I LOVE LA, and with so much to see and do its hard to imagine ever needing a break, but thanks to my wanderlusting soul, there are days when “getting out of town” seems like a good idea.
Santa Barbara
With it’s beautiful coastline, perfect mediterranean climate and gleaming white mission style buildings Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful coast cities in California.
Only 95 miles from LA, this family friendly destination, is a very doable day trip, but if time is on your side consider staying longer, so you can take advantage of all the city has to offer.
Malibu
Looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of LA? Look no further than, Malibu, LA’s closest neighbor to the north. Stretching 21 scenic miles along the Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu is the stuff California dreams are made of.
Malibu’s Mediterranean climate means warm dry summers and moderate winters. You’ll find gorgeous beaches, world famous surf spots, hiking and plenty of dining, shopping, and museums to keep you occupied no matter the time of year.
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach, just 30 minutes from LA has superb beaches and a quaint downtown area filled with restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops, making it one of our favorite “getaways”.
A walk out on the picturesque pier provides an excellent view of both the shoreline and the surfers, and it’s a great place for a family selfie.
Long Beach
Long Beach is Southern California’s third largest city, and just 25 miles from LA. We’ve visited The Aquarium of the Pacific a number of times, which is located adjacent to the Shoreline Aquatic Park, where you’ll find a lighthouse, shopping and multiple dining options.
Huntington Beach
It’s no wonder that Huntington Beach with it’s almost 10 miles of sandy beaches and excellent year-round surfing is also known as Surf City.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach, just one hour or so south of Los Angeles, has gorgeous beaches with warm glittering blue water, fun restaurants with delicious food, and street art, so basically all the makings of a perfect day trip.
There are many beautiful beaches in Laguna, but Victoria Beach with its Rapunzel like tower is a great place to start. We spent most of an afternoon splashing around in the water, watching the volleyball players and lounging in the sand.