring/summer. 

Another must in the Valley if you’re visiting in summer is Glacier Point.

Located along the valley rim, it can be reached only by car or private tour.

The views from Glacier Point are stellar. It is also the base for many of Yosemite’s rim hikes.

We suggest spending one day exploring the valley. Yosemite also offers paid guided tours if you prefer them.

On the next day, you can go up the Tioga Pass road if it is clear of snow.

This is your chance to experience Yosemite devoid of the crowds.

The shuttle bus will take you up the Tioga Pass road to Tuolumne Meadows.

To see Yosemite’s giant sequoia trees, visit the Mariposa Grove.

This area is also accessible by the park shuttle.

End your day by visiting Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Village.

Photographer Ansel Adams’s stunning black and white photos of Yosemite are a great reminder of how Yosemite looked over half a century ago.

Lake Tahoe And Emerald Bay – 1 Day

If you continue along Route 395 from Yosemite, you will reach lake Tahoe.

Note: Route 395 itself does not reach Lake Tahoe, so you will be following 207 from the Nevada side. 

The deep blue water of Lake Tahoe surrounded by snow-clad mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevadas is one of California’s iconic images.

Located on the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is a popular travel destination for Californians throughout the year.

In winter it is popular for snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding.

Summer in Lake Tahoe is made for biking and camping.

In fall, the area around Lake Tahoe comes alive with spectacular fall foliage and is one of the top fall drives in the country .

South Lake Tahoe or the California side is best for enjoying the outdoors and nature with family while the Nevada side has lots of casinos and is more touristy.

Crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe (CC 2.0 – Christian Abend )

The drive around Lake Tahoe is 72 miles long and takes about three hours.

It is highly scenic and one of the best road trips in California.

Much of the shoreline of Lake Tahoe is public and the views of the lake from the drive are stunning.

The lake looks a pretty shade of blue during the day and taking a beautiful picture of the water is a highlight of your visit.

An essential stop along the drive is the Emerald Bay State Park.

The drive here is spectacular and the views of the turquoise lake are lovely.

There are many other ways to enjoy Lake Tahoe.

You can take a helicopter tour or enjoy watersports on the lake.

The Sierra Nevada mountain ranges are an absolute delight for outdoor and nature lovers.

What you will see in these 4 days is just the tip of the iceberg.

The High Sierras have many beautiful alpine valleys, lakes, ghost towns, waterfalls, and hiking trails worth exploring.

If you can spend more time in the Sierra Nevada, then here are some other must attractions:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 

These are the two other national parks located in the High Sierras.

The giant sequoias surround you as you drive the park roads creating a surreal and unique experience.

The twisting and turning roads here are not for the faint-hearted (hint: carry some Dramamine!).

Both national parks have great hiking trails and lots of wildlife.

John Muir Trail

While it is not possible to hike in a short time, John Muir Trail deserves a special mention.

This is a long-distance trail in the Sierra Nevada and passes through Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks.

It is as renowned as the Appalachian or the Pacific Crest Trail. 

Bodie Ghost Town

The old mining ghost town of Bodie is an hour away from Mammoth Lakes.

Preserved as a state park, the town is full of historic saloons and deserted buildings.

While Sacramento is not in the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, the city is on the way while returning to San Francisco from Lake Tahoe and makes for a great addition to our California road trip itinerary recommendations.

One of the top attractions in Sacramento is the California State Railroad Museum.

Stretch 4: Along The Wild North Coast

There are many things to do in Northern California including national parks, scenic drives, beautiful coastal towns, and more.

You will need another 5 days minimum to fully explore the Northern part of the state.

Hence, we do not recommend covering the North Coast if you are following this California Road Trip Itinerary for 10 Days – you simply won’t have time.

The best way to explore this region is to plan a separate road trip in the northern part of the state, the details of which you can read here in our post, Ultimate Northern California road trip itinerary .

California’s North Coast is less visited, unspoiled, and partially unexplored compared to the famous central Coast and the crowded southern coast.

The prehistoric coastal redwood trees grow in groves along the road all the way up to Oregon.

Hwy 1 ends at Leggett where it joins Hwy 101.

While the road follows the coast, for the most part, it turns inward in the area of the Lost Coast.

The remote Lost Coast as the name suggests is devoid of major highways and remains the ultimate adventure for a 10 day trip to California.

However, the coast is not the only unique thing about Northern California.

The northern part of the state is also home to geothermal activity.

You can climb lava tunnels at Lava Beds National Monument and see volcanic craters, domes, mud pools, etc at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Here are a few attractions of the region:

Redwoods National and State Park

The Redwoods National and State Parks were created to preserve the old-growth redwood forests.

The Redwoods are the tallest living trees on Earth and also among the oldest.

The National Park and state parks are also home to a number of endangered animals including spotted owl, species of sea lions, etc.

The unique environment of the dense redwood forests by the coast has resulted in the park being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seeing the Redwoods covered in fog during winter or spring is a surreal experience.

Point Reyes

Point Reyes National Seashore, located in Marin County, preserves a large swath of northern California’s coastal wilderness.

Most popular attractions at Point Reyes include Alamere Falls on Wildcat Beach and Point Reyes Lighthouse.

Other attractions include the endangered tule elk herd that can be seen around Tomales Point, Native American redwood houses, earthquake trail, and dramatic cliffside beaches.

Avenue of the Giants

Avenue of the Giants is an over 30 miles long scenic highway that passes through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park and its mighty coastal redwood trees.

Roadside attractions include tunnels cut into redwood trees, giant groves, and unique roadside attractions like a house created from a single redwood log and a Redwood RV.

We suggest hiking in the Redwood groves to experience the truly gigantic trees.

The quaint seaside town of Mendocino is quite different from the coastal towns on the Central Coast.

It reminded me of Maine and the coastal upper East coast due to its Victorian mansions painted in pretty pastel colors.

The town is a historical landmark and very pretty to wander and explore.

Nearby Mendocino Headlands State Park and Russian Gulch State Park are worth a visit.

Nearby Fort Bragg is no fort but a lumber town on the North Coast.

The famous ‘Glass Beach’ of which I’m sure you have seen pics floating around on social media is in Fort Bragg.

The beach is a part of MacKerricher State Park, a state park with amazing views of the undeveloped headlands, beaches, and tide pools.

Another popular attraction in Fort Bragg is the Skunk Train – a railroad built to haul timber logs from the redwood forests.

Other attractions on the North Coast include the pretty Victorian towns of Ferndale and Eureka, Del Norte Redwood State Park, and the seaport community of Crescent City.

More 10 Day California itinerary ideas for slow travelers

You can use our California road trip planner to customize your itinerary based on your interests. 

If you can only spend 10 days in California, then seeing all the above attractions can be overwhelming; here are a few suggestions for those who like slow travel.

California coast road trip itinerary

One great option is to go on a 10 day pacific coast highway trip or 10 day west coast road trip.

That way you can spend more time in the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles while seeing Big Sur at a leisurely pace. 

On this San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip in 10 days, you can tour the lighthouses, hike the trails, picnic on the beach, visit the wineries of the Central Coast, and enjoy nature – seriously the best road trip in California. 

You can even do the San Francisco to San Diego road trip in 10 days.

In that case, we would recommend keeping aside 2 days each for the 3 major cities and spending the rest of the time in the Big Sur region. 

This San Francisco 10 days trip lets you enjoy the beauty of the coast while visiting the Sierra Nevadas and the desert later.

California National Parks itinerary

California has 9 national parks – all of them are unique and make for an exciting California National park road trip. 

You can visit either the most popular ones or all of them, depending on how much time you want to spend in each park. 

We would suggest starting from Los Angeles, then seeing Joshua Tree and Death Valley before visiting Kings Canyon and Sequoia. 

Then see the beautiful Yosemite Valley. From Yosemite, head north to Lassen and then finally see Redwoods parks before returning to San Francisco. 

You can also see Pinnacles and Channel Islands if you have the time, to complete the national parks in California road trip. 

You can also use this route for creating your own California RV trip itinerary, since most national parks have RV campgrounds. 

Northern California road trip itinerary

Another great option for those who like slow travel is to plan a Northern California itinerary for 10 days. 

Start your road trip from San Francisco and drive along the less visited North Coast and see the majestic redwood trees. 

Drive along the Redwoods Scenic Byway before turning towards the mountains and exploring the caves at Lava Tubes National Monument. 

Visit Mount Shasta on your way to Lassen Volcanic National Park and end your trip in Sacramento, a couple of hours away from San Francisco. 

For more information on how to plan a California road trip focusing on the northern part of the state, read our in-depth post on Northern California road trip .

If you have less time: California itinerary 7 days

If you can’t spare 10 days, then we also have suggestions for 7 day California road trip routes. 

With only 7 days in california, we would recommend focusing on one region and exploring it at a leisurely pace. 

Of course, you can opt for a 7 day southern California itinerary or a 7 day California coast road trip along the PCH, but you can also consider some unique road trip ideas in California which explore its most popular attractions. 

Here are our favorites if you want to see the best of California in a week:

7 day road trip from San Francisco to Yosemite

If you are wondering how to spend a week in California but still see the most popular attractions, then this itinerary is for you. 

Start your road trip in San Francisco, see the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Mission District, Fisherman’s Wharf etc in two days. 

Then spend a day in Napa Valley and nearby Calistoga before seeing Sacramento.

In Sacramento, see the state capitol and the railroad museum then make your way to Yosemite National Park. 

Take a tour of the Yosemite Valley and see the famous El Capitan as well as the many waterfalls.

Enjoy the panoramic view from the Tunnel View Outlook. 

Then depending on the season, visit the Tuolumne Meadows area.

Return to San Francisco to complete 7 day road trip in California.

North California coast road trip

This California 1 week itinerary is perfect for slow travel. 

Land in San Francisco and take a day or two to explore it’s many attractions.

Then rent a car and drive north. 

Part of this road trip is on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 till Legett, after which you will be driving along the famous Redwood scenic byway. 

For your first stop, explore the beautiful Point Reyes.

See the lighthouse and the shipwreck, then eat oysters in Tomales Bay. 

Drive along the Avenue of the Giants and pass through the Redwood tunnels. 

Hike in the prehistoric Fern Canyon and visit the glass beach at Fort Bragg, then last stop at Eureka or Crescent City to finish the California coast 7 day itinerary.

7 Day Southern California trip itinerary

For this ca road trip planner, begin your trip with a day or two in San Diego or Los Angeles and then wind your way around Southern California’s desert attractions. 

See famous Joshua Tree and Palm Springs.

Enjoy the fantastic landscape of the Mojave desert and drink a delicious date shake.

See the sculptures in Borrego Springs. 

Then visit Anaheim and enjoy the theme parks.

There are also many things to do in Anaheim besides Disney. 

7 Day California Coast Road Trip

This is one of the most popular california driving holidays itineraries.

Follow this California road trip itinerary 7 days along the world famous Pacific Coast Highway. 

See the major cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Explore the charming mountain side towns of Pismo Beach and Morro Bay. Learn to surf and spot the elephant seals. 

Spend some time hiking and enjoying the wild, rugged vibe of Big Sur.

Take a tour of the Point Sur Lighthouse and hike down to Keyhole Rock. Go whale watching. 

If you have more time: California road trip itinerary 14 days

This two week california driving itinerary is perfect for long summer vacations, when most parts of the state including the High Sierras are completely accessible. 

Just use our main California trip planner, but add in all optional ideas including San Diego and the beautiful northern coast. 

Then see the Lassen Volcanic National Park area and visit the beautiful Burney Falls from Redding.

Spend some time in Mount Shasta and head back to San Francisco to complete California 2 week itinerary.

We hope you liked our California road trip blog.

Now you have everything ready to plan your perfect California trip itinerary, so make the most of it.

Did we miss any hidden gems in the Golden State?

Which part of the road trip did you enjoy the most? Let us know in the comments!

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9 Wonderful Day Trips from Ventura

As a Southern California native, I have spent a lot of time in Ventura County. There are plenty of fun day trips from Ventura that will allow you to explore some of the best parts of Southern California .

Whether you are on vacation in Ventura County or are a local looking to try something new, below is a taste of the experiences you can have. I also think it’s important to know that I have visited every single one of the places recommended in this article.

Ads are how we pay our bills and keep our blog free for you to enjoy. We also use affiliate links; if you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Fun Day Trips from Ventura

Day trips are the perfect way to escape the daily routine and explore new surroundings without the need for extensive planning or spending several nights away from home. Whether it’s a short drive to a neighboring town or a train journey to a nearby city, day trips provide an opportunity to discover hidden gems and new places. You want to make the most out of each day you have to take a break.

Channel Islands

Distance: 20 Miles (25-30 min)

Directions: US-101 South, Exit off Harbor Blvd

The Channel Islands are a popular destination located just off the coast of California. The untouched islands have some breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. The islands are a perfect place for outdoors with family and friends.

You have so many options for outdoor activities. These include snorkeling, paddleboarding, surfing, kayaking, and camping. One of my favorite things to do is to charter a boat for some whale watching during the migration season.

If you prefer to just stay on the mainland, do not worry. There are several beaches to relax from Channel Islands State Beach to Silver Strand. Another opportunity is that you will be right next to the navy bases of Port Hueneme and Point Mugu. These 2 locations usually have community events open to all.

Santa Monica

Distance: 58.6 Miles (60-75 min)

Directions: US-101 South to US-10 West, exit 4th or 5th Street

Santa Monica is probably the most popular Southern California coastal tourist destination you can take a day trip to. Located just west of Los Angeles, this beach city offers what all Californians love; a blend of sun, sand, as well as an active nightlife.

Start your day by strolling down the bridge to the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Here you can indulge in some delicious funnel cakes, play at the video arcade, and maybe get some lunch at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company seafood chain right there at the start of the pier. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s a must to ride the classic Ferris wheel for some great ocean views.

Once you head back to Santa Monica, you can take a leisurely walk up to the famous Third Street Promenade. It is lined with trendy shops, street performers, and enticing eateries. My top restaurants suggestions are Barnery’s Beanery and Cabo Cantina for some tasty eats and cocktails or beer. At nighttime, you will see this street filled with tourists and locals alike watching street performers or just heading into the mall.

And of course, no visit to Santa Monica is complete without sinking your toes into the warm sandy beaches and taking a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean. This is what people from out of town consider an item to put on their California itinerary.

Santa Monica to Venice

From the Santa Monica boardwalk you can head south for an extended walk along the path to neighboring Venice Beach. Or rent a bike from one of the many stores if you want to be more active.

Here you will find a combination of unique and interesting beachfront shops. Trendy cafes, standard souvenir shops, colorful street murals, and a bohemian type of community surround this neighborhood. Stop at Muscle Beach if you want to see some amateur bodybuilders working out in the outdoor gym. But a treat is the Venice Skatepark. You will always find a crowd there watching all the adults and kids. These two are part of the iconic landmarks that make this part of the city so great.

Farther down is the Venice Canals, based on European architecture and one of the most exciting things you can do here. It is a residential area so respect the properties and the walkways.

Distance: 60.5 Miles (60-75 min)

Directions: US-101 North to CA-154 West

This unique Danish village is probably one of the most surprising things you can find close to Ventura County. It offers a surprising blend of European charm and California’s laid-back vibes, usually something you would not find in this part of the world. As you casually stroll through the picturesque streets, you’ll be captivated by the charming windmills, colorful half-timbered houses, and striking Danish architecture in the main part of downtown.

The town is bustling with numerous boutique shops, artisan bakeries, and delightful restaurants. Red Viking and Viking Garden Restaurants are where you can indulge in authentic Danish pastries and traditional cuisine.

Immerse yourself in the rich Danish culture while you are here. For wine enthusiasts, a visit to one of Solvang’s esteemed wineries is a must, where you can savor the region’s exceptional wines. Stop at the entrance into town to check out the Old Spanish Mission first. Maybe if you are lucky, catch a show at the local outdoor theatre.

Whether you’re seeking a taste of Europe while you’re here or simply want to escape to a whimsical destination out of the norm, a day trip to Solvang promises a delightful experience for all.

Santa Barbara

Distance: 27.4 Miles (35 min)

Directions: US-101 North

The essential destination for a day trip from Ventura, this is the true definition of a coastal beach city. You will find a mix of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and seaside charm. Located along the stunning California coastline, this coastal paradise boasts some top-notch beaches with golden sand and crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal spot to relax and soak up the sun.

The city also showcases its rich history through its Spanish Colonial architecture, evident in the iconic red-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls that adorn the downtown area. Have a nice picnic on the open grounds of the Old Mission Santa Barbara. Head up the street from there to see the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. They have an interesting dinosaur display in the back that is sure to be mildly entertaining.

State Street is one of the most popular attractions here and considered the heart of Santa Barbara. It is filled with art galleries, clothing stores, and a variety of top quality restaurants for you to partake in.

If you want to spend your time at the beach and harbor, go to Stearns Wharf. This is where you can see all the boats and clear ocean skies. They also have a morning fishermans market (think farmers market but all seafood) every Saturday morning. Yes, you may have to get up earlier than you wanted to but it is still a pretty interesting activity to check out.

Distance: 46.2 Miles

Directions: US-101 South or US-101 South to CA-1 S

Enjoy the iconic and world famous beachside town on the Pacific Coast Highway. There are plenty of things to do in Malibu for a day. Take a leisurely stroll along the Malibu Pier and watch the surfers riding the waves.

Hikers can explore the many scenic trails of the Santa Monica Mountains, getting some fresh area as you get to see some great coastal views at Point Dume and Chumash Trail or head more inland to catch some of the popular waterfalls at Escondido Canyon Park and Solstice Canyon. These require moderate activity so be sure to stretch and hydrate.

Indulge in delectable seafood delicacies at Malibu’s renowned beachfront restaurants. Head to the always-popular Neptune’s Net, where you will find the parking lot filled with motorcycle riders and classic car owners on the weekends.

Wine lovers can enjoy a tasting tour and scenic views at one of the popular vineyards in the mountains such as Cielo Farms. Or if you prefer to stay along the Pacific Coast Highway go Rosenthal Wine Bar & Patio for an excellent selection. Have your classic social media picture taken in their over enlarged beach chair right at the front entrance. It’s a real treat to just sit back and have a lazy day enjoying the sand and sun.

San Luis Obispo

Distance: 121.3 (120 min)

If you’re looking for a perfect day getaway as a couple, a visit to San Luis Obispo is an absolute must. This city on California’s Central Coast offers something for everyone. Start your day by going through the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa on self-guided tour. You can immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning architecture.

As the sun climbs higher, make your way to the iconic Bubblegum Alley and leave your mark on its colorful walls. It’s a little disgusting but one of the most popular attractions here. It’s creative, artistic, and participation is appreciated.

Once you get hungry, satisfy your taste buds by indulging in the delectable cuisine at one of the city’s many popular farm-to-table restaurants, such as Gardens of Avila or Big Sky Cafe. The Cubano sandwich is perfect for an afternoon.

Don’t forget to explore the lively and colorful downtown, lined with more unique boutiques and art galleries. End your day by taking a leisurely hike up Bishop Peak, where you’ll be rewarded with some enjoyable panoramic views and that amazing sense of tranquility from taking a day trip.

Whatever kind of day-tripper you are, either a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or a foodie, a day trip to San Luis Obispo promises an unforgettable experience.

Los Angeles

Distance: 67.7 Miles (90 min)

Directions: US-101 South

You can not be here and not have a day trip to L.A. This place offers endless possibilities on a day trip. You can find put together an amazing combination of activities to keep you busy.

Need some new clothes? Head to Hollywood famous Melrose Avenue for a movie inspired shopping spree. Expensive top quality brands will get you ready for the nightlife.

For those seeking a dose of culture, a visit to the Getty Center or the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is a must. They are constantly rotating out new displays and exhibits so you will never have the same experience twice in a row.

Nature enthusiasts can venture along the many hiking trails around the Griffith Observatory, and have an Instagram-worthy picture of the Hollywood Sign. Once you head into the city you can get a taste of Hollywood glamour along the Walk of Fame.

Take in a night show at the ever-exclusive Magic Castle. It’s difficult to get in with an exclusive membership but if you can swing it and get lucky it is oh-so worth it. Don’t expect big names to be here but just watching it will take you back to being an impressionable kid again.

For the foodie lover, you have to indulge at the Grand Central Market. There are enough different types of food you won’t know which to choose. You will make it a personal mission to come back and eat at every single place.

After your full-on foodie splurge, make a quick stop around the block at The Last Bookstore, another popular tourist and local landmark. With so few bookstores they have managed to stay open with a unique vibe, an increasing number of topics and categories, and just a social media presence.

With its diverse neighborhoods and exciting attractions, a day trip to Los Angeles should be at the top of your list of day trips.

Redondo Beach

Distance: 76.9 Miles

We picked another coastal destination for a day trip just because there are so many favorites. The Redondo Beach Pier is your starting point, where you can soak in more ocean views and California beach culture.

Come during one of the monthly farmers markets to indulge in boutique and unique items from local vendors. Seaside Donuts Bakery is one of the favorites in the area and you will always find a line forming by the beginning of the day.

If you’re feeling adventurous, rent a paddleboard or kayak and explore the crystal-clear waters, or simply lounge on the sandy shores and bask in the warm sun. We suggest you take a glass bottom boat ride on the water to catch all the gorgeous fish on the coast.

Visit the King Harbor Marina, where you can marvel at the vibrant sailboats and private yachts with some fresh sea air. As the day winds down, head to the picturesque Veteran’s Park, where you can picnic with your loved ones while enjoying the breathtaking sunset painting the sky in hues of gold and pink.

This place is just the beginning as you head further south into the always beautiful Orange County. Or head back north to neighboring Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches.

Palm Springs

Distance: 176.1 Miles (3 hours)

Directions: US-101 South to CA-210 and I-10 East

Heading out to the desert for some rest in Palm Springs is always a good idea. Okay, I admit it, this is more of an overnight or weekend adventure. But here is where you can just unplug even more by California standards.

A day trip to this destination promises an unforgettable experience. Use the Marilyn Monroe statue as your starting point as you go exploring.

You will find the drive out of the city is great, especially if you have the top down and the wind blowing through your hair. Many people go to the streets of E Tahquitz Canyon Way and Indian Canyon Dr, part of the downtown area, lined with unique charming shops and art galleries.

The whole point of coming to Palm Springs is really just to indulge yourself with friends and family and find any number of ways to just relax and not think about the outside world.

If you like to gamble spend your time at the local Agua Caliente Casino to help pay for your current trip if you are lucky. Or it just may be nice to get out of the sun for awhile and cool down with some quality cocktails and air conditioning.

The awe-inspiring Indian Canyons reveal breathtaking waterfalls and ancient palm groves, while the revitalizing waters of the nearby Agua Caliente hot springs offer the perfect respite for tired souls. The perfect place to rejuvenate yourself before heading back to the daily grind of life.

In the afternoon, a trip aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports adventurers to the mountain’s peak, giving you views of the vast desert below.

Once it gets dark, the city’s nightlife slowly starts, offering a plethora of trendy bars and chic lounges to indulge in culinary delights or dance the night away. You will see classic cars being driven into town from the retirement community and other car aficionados.

You won’t regret coming here and you may just decide to extend your day trip to a weekend. This is by far the furthest day trip you can take but oh so worth it.

Whether you’re tight on vacation days or simply looking for a quick getaway, these day trips will help provide an excellent opportunity to explore new places outside of Ventura County without sacrificing too much time. Wake up, pack a few essentials, and head out for the day.

More California Adventures!

• 52 Fun Things to do in Santa Monica
• 50+ Awesome Things to do in California
• 50+ Fantastic Things to Do on the Central California Coast

Recommended Travel Resources

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• Travel Insurance: World Nomads *.
• Transport: CheapOAir and Skyscanner (Best Sites to Research Flight Prices) 
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• Best Tours: Viator and Get Your Guide

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Nick is the founder of The World Overload, a personal travel blog. From here he shares his and other world travelers’ personal experiences, popular cultural events, trip itineraries, and suggested destinations for every world-traveling enthusiast. Nick wants to experience the most of what this world has to offer and hopes to bring you into this as well. He has been to over 30 countries and continues to travel 2-3 times a year while working his full-time job and side hustles.

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Northern California Style

A Carmel Day Trip and Earth Day

April 19, 2024 By kimwheeler 30 Comments

On this post, a day trip to Carmel and some of my favorite spots, and also Earth Day activities going on this weekend and how we can use less plastics!

It’s time for the weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth where we share what is happening and on our minds.

How was your week? I have been in yard this week pulling weeds and fertilizing my pots and flowers like mad, and it’s starting to pay off. The yard is shaping up! Hopefully one of these weekends it won’t feel like January. We seem to be in a warm weekday and cold weekend pattern and I can’t wait for a sunny weekend in the yard. Maybe this weekend?

A daytrip to Carmel

Max and I started last weekend off by going to Carmel for a day trip on Friday. He took Friday off and we headed to Carmel before another rainy weekend hit us.

Carmel is always gorgeous, but spring is especially beautiful there with so much blooming, like these Pride of Madeira that are everywhere and so stunning. I keep thinking we should add one to our front yard natives. It’s all along the beach and I love it..

Some people biking by Asilomar..

It was lovely to walk around the shops, enjoy an always excellent lunch at our favorite spot, La Bicyclette . La Bicyclette is European Country Cuisine, and is delicious simple food in a charming setting. The restaurant is run by a wonderful Belgian family that also owns Casanova, another Carmel gem. We always get some kind of salad and share the most wonderful wood fired pizza (with their own Calabrian chili oil), home made bread and sometimes more..

Later we grabbed a cappuccinos at the Carmel Roasting Company, and checked out the town and the beaches.

I stopped at two of my favorite home stores..

House of Cardoon is for you if you love color, and whimsical upholstered pieces, colorful rugs and linens, vintage magazine covers framed, and other unique art. I always want to add more color to my life and home when I visit.

Beachwood Home has every kind of blue ginger jar, luxe throws, pretty accessories, bamboo frames, grasscloth beds, and other dreamy things you’d want in your Carmel beach house.

Carmel Plaza is a small multi-level outdoor mall. It’s also lovely and has good spots to sit by fire pits and cute restaurants, a brewery, and a wine and cheese tasting spot. A popular new spot there is called Dutch Door Donuts , with organic donuts and amazing coffee you should not miss. Max loves sitting by the fire and watching the dogs. ( Carmel has 100/10 dog watching.)

We opted to skip donuts and stop by our old favorite nearer to the beach, The Cottage of Sweets , a traditional English sweets shop that makes its own fudge and chocolates and has imported candy. We grabbed some English chocolate bars for our sons, nonpareils for my dad, and a couple of dark chocolate walnut turtles for the road for the two of us.

As the weather was turning cold and quite stormy we spent the last hour taking the scenic drive along the beach and further over to Pacific Grove and exited through Monterey before going home. There was some sort of king tide and the beaches were closed, so the drive was the perfect way to see the coast. I’m hoping we get back in a month or so. May is actually the time when the most ice plants bloom and the whole coast is a beautiful pink.

This is my favorite view looking towards the mountains with the Carmel River Beach in the distance. It was still a bit foggy in late afternoon.

Earth Day 2024-Planet vs. Plastic

It’s that time again where I bug you all and write about Earth Day! Earth Day is the perfect time for us all to reset and restart making good choices again. As Monday is Earth Day, I’d like to share some green ideas and highlight some local events happening this weekend. For 2024, the theme is “Planet v. Plastic.”  

How great is this poster by winner Luke who won in the kid’s contest?

Gaylord Nelson organized the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, to get people to mobilize for clean air, water and to end pollution. Twenty million people actually rallied across America that day, and each year since, this event gets more than a billion people across the world to take action and join event.

I get inspired just seeing this photo from that day on Fifth Avenue..

Below in Philadelphia 1970, and a button from that era.. Wish we had the momentum and caring about this that we seemed to once have.

I think it is smart they are focused on plastics this year.. One of the worst offenders, plastics are unhealthy for us and are showing up in all our bodies, yet so many of us still use disposable plastics everyday without much thought.

We have also been tricked by the petroleum and plastic companies who have known for decades that very little of packaging is ever recycled, but let consumers believe it anyway. A new article just published from the Center for Climate Integrity , about the fraud of plastic recycling by big oil and the plastics industry lays out new evidence.

A few eye-opening facts about plastics…

• Only 9% of plastic is actually recycled globally and 22% of it is mismanaged.
• Ocean sampling shows that 1/3 of fish have plastic in their digestive systems.
• 80% of ocean plastic comes from land sources and 20% from nets and marine pollution.
• The average plastic bag is used for 12 minutes before being thrown away.
• At the current rate we are going, plastic will outweigh fish in the ocean by 2050.

What can we do?

You can join a cleanup event or a Earth Day Festival to learn more about how we can help change things for the better. There are so many fun Bay Area events -a list here on the Mercury News and more here with events from Napa to Tracy and all over Bay Area cities. If you have young ones, it’s a great time to get them aware of how our actions help and hurt the planet and all the living things on it.

Consider your purchases and small actions help!

None of us are perfect, but doing our small bit adds up. You can see from the chart, packaging is a huge amount, so try and do better there.

Since the pandemic we have gotten lax about our usage of plastics. I was so very disappointed to see many retailers go back to plastic bags during Covid here in California and many never went back. Just when we had trained ourselves to bring our bags! I still have baskets of bags in my car, and by both doors. I walk out of a store like an orangutan before I will take a plastic bag and yes I do believe every new bag that isn’t taken helps.

Try to take your own water bottle everywhere. Have multiples at home and replace them often. Go through your water bottle drawer and recycle ones that are no longer working or leak and get some you will want to use daily. It’s something I never leave home without and especially for travel.

For entertaining, buy or recycle any glass water bottles, or carafes and fill with with purified tap water. Buy big glass bottles of drinks and have paper cups on hand ( not red Solo!) Better yet, fill a glass dispenser of tea you make yourself or make fruit infused tap water! Even my sons at their little apartments have Britta water pitchers in their refrigerators, as they know water bottles are not cool.

At the grocery, I try VERY hard to not buy produce in plastic shells, one of the worst things. I will actively seek out produce in cardboard or better yet- no packaging and in bulk. I have netted bags for the produce, but more often than not, I put the fruit or veg straight in the cart or conveyor belt, as I know it’s already touched who knows what, and needs washing at home anyway.

Look for bulk store that sell household products, and beauty items in bulk. We have one in our town of Los Gatos called Ethos. I wrote about it here and I love it and buy my micellelar water there, laundry things and more.

When you buy clothing, know that clothes made with synthetics are releasing micro particles into our water systems when they are made, and every single time we wash them. We also know nylon is very hard to recycle. Some polyesters can be reused, but a fabric that is both a natural fiber like wool or cotton paired with a synthetic cannot be recycled! So look at your choices of fabrics when shopping and choose ALL natural materials when you can.

Over production of clothing is one of the worst polluters to our planet in so many ways. The more we start to choose re-loved and up cycled pieces, or rewear what we already own, we make a difference. Start by committing to shop less, shop your own closet, and try to add at least one upcycled garment this year, if you never have!

Another great source to help us make informed choices is Good On You, which rates and evaluates fashion companies by their practices. On this link you can put in any favorites and see how they well are doing for the planet.

Next week I will share more sources to buy cool ‘reloved’ pieces.

Are you passionate about the doing better for planet and for our health? I’d love for people to share in comments things you do to be more green and any tips.

On Thursday, Cindy and I shared a fun April Signature Style, where we both bought the same shirtdresses in two price points. One of those dresses, is by Frank & Eileen, which is a B Corp and a fantastically ethical company transparent in every step of its manufacturing process. It’s a woman-owned California company that prides itself on creating ethical and beautiful garments!

You can read my post here and Cindy’s if you missed it!

Juliet had a great post with her spring kitchen updates here.

If you missed last weekend , I shared a peek at the spring collection at Madewell, my new rug I bought for my bedroom, trays for styling and more..

Have a great weekend!

Please stop by Juliet and Elizabeth’s blogs.. 

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

Pinecones and acorns.

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ON MY RADAR...

Reader interactions.

April 19, 2024 at 11:58 pm

Thank you for all the tips on going greener. In Victoria, Australia plastic bags were banned quite a few years ago, however, there are some stores that continue to have them and charge .15 cents or more a bag. My daughter loves shopping thrift stores for clothes and we do buy only natural fabric, have always done that due to skin issues.

April 20, 2024 at 8:10 am

Rita, We had the same issue with the bags. Really maddening. I often think I’d like to stand outside the grocery and hand out my extra bags to those who won’t bring them, as I see a lot of people walk out with piled of paper and plastic bags, with no issues.

The younger generation is so much better than us at shopping thrift and up cycled ! I am the same and prefer natural materials as I am sensitive..

April 20, 2024 at 5:54 am

Hi, Kim — I’m so proud of you for bringing up these important issues head-on and using your platform for good! I remember the first Earth Day. Ouch! It’s important to avoid plastics as much as possible. I see clamshells and other non-recyclables in my neighbors’ recycling bins, which are not recyclable curbside here. There is no market for them. I feel that consumers BELIEVE they’re recyclable and that justifies their purchase. Put it in the bin and no guilt. Anything we can do to educate is so important! We are good about keeping a few reusable grocery bags in the cars (EV for me!), and using them faithfully. It’s just a habit to develop. I am doing the “pledge of five” (or whatever it’s called) this year — the goal is to only buy five new items of clothing a year. It really makes me think about my purchases. So far, I’ve only purchased one pair of wide-leg jeans, which I love, and one pair of linen pants that I look forward to wearing. On garbage day, I take a bucket and my grabbers with me on my morning walk, and pick up litter around my neighborhood (not much) and on the busy street outside of the neighborhood (much more!). I get some odd looks, but who cares? Maybe one other person will be inspired to do the same, or at least not throw plastic cups and cigarettes on the street! I’m a gardener and compost my kitchen waste. Buy organic. Use the library system instead of buying books. These may all be little things but I hope they are adding up!

April 20, 2024 at 8:06 am

Hi Julia, How cool you remember the first Earth Day! I was five, but I remember later celebrations at grammar school. You re so right about the horrific clamshells, and yes people believe they are recycled.

I so think those doing the pledge of five are amazing and also the picking up garbage… We do that too.The library is a the best. Imagine if everyone did some of the things you are doing. We would be in so much better place. Thank you for all you do!

April 20, 2024 at 6:20 am

Plastic water bottles are a scourge on the planet and anyone over 40 grew up drinking water out of a faucet! Next are single use plastic bags and NJ, where I live, banned them two years ago. We put solar panels on our home and recently bought a plug-hybrid car which gives us enough juice for daily running around. My motto is, no one can do everything but everyone can do something and that includes corporate polluters.

April 20, 2024 at 7:58 am

Barb thanks I agree. I just can’t wait for them to be banned! They could be replaced with aluminum bottles, but I am sure the plastics and oil industry would revolt. Good for your area banning single use bags! Yay for the hybrid car. I love that they have enough juice for all you need in town. We have a electric car- we are on our fourth- started with the tiny Fiat, then a Bolt, and my husband is now onto his fourth and uses it for everything.

Gosh that is the best motto! I have to share and I so agree. Yes corporate polluters are one of the worst issues and Trump promisses to roll back regulations for companies if re-elected, which is scary for everyone. xo

April 20, 2024 at 8:29 am

I think people forget the EPA was formed under Republican President Richard Nixon.

April 20, 2024 at 8:39 am

Yes that’s true Barb and the Republicans of the past, are not the same people that are running now sadly.

April 20, 2024 at 6:44 am

Hi Kim, thanks for highlighting Earth Day in this way. Here in Canada plastic bags in grocery stores have been phased out completely (although I must admit, I do sometimes miss them – I would use them to line the small garbage bins in the bathrooms!) Recently our municipality offfered the opportunity to buy a subsidized Food Cycler – we would usually put 3 to 4 small compostible bags of food waste a week (mostly veggie peels etc.) into our garbage, and now we collect it in a small bin and place it in the machine about 2 or 3 times a week to be processed. What comes out can be used in the garden. We still use our small food waste bin for when the Food Cycler is doing its thing, but now we usually just have one small bag a week. By the way, I didn’t comment on your last post, but I was so pleased to see you link to a similar pearl necklace on a leather cord like yours – I’ve long admired it! Thanks!

April 20, 2024 at 7:47 am

Hi Patricia! That is so great you have the option to have the food cycler. Sounds like a wonderful idea! I bet it really encourages people to be smart about what goes in the trash and lovely to have compost. We had been supplied little compost boxes for the counter and used them, but were supposed to add them to our green waste which became problematic with bugs. I wish we had a better choice, but it’s better than not. Thanks I love my pearls and was so excited to finally see someone on Etsy sell them! xo

April 20, 2024 at 7:03 am

I stopped using plastic straws (still available here sometimes) and always use insulated water cups…but I’m going to be more careful…especially with fruit and vegetables…you are right about the many hands touching already anyway. I worry about all the cardboard since we get so many deliveries now. Great post.

April 20, 2024 at 7:42 am

Mary Ann, I think that’s so great. We don’t have plastic straws at restaurants in California, but we have some sort of plant-based ones if people want. They aren’t great though and Max is really good about never taking them, so I stopped too. We have some glass ones for home.

I know the cardboard! The deliveries are a big problem. We have a neighbor who gets so very many door-dash and deliveries, thatbthey have a junk service come every few months to remove their boxes. It sort of blew my mind they weren’t doing that and each time and the guys are here for about a half hour just taking boxes out of their side yard. It really was hard to believe they have that much and couldn’t do it themselves! Also.. sad there was so much. xo

April 20, 2024 at 7:55 am

Perfect timing, we leave for three nights in Carmel tomorrow. It has been one of my favorite places since junior high. The Tuck Box for tea and scones is on the top of my list. Do you have favorite places for dinner? I enjoy just walking up and down the neighborhoods for gardens and architecture.

April 20, 2024 at 8:34 am

Nancy, How fun. You are going at a wonderful time! Oh I love the Tuck Box too. I would recommend Casanova for dinner, or even Il Fornaio- we love their food and the Carmel one is so good. I agree I could walk the neighborhoods and do nothing else. Have so much fun!

April 20, 2024 at 8:01 am

Okay well now you are making me really want to go back to Carmel. 🥺 We have probably visited there more than anywhere else. We always go to Carmel Plaza too. I don’t remember House of Cardoon, is it a fairly new store? You always have great recommendations. We have a lot of Pride of Madeira plants around here, especially near our rental. There is a house that has a huge row by the street but they stick out so much if another car is coming you have to stop and let them by lol. Our lavender by our driveway is going crazy from all the rain. Off to the house soon to do some yard work except now my tennis elbow is coming back from last year, just from pulling weeds last weekend for an hour! I need to make sure I start stretching before I garden. It’s suppose to be 75 here today but it’s still overcast this morning. Happy Weekend! Linda

April 20, 2024 at 8:27 am

Linda, I know it’s so incredibly beautiful. yes House of Cardoon is fairly new and on the second story.

I was wondering if the Pride of Madeira plants become monsters? My agaves slowly are..but I still love them! Have already replaced a few at the 3 year mark. Oh no tennis elbow is so painful. Take care! I hope it’s a beautiful weekend.

April 20, 2024 at 10:35 am

I forgot to comment on the plastic. I do keep the reusable bags in the car, but sometimes if I forget or left them in the garage I ask for paper bags. Sprouts stopped carrying paper ones, 😐 only offer plastic ones now or buy one of their reusable ones. Maybe people complained they were charging 10 cents for paper bags lol. At least they are offering free reusables on Earth Day with a small purchase.

April 20, 2024 at 4:45 pm

Linda, Good for you keeping them in the car. I agree if you have to take something, paper is better. I’m glad Sprouts is giving reuseables on Earth Day. How can they offer plastic and also have Earth Day things? That’s a mixed message!

April 20, 2024 at 8:13 am

Hi Kim, you will believe that pride of Madera are such an easy plant to grow. When we moved down here in San Diego, my neighbor brought me three shoots that he had dug up. I planted them and now I have three huge Madera plants bloom every spring, and are gorgeous if you could ever dig one up from side of a road you actually can bring it home and it should grow, it does coastal fog and dampness, thoughI think that ours do so well-being so close to the beach. Carmel such a special spot. Miss being able to just drive to it easily in one day.

I have a variety of bags that I dragged through the grocery stores. I even have small bags that I used to put produce in. When you go to other countries, you see the waste of plastic everywhere and it’s really disheartening. Especially in Thailand, and Indonesia. Once you get out of the resort area, the trash is out of control..

We can only do what we can do, but we can spread the word! Thanks Martha

April 20, 2024 at 8:25 am

Martha, I was wondering about that! Thank you for the feedback on growing the Madeira. I will see if I can start with one. I just love your yard!

Sad to hear about the plastic in other countries. I know in Asia in some small places, they do not have the ability to incinerate plastic as we do, and their oceans are filled. So much of this is the fault of the plastics industry who takes no accountability and keeps making them, and nations allowing it. UGH. Thanks Martha for what you do too. Even the bags make a difference! xo

April 20, 2024 at 9:52 am

Hi Kim! Thank you for taking us along to Carmel! It looks like you had a marvelous day! And good for you for prompting us to all be better about our plastic use. I try to be good, but so much comes in plastic these days. It can be hard to avoid. I do always bring my own bags, have a water bottle, and always reuse the plastic bags I do end up with. I am bothered by all the plastic mailers that companies use. Living where I do, I have to do a lot of online shopping. I try to reuse those too. We have a town recycling center and I did ask about what happens with all the plastic we bring there. I was told that they hold onto it all until they get a buyer. So I am hoping we are part of the 9% that actually gets recycled. Happy Earth Day!

April 20, 2024 at 10:55 am

Hi Kim! Carmel is one of our fave places to visit, and it looks like you had a beautiful day. We enjoy dining at Casanova and Patisserie Boissiere which is next to Carmel Plaza. They have wonderful pastries and desserts. Hubs and I will be spending a few days there in June. Thank you for giving tips on how we can be more green. I can always trust you to share this important info on your blog. Plastic bags and bottles are a scourge to our environment and health. So proud of your young men being responsible regarding the environment. Have a great weekend. Xx

April 20, 2024 at 4:41 pm

Hi Karen! Casanova and Patisserie are such charming and good spots too! How nice to go in June. You are going to have such a great time. Aw thanks you for caring too. It’s upsetting and I hope we start to do more about this! Thanks my sons are still learning too…but I’m so glad they do the water thing! xo

April 20, 2024 at 4:30 pm

Kim, it looks like you had a wonderful trip, even if only for a day. I think you need one of those beautiful purple plants in your front garden, they are so interesting and colorful. I loved “following along” on your day in Carmel, La Bicyclette and the Cottage Sweets look like my kind of place. And the shops are too. Just from your photos I can see a few things I “need.” As for Earth day. The plastic bag thing I do not understand. For years and years actually over 30 in Europe you have to pay for plastic bags, the same in a few countries South America. Sadly plastic is in plates, straws, night cream, etc, as well as the clothes as you mentioned. It seems to be everywhere and there does not seem to be a policy in place or one that sticks to rid ourselves of it. I agree with you and several other comments, small changes can make a difference. We can each do one or two small things, no straws, no single use water bottles, don’t use plastic straws, utensils, plates, cary out containers, be mindful of the fabrics we are buying and the amount of clothing, etc we are purchasing. Buy secondhand if possible or swap clothes with family and friends. If we do this people around us will do the same. Recently, I read about a company that recycles clothing to make furniture. An interesting concept and something I wish we could do more of. I wonder is there is a way to recycle clothing to make insullation? Have a wonderful weekend Kim, I hope that you have some beautiful weather. xo Elizabeth

April 20, 2024 at 4:39 pm

HI Elizabeth! Thanks so much for caring and you kind comments. I just shared a company on my Instagram based in Paris that is creating bricks out of clothing and fabrics that are discarded. They use it for insulation and for building too.

I think as a nation, we must get tougher and demand no more plastic bags, bottles, and the like. We all can cope and will save money as well as the earth. Everyone is so worried about inconveniencing someone, we do nothing. The reason Europe has gotten so much farther than us with all this is they make the hard decisions and people agree and do it!

Hope you have a good weekend too! xo

April 20, 2024 at 5:00 pm

Thank you Kim for always reminding us to do better. I too remember the very first Earth Day, as I was a sophomore in high school. As passionate as we all were, it’s sad to think that 54 years later we’re still having the same conversation, struggling to convince people to make even a small effort. I feel a bit like my generation dropped the ball. Our city now collects food waste separately from other recyclables and trash. With our small kitchen there’s no counter space for the small food bin, so it sits on my washer or dryer—not ideal when I’ve got delicate items hung to dry nearby, but better than tossing it all in a landfill. We have used reusable grocery bags for decades. I remember how I would “reward” myself by buying a new one any time I shopped with enough coupons to cover the cost of the bag (which at the time was maybe $6)! I need to be better about clothes shopping and pay far more attention to companies with sustainable practices. It’s so easy to fall for that low priced item; we’ve all become so accustomed to getting that bargain and having it in our hands by the next day, but we have to remember our kids and grandkids are the ones who will cover the true costs.

April 20, 2024 at 6:43 pm

Hi Kim, Lovely post thank you ! One day l will go back to Carmel; l remember the Pebble Beach drive and those windswept gorgeous trees very well. We took the kids when it was California Mission time and everyone loved it. And Earth Day yes ! My car is full of cloth bags at the ready but then l do the classic ‘walk back to the car because l have forgotten routine’!! Happy weekend xo

April 21, 2024 at 11:54 am

Hi Kim Great points about Earth Day. We do not buy water in plastic bottles unless we are having company. We have composted and recycled for years but we all can do more. Many of the bottled waters have been tested and tap water is better. The list goes on and on doesn’t it? I am glad you had a great day in Carmel. La Bicyclette is a favorite of ours as well as the Corkscrew.

April 21, 2024 at 6:19 pm

Happy weekend, Kim! Although it’s nearly over and I’m just getting here. I loved your post on shirt dresses, and your hi/low options. And I’m always here for your day trippin travels. Carmel is so beautiful, and a little overcast makes for even more stunning photos. So many cute shops and places to stop and grab a treat. And the dogs! Hope your weekend was a good one, and you’re enjoying this streak of warm, sunny days. xo

April 21, 2024 at 8:48 pm

Hi Kim, Seeing the photos you took of Carmel triggered so many fond memories. Going on the scenic drive is breathtaking. There is so much beauty surrounding us, Mother Nature at its best. Love the look of the Pride of Maderia. The color is pretty and they kind of a primitive look to me. I can see that in your yard. The color is calming to look at. Congratulations for getting out into the yard and doing all you did. It’s such a sense of accomplishment isn’t it? Plus it’s good exercise for your back. The environment is a huge topic, we all need to do our part. Years ago I went out a few times in Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona where we had our retreat home and going out in the canyon picking up trash was shocking. The huge surprise was all the cigarette buts and beer cans I would find snd just horrible stuff people would toss out the windows. On big holidays, like the 4th of July you would find when leaving the canyon it was lined with litter. It would infuriate us. Our worst fear were fires that could easily start. We would say the city slickers were here again. No respect if concern for our gorgeous canyon. Your neighbors and all the DoorDash they get and all the boxes, interesting story.

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New challenge unlocked: hiking with a newborn. How to keep your baby safe on the trails

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Last week, my wife and I embarked on a special outdoor adventure. By the numbers, it wasn’t that impressive — a 2.3-mile, 300-foot “hike” up to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook . It took an hour from start to finish. Much of the route was paved. But it was a major milestone for one very important reason: It was our first hike with our newborn daughter, Emma.

In the days before this short but important trip, some pressing questions bounced around my head. Would Emma put up a fight as I wrestled her into the BabyBjörn carrier? Would she wail the whole way up the hill? Would she spit up all over me? (It wouldn’t be the first time.)

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I was also skeptical about how enriching a hike could be for a 2-week-old infant. Emma can barely see. After nine months in the womb, just lying in her crib must feel like visiting another planet — would she even notice the difference between indoors and outdoors?

To calm my nerves, I spoke with Dr. Rebecca Dudovitz, a pediatrician with UCLA Health. I was relieved to learn that babies, even those as young as Emma, appreciate time outside just as much as adults do.

“It’s a great way to stimulate their development with new senses and sounds, smells, things to look at,” said Dudovitz.

Outdoor time offers a host of benefits for babies. In addition to sensory stimulation, it exposes them to common allergens, which reduces their risk of developing allergies later in life, and it’s actually safer than spending time in crowded indoor places — they’re less likely to catch a virus from another person. Perhaps most importantly, going outside can calm a fussy newborn (and their exhausted parents).

“It can be a useful strategy, especially at the end of the day when everybody’s tired and cranky,” said Dudovitz.

Dudovitz also gave me a few tips to ensure our hike was a success. Rule No. 1 is to keep babies out of the sun, as a newborn’s skin is sensitive and sunscreen isn’t approved for use until they’re 6 months old. (Long sleeves and a sun hat are required equipment.) She recommends staying away from places with mosquitoes; if you can’t avoid bugs, you can pre-treat baby clothes with Permethrin to ward them off. Finally, pay close attention to heat and cold as babies can’t regulate their temperature as well as adults can (feel your child’s torso to gauge their temperature).

Armed with that info, my wife, Emma and I headed out for our first hike. It was a perfect Southern California day, the kind that makes you wonder why anyone would choose to live elsewhere. Warm sunshine spilled down from a deep blue sky, and a fresh breeze rolled in from the ocean as we trekked up the hill from the parking lot.

All around us, the chaparral was lush and alive with blossoms. Mounds of bush sunflowers glowed in the afternoon light, and here and there I noticed patches of coast morning glories, their delicate white cups streaked with purple. Amid the blooms, sagebrush branches stood out with their wispy pale green leaves. I touched them as we passed and savored their sweet, earthy scent. When we reached the top of the overlook, we could see for miles in all directions — the Santa Monica Mountains rising in the distance, the broad blue plane of the Pacific Ocean, and the skyscrapers of downtown L.A. poking up to the east. It was beautiful.

What did Emma think of it? Hard to say. She slept the entire time, stirring only when I took off her hat to snap photos. I think she opened her eyes for 30 seconds total. Even so, my wife and I enjoyed the excursion, and I’m calling this inaugural family hike a success. Next time, maybe Emma will be awake to hear, smell, see and feel all of it too.

3 things to do

1. ID plants and potluck in Topanga Canyon

Go for an all-levels plant identification stroll in the mountains of Topanga with Herb Club LA . The 2.5-mile walk will last about an hour and is open to everyone (even leashed dogs). Afterward, the group will be holding a “late Earth Day celebration” at the dreamy local Topanga shop the Well Refill for a tea meditation and potluck featuring herbal sodas and vegan chocolate. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes for the hike, and — if they plan to take part in the potluck — to bring vegan dishes and reusable plates, cups and utensils to minimize waste. The event is free (with donations accepted) and kicks off Sunday at 11 a.m. For more information visit eventbrite.com .

2. Bike, walk, skate or scoot in SGV

Ditch the car on Sunday and experience what it’s like to roam freely on five miles of streets in Alhambra, San Gabriel and South Pasadena. Active Streets: Mission-to-Mission , presented by Metro Los Angeles and hosted by San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), is a car-free celebration packed with live music performances, pop-up booths from local businesses and community organizations, and free games and activities. Walk, bike, skate or scoot through any part of the route — or conquer the whole thing, if you choose. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you’re a San Gabriel Valley resident, you can borrow a classic GoSGV electric bike for $50 by filling out this form . Active Streets was formerly known as 626 Golden Streets — with the Metro “Gold” line becoming the “L” and then the “A,” the name changed.

3. The Earth Day celebrations continue

Though Earth Day happened on Monday, the L.A. celebrations are still going strong. On Saturday, you’ll find guided nature hikes and storytelling at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve , a seed swap at Barnes Park in Monterey Park and the Teen Climate Fest at Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific . You can also get your gloves dirty on Saturday at the Madrona Marsh in Torrance, which is hosting a habitat restoration event . Pre-registration is required and participants should wear closed-toe shoes and bring sunscreen and water.

The must-read

Here’s a fun idea for getting outside and exploring Los Angeles: Go on a walking tour of the city’s bridges. For The Times, writer Adam Markovitz highlights nine spans all around L.A. that are worth checking out, including quaint walkways over the Venice Canals, the historic Shakespeare Bridge in Los Feliz and the new 6th Street Viaduct over the L.A. River. Whether you’re in it for the architecture or looking for some new views of the city, these bridges won’t disappoint.

Happy adventuring,

A recently published book, “ Places We Swim California ,” will get you excited to jump in the water this summer. It highlights over 60 swimming spots all around the state (including several in SoCal) and features road trip itineraries for discovering unique California beaches, rivers and hot springs.

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild . And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here .

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We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.

Michael Charboneau is a freelance writer covering gear and the outdoors, and he’s writing The Wild newsletter for a few months. He has written for a variety of publications, including Men’s Journal, Runner’s World and InsideHook, and he lives in West L.A. When he’s not writing, he can be found running, hiking and biking around Los Angeles and its mountains.

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Protect Your Trip »

The 7 best 3-day cruise itineraries for 2024.

Plan a long weekend getaway aboard a cruise for fun, scenery and entertainment.

The Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Hop aboard the Carnival Radiance for a short but fun-filled cruise weekend.

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.

If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from, and everything you can see and do over the span of three incredible nights.

3-Day Cruises From Florida

Norwegian sky from miami.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Dates: Aug. 2 to 5, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Stops: Key West, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $399 per person

This three-night cruise on Norwegian Sky departs from Miami in August 2024 with stops at two iconic tropical destinations. The vessel's first stop is Key West , where cruise passengers will have the day to visit the southernmost tip of the United States, book a snorkeling or kayaking tour, or bar hop along the world-famous Duval Street. From there, the cruise stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is a private island paradise that's only for cruise passengers. Here, visitors can enjoy some beach time, plan a WaveRunner adventure or snorkel the clear waters to watch out for wildlife.

When not at port, passengers on Norwegian Sky can enjoy the ship's 10 dining options, onboard spa, casino at sea, and variety of pools and hot tubs. The Norwegian Cruise Line vessel even has a sushi bar and a Starbucks onboard, and it was completely renovated from top to bottom in 2019.

Book a Norwegian cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral

Conrad Schutt | Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Multiple dates in November and December 2024

Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando)

Stops: Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Starting price: $169 per person

This three-night cruise on MSC Seashore departs from Port Canaveral near Orlando and takes passengers to two tropical destinations in the nearby Bahamas . The first is the island of Nassau, which is known for its luxury resorts (including the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas), huge casinos and powder white sands. After that, guests can spend a second day at port at MSC Cruises ' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This island offers a perfect beach retreat for people who just want to relax, including several expansive white sand beaches with ample seating, an interior ocean lagoon for swimming, and beach bars and eateries dotted throughout.

MSC Seashore features huge pools, an onboard water park for kids, the expansive MSC Aurea Spa and 11 distinct dining venues for passengers to choose from. The ship also boasts the exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club area, which offers the best of everything for discerning guests.

Find an MSC Cruises deal on GoToSea.

Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Dates: Ongoing in 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Stops: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas

Starting price: $273 per person

This three-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Reflection departs from Fort Lauderdale and leaves for two days in the sunny Bahamas. The first stop gives guests a full day to enjoy at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a cruise line private island that's typically reserved for Royal Caribbean guests. This island paradise features an exclusive beach club, idyllic white sand beaches for swimming and floating, a water park, a zip line, and plenty of places to eat and drink all day. The next stop is Nassau: Visitors can dine and shop their way through the port area or book a fun day pass to the Baha Bay water park, which is located at resort Baha Mar and features waterslides, an expansive lazy river and incredible cuisine options right at the park.

Celebrity Reflection was recently refurbished in 2022. It features an incredible array of included dining options, eight specialty and exclusive dining establishments, and bars and lounges throughout the ship. The Retreat, a VIP ship-within-a-ship concept, is also offered on board for those who want an elevated cruising experience.

Explore Celebrity Cruises on GoToSea.

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Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

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Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Dates: Nov. 6 to 9, 2024

Stops: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $1,973 per stateroom

This three-night Bahamian cruise on Disney Dream stops at two exclusive destinations in the Bahamas – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, then Disney Castaway Cay. The first stop offers incredible beaches with play areas and crystal-clear water for swimming, as well as the Bahamian Arts and Culture Pavilion for families who want to learn something about the local culture on vacation. At Disney Castaway Cay, families can relax the day away on white sand beaches, go biking or kayaking, ride two waterslides, and more. Both destinations even have adults-only beach areas for cruisers who are traveling kid-free.

Disney Dream holds a maximum of 4,000 passengers and has everything you would expect on an exclusive Disney Cruise Line vessel, including kids and family areas, adults-only dining options and pools, and two large theaters. The ship also has several supervised kids clubs as well as dedicated clubs for teenagers and tweens .

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Stops: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Starting price: $263 per person

Royal Caribbean International also boasts a Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Nassau and at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Nassau, cruisers get the chance to explore one of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, where you can book an excursion to a local beach, plan a snorkeling adventure or play in one of the two biggest casinos throughout the region at Atlantis or Baha Mar. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, families can stay active with waterslides, book a kayaking tour or ride a hot air balloon up to 450 feet in the air.

Liberty of the Seas is also an ideal ship for families thanks to fun features like a huge onboard water park with slides, an ice skating rink with shows and the Broadway at Sea theater. The Royal Caribbean vessel also has nearly a dozen different dining venues, including Cupcake Cupboard, Johnny Rockets, a pizza kitchen and an old-world Italian eatery called Giovanni's Table.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

3-Day Cruises From California

Navigator of the seas from los angeles.

Dates: Throughout 2024

Departure port: Los Angeles

Stops: Ensenada, Mexico

Starting price: $282 per person

Royal Caribbean offers a three-night West Coast adventure on Navigator of the Seas that includes a fun day at sea and a full-day stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This Mexican destination is known for the many activities that can be enjoyed along its rugged shores, which can include leisurely days at nearby Estero and Mona Lisa beaches, hiking experiences, exploration of Baja California's wine region, whale watching and more.

Dates for this sailing are offered throughout 2024, and the ship itself has plenty to keep passengers enthralled while at sea. For example, Navigator of the Seas features the longest waterslide at sea, enlarged pool deck areas for relaxation, ice skating shows and shopping – not to mention Broadway-style shows with dancers, acrobats and singers. There are also 12 unique dining options onboard, including Starbucks, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Johnny Rockets.

Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles

Dates: Jan. 26 to 29 and Sept. 24 to 27, 2024

Departure port: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Starting price: $244 per person

Carnival Radiance also embarks on three-night journeys to Mexico from Los Angeles throughout the year, including in January and September 2024. This Carnival Cruise Line itinerary includes a fun day at sea and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can plan a sightseeing trip, nosh on the unique Baja cuisine the area is known for, shop for silver jewelry and other keepsakes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Carnival Radiance itself serves as the perfect floating vessel for this fun weekend vacation, with onboard amenities that span the Cloud 9 Spa and WaterWorks water park with slides to a comedy club and special clubs for kids and teens. The ship also boasts an adults-only solarium and 10 different bars to choose from.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Packing List
• Beach Packing List
• Cruise Drink Packages: Your Options by Cruise Line
• First-Time Cruise Tips
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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Celebrity News April 25, 2024

Taylor swift & travis kelce’s carmel-by-the-sea getaway with bradley cooper & gigi hadid.

Travis Swift and Travis Kelce recently enjoyed a day trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, with her pals Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper.

On Wednesday, Travis’ mom Donna Kelce shared the news at the QVC’s Age of Possibility summit, People reports .

Donna revealed that Travis even sent her a photo from the getaway.

During the trip, Cooper learned that he would be going to the same QVC event as Donna in Las Vegas.

When Donna and Bradley saw each other at the event, she told him, “Travis told me you were going to be here.”

Though Donna wanted Travis to be in attendance, he couldn’t be there since he was wrapping production on “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?,” a spin-off of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”

Bradley was at the summit with his food truck Danny & Coop’s Cheesesteaks, serving lunch to the event’s honorees.

Some of the big names were recognized include Christina Applegate, Patti LaBelle, Rita Wilson, Naomi Watts, Martha Stewart and Queen Latifah.

Famed chef Sandra Lee even posted a pic of Bradley in his food truck!

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

It is no surprise that Taylor and Travis had a double date with Bradley and Gigi.

In October, it was reported that Swift offered the keys to her Rhode Island home to Gigi and Bradley so they could enjoy some time outside of the Big Apple.

A source told The Mirror U.K., “Even though Gigi and Bradley have their own properties in New York, they wanted somewhere more private to spend time getting to know each other and Taylor was only too happy to help.”

They added, “Taylor is a total romantic and loves playing cupid for her friends.”

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Kim Zolciak is hitting back at criticism of her clickbait post.

The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum wrote via Warped Speed Thursday that she did not “claim” or “allude to” her estranged husband Kroy Biermann’s death by posting a black-and-white photo of them captioned, “R.I.P.”

Although the since-deleted social media upload gave her daughter Ariana, 22, a “damn near … heart attack” on Tuesday, Zolciak told her followers she has “more tact and class and compassion than that.”

The Bravolebrity, 45, defended herself by posting another black-and-white snap with Biermann, 38.

“I am TIRED OF ALL THE LIES and ACCUSATIONS,” she wrote. “EVERY DAY it’s always something new. I’m tired of so much BS being thrown my way. So you want to know ‘what died?’ Here’s the truth.”

The lengthy post Zolciak linked to explained, “I used a picture of BOTH of us and said #RIP — and, frankly, the end of my relationship was like a death of sorts so #RIP to that.

“The story was a tribute to many we’ve lost this past year ,” she continued. “And yes my relationship was lost too so it seemed fitting.”

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She told haters offended by the upload to “get serious” and not “jump to conclusions.”

The former reality star asked, “Do you actually think if Kroy died — even with all of the issues we’ve had — my first instinct would be to go to my Instagram and post #LinkInBio with his pic and #RIP attached?

“To reiterate — Kroy is alive and well and did NOT DIE nor did I ever say he has died,” she concluded. “And that’s that.”

Zolciak did not directly address Ariana’s TikTok reaction .

On Tuesday, the influencer asked her followers what “the f–k” they would do in her “situation,” saying, “I physically don’t have any f–king words.”

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She appeared near tears in the video while telling her mom, “I love you, but I just, like. … My heart, like, tugging. Like, no.”

The clickbait post was not Zolciak’s first, as she previously implied daughter Brielle, 27, was pregnant in November 2023.

The “Don’t Be Tardy” alum, who is also the mother of KJ, 12, Kash, 11, and twins Kaia and Kane, 10, has been battling mounting debt and multiple lawsuits in the last year while navigating her rocky relationship with Biermann.

The duo filed for divorce in May 2023, only to reconcile two months later — and then file again in August of that same year.

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