Hi there!
Last month, my husband and I returned from a two week vacation to the South of France. I’ve started writing about it for the blog – I’m so excited to share! I have a lot more work to do, but if you want to check out the first few guides, you can find them here.
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For today’s newsletter, I wanted to jump back into some California content and share my favorite day trip spots in SoCal!
I’m a big day trip person. It’s a great way to shake up your routine and experience a new place without having to spend on hotels or take too much time out of your schedule.
Living in Los Angeles, I’m surrounded by plenty of incredible day trip-worthy destinations (lucky me!). I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you!
Here are some fun Southern California destinations to consider for your next day trip adventure.
Quick note: this email contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click on the URL and make a purchase (at no cost to you!).
1. La Jolla
La Jolla (located in San Diego County) is the perfect spot for a day by the water. It’s San Diego’s premier destination for snorkeling, kayaking, and going for a swim.
Even if you don’t want to spend time in the water, it’s worth walking along Coast Boulevard and taking in the picture-perfect views (and checking out the sea lions!). The upscale village also has great shopping, as well as plenty of amazing eateries and cafes.
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2. Malibu
Another one of my favorite coastal day trip destinations is beautiful Malibu. Of course, Malibu is famous for its gorgeous beaches. Spend an afternoon swimming and soaking up the sun at an iconic beach, such as Zuma, El Matador, or Surfrider. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even take a surf lesson!
If you’re a hiker, Malibu has incredible trails. Point Dume, Point Mugu, and Charmlee Wilderness Park are some of my favorite spots.
The Getty Villa in the Pacific Palisades also just reopened in late June, after it was temporarily closed due to the Palisades fire. Tip: currently, reservations are booking up a few days in advance, particularly on weekends (especially since it’s summer and people are excited for the reopening!). Be sure to plan ahead if you want to visit.
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3. Solvang
The small town of Solvang (located in the Santa Ynez Valley) is known as the Danish capital of the US. You can easily explore all that Solvang has to offer in just a day!
Indulge in some Danish pastries as you admire the beautiful architecture in town, and visit the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art to learn about Danish culture. I also highly recommend visiting OstrichLand USA. If you’re a wine fan, you can also visit a vineyard or two during your day trip! The greater Santa Ynez Valley has some of the top wineries in the area.
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4. Ojai
I love escaping to Ojai for a chill day away from the hustle and bustle of LA. Ojai Olive Oil is always a must-visit for an olive oil tasting. The town of Ojai has great local boutiques, vintage stores, and galleries, as well as some amazing restaurants and coffee shops.
If you want to soak up the natural scenery, go on a hike at one of the many local trails, or enjoy an easy stroll at Ojai Meadows Preserve. At the end of the day, you might even get to experience the area’s famous “pink moment” sunset!
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5. Joshua Tree (bookmark this one for the late fall or winter!)
Don’t rush to Joshua Tree just yet – it’s not worth getting caught up in the extreme summer desert heat. But if you’re planning ahead for the late fall or winter, consider doing a day trip to Joshua Tree.
Joshua Tree NP is fairly small, so you can easily see a lot of the park in just a day. Some of my favorite spots include the Arch Rock Trail, Jumbo Rocks, and Hidden Valley Nature Trail. I also highly recommend enjoying the sunset at Cholla Cactus Garden!
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6. Oak Glen (the perfect fall day trip!)
Another spot to bookmark for the fall is Oak Glen, which is about an hour and a half drive from Los Angeles. It’s one of the best places to go apple picking in Southern California!
The opening dates for the local orchards change year-to-year, but they typically open sometime in September or early October. There are numerous orchards in the area, but I particularly love Stone Soup Farm.
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Happy day tripping!
Kyra, Sea to Sequoia
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