The 8 BEST Day Trips from Orange County, CA

One of the best things about living in Orange County is its proximity to so many awesome destinations. And it’s true—you can hit the ski slopes in the morning and watch the sunset at the beach if you really want (although we don’t recommend it).

We’ve personally done day trips to all of the places listed here, but go for an overnight stay if you can swing it!

1. Santa Barbara

Distance from Anaheim, CA: 121 miles (~2 hours)

Santa Barbara is a small beach town just north of Los Angeles. Find great shopping and restaurants on State Street.

2. Joshua Tree National Park

Distance from Anaheim, CA: 111 miles (1 hour, 45 minutes)

This is our favorite national park and the closest national park to Orange County. If you decide to extend your day trip, you can camp at one of the designated camping sites within the park or stay at a funky Airbnb (there’s lots!).

BEST National Parks Near Orange County, CA (2023)

3. Palm Springs

Distance from Anaheim, CA: 93 miles (1 hour, 30 minutes)

Palm Springs is a popular day trip from Orange County—those nostalgic for the 1960s aesthetic can enjoy the mid-century modern architecture prevalent here. Spend the day checking out the shops and restaurants on Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs.

4. Los Angeles

Distance from Anaheim, CA: 26 miles (35 minutes)

LA is OC’s bigger, more high profile neighbor. Los Angeles is so vast that it’s kind of a cheat for us to list this as a single destination. But here are some of the most popular things to do:

Santa Monica Pier - Ride the ferris wheel or go shopping on the Third Street Promenade
Griffith Park - Hike to the Hollywood sign
Venice Beach - Check out trendy boutiques on Abbott Kinney or take a stroll around the Venice Canal Historic District
Shopping - Visit The Grove, an iconic LA shopping destination, or check out the luxury stores on Rodeo Drive
Museums - The most popular museums in LA are The Getty, LACMA, and The Broad

5. San Diego

Distance from Anaheim, CA: 95 miles (1 hour, 30 minutes)

San Diego Zoo, the most visited zoo in the United States, is a big draw here. Down the street from the zoo is Balboa Park, an expansive park with beautiful Spanish-style buildings located throughout the grounds.

San Diego has many fun neighborhoods to explore including North Park, Little Italy, and La Jolla. It’s also the self-proclaimed Craft Beer Capital of America.

6. Catalina Island

Distance from Anaheim, CA: 1-1.5 hours by ferry. Trips available from Dana Point, Newport Beach, and Long Beach.

Try one of the many water activities (snorkeling, diving, kayaking) or relax shoreside at Descanso Beach Club.

7. Big Bear

Distance from Anaheim, CA: 87 miles (1 hour, 40 minutes)

This is one of the most popular ski/snowboard destinations in Southern California. There are three resorts to choose from: Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, and Snow Valley. In the summertime, you can find folks hiking, mountain biking, and cooling off at the lake.

Learn more here: Best Ski Resorts Near Orange County, CA

8. Solvang

Distance from Anaheim, CA: 250 miles (2 hours and 40 mins)

Solvang is a charming city with whimsical Danish architecture and vibrant, flower-lined streets. This village offers an array of bakeries, boutiques, and wineries that allow visitors to experience a bit of Old World charm.

Orange County Insiders Blog