Spend the perfect vacation on the road where there are a number of beautiful and relaxing landscapes to witness. Aside from the amazing landscapes, you can always prepare your favorite playlist, food, and stories to share among your fellow travelers. Los Angeles, California is close to various places that are known for their beaches, hills, and parks. The best way to see all of these is by going on road trips from Los Angeles to experience a lot of adventure during the journey and upon reaching the destination. Each place you pass through will definitely leave you in awe. You can take picture-perfect memories during your exciting and fun-filled road trip. Keep reading to find out about the top road trips from Los Angeles, California.
1. San Diego
San Diego or “America’s Finest City” is known for its perfect weather all year round as well as its amazing beaches. From Los Angeles, it will take about two hours via I-5 N or US-101 N and is approximately 120 miles (193.1 kilometers) away. The city is jam-packed with amazing historic sites, viewpoints, beaches, and many fun parks. Point Loma is where you can have a beautiful view overlooking San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. If you stay in downtown San Diego, you have better access to many top attractions which include the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Zoo, Horton Plaza Shopping, Little Italy, and many more!
2. Temecula Valley
If you are on a non-stop road trip by car following the CA-91 route, you can reach Temecula Valley in an hour and 26 minutes. Discover many exciting attractions in the sunny and relaxing Temecula Valley or Southern California’s Wine Country. Here you can see the historic boardwalks of Old Town, play at the famous Pechanga Resort Casino, or enjoy the relaxing views of the hills and fields. It is also known for its award-winning wineries where you can go for a scenic drive during the tour.
3. Solvang
Solvang is 125 miles (201 kilometers) from Los Angeles, California. The trip will take about 2 hours and 20 minutes via US-101 N. Solvang is known as California’s Denmark for its Danish icons around the city village which include the Little Mermaid Fountain, windmills, and Round Tower. You can also taste the famous Danish pastries in the many authentic bakeries. Complete the whole Solvang experience by visiting the top museums, historic sites, and boutique shops around. Take part in outdoor activities by touring on trolleys, bikes, or Segways where you can see the beauty of the whole city.
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4. Palm Springs
From a distance of 106 miles (170 kilometers) lies Palm Springs, California. It will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes on this route via I 10 E. It will take a bit longer on the routes via CA-210 and I-10 E. The best view of the Coachella Valley you can get is by Palm Springs Aerial Tramway where you can also experience a canyon gondola ride. Take a break from the busy city and visit Moorten Botanical Garden filled with a wide variety of desert plants to discover. You can also hike to the beautiful waterfalls at Tahquitz Canyon. Upon arriving at Palm Springs, you can take a pit stop at Palm Springs Visitors Center where you can get all the information you need.
5. Laguna Beach
Explore the restaurants, camping sites, and parks that Laguna Beach offers. It will only take an hour to get to the beach from Los Angeles via I-405 S which is approximately 56 miles (90 kilometers). Have fun in the sun, relax along the shoreline, and take a dip in the sea with your whole family. There you will see lots of beautiful parks like Aliso Beach Park, Crescent Bay Point Park, and Crystal Cove State Park where you can have picnics or even camp out. Stay for the night and join locals and other tourists for the famous annual Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters.
6. Ojai
Spend your getaway in Ojai, a small village surrounded by beautiful trees and mountains perfect for sightseeing. It is the perfect spot for a relaxing vacation, romantic date, or a fun family trip. It is 83 miles (134 kilometers) from Los Angeles and it will take you about an hour and 30 minutes to get to Ojai. During your visit, you must not miss the annual “pink moment” where you can take perfect pictures of the pink sky and its pink reflection on the mountains. Ojai is a great place where you can find the best spas to relax, unique shopping boutiques, and mountains to hike.
7. Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is known as Southern California’s beautiful year-round mountain and lake escape. It is the best place to go for fun outdoor activities like fishing, snowboarding, skiing, and hiking. You can get to Big Bear Lake via CA-210 which is 97 miles (156 kilometers) from Los Angeles and will take approximately two hours. Be amazed by the beautiful view of Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, and Big Bear Lake. The lake is 7 miles (11 kilometers) and boasts plenty of activities, especially during the summer. You can visit the place any time of the year for you will not be disappointed by the beauty it brings in every season.
8. Santa Barbara
Visit Santa Barbara and enjoy the beautiful and dramatic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. It will take an hour and 34 minutes via US 101-N which is the best route to take. When you visit downtown, it is studded with white Mediterranean-style buildings. There are lots of famous attractions that you must visit if you choose to drop by. Stearns Wharf is where you can visit a historic pier while having a unique dining and shopping experience. Take time to visit the other attractions which include Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Zoo, and Lotusland.
9. Joshua Tree National Park
Listen to your favorite music as you take the I-10 E route from Los Angeles and pack some snacks for the trip which will take approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The long, scenic route will definitely be worth it once you reach your destination. Get ready to be amazed by the famous skull-shaped desert rock formations at Joshua Tree National Park. Take some time to experience hiking along Barker Dam and Coachella Valley Preserve. If you want to take beautiful pictures of sweeping views, visit Keys View which is one of the most popular lookouts in Joshua Tree.
10. Salton Sea
Stock up on your favorite snacks as you take an almost three-hour drive to Salton Sea. You can reach your destination, which is 164 miles (264 kilometers) away from Los Angeles, California, via I-10 E. Take time to visit Salton Sea and relax along the shoreline with the whole family. There are provided picnic tables around the recreation area where you can have picnics and even camp out. For more outdoor activities, you can visit Sonny Bono National Refuge Visitor Center where you can spot lots of migratory birds. Visit the famous attraction, Painted Canyon Road, and take beautiful photos while hiking along its trail.
11. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Make sure to pack lots of snacks and prepare your favorite music as you take on a four-hour drive through scenic routes to get to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. You can take the I-5 N, CA-65 N, or CA-14 N to reach your destination which will reach approximately 220 miles (354 kilometers) to 266 miles (428 kilometers). The long drive will lead you to a dramatic landscape that shows mountains, foothills, canyons, caverns, and lots of trees. Witness giant redwood trees known as sequoias famous in California. Do not forget to check both weather and transportation conditions before going on this long trip.
12. Mammoth Lakes
Get ready for this five-hour drive from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes via US-395 N by prepping lots of snacks to munch on and songs to jam to. Getting to Mammoth Lake may take long but the scenic views you will pass by will definitely make the road trip worth it. Once you get to Mammoth Lakes, you will experience a fun and unique adventure far from home. It is one of the rare places that you have to visit once in your life; it is where you can experience the surreal views and fun outdoor activities all year round. May it be winter, summer, spring, or fall, you can enjoy several activities perfect for each season.
13. Big Sur
Visit the so-called paradise far from home, Big Sur. It will take about five hours to get there via US-101 N and CA-1 N. Big Sur is a place full of scenic views from majestic waterfalls, calm beaches, vast parks, and extensive sand dunes. Make sure that while you are on your way to Big Sur, you drop by several destinations that will definitely fill your road trip with magnificence. These destinations include Hearst Castle, Nitt Witt Ridge, Bubblegum Alley, and Morro Rock which are all considered as historic sites.
14. Bryce Canyon National Park
Prepare yourselves for a long drive from Los Angeles to Bryce Canyon National Park via I-15 N and will take approximately eight hours. The most famous stopovers include Joshua Tree National Park and Primm where you can both unwind and rest for a while. You can also cut out Joshua Tree to save time if you have already been there by taking the I-40 route. Bryce Canyon National Park is complete with amazing sights and trails with a backdrop of towering spires called hoodoos. Every spot in Bryce Canyon is perfect for taking gorgeous pictures. There are several trails you should try–each trail has unique features. Make sure you visit Navajo Loop Trail, Queens Garden Trail, Fairyland Loop Trail, Rim Trail, and many more!
15. Flagstaff
To get to Flagstaff, there are several routes you can take. The shortest and most advisable route would be via I-40 E which is approximately 465 miles (748 kilometers). The road trip will not be complete if you do not pass by Route 66, a famous south-western route to experience a little bit of everything from the amazing deserts, good food and friendly locals. Flagstaff is a smaller city in Arizona where you can overlook mountains, deserts and huge forests lain with ponderosa pine trees. Do not forget to make time to see the famous and tallest mountain in Arizona, Humphreys Peak.
16. Sonoma County
Pack your bags and take a road trip to the beautiful Sonoma County from Los Angeles. It will take about seven hours to get there via I-5 N which is approximately 455 miles (732 kilometers). The long road trip will give you the chance to stop by five-star hotels, brewery tours, and amazing sightseeing spots in Solvang and San Francisco. Once you get to Sonoma County, do not forget to stop by the Russian River, Steelhead Beach Regional Park, and Sunset Beach River Park where you can relax and spend quality time with the whole family.
17. San Francisco
The ultimate San Francisco road trip from Los Angeles includes the best stop overs along the Pacific Coast you must not miss. This road trip is known as one of the most picturesque drives in all of America. The advisable route to take is via California’s State Highway 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Aside from the scenic drive, you can stop by small towns, beaches, and amazing restaurants along the way. San Francisco is worth the long drive, it is where you can see famous attractions which include Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and Fisherman’s Wharf. A unique experience would be riding on the cable cars in San Francisco that are famous worldwide.
18. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is approximately 442 miles (711 kilometers) away from Los Angeles. The drive will take around eight hours of great views along the route US-395 N. You will pass by eastern California where you can stop by Red Rock Canyon State Park, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and Devil’s Postpile National Monument and two of the famous lakes in California. If you want a faster trip, you can take the I-5 route where you can stop over for bathroom breaks and quick snacks. You can always take detours to stop by Grover Hot Springs where you can relax from the long trip. Lake Tahoe is the best destination to eat, shop, play and unwind.
19. Carlsbad
If you are planning to go on a road trip from Los Angeles to Carlsbad, you should stop by the famous attractions along the way. You can take the route I-5 S which is approximately 87 miles (140 kilometers) which will only take an hour and 30 minutes. You have to try the famous snacks at King Taco Restaurant upon leaving Los Angeles. Once you have re-enerhgized, your family can enjoy the fun rides at California Disneyland. You can also drop by San Onofre State Beach and Dana Point to relax and unwind near the shore. Do not forget to visit Legoland and Flower Fields of Carlsbad.
20. Paso Robles
The best route to take to Paso Robles is the 101 North of Spring Street exit. Another alternative could be via I-5 N which is 205 miles (330 kilometers). Both routes would take approximately 3hours and 30 minutes. On your way, take time to drop by \Six Flags Magic Mountain where the whole family can enjoy every ride in the theme park. If you want to try a variety of wine, you can drop by Grapevine or Eberle Winery. Since California is known for its places for wine, check out Paso Robles which is also a viticultural area, rich in winegrowing and harvesting of grapes. You can also visit museums like Sensorio and Estrella Warbird Air Museum.
21. Huntington Beach
Getting to Huntington Beach from Los Angeles is only a short drive via I-605 S which is approximately 36 miles (58 kilometers). It is the perfect getaway from the city where you can simply enjoy and relax in the famous Surf City of America. Once you arrive at Huntington, make sure to take a dip in the sea, taste the delicious food, and try surfing in the calm waves. You can also learn more about surfing at the International Surfing Museum.
Make sure to visit the best destinations during your road trip
Pack your bags and prepare your favorite playlists as you go on your road trip from Los Angeles, California. This list will definitely help you and your family decide which route to take to experience several amazing destinations you should not miss.
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