10 Exciting Road Trips From Los Angeles: Maps & Itineraries

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If nights spend rubbing shoulders with celebrities in Hollywood or the days spent strolling the Sunset Strip have you worn out, then it’s time to leave Tinsel Town for a few days and take a road trip from Los Angeles.

LA’s location in central California puts it in a prime spot for taking road trips, as you can reach a diverse range of landscapes, attractions, and cultural landmarks within just a few hour’s of the city.

From scorching deserts to dense forests, from wineries and vineyards to nature reserves with the world’s largest trees growing, as well as many tropical escapes – the outer reaches of California have it all.

road in the desert On the road in Joshua Tree National Park

The best part about taking a road trip from Los Angeles is that the weather is sunny all year round, so you don’t have to worry about hotels closing over the winter.

If you’re not sure where to road trip to, then here are 10 of my top Los Angeles road trips, which make for the perfect weekend getaway or week long escapade!

LA to Palm Springs

street in Palm Springs, California with palm trees lining the street Palm Springs

Distance from LA: 109 miles via I-10 E
Drive time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Stops along the way: Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, California Citrus State Historic Park, UC Riverside Botanic Gardens, Oak Glen Preserve, Cabazon Dinosaurs, Desert Hills Premium Outlets, Snow Creek Hike on the PCT
How many days needed: 2-3 days

The drive from Los Angeles may be a relatively short at just under 110-miles, but the sunny path between these two Southern California cities is packed with fun places to visit.

The best part of going from LA to Palm Springs is that you can draw out the journey. You can do it all in one day, or extend it over 2-3 days.

The whole drive can take as little as 2 hours, but I recommend you spend at least 2 days doing this route.

Either way, you’ll be passing by the incredibly scenic San Gorgonio Pass.

Start from the historically-oriented Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and drive to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, a beautiful Hindu temple.

Then, drive on to California Citrus State Historic Park to explore 250 acres of citrus trees, before continuing on to UC Riverside Botanic Gardens, for a chance to relax in a tranquil garden setting.

Stop by the sun-kissed Oak Glen Preserve for a walk before getting some retail therapy on at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets.

Shortly after, take a ride on the wild side and visit the local dino park, Cabazon Dinosaurs – a classic American roadside attraction!

Just before hitting Palm Springs, you can walk a short section of the iconic Pacific Crest Trail from Snow Creek.

Los Angeles to Santa Barbara

A view of a city with a mountain in the background Santa Barbara

Distance from LA: 94.8 miles via US-101 N
Drive time: 1 hour 42 minutes
Stops along the way: Venice Beach, Malibu, Oxnard, Channel Islands National Park, Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens
How many days needed: 5-7 days

Santa Barbara is a special place. It offers modern city life while being a stone’s throw from some of the most beautiful sceneries in the world: the great California coastline, the Channel Islands National Park, and the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens.

This road trip from Los Angeles to the sunny American Riviera stretches a modest 95-miles, which can be completed in under two hours when the roads are clear, but there’s so much to do on this stretch, I recommend spending 5-7 days exploring this road.

Like the other adventures on my shortlist, a savvy explorer can choose from all sorts of activities while they cover the distance by car or RV.

Start in Venice Beach and work your way along the Pacific Coast Highway towards Malibu, stopping at some of the surfing beaches along the way (Topanga Beach and Big Rock Beach are popular ones).

City-slickers can stop by Malibu’s downtown area, which is jam-packed with boutique shopping options, or if you prefer nature, head into wine country on one of the Malibu Wine Safaris – a fun and boozy adventure where you can sip wines and hang out with some giraffes and zebras.

Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park is fantastic for hiking, offering several hiking trails through the canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains.

After Malibu, head on to Oxnard, a city which often flies under the radar. Again, there are some beaches along the way you can stop off and enjoy -notably Zuma Beach and Leo Carrillo State Beach.

This city has a ton of great attractions, from the US Navy Seabee Museum to Channel Islands Beach.

It’s also a great place to go golfing and has many top-notch courses, such as River Ridge Golf Club and The Saticoy Club.

Or if you’re travelling as a family, head to Golf N Stuff, an amusement park with go-karts, bumper boats, and insanely cool mini-golf courses.

On the way out of Oxnard, stop by Ventura and relax in Ventura Botanical Gardens, or on Ventura Beach. It’s also the gateway to the Channel Islands National Park, which deserves at least a day trip of your time.

Then, head along the coast towards Santa Barbara on the Pacific Coast Highway.

This stretch of coastline is idyllic. There are several beaches you may want to stop on along the way and go for a surf, such as Rincon Beach.

On the way into Santa Barbara, if you enjoy hiking, head to Toro Canyon Park for hiking trails with coastal views.

Los Angeles to San Diego

crowds of people on ocean beach san diego Ocean Beach, San Diego

Distance from LA: 120 miles via I-5 S
Drive time: 2 hours
Stops along the way: Long Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve, La Jolla
How many days needed: 5 days

One of the best family road trips from Los Angeles is to San Diego, heading south along The Pacific Coast Highway’s scenic 145-mile drive.

This takes you through small-town coastal California, which stretches across several beautiful beaches, ports, and pools of paradise brimming with the potential of a good time.

Travelers can put on some tunes and sit back until they hit Long Beach, home to some of the most renowned museums and beaches.

You can even take a ferry over to Santa Catalina Island, with hiking trails and snorkeling sites abound.

Head back to the soft sand beaches to continue your journey toward San Diego, and you’ll encounter Huntington Beach – one of our favorite regions in California for beaches.

woman looking at view of Laguna Beach in Orange County Laguna Beach

Further along the coast is Newport Beach, followed by Laguna Beach in Orange County, famous for its Crystal Cove State Park.

Just a short drive from Laguna is Dana Point, a quiet town with a beach, a wharf, and fishing excursions. Head inland a bit to explore the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano.

If you hug the coast, the road will take you to two more quaint seaside towns – Oceanside and Carlsbad, before reaching Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve, which has one of the best golf courses we’ve been to.

Just before you drive into downtown San Diego, stop by La Jolla Cove, a seaside neighborhood with some family friendly attractions.

Los Angeles to Big Bear

man looking at valley view from big bear Big Bear

Distance from LA: 97.7 miles via I-10 E
Drive time: 2 hours
Stops along the way: Angeles National Forest, Cooper Canyon Falls, Lone Pine Canyon, Silverwood Lake Viewpoint, Arrowhead, Heaps Peak Arboretrum, Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park
How many days needed: 5 days

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and go for a hammock nap by the beautiful Big Bear Lake, the perfect place for a camping trip with friends, family, or a loved one.

Plus, the journey to this piney getaway is just as beautiful as the destination itself.

Big Bear adventures usually start by either driving the historic Route 66 or hitting the I-10 East over to the famed California Rim of The World, which is known for being one the most scenic routes to traverse. You will want to spend an entire day exploring this stretch of road.

However, I recommend you start by taking a detour out of LA towards Pasadena, and into the Angeles National Forest. Drive along the Angeles Crest Scenic Byway (open summer season only) and stop off at one of the hiking trails along the way.

Then you can cut onto the Lone Pine Canyon Road, before turning off onto the Rim of the World Scenic Byway.

There are loads of woody cafes, hikes, and nature stopovers on this route, with plenty of flora and fauna to give your trip the perfect pop of nature.

Add a bit of adventure to the mix and go tubing at Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park.

The journey culminates upon entering the town of Big Bear, where you’ll be welcomed by a vast selection of cozy inns and places to pitch your tent.

Los Angeles to Big Sur via Pacific Coast Highway

The Bixby Bridge, Big Sur, California The Bixby Bridge

Distance from LA: 345.9 miles via I-5 N and US-101 N
Drive time: 5 hours 45 minutes
Stops along the way: LA to Santa Barbara attractions mentioned above, and Hans Christian Andersen Museum, Lotusland in Montecito, Monterey Bay, Bixby Bridge, Morro Rock, McWay Falls
How many days needed: 10-14 days

The Pacific Coast Highway extends from LA all the way up to Washington State, so if coastal scenery is your kind of scenery, then why not extend the earlier road trip to Santa Barbara up to Big Sur – a mountainous city in CA.

Unlike the other destinations from LA on this list, a road trip from Los Angeles to Big Sur will take several days, if not weeks to do, as there’s so much to see on route.

The drive is over 300 miles long, so I recommend taking a camper van or RV and keeping an eye out for one of the hundreds of shaded parking spots along the way.

Road trips to Big Sur run through hundreds of scenic spots of note, with an excellent balance of natural and human-made wonders lining each mile of your trip.

Lotusland in Montecito is a must-see with its thousands of plant species and picture-perfect rest stops.

At the same time, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes really embody the feeling of taking a desert trail.

Nearby is Moro Rock, an important rock formation once used as navigation aid for mariners.

Don’t miss a chance to stop off in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and see one of the most unique waterfalls – McWay Falls – which plunges over a cliff into the ocean, and Pfeiffer Beach.

But that doesn’t mean you have to go out of your way to witness the sights of California – you’re actually going to drive right over one – The Bixby Bridge is a wildly popular tourist attraction that stretches out over a vast canyon floor.

See the following itinerary from Santa Barbara to Big Sur to add on to the itinerary mentioned above.

Los Angeles to Joshua Tree National Park and Salton Sea

family taking photos of joshua trees in national park Hidden Valley Trail, Joshua Tree

Distance from LA: 131 miles via I-10 E
Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Stops along the way: The stops from LA to Palm Springs mentioned above, and then Coachelle Valley, Pioneertown, Barker Dam, Ryan Mountain, Lost Horse Mine, Cholla Cactus Garden, Salton Sea
How many days needed: 7 days

Tucked deep in the Sonoran desert is the Joshua Tree National Park, prized for its namesake, the otherworldly Joshua Trees.

While these unique plants make a California day trip feel more like taking a drive on the surface of hot, sandy Mars, that’s not all there is to see – the sun baked destination of Joshua Tree National Park is also home to a bunch of exciting spots.

Start by following the road trip itinerary above for LA to Palm Springs, and then head on to Coachella Valley.

After that, head up to Pioneertown, an 1880s-themed town which is known as the film location for Western films and TV series.

Then, head into Joshua Tree National Park, stopping by Barker Dam, Ryan Mountain, Coachella Valley, or Lost Horse Mine.

Cholla Cactus Garden

Once you’ve had your fill of outdoor trails in Joshua Tree, you can drive 12 miles in to find the Cholla Cactus Garden.

This little patch of land holds hundreds of unique cholla cacti, which are deceptively innocent-looking.

There are many other places of note, like the Arch Rock near the camping grounds or the Hidden Valley.

Large congregation of Eared Grebes in the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge in Southern California

After Joshua Tree, head down to Salton Sea. Some people who travel to this ghost town report the area feeling eerie and a little haunted, which makes sense when you consider its storied history.

From salt mining to water levels rising and falling over time, Salton Lake is definitely not your typical road trip adventure.

Many urban myths about aliens, “watchers”, and other paranormal activity have brought millions of tourists to this desolate area, making it the perfect spot for a road trip with your mystery-loving friends a la Scooby-Doo.

Be sure to stop into the Red Earth Casino, The International Banana Museum, and Salton Sea Visitors And Information Center.

Los Angeles to Red Rock Canyon State Park

Red Rock Canyon State Park, California Image credit: DepositPhotos.com

Distance from LA: 118 miles via CA-14 N
Drive time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Stops along the way: Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park, Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
How many days needed: 2 days

Red Rock Canyon State Park (not to be confused with Red Rock Canyon outside Las Vegas) is the best way to go if you’re looking for an arid adventure near the Mojave National Preserve.

At roughly 118 miles away from Los Angeles, travel time is relatively fast and the payoff is more than worth it.

Start in Pasadena and head north towards the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The scenery on route is incredible – canyons are dusted in a Martian red, which echoes old western movies and Star Wars’ Tatooine simultaneously.

While there isn’t much to do here for folks who prefer paved adventures, Red Rock Canyon is perfect for those who like to hike or take an RV-style road trip.

The canyon is home to Ricardo Campground, which has over 50 “primitive” campsites with pretty much everything you need, sans RV hookups.

Daytime activities include:

A 2-mile hike by Pine Creek Canyon
Another hike around Calico Basin
Biking around trails

That said, Red Rock Canyon transforms come sundown. This dry camping spot has one of the darkest nights in the United States, meaning that it’s perfect for stargazing.

Insider’s Tip: you won’t get the same view huddled up in the luxurious Red Rock Resort, so I recommend bringing your camping gear with you.

Los Angeles To Death Valley National Park

woman looking at view of Zabriskie point death valley Zabriskie Point, Death Valley NP

Distance from LA: 268 miles via I-5 N, CA-14 N and US-395 N
Drive time: 5 hours
Stops along the way: the stops mentioned above to Red Rock Canyon State Park, and then Father Crowley Vista Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Zabriskie Point, Artist’s Drive and Palette
How many days needed: 4-5 days

Past Red Canyon is Death Valley National Park, one of the largest national parks in the United States.

Adventurous travelers should be aware of taking road trips to this dusty destination in the summer months – it can be sweltering at certain times.

That said, Death Valley is just as camp-able as other national parks, despite its intimidating name.

The moment you enter Death Valley from HWY 190, you’re greeted with some pretty extreme sights.

After starting your 4000-ft descent, Father Crowley Vista Point comes creeping in, and you’ll be deep in dune territory.

woman and children standing on Badwater Basin salt flats Death Valley Badwater Basin

After a quick break, sand sailors can head on over to Badwater Basin, which is 28 feet below sea level and the lowest point in North America! The basin gets its name from the high salt content in the area.

You can do a little loop back to LA by stopping in Baker and Mojave on the way back, or travel on to Las Vegas.

Los Angeles to Anza-Borrego Desert State Parks

Anza-Borrego Desert State Parks, California Anza-Borrego Desert

Distance from LA: 121 miles via I-15 S and CA-79 S
Drive time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stops along the way: Anaheim, Temecula, Palomar Observatory, Coyote Canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert Visitor Center
How many days needed: 2-3 days

One of the best parts of visiting national parks is that there’s usually a wealth of things to do on a day trip there – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is no exception.

Despite being roughly three hours from central Los Angeles, this desert drive feels uniquely Californian.

With the rich diversity of local flora and fauna, the drive here can be a quick and easy way to reconnect with nature.

Start off in the city of Anaheim, where you can visit Disneyland Anaheim and other theme parks, before heading inland towards Temecula, known for its world-class golf courses.

Then, drive on to the Anza-Borrego Desert Visitor Center via Palomar Observatory and Coyote Canyon.

Take a casual stroll down Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, known to be beginner-friendly and an excellent place to take ‘gram-worthy photos.

Walk further down the trail, and you may just run into a scarlet red dragon breaking through the thick sandy ground, which is a fantastic experience even after you realize it’s part of the Galleta Meadows Metal Sculptures.

Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park

lady looking at Tunnel View of Yosemite Valley Tunnel View of Yosemite Valley

Distance from LA: 278 miles via CA-99 N
Drive time: 4 hours 35 minutes
Stops along the way: Santa Clarita, Bakersfield, Fresno, Mammoth Lakes, Inyo National Forest, Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, Tunnel View, and Bridalveil Falls
How many days needed: 7 days

If beaches and deserts are not your thing, then how about mountains and forests? The ultimate road trip from Los Angeles to Yosemite stops by some of the best nature sites in the state, and offers a chance to see the largest trees in the world.

Start by leaving LA and stop in Santa Clarita, where you can explore the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park or local attractions, before heading to Bakersfield to check out the Kern County Museum and California Living Museum.

If you like zoos, head on to Fresno where the Chaffee Zoo is worth taking the kids if you are travelling as a family. Then, make your way to Mammoth Lakes for skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, via Inyo National Forest for stunning mountain views.

From there, head to Sequoia National Park to witness the giant trees and scenic trails, then explore the beauty of Kings Canyon National Park.

general sherman tree sequoia national park The General Sherman

Go and see General Sherman, a giant sequoia tree in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park in Tulare County, which is known to be the largest tree on Earth branching from a single-stem.

Afterward, drive to Yosemite National Park and enjoy breathtaking views at Tunnel View in Yosemite Valley.

You may want to spend 2-3 days exploring the park. Be sure to visit Bridalveil Falls and other iconic landmarks like Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls.

Here is another mystical lake in California: Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve

Final Thoughts

The thing about living in the city of Los Angeles is that there are way too many places to go for an out-of-town trip – finding the right destinations can save you a lot of time and effort.

Despite my inquisitive nature and discerning taste, there were still some travel options that were too good to leave out of this list!

Whether you’re doing it old-school style going from hotel to hotel or living fancy in an RV, you’ll need an itinerary and a destination.

Planning is essential to enjoying a road trip, and this list has some of the best ideas around.

But my suggestions are just suggestions. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for something fit for an urbanite or looking to sleep under the great blue sky, your travel plan should be tailored to what you want!