If you call Southern California home, but you haven’t had a chance to explore this part of the country as much as you’d like, then you’ll want to read through this itinerary that will lead you to some pretty wonderful things to do in Southern California, one for each month of the year. From a delightful chocolate shop and petting zoo to a dreamy destination filled with wildflowers, this epic list has it all so you can carve out some memorable outings. From the desert to the coastline, you don’t want to miss the best day trips in Southern California.
Find 12 Southern California day trips below, and perhaps leave a comment with your own tips and tricks for California adventuring below.
January – Joshua Tree National Park
flickr/bryce bradford During the month of January when the desert temps are cool, a wintertime hike through Joshua Tree is the place to be and one of the best getaway spots in Southern California. Although we can’t guarantee you’ll find snow at Joshua Tree National Park in the month of January, it’s quite a magical sight to see when the snow does fall during the winter season. Joshua Tree, CA 92252, USA
February – Chocolate Shoppe and Petting Zoo
SugarPlum Farm of Temecula Nothing says February quite like chocolate. So how about a day trip to the nation’s one and only chocolate shop AND petting zoo? Located in the city of Temecula, Sugarplum Zoo is a great place for a pre-Valentine’s Day celebration where you can get your chocolate fix and visit some darling animals at the same time. Sugarplum zoo, 39695 Berenda Rd, Temecula, CA 92591, USA
March – Hike through the Wildflowers
googlemaps/S Chen When the month of March rolls around, it’s that time of year when the wildflowers are in full bloom in Southern California. Although we don’t know if SoCal will have another Superbloom like in years past, you can still count on colorful wildflowers in SoCal during the springtime. And it’s spectacular. We recommend observing these splendid blooms at Chino Hills State Park. Chino Hills State Park, 4721 Sapphire Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709, USA
April – The Bunny Museum
googlemaps/candace frazee What could be more appropriate than visiting a bunny museum during the month of April to celebrate springtime and the Easter holiday? With over 35,000 bunny-related items and a collection that continues to grow year after year, The Bunny Museum is one destination you must see to believe. The Bunny Museum, 2605 Lake Ave, Altadena, CA 91001, USA
May – The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
tripadvisor/dotcominfo Each and every year, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch draws a crowd from all over the world to see these colorful blooms in person. The season begins in March and runs through May, which is our favorite time of year to visit when the blooms are often at their peak. The Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
June – Keys Creek Lavender Farn
Keys Creek Lavender Farm The location is permanently closed
During the month of June, when the lavender season is in full bloom, you’ll want to carve out a day to visit one of SoCal’s most delightful lavender farms. Keys Creek Lavender Farm offers tours, a meditation garden, a tea house, and a gift shop. 12460 Keys Creek Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082, USA
July – Catalina Island
flickr/everett carrico A day trip to Catalina Island is one SoCal tradition that seems to mark the middle of summertime here in SoCal. Hop aboard the ferry and head to this picturesque island for a day or even a whole weekend of fun in July. It’s also a great spot to stop off in you’re planning a road trip through Southern California. Santa Catalina Island, California 90704, USA
August – Lake Gregory Waterpark
facebook/lake gregory regional park There’s something about summertime in SoCal that makes everyone long for a relaxing day at the lake. Although there are many fun places to visit to have some lakeside fun in Southern California, one longtime favorite is a trip to this inflatable waterpark at Lake Gregory that the whole family will enjoy. Lake Gregory Regional Park, 24171 Lake Dr, Crestline, CA 92325, USA
September – Idyllwild
flickr/don graham As the season changes from summer to fall in SoCal, one of the best places to be is in the mountain town of Idyllwild. Packed with delicious eateries, stunning wildlife, and plenty of hikes for those who love nature, this peaceful town in SoCal is tops on the list for a day trip. Idyllwild, Irvine, CA 92602, USA
October – Willowbrook Apple Farm
flickr/don graham October is apple picking season in Southern California, which makes a day trip to the small town of Oak Glen the perfect place to be this time of year. You’ll find plenty of great spots in Oak Glen to pick apples and enjoy the fall festivities, including this charming destination, Willowbrook Farm. Willowbrook Apple Farm, 12099 Oak Glen Rd, Oak Glen, CA 92399, USA
November – A 2-Hour Scenic Sunday Drive
facebook/green valley lake When November is in full swing, you’ll want to jump in the car and head out on this 2 hour foliage drive through the most eye-popping fall colors SoCal has to offer. Drive through Wrightwood, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, and Green Valley Lake for a glimpse of fall beauty, truly making it one of the best day trips in Southern California.
December – Festival of Lights
facebook/mission inn December is all about embracing the magic of the holiday season. One breathtaking way to experience the beauty of the holidays is by visiting the annual Festival of Lights at the historic Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in downtown Riverside. With millions of twinkling lights and tons of holiday cheer in the air, this is the perfect place for a day trip toward the end of the year. Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501, USA
Are you ready to hit the road and go on some of the best day trips in Southern California? What a fun way to experience Southern California this year! Make sure to bookmark this article so you can reference it throughout the year as you plan these fun day trips in Southern California. This is where memories are made, folks. If you can’t get enough of adventures like this, check out this other list of Southern California road trips that we put together for you.
flickr/bryce bradford
During the month of January when the desert temps are cool, a wintertime hike through Joshua Tree is the place to be and one of the best getaway spots in Southern California. Although we can’t guarantee you’ll find snow at Joshua Tree National Park in the month of January, it’s quite a magical sight to see when the snow does fall during the winter season.
Joshua Tree, CA 92252, USA
SugarPlum Farm of Temecula
Nothing says February quite like chocolate. So how about a day trip to the nation’s one and only chocolate shop AND petting zoo? Located in the city of Temecula, Sugarplum Zoo is a great place for a pre-Valentine’s Day celebration where you can get your chocolate fix and visit some darling animals at the same time.
Sugarplum zoo, 39695 Berenda Rd, Temecula, CA 92591, USA
googlemaps/S Chen
When the month of March rolls around, it’s that time of year when the wildflowers are in full bloom in Southern California. Although we don’t know if SoCal will have another Superbloom like in years past, you can still count on colorful wildflowers in SoCal during the springtime. And it’s spectacular. We recommend observing these splendid blooms at Chino Hills State Park.
Chino Hills State Park, 4721 Sapphire Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709, USA
googlemaps/candace frazee
What could be more appropriate than visiting a bunny museum during the month of April to celebrate springtime and the Easter holiday? With over 35,000 bunny-related items and a collection that continues to grow year after year, The Bunny Museum is one destination you must see to believe.
The Bunny Museum, 2605 Lake Ave, Altadena, CA 91001, USA
tripadvisor/dotcominfo
Each and every year, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch draws a crowd from all over the world to see these colorful blooms in person. The season begins in March and runs through May, which is our favorite time of year to visit when the blooms are often at their peak.
The Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
Keys Creek Lavender Farm
The location is permanently closed
During the month of June, when the lavender season is in full bloom, you’ll want to carve out a day to visit one of SoCal’s most delightful lavender farms. Keys Creek Lavender Farm offers tours, a meditation garden, a tea house, and a gift shop.
12460 Keys Creek Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082, USA
flickr/everett carrico
A day trip to Catalina Island is one SoCal tradition that seems to mark the middle of summertime here in SoCal. Hop aboard the ferry and head to this picturesque island for a day or even a whole weekend of fun in July. It’s also a great spot to stop off in you’re planning a road trip through Southern California.
Santa Catalina Island, California 90704, USA
facebook/lake gregory regional park
There’s something about summertime in SoCal that makes everyone long for a relaxing day at the lake. Although there are many fun places to visit to have some lakeside fun in Southern California, one longtime favorite is a trip to this inflatable waterpark at Lake Gregory that the whole family will enjoy.
Lake Gregory Regional Park, 24171 Lake Dr, Crestline, CA 92325, USA
flickr/don graham
As the season changes from summer to fall in SoCal, one of the best places to be is in the mountain town of Idyllwild. Packed with delicious eateries, stunning wildlife, and plenty of hikes for those who love nature, this peaceful town in SoCal is tops on the list for a day trip.
Idyllwild, Irvine, CA 92602, USA
October is apple picking season in Southern California, which makes a day trip to the small town of Oak Glen the perfect place to be this time of year. You’ll find plenty of great spots in Oak Glen to pick apples and enjoy the fall festivities, including this charming destination, Willowbrook Farm.
Willowbrook Apple Farm, 12099 Oak Glen Rd, Oak Glen, CA 92399, USA
facebook/green valley lake
When November is in full swing, you’ll want to jump in the car and head out on this 2 hour foliage drive through the most eye-popping fall colors SoCal has to offer. Drive through Wrightwood, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, and Green Valley Lake for a glimpse of fall beauty, truly making it one of the best day trips in Southern California.
facebook/mission inn
December is all about embracing the magic of the holiday season. One breathtaking way to experience the beauty of the holidays is by visiting the annual Festival of Lights at the historic Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in downtown Riverside. With millions of twinkling lights and tons of holiday cheer in the air, this is the perfect place for a day trip toward the end of the year.
Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best day trips in Southern California August 28, 2020 Meghan Kraft How many state parks are in Southern California? In total there are 13 state parks in Southern California. Some of the ones you must visit include:
Cuyamaca State Park Malibu Creek State Park Chino Hills State Park Gaviota State Park
Where can I go beach camping in Southern California? Beach camping in Southern California is perhaps one of the most popular experiences for outdoorsy folk found in the city-studded southern region of California. There are 14 campgrounds on the SoCal coast, and one should note that you most likely won’t be able to camp on the sand, but you can get very close at campgrounds such as
Crystal Cove State Park Sycamore Cove Beach Campground Silver Strand Beach Campground
Where can I go camping in Southern California with no reservations? Southern California is a very popular destination for many a traveler, so although these campgrounds state that you can go camping in Southern California with no reservations required we would still recommend making one:
Chula Vista Campground in Fraizer Park Ryan Campground in Twentynine Palms Holcomb Valley Campground in Big Bear Observatory Campground in Palomar Mountain
The OIYS Visitor Center
best day trips in Southern California
August 28, 2020
Meghan Kraft
How many state parks are in Southern California? In total there are 13 state parks in Southern California. Some of the ones you must visit include:
Cuyamaca State Park Malibu Creek State Park Chino Hills State Park Gaviota State Park
Where can I go beach camping in Southern California? Beach camping in Southern California is perhaps one of the most popular experiences for outdoorsy folk found in the city-studded southern region of California. There are 14 campgrounds on the SoCal coast, and one should note that you most likely won’t be able to camp on the sand, but you can get very close at campgrounds such as
Crystal Cove State Park Sycamore Cove Beach Campground Silver Strand Beach Campground
Where can I go camping in Southern California with no reservations? Southern California is a very popular destination for many a traveler, so although these campgrounds state that you can go camping in Southern California with no reservations required we would still recommend making one:
Chula Vista Campground in Fraizer Park Ryan Campground in Twentynine Palms Holcomb Valley Campground in Big Bear Observatory Campground in Palomar Mountain
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In total there are 13 state parks in Southern California. Some of the ones you must visit include:
- Cuyamaca State Park
- Malibu Creek State Park
- Chino Hills State Park
- Gaviota State Park
Where can I go beach camping in Southern California?
Beach camping in Southern California is perhaps one of the most popular experiences for outdoorsy folk found in the city-studded southern region of California. There are 14 campgrounds on the SoCal coast, and one should note that you most likely won’t be able to camp on the sand, but you can get very close at campgrounds such as
- Crystal Cove State Park
- Sycamore Cove Beach Campground
- Silver Strand Beach Campground
Where can I go camping in Southern California with no reservations?
Southern California is a very popular destination for many a traveler, so although these campgrounds state that you can go camping in Southern California with no reservations required we would still recommend making one:
- Chula Vista Campground in Fraizer Park
- Ryan Campground in Twentynine Palms
- Holcomb Valley Campground in Big Bear
- Observatory Campground in Palomar Mountain
