5 Drivable Day Trips Near Los Angeles
Post Date: August 07, 2011
Los Angeles is notorious for being a massive sprawl of civilization with tons of stuff to see, but sometimes the scene can become a little stale. Luckily, there is plenty to do just outside the city. So, if you’re a tourist or local who wants to see something new, here are five great day trips to take within driving distance of Los Angeles.
Palm Springs
If you’re looking for a quick drive to somewhere you can shop, go horseback riding, hike or relax, Palm Springs is the place to go. About a two-hour drive east of L.A., the desert city is known as a retreat for celebrities looking for a reprieve from the Hollywood lifestyle. Palm Springs lives on as a city with arts, entertainment and immediate access to outdoor activities. Although the desert temperatures of Palm Springs can get extremely high, the amazing Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes riders up into the mountains where temperatures drop nearly 30 degrees. In the mountains, you can enjoy the view, hike and be back in L.A. by the evening.
Joshua Tree National Park
Another option just farther east of Palm Springs is the Joshua Tree National Park. Here you can take a break from L.A.’s cool weather and venture into the Mojave and Colorado deserts for an entirely new perspective of California. The park is well known for its unique Joshua Trees endemic only to the southeastern portion of the United States. It also boasts a bunch of outdoor activities hard to find elsewhere. You can go camping, star-gazing, rock climbing and bird watching.
San Diego
The other major city in Southern California is San Diego. The cities are only two-and-a-half hours apart and complement one another in culture and activities. You can easily drive here for the day and explore the interesting city. You can go to Sea World, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, lounge on the beaches or go shopping. While you might want to drive here for only a day, there’s enough to do for weeks.
Ojai
Unlike San Diego, the city of Ojai is a low-key escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Situated a mere hour-and-a-half away, the small city has an array of outdoor recreation and cultural enjoyment. It’s home to the famous Bart’s Books and contiguous to the Los Padres National Forest. Another testament to its beauty is the fact that at some point celebrities like Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon have lived there.
Big Bear
Driving about two hours up winding roads into the San Bernardino Mountains takes you to the city of Big Bear Lake. For more than 100 years, Big Bear has been a resort destination for Angelinos and tourists looking to relax. Along with fantastic campgrounds, Big Bear has fishing, hiking, swimming, boating and more. During the winter months, skiing and snowboarding are very popular. This is a great place to drive for the day if you’re looking to get away from the heat and concrete.
About the author: Timothy Martinez Jr., a native of Los Angeles, is a freelance writer and contributes to a number of blogs, including the official blog of Knife Depot.
Categories : Blog, Southern California
