12 Unforgettable Day Trips And Things To Do Near Los Angeles

From the Santa Monica Pier to Pasadena, here are the things to do and unforgettable day trips around Los Angeles.

 

I love LA, but I didn’t always…it just didn’t feel like a city that was easy to know. I like walkable cities, cities that feel approachable. Then, almost by accident, I discovered the best way to explore and get to know Los Angeles and suddenly, I was having fun in this amazing city. 

The trick to exploring LA is to approach it as a city of neighborhoods. Within those neighborhoods are tourist attractions, scenic hikes, great restaurants, music venues, history, art, beautiful beaches…so much to discover, and write about! One neighborhood might be a great day trip.

There are dozens of great options for day trips too…you don’t even need to travel beyond Los Angeles County. From the Santa Monica Pier to downtown Santa Barbara, here are some of the best day trips near Los Angeles plus things to do. I’ve also included tips on how much time to allow for each activity or place. 

Los Angeles, Downtown area

Downtown LA is a patchwork of old and new. Check out Olvera Street to see the oldest standing house in LA, the Avila Adobe. Shop for Mexican dresses, maracas, and guyaberas, then, cross the street to visit Union Station. A grand art deco train station that changed the city’s trajectory when it was built it is still operating and yes, you can catch a train there. 

 A couple of blocks from Olvera Street is Chinatown, though it’s only a few blocks now,  the gates are still there. It’s a colorful area that is good for Instagram photos. 

Fun fact: Downtown Los Angeles used to be covered in vineyards. Before Napa Valley, LA was the capital of the California wine industry.

The only existing winery from that era, San Antonio Winery is over 100 years old. It’s open for tastings, and there’s a fantastic restaurant. I wrote a review which is hyper-linked.

Broadway Theater District

If you like historic neighborhoods and Art Deco architecture take a walk down Broadway Street. This street was the epicenter for theater openings, new shows, you name it, it had Hollywood-style glamour. The LA Conservancy offers a walking tour that takes you inside some of these gorgeous old palaces. 

After you explore Broadway St., you can walk to the Bradbury Building and Grand Central Market. 

The Bradbury Building and Grand Central Market

The Bradbury looks unassuming from the outside. However, step inside and be amazed at the gorgeous art nouveau and Victorian architectural details. Built in 1893, it is the oldest standing commercial building in Los Angeles.  The Bradbury Building has starred in many Hollywood movies…you may recognize the building if you have seen the film Blade Runner. Access to the building is limited to the first floor. More information about the Bradbury Building and the theaters is in my article about the Broadway District linked above.

Across the street is Grand Central Market the oldest market in downtown Los Angeles, it opened in 1917. Today the market is a mecca for foodies and features California cuisine of all varieties focusing on the rich ethnicity of the city and state. Have a coffee at Roast To Go, one of the oldest vendors at the market. 

The Last Bookstore

Do you love books or simply browsing unique stores? Get yourself to the Last Bookstore and don’t go in a hurry, it’s a huge space. Selling both new and used books, records, tapes, and gifts (not used), you will not leave empty-handed. There are a few places in the store that make for fun photo ops as well. 

This might be too far to walk from Grand Central Market but if you have time, it’s possible. If you can’t find a meter on the street there are $10 parking lots. This is an experience unique to LA. It’s worth it!

Time to visit: 2 – 4 hours depending on how much you do. I’d allow an hour to walk Broadway but longer if you take a tour. You can see the Bradbury and Grand Central Market in an hour. 

Olvera and Union Station could be quick, it’s up to you how long to spend. If you do some shopping on Olvera St. and visit Union Station, allow 1-2 hours. Add 30 minutes to an hour to include Chinatown.

Hollywood

Farmer’s Market LA.

I’ve been going to the Farmer’s Market since I was a teenager in the 70s. In the early days of Hollywood, glam celebrities went to the market too, people like Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, and even the Beatles visited the market. 

The Farmer’s Market is an open-air market that looks the same as it did in the 70s…there are still grocery stalls, specialty shops, and restaurants with everything from sushi to cajun gumbo. There are other farmer’s markets so be sure you’re going to the market at 3rd and Fairfax. 

 Adjacent to the Farmer’s Market is The Grove, an outdoor shopping and dining area with upscale offerings such as Anthropology, Alo Yoga, Frame, and Nordstrom is one of the anchors. A fun feature of The Grove is the old-school trolley which makes a great photo. A stroll through The Grove should be included with the Farmer’s Market.

Time to visit: This depends on how much shopping you want to do and if you stay to eat out. Allow at least 2 hours. 

The Chinese Theater and Hollywood Blvd.

“You can see all the stars as you walk down Hollywood Blvd.”  Ray Davies, The Kinks

You really can’t visit LA without walking down Hollywood Blvd. It’s an iconic attraction in the city. I always loved the Chinese Theater just because of the architecture but it has a fascinating history. Since the 1920s the theater has been where stars went to see their films screened.

We always went to see the courtyard with celebrity handprints and footprints in the concrete. It’s fun to look for the prints of your favorite stars. You can also take a guided tour of the theater.

From Hollywood Blvd., it’s a short drive to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. 

Hollywood Forever

One of the most unique cemeteries in the world, Hollywood Forever is more than a place to lay your head one last time. Hosting cultural events, outdoor movies, and literary events, this is a lovely outdoor space and a museum. People come from all over the world to pay respects to some of the great luminaries of entertainment, like Mickey Rooney, Douglas Fairbanks, Cecil B. De Mille, and Judy Garland.

Time to visit: Plan to spend a half day exploring the cemetery and the Chinese Theater. 

The Getty Center

Perched on a hillside in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty Center has panoramic views of Los Angeles. On a clear day, you can see the Pacific Ocean. Aside from the views, there are many reasons to visit The Getty Center. Go for the art, special exhibitions, the gardens, or a weekend movie night. I love the white travertine buildings and architecture designed by Richard Meier. The Getty IS a work of art.

The permanent collection at The Getty includes many classics of pre-20th-century art and sculpture. Some of the most famous include Vincent Van Gogh’s Irises, and a self-portrait of Rembrandt laughing. 

There is a rotating exhibition in the photo galleries which is always my favorite. I’ve been to the Getty for special exhibitions,  like Beyond The Nile: Egypt and the Classical World, in 2018. 

A visit to the Getty Center (not to be confused with the Getty Villa in Malibu) is a must when I visit Los Angeles. It’s near enough to West Hollywood you could visit the stars on Hollywood Blvd and then, go to the museum.

Bonus, admission to the Getty Center is free, you only have to pay for parking which is currently $25.

Time to visit: Allow a half day minimum to visit The Getty.

Other Things To Do Near Downtown LA

Other things to do near downtown Los Angeles include Universal Studios (I’d like to see the Harry Potter exhibits), shopping on Melrose Ave., cruising Sunset Blvd.; walking the Santa Monica Pier; the La Brea Tar Pits, shopping Rodeo Drive.

Pasadena Day Trip

 Pasadena is about ten miles from downtown Los Angeles making it a perfect destination for an easy day trip. There’s great architecture to explore, art museums and botanical gardens, and an abundance of dining options. 

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

I went to The Huntington with friends and we only had two hours there. Our day started at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. It was a beautiful day out so we opted to spend most of our two-hour visit in the spectacular gardens. Since they cover over 100 acres we narrowed it down to the Japanese Gardens and the Chinese Gardens. 

Aside from the gardens we had just enough time to visit the galleries to see two very famous works of art,  The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough and Pinkie by by Thomas Lawrence.

Time to visit: You could easily spend a half day or longer at The Huntington. If you’re lucky enough to live in the area, you can break up into multiple visits. 

The Gamble House

Pasadena is a haven for Arts and Crafts architecture lovers. One of the best examples is the Gamble House built in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble, the second generation of the Proctor and Gamble family. Their heirs donated the house and the furnishings to the city of Pasadena in 1966. The attention to detail such as teak doors, mahogany inlaid with ebony, scarf joints, and other exquisite elements of the house can not be overstated. The house is on the Register of National Historic Places.

Time to visit: Tours of the Gamble House are about one hour but there are a few to choose from. Some delve more deeply into the esthetics of the architects Greene & Greene. It’s best to book your ticket in advance. 

Malibu Day Trip

A quintessential California beach destination, Malibu is twenty-two miles of coastline just an hour north of Los Angeles. On a busy summer day, the drive will take forever so just channel some California cool vibes and enjoy the scenic drive along Pacific Coast Highway. 

A few of my favorite things to do in Malibu include going to Malibu Ranch for a drink on the pier; checking out the surfers at Surfer Rider Beach; wine tasting at Strange Family Wines, and happy hour at Duke’s. There’s much more going on in this gem of a coastal town. Check out my article 5 Reasons to Visit Malibu Any Time of Year for more details. 

Time to visit: I would plan to spend the entire day in Malibu. 

Beaches

Who doesn’t want to spend the day soaking up the sun on the Golden State’s beautiful beaches? Just don’t forget the SPF. 

For great beaches near Los Angeles, Malibu gets my vote. Whether you want to explore the tide pools, watch the surfers, swim, or sun, there’s a beach that is just right, in Malibu. Zuma Beach is especially nice if you’re looking for a wide sandy beach. Malibu beaches tend to be fronted by expensive homes but not at Zuma.

Leo Carillo is my favorite beach for exploring tide pools. There are some sandy areas and a dog-friendly beach on the north end.

Topanga Beach is a good surfing and walking beach close to LA with parking where Topanga Canyon Blvd meets the Pacific Coast Hwy. 

Malibu Lagoon State Beach runs into Surfrider Beach, a world surf reserve zone. Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean here and there are all kinds of tide pools and sea life to explore,  plus loads of birds in the lagoon waters. 

You can walk to the Malibu Pier from here. Be sure to check out the Adams House, now a state park, it was once the private residence of a wealthy family who owned land when Malibu was a lot less accessible. I’ve got some photos of the house and the pier here.

Santa Monica State Beach

The beach in Santa Monica is very accessible and big, there’s plenty of room to spread out. There are shops, restaurants, and the historic Santa Monica Pier nearby. You can also bike to the beach via a safe bike trail. Santa Monica is very touristy but it’s also fun if you’ve never been there before. The pier is part of the historic Route 66. Check out the Visit Santa Monica website for more info on visiting the beach there. Santa Monica makes a perfect day trip near Los Angeles.

Time to visit: Plan at least a half day. 

Long Beach Day Trip

The Queen Mary

Long Beach is synonymous with the Queen Mary in my mind. A grand old ocean liner, the Queen Mary was the fastest and most profitable ship of her time. Launched in 1936 she originally carried mail between the UK and the United States. Can you even imagine that today? She was officially retired and moved permanently to Long Beach in 1967. 

Today she’s a gorgeous hotel with loads of history and beautiful art deco details. There are many special exhibitions and events connected with the Queen Mary, so check out the calendar to see what’s happening. 

The Observation Bar is an Art Deco lounge that is very retro cool. This is a popular spot for locals too. You must go!

I’ve spent the night on the Queen Mary a few times and had a great experience. The ship is supposed to be haunted and they used to offer tours with Paranormal Explorer. They still offer a haunted tour but it’s not clear who is leading it. I didn’t see ghosts but it was very creepy! Let me know what you think. If you want to check rates for the Queen on Expedia you can do so here.  Booking.com Is here.

Aquarium of the Pacific

This is a large museum and very popular. It was crowded the weekend we went. Be sure to see the Moon Jellies and the giant Pacific octopus. The Aquarium of the Pacific is big… I’d plan to spend at least a couple of hours there.

Long Beach has a lot of cute vintage shops and unique businesses. I had a great time solo in Long Beach.

For more about things to do in Long Beach read my article 36 Hours In Long Beach which includes information about the Queen Mary, whale-watching tours, and shops and restaurants. 

Time to visit: Plan to spend a full day in Long Beach.

Santa Barbara Day Trip

With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Santa Ynez Mountains in the background, Santa Barbara is one of California’s prettiest coastal cities. Many people go to Santa Barbara for the day from Los Angeles but I don’t recommend that, especially if you’ve never been there before.

But, if you do go, you’ll want to read the great articles on my site about what to do around Santa Barbara including the ever popular Funk Zone, State Street, boutiques, restaurants, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, and wine-tasting recommendations.

The best time to visit Santa Barbara is during the week. Angelenos love to crowd into Santa Barbara on the weekends, along with everyone else. Plan about one and a half hours to two hours to drive there.

Santa Barbara is one of my favorite places in Southern California and I always spend at least two or three nights there. 

Time to visit: A full day is an absolute minimum. I recommend overnight for two nights but you could make it one night. 

I’ll cover Los Olivos, Solvang, and Buelton in another article. They make great day trips if you’re already in Santa Barbara. I’ve spent a lot of time in Santa Ynez Valley and there’s good wine tasting, food, and shops, and the setting is so relaxing. 

Orange County

I’m just going to say this because I know people will ask about Orange County destinations… in my opinion Laguna Beach, La Jolla, Newport Beach, and Balboa Island should be a weekend or at least an overnight trip, not a day trip. I know the area well because my family lived there. I dislike spending half my day driving or sitting in traffic. I’ll cover Orange County in another article. 

If you go to Los Angeles

I hope you now feel like you know a little more about LA and can plan a fun day trip or day out nearby. It’s much easier than you think, and there are many ways to enjoy this vibrant city. Have you been to any of my recommended places? Tell me about your experience in the comments.

LAX or Los Angeles International Airport is the point of entry for most visitors to Los Angeles County. If you can, fly Southwest. I recommend it because the terminal is smaller and easy to manage. I’ve been flying SWA to LAX for decades with no issues. But I can’t promise! Sorry. 

Once there you’ll need a car unless you have a lot of time to get around on public transport. Pack some patience and a sense of adventure and you’ll learn to love Los Angeles too.