While there are plenty of activities in LA to keep you busy, whether exploring, relaxing, or brunching, sometimes you just need to get away. Today we’re wrapping up our LA series with a list of the best day trips to escape the city.
Coronado Butterfly Preserve in Santa Barbara
A two-hour drive from LA, Santa Barbara’s beaches and college town charm are the perfect place to get away, but we especially love that you can catch the magical monarch butterflies here. Monarchs migrate to Goleta and stay from November to February, so schedule your trip for those months for the best chance of a butterfly sighting.
To Coronado Butterfly Preserve’s Monarch Butterfly Grove is a short half-mile hike from the nearest parking lot, and there are also great opportunities for more hiking at the preserve to see eucalyptus trees and great beach views, like this 1.2-mile loop trail.
Explore the Village of Solvang
Keep heading up the coast past Santa Barbara to arrive in this charming Danish-inspired village and feel transported to another world!
Solvang is known for its architecture, food, and wine, so you’ll want to get a taste of each. Wander along Mission Drive, the town’s main street, for shopping, exploring, and seeing the sights. Foodwise, head to the Copenhagen Sausage Garden for your meal. Then try Aebleskivers—a traditional Danish pancake ball served with raspberry jam and powdered sugar—at Solvang Restaurant for dessert. Don’t miss out on the region’s wines. Crawford Family Wines has some of the best!
Experience a Magical Sound Bath in Joshua Tree
Located about two and a half hours from LA, Joshua Tree is a beautiful desert landscape perfect for hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing. But there’s also a hidden gem in Joshua Tree that you might not have explored yet.
For a truly one-of-a-kind experience, head to The Integratron, a dome built initially for time travel that amplifies the earth’s magnetic waves. A little woo, but the relaxing hour-long sound bath is totally worth it! Make sure to make reservations; The Integratron is open Thursday – Sunday.
And if that’s not your thing, Joshua Tree National Park and Pioneertown are there to explore too.
Go Winery Hopping in Temecula
Temecula, only a 1.5-hour drive from LA, is all about the WINE! There are over 40 wineries in the region, so make sure to choose which ones to visit in advance so you can make reservations and make plans for a designated driver.
To get you started, here are a few of the best wineries in the area:
- Peltzer Winery is part winery, part farm, and a great night out, complete with live music. It’s first come, first serve, so make sure to arrive early in the evening. There are food trucks nearby, so you can eat dinner there too.
- Wilson Creek Winery is an award-winning spot and one of the most popular wineries in the region.
- Miramonte Winery’s scenic hilltop location is a can’t-miss! Make reservations before you go, and then enjoy food, wine, and entertainment in a gorgeous setting!
Hike to a Waterfall in Ojai
A small town located about an hour and a half north of LA, Ojai is a great destination for outdoor activities like hiking and biking, as well as for shopping and dining. But for this day trip, we’re heading to a waterfall! Take the Rose Valleys Falls hike to see one of the tallest waterfalls in the Los Padres National Forest. You might want to bring a pair of shoes you don’t mind getting wet and clean ones to change into after the hike, depending on how wet it is.
Now that you have plenty of ideas of what to do with your next day off, it’s time to make a date on the calendar! And don’t let your home repairs to-do list hold you back from making time for yourself. That’s what Taskers are for.
