Road Trips From Los Angeles for Nature

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Short Road Trips From Los Angeles

These road trips are right outside the city. You can leave in the morning and be back for dinner! 😎

Angeles Crest Highway to The San Gabriel Mountains

📍 Driving Distance: 24 miles/about 40 minutes to one hour
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ Trail closures and updated info

The San Gabriel Mountains is where Angelenos show their kids snow for the first time.

The scenic Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2) winds through the area and up into the mountains, where you can see spectacular views of DTLA.

The San Gabriel Mountains are part of the larger Transverse Ranges of Southern California.

This highway stretches about 66 miles from La Cañada Flintridge to the mountain community of Wrightwood. It’s renowned for its dramatic views, winding roads, and access to various recreational activities.

Inside Scoop: Leave with a full tank of gas. There is no wifi on the mountain. None.

The highway climbs to elevations over 7,000 feet, offering cooler temperatures and a stark contrast to Los Angeles’s urban sprawl.

The last time we went in March, there was so much snow that we had to cancel the hike into the mountain to see a waterfall we wanted to visit. We didn’t have the proper shoes and it’s a good 5-mile hike in.

The Poppy Reserve, Antelope Valley

📍 Driving Distance: 78 miles/1.5 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ Parking lot is at roughly 15101 Lancaster Rd; $10. Latest updates here.

📍 Driving Distance: 36 miles/about an hour
🌐 Open in Google Maps
🆘 Latest conditions and updates here

While the Poppy Reserve isn’t the only place to see the poppies bloom in California, it is the best because of its size and the ample parking facilities that make it convenient for visitors.

People go crazy for poppies here, probably because of all the Insta-worthy shots to be taken.

Please be respectful of the flowers, others, and the trail. The last time I went to see the poppies, I was really put off by people trampling them for a good photo.

When to go to see the blooming poppies:

Generally, the poppies bloom in early April, but it can occur between mid-March and early May. You have to keep tabs on them before you make the drive.

Idyllwild

📍 Driving Distance: 110 miles/2.5 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ Latest updates here

Idyllwild is celebrated for its unique scenic beauty and a plethora of distinctive outdoor activities, with a special emphasis on hiking. 

Nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains, this charming mountain village just east of Los Angeles and before Palm Springs offers a variety of trails that cater to all levels of hikers, like the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail, an easy 2.6-mile trail that offers great views and is perfect for beginners or those looking for a leisurely hike. After your hike, have lunch and shop at local mom-and-pop stores in the small town.

Road trips from Los Angeles: Driving North

Now, let’s head north for the best road trips from Los Angeles to see and experience some nature and the beautiful landscapes north of the city.

If you’re looking for road trips from Nothern California, we’ve written about that in our Road Trip from San Francisco for Nature guide.

Hearst Castle in San Simeon

📍 Driving Distance: 244 miles/4 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ More info here

The drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to San Simeon is gorgeous. It takes you on scenic highways that wind through large mountains and turn into rolling hills the closer you get to San Simeon.

When you reach San Simeon, you’ll be driving along the stunning California coastline, and suddenly, the temperature drops; it’s an awesome drive, especially in a convertible, which I’ve done many times.

You could do it in one day, but that would be a lot. It makes for a great overnight trip from Los Angeles.

Once in San Simeon, make sure you check out Piedras Blancas Beach, also known as Elephant Seal Beach, 5.2 miles north of Hearst Castle and the castle itself.

It is well worth taking a tour; it is one of my favorite places to visit in all of California.

While technically a castle isn’t nature, Hearst Castle is surrounded by nature on all sides. From the castle, you’ll see stunning views of the Pacific and the gorgeous rolling hills of San Simeon. The surrounding environs are why William Randolf Hearst built his castle where it sits on top of the hill overlooking everything.

Need to Know: You will need to book reservations in advance. This is the type of tour you have to plan for, and build into your itinerary to make sure you get to San Simeon on time for the tour you have signed up for. Click here for tickets.

Montaña de Oro State Park

📍 Driving Distance: 200 miles/4 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ Latest conditions and updates can be found here.

Montaña de Oro State Park is renowned for its spectacular coastal scenery and diverse hiking trails.

The Bluff Trail is a must-try for its easy access and stunning ocean views, perfect for all skill levels, while the Valencia Peak Trail offers a more challenging hike with rewarding panoramic views from the summit.

When visiting, check for any park alerts or trail closures, especially during the rainy season. The park does not charge an entrance fee, making it a fantastic and accessible option for those seeking nature from Los Angeles.

Death Valley National Park

📍 Driving Distance: 217 miles/4 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ Latest conditions and updates can be found here.

Death Valley has been in the news lately because, as of this writing, a lake has formed in the middle of it due to the heavy rains California received this past year. A lake in the middle of Death Valley National Park is highly abnormal.

To explore the mesmerizing landscapes of Death Valley National Park, the best thing to do is visit Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. The vast salt flats create a surreal, otherworldly vista against the towering mountain backdrop. And now, it has water on it, although this won’t last long.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

📍 Driving Distance: 234 miles/4.5 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ Latest conditions and updates can be found here.

I love giant Sequoias; Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have the largest ones in the world. Check out the Giant Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park and the General Grant Tree in King’s Canyon, two of the largest and widest trees in the world.

Inyo National Forest

📍 Driving Distance: 242miles/4 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ More info here

A bit further past Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is Inyo National Forest.

Inyo National Forest is right on the eastern slopes of Sierra Nevada and has some of the most stunning views in all of California.

This place is special—it’s home to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48, and the Ancient Bristlecone Pines, some of the oldest living things on earth. Inyo is just as gorgeous as any of California’s national parks, but it’s way less crowded. Trust me, you want to check it out. It’s a local gem that never disappoints.

Lake Tahoe

📍 Driving Distance: 443 miles/about 7.5 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps

A trip to Tahoe from Los Angeles is fun all year round. There is so much to do in Lake Tahoe, including great skiing, hiking, and water sports. It’s gorgeous here.

There are a dozen resorts in Lake Tahoe; our favorite is Squaw Valley at Alpine Meadows, and the views are stunning. Lake Tahoe is gorgeous all year, whether you enjoy water sports or the snow.

Big Sur

📍 Driving Distance: 350 miles/6 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ Latest conditions and updates can be found here.

Note from Author: Some of this requires taking the PCH. Sometimes, due to weather, like hard rain, part of the PCH shuts down. Check this website for current highway conditions before you head out.

We just went on the Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip in March. It was so much fun! I’ve driven the PCH often, starting from San Francisco and Los Angeles. Driving up or down the PCH in a convertible, with the music blasting, is one of my favorite things to do.

Coming from Los Angeles to Big Sur will require you to drive inland and around the PCH due to road closures, but this road is also stunning, even more so because of the rolling hills of bright green, thanks to all the rain we’ve been getting the last several years.

My favorite places to stop are Point Losos Park (make sure you hike to China Beach) and Pfeiffer Beach with its “purple” sand. Make sure to check our Keyhole Arch on Pfeiffer Beach. Also, Julia Pfeiffer State Park and McWay Falls are stunning places to hike. If you don’t have access to McWay Falls, hike into the park toward any crevice and you’ll likely run into a waterfall, especially in February, March, and April.

Don’t miss the Big Sur Bakery for its ginger scones, rich mocha cookies, and cream-filled donuts. End the day at Nepenthe for a cocktail and dinner. Ahhh, I miss Big Sur already and we were just there.

Yosemite National Park

📍 Driving Distance: 286 miles/5 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ Latest conditions and updates can be found here.

You could spend a week in Yosemite and still not see everything. Hiking in Yosemite National Park is an unparalleled experience, where every trail unfolds into the majestic beauty of towering granite cliffs, ancient sequoias, and thunderous waterfalls cascading into crystal-clear streams.

Among the many trails, a few stand out for their breathtaking waterfall views. The Mist Trail, arguably the most popular, offers an up-close encounter with Vernal and Nevada Falls, enveloping hikers in a refreshing mist.

Another gem, the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, provides a leisurely walk with stunning views of Yosemite’s tallest waterfall. It’s only 1.2 miles, so it’s good for beginners.

For those seeking a more strenuous hike, the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail challenges hikers with its steep ascent and rewards them with spectacular vistas of the valley and the thundering waterfall from above. (about 6.6 miles)

These trails, each offering a unique perspective of Yosemite’s waterfalls, embody the awe-inspiring beauty that calls adventurers back to this iconic park year after year.

Road trips from Los Angeles: Driving South

Catalina Island

📍 Driving Distance: 30 miles/40 minutes Boat: about one hour
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ To book the Catalina Island Express

There is no bridge from the mainland of California to Catalina Island. You have to take a boat, which makes this adventure unique and really gets you away from Los Angeles, even though it is so darn close to LA.

The closest port to catch the Catalina Express is Long Beach. Drive to Long Beach and park in the lot right next to the dock (it’s about $20 per day), where you get the Express. Boats leave often but book up fast, so get your ticket beforehand.

The best and most fun thing to do on Catalina Island (where they limit the number of cars) is to rent a golf cart and see the island tooling around in it. It is so much fun. It takes about two hours to get around the island via a golf cart. Then, have dinner in town and head back on an evening boat.

Note from Author: The Catalina Island Express books up quickly. This is a trip you have to plan for. Even in the off-season, it can book up fast.

Road trips from Los Angeles: Driving East

If you drive east from Los Angeles, you hit the desert and two of my favorite places to visit in California; Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park.

Palm Springs

📍 Driving Distance: 108 miles/2.5 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ More info can be found here.

Palm Springs is a favorite for Angelenos because of its swank, modern architecture—it evokes images of Frank Sinatra smoking a cigar while standing by a pool—and unique landscape. We love it here. It is a real getaway from Los Angeles. And it couldn’t be an easier drive.

A hotspot for outdoor activities, thanks to its sunny climate and stunning desert landscape, popular outdoor activities include hiking the many trails at Indian Canyons.

We visit Palm Springs for the day to ride the Aerial Tramway, which provides a spectacular ride up to the cooler elevations of Mount San Jacinto State Park. Visitors can enjoy hiking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter.

Joshua Tree National Park

📍 Driving Distance: 131 miles/3 hours
🌐 Open in Google Maps
➖ Latest conditions and updates can be found here.

Joshua Tree National Park is among the most underrated national parks I’ve ever visited. I love this park; there is something about it that makes me think I’m energetically aligned with it. Angelenos love road-tripping to the desert. Joshua Tree National Park is close to Los Angeles, directly east of LA, but it feels like a world away.

We often rent an Airbnb outside the park and spend our days hiking and our nights by an outdoor fire, drinking wine while looking at the stars. You can see all the stars from Joshua Tree.

Inside Scoop: Go into the park with a full tank of gas, there are no gas stations in the park and no wifi. None.

There are many easy hikes here, like Keys View, Hidden Valley, and Skull Rock; check out our Ultimate Joshua Tree One Day Itinerary.

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Don’t forget to check what’s open before you leave home on a road trip, including roads, visitor’s centers, bathroom facilities, etc. Need some packing guidance? Check out my California Road Trip Essentials list — I’m constantly updating it with new recommended equipment!