Southern California Road Trips

Discover a great selection of Southern California Road Trips perfect for a weekend getaway or vacation. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery, capture numerous photos, and explore new and exciting destinations. Remember, the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination. Our list features one-day and multi-day routes with various stops. The mileage mentioned is one-way from Los Angeles.

Angeles Crest Highway

30 miles. Are you searching for an enjoyable and fast road trip near Los Angeles? Look no further than the Angeles Crest Highway! Beginning at the City of La Canada, this highway traverses the rugged terrain of the San Gabriel Mountains and reaches a height of over 10,000 feet at its peak. You may catch glimpses of the Antelope Valley in the distance as you go along the road.

Mulholland Highway Road Trip

50 miles. Mulholland Highway is a scenic drive where weekend warriors and Hollywood’s famous rub elbows on any given weekend. Winding its way through the Santa Monica Mountains, Mulholland Highway is named after William Mulholland, constructed in the 1920s and billed as the highway “to take Angelinos from the city to the ocean.”

Highway 39 San Gabriel Canyon

The distance for a round trip from the San Gabriel Canyon Gateway Center to Crystal Lake is almost 45 miles. We recommend buying an Adventure Pass, which costs only five dollars. San Gabriel Canyon is a well-liked destination to escape the summer heat and can become quite crowded. Planning a visit during Spring or Fall is advisable for the best experience.

Ortega Highway 74

60 miles. California Route 74, or Ortega Highway, stretches just over 21 miles from beautiful San Juan Capistrano in the west to growing Lake Elsinore Valley in the east. The road has a lot of tight turns and changes in elevation. There are numerous turnouts for taking breaks and pictures for those who want to enjoy the scenery.

Highway 126  Heritage Valley

70 miles. State Route 126 connects Interstate 5 in Santa Clarita to U.S. Route 101 in Ventura. Highway 126 passes through the towns of Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and the national landmark of Spanish Rancho Camulos, all bursting with citrus and avocado orchards, roadside stands, as well as historic landmarks, antique airplanes, and railroad history.

Lake Arrowhead

80 miles. Lake Arrowhead, also known as “the Alps of Southern California,” offers abundant opportunities for outdoor adventure or a peaceful retreat to unwind with a book after a hectic day. Whether you seek a romantic escape from Los Angeles, a laid-back family road trip, or an exhilarating outdoor adventure, Lake Arrowhead has something to offer.

National Old Trails Highway

Take a road trip along National Trails Highway. Only a few ghostly shadows remain of the many towns that used to service travelers along the mother road. We journey 175 miles from Victorville to Needles, California, along this iconic highway through the Mojave Desert.

Oak Glen San Bernardino Mountains

90 miles. Your first stop in Oak Glen should be for what else, apples! Many local orchards offer the chance to bring the family and handpick a basket. But first, drop by the Oak Glen School House Museum and Park on South Oak Glen Road.

Ojai Valley

90 miles. Ojai is located in the middle of a mountain range that runs east to west, giving it a one-of-a-kind sunset that is hard to find in other towns. This sunset, known as the “Pink Moment,” is a stunning display of the sun setting over the Pacific Coast that is reflected onto the mountainside. The result is a beautiful pink glow that lasts for several minutes on the Topatopa Bluffs, located at the eastern end of the Ojai Valley.

Santa Barbara

100 miles. A great way to get acquainted with Santa Barbara is by renting a beach cruiser from one of the rental shops lining the beach near Stearns Wharf. There are miles of bike paths to explore; however, most people follow the trail from Stearns Wharf to Shoreline Park and back.

Palm Springs

110 miles. When checking off the list of reasons, you should plan a visit to Palm Springs, including the sunshine, outstanding resorts, shopping, outdoor adventures, museums, and spectacular scenery. This beautiful oasis in the Mojave Desert has it all.

Santa Ynez Valley

130 miles. Set among the stunning Santa Ynez Mountains to the south and the San Rafael Mountains to the north; the Santa Ynez Valley consists of six unique and diverse communities that make up the Santa Barbara wine country.

Calico Ghost Town

130 miles. Calico is perched upon a hill overlooking the Mojave Desert, and on a clear day, you can see for miles. Calico is a fun place to visit, and if you are lucky, you might even see a gunfight on the main street. At its height, Calico boasted a population of 1,200 people and over 500 silver mines. Today Calico is mainly populated by tourists.

Solvang Village

140 miles. If you’re taking a day trip to Solvang, you can try the local wines at wine-tasting cellars in the town. Additionally, the city offers Danish bakeries, restaurants, antique stores, museums, and friendly shopkeepers dressed in authentic Danish costumes.

Julian California

140 miles. Julian is a popular year-round road trip with shops ranging from tawdry tourists to normal small-town fixtures like hardware and drug stores, antique malls, book boutiques, and restaurants. The downtown district is only about three blocks long and four blocks wide, making the town small enough to walk easily.

Joshua Tree National Park

140 miles. Joshua Tree National Park Day sits on the border of Riverside and San Bernardino counties and covers nearly 800,000 acres. While seeing many of the park’s attractions in one day is possible, we recommend camping there for at least one night. If camping is not your thing, Palm Springs offers numerous hotels and is not too far away.

Lake Isabella- Kern River

160 miles. Lake Isabella is Nestled in what is known as the Kern River Valley between two sections of the Sequoia National Forest. From fishing to boating, camping to picnicking, the lake offers some of the best fresh-water recreation experiences.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park

150 miles. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park eroded badlands provide a different view into the region’s tropical past. The inland of southeastern California was not always a desert. Fossils found include preserved plants, a variety of invertebrate shells, animal tracks, and a vast array of bones and teeth.

Rosarito Beach Mexico

150 miles. Rosarito Beach is a charming destination that offers a rich cultural experience and a variety of activities. Here, you can enjoy world-class surfing, rent a jet ski, savor authentic Baja cuisine, or explore the bustling nightlife at one of the area’s famous nightclubs. Come and escape to a world of Old World charm and adventure.

Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks

200 miles. Tucked side by side in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, east of the San Joaquin Valley. Both parks are connected by a single road that provides nearly 866,000 acres of outdoor adventure in the “Land of the Giants.”

Alabama Hills Owens Valley

210 miles. Take a drive in the Alabama Hills’ “movie flats” and walk in the footsteps of the Lone Ranger, Russell Crowe, Gene Autry, and Mel Gibson. Or enjoy the natural beauty of one of California’s most delightfully weird outdoor destinations while hiking, biking, or climbing.

Hearst Castle

240 miles. This huge estate is about five miles inland and sits atop a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Hearst Castle is surrounded by a 40,000-acre ranch, some of which is still owned by the Hearst family. Cars are not allowed to drive up the hill to Hearst Castle. You must board one of the buses (included with the tour) and then take the winding road to the estate.

Big Sur Coast

260 miles. Big Sur, California, is one of the most beautiful regions globally. There are many places to stop, look at the scenery, take photographs, or explore the beaches and waterfalls. Many people make it a day trip to drive up this scenic coast. This drive along Pacific Coast Highway is a picturesque adventure for your bucket list.

Las Vegas Nevada

270 miles. Las Vegas and the surrounding area offer so much more than casinos. Las Vegas provides numerous scenic treasures within driving easy distance of the city. Ghost towns, state parks, snow-covered mountains, and spectacular desert destinations.

Death Valley National Park

290 miles. Some tourists visit in the summer just for bragging rights about experiencing the 100 degrees plus heat. During the spring, the valley floor can be covered with wildflowers. Winters are cold, and summers are scorching hot. Whatever time of the year you visit Death Valley, there is an almost endless list of remarkable points of interest.

Mammoth Lakes

310 miles. Summertime in Mammoth Lakes offers visitors various activities, attractions, and events. Wintertime Mammoth is one of the largest ski resorts in the area, with four lodges, three gondolas, 25 other chairlifts, and 150 named trails.

Yosemite National Park

310 miles. Yosemite is a beautiful spot to visit year-round. From the bustling summer season to the quiet, snow-covered winter months, the beauty of Yosemite changes with each season. Year-round camping options visit Yosemite are fun and affordable.

California Train Rides

Knott’s Berry Farm

Living Desert Zoo