Los Angeles Day Trips Attractions Things To Do

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

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

Popular Los Angeles Attractions

Take a Walk Along Hollywood Boulevard

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

Catalina Island Day Trip from Long Beach or San Pedro

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

Griffith Park Day Trip Things To Do

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

Malibu Beach Day Trip 21-Miles of Sandy Beaches

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

Beverly Hills Day Trip Visit Rodeo Drive

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

Historic Olvera Street, Los Angeles

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

Santee Alley in the LA Fashion District

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

Los Angeles Flower District Tours

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

Gardens – Parks – Outdoor Activities

Explore Nature at Malibu Creek State Park

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

Will Rogers State Historic Park Santa Monica Mountains

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

Paramount Ranch, Where Hundreds of Films Were Shot

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

Point Dume Nature Preserve Malibu Coast

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

Descanso Gardens La Canada Flintridge

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

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park

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

Explore the Rolling Hills of the Palos Verdes Peninsula

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

Terranea Resort Discovery Trails

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

Visit The Channel Islands National Park

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

Fun Family Activities

Take a Ride in the Angels Flight Railway

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

Universal Studios Hollywood

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

Los Angeles Zoo Fun and Affordable Day Trip

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

Visit Knott’s Berry Farm in Orange County, CA

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

Enjoy a Ride at the Los Angeles Live Steamers

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

La Brea Tar Pits Los Angeles

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

USS Iowa San Pedro at the Entrance to Los Angeles Harbor

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

Santa Monica Pier Home to Pacific Park

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

Los Angeles Griffith Park Observatory

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

California Science Center Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles Area Beach Destinations

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

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

Enjoy an Oceanfront Lunch at Paradise Cove Beach, Malibu,

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

Manhattan Beach Shopping and Dining in flip-flops

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

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

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

Marina del Rey Los Angeles Day Trip

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

King Harbor Redondo Beach

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

Hermosa Beach Day Trip

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

Unique Food Courts & Destinations

Los Angeles Farmers Market

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

Grand Central Market Foodie Paradise

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

Clifton’s Cafeteria and Bars

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

Little Tokyo Los Angeles

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

Koreatown Los Angeles: A Hidden Gem

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

Philippe Original Beef Dipped Sandwich

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

Santa Monica Third Street Promenade

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

Museums & Historic Places

Getty Center Museum

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

Ronald Reagan Library

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

Santa Monica Air Museum

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

Automobile Driving Museum

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

Petersen Automotive Museum

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

Fort Tejon State Historic Park

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

Heritage Square Museum Los Angeles

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

Frank Lloyd Wright Hollyhock House

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

Getty Villa Pacific Palisades

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

The Last Bookstore Los Angeles

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

Union Station Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles Area City Guide

Ventura California Things To Do Attractions

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

Oxnard, California, a Fun Los Angeles Day Trip

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

Pasadena a Delight for Architecture Enthusiasts

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

Seal Beach Day Trip

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

San Pedro Points of Interest

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

Road Trips – Scenic Drives

Mount Wilson Observatory

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

Mulholland Highway From the City to the Ocean

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

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve

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

Santa Clarita Valley Los Angeles County

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

Take a Road Trip Along Highway 126

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

Santa Monica Mountains Wine Tasting

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

Downtown Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles Movie Studio Tours

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

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California Roadside Attractions

Family Day Trips – LA Road Trips

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