Day Trippin' in Southern California
Summer Adventures in Southern California
As the world begins to reopen, we are all looking for things to do that don’t require getting on a commercial airplane just yet. As such, our local Edible teams put together a very limited list of suggested activities and places to eat by county to keep your summer active, all within a two- to three-hour drive.
From southern San Luis Obispo County on down to northern San Diego County, one of the best ways to beat the summer heat is well known: Head to the beach. However, beaches can get crowded, especially on weekends and very hot days. Our recommendation? As long as you are not looking for the extra safety of lifeguards, seek out lesser-known beaches—some that might be just up the street from the popular sites—and enjoy more space to play. Be cautious of riptides, though. It could be worth your time to search ocean safety information on Parks.Ca.gov.
Each county also boasts gorgeous hiking trails and designated bike paths. Check out AllTrails.com/US/California to get started.
SOUTHERN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
(2 to 3-hour drive)
For more information on SLO County visit EdibleSLO.com.
San Luis Obispo County has a plethora of delights to experience, especially if you are looking for beaches and hiking. Inland areas can get a little warm in the summertime, so we have included some ideas that keep you closer to the coast.
Day Trip Idea 1
Stop in at Gopher Glen Apple Farm stand in San Luis Obispo (open mid to late summer) to grab some locally grown fruit and treats while you wait for your appointment to soak in the natural minerals at Avila Hot Springs. Nearby, Avila Beach boasts a lovely car-free boardwalk with shops and eateries to enjoy. Or, if you are in the mood for a hike, check out the Seven Sisters of San Luis Obispo (Nine Sisters in SLO County) and pick your trek based on time and difficulty. If you are feeling ambitious, you could start your day standing in line to get the monstrous handmade-daily cinnamon rolls at Old West Cinnamon Rolls in Pismo Beach.
Day Trip Idea 2
Grab a takeaway lunch at Splash Café in San Luis Obispo on your way out to Montaña de Oro State Park, just past Los Osos, for hiking, beach exploring and maybe a whale sighting or two. For an extra treat, stop at Ember in Arroyo Grande for a handcrafted wood-fired dinner on the way home. If you make it into town on a Thursday, be sure to make time for the Downtown SLO Thursday Farmers’ Market from 6–9pm.
Day Trip Idea 3
Start the day off early and catch farm-fresh breakfast on the patio with ocean views at Lido in Pismo Beach (make reservations for the Champagne brunch for a great deal!). Spend a bit of time walking the newly refurbished pier and promenade or stroll the beach to help digest. If you feel up for some fast fun, rent ATVs or dune buggies and spend the day in the Oceano Dunes. Try The Spoon Trade in Grover Beach to grab seasonal dinner before the drive home. Or if peanuts sound good, stop in at Klondike’s Pizza in Arroyo Grande where you can throw the (free) peanut shells onto the floor as you munch.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
(30 minute to 1.5-hour drive)
For more information on Santa Barbara County, visit EdibleSantaBarbara.com.
An easy drive from anywhere in Ventura County, the Santa Barbara region offers beauty and adventure for whole (or even half) day experiences.
Day Trip Idea 1
Mystery Picnic Experience—Plan ahead for this one. Order a friends or family picnic adventure from AmazingCo and explore Santa Barbara and locally owned businesses by solving clues sent to your smartphone. Pick up prepaid food and visit the local cultural sites suggested on your way to your final picnic destination. (A version of this picnic is also available in Malibu.)
Day Trip Idea 2
Try out a new beach. Santa Barbara County has miles of beautiful coastline and accessible beaches. If you are looking for something a little different, take the drive to Jalama Beach with options for camping or day-use picnic areas. About an hour from Santa Barbara, the turnoff from Highway 1 takes you along a 14-mile scenic drive. At the beach, try one of the “world famous” burgers from the Jalama Beach Store and Grill.
Day Trip Idea 3
Spend the day wine tasting. Pick a geographic area, a type of wine or a specific varietal to focus on. Then select wineries that fit your criteria. You should expect to pay around $15 for a tasting, but the fee is often waived if you purchase wine or join the wine club. Stay hydrated and well-fed by scheduling a lunch in between tastings or a leisurely picnic. For picnic supplies, stop by Bob’s Well Bread (in Los Alamos and Ballard), Cailloux Cheese Shop (in Solvang) or Lucky Hen Larder (in Santa Ynez).
Day Trip Idea 4
Summer is a great time to visit Lotusland when the lotus are blooming. Located in Montecito, this exquisite estate has a series of gardens filled with rare plants and stunning landscape design features. Reservations are required for the two-hour self-guided walking tour. After your tour, stop for gelato at Here’s the Scoop or grab a bite at one of the many restaurants lining Coast Village Road.
VENTURA COUNTY
In Ventura County, the inland cities often hit triple digits by mid to late summer. The following day trip ideas are specifically designed to beat the heat.
Day Trip Idea 1
Drink in the local scene. Hit the local hiking trails early in the day and plan for a stop at one of the ice cream shops as a reward. Be sure to bring loads of water and a camera! Some of those vistas are breathtaking. Finish off the day strolling around the Harbor Villages in Oxnard or Ventura to keep things cool.
Day Trip Idea 2
Visit an island. Pack a large picnic lunch (see our Local Source Guide for ideas) and lots of water, grab a spot on an Island Packers boat (or private plane with Channel Islands Aviation if you’re feeling fancy) and head out to the spectacular Channel Islands National Park for a day of hiking, kayaking, snorkeling or scuba diving. Primitive camping is available, but there are no services available on the islands, so pack it in and pack it out! See nps.gov/chis to plan your trip.
Day Trip Idea 3
Bike it out. This trip is best done on a cooler day (earlier summer) or earlier in the day (9am probably being the latest start time). Grab bikes (or rent them), catch the Rails to Trails bike path at the Ventura Pier and head to Ojai. The path is a very manageable gradual up, but if you are not an avid biker, take it slow and take breaks as needed. Maybe stop for a coffee on the way (see our coffee map for nearest locations), and try Sage Ojai or Ojai Rôtie for a lovely outdoor lunch. When it starts to get too warm, coast your way back to the beach.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
20-minute to 2-hour drive
For more information on LA County in general, visit EdibleLA.com.
Los Angeles County is the land of everything. It boasts secret bars and sunken cities, amazing museums and discovery centers, hiking, beaches and wildlife. There are hundreds of articles online about things to do in Los Angeles, so we have just included a few of our favorites, in some of the cooler (more temperate) cities.
Day Trip Idea 1
From Long Beach, head over to South Catalina Island via Catalina Express ferry. Once there, the options are endless! Rent scuba gear or a kayak for a water adventure; book a foodie tour; rent a golf cart in downtown Avalon and check out the gorgeous island views and landscape; hang out on the beach; hop on the Nautilus for a semi-underwater tour; or book the Catalina Island Zipline Tour. Want to do it all? Rent a room and plan a longer stay!
Day Trip Idea 2
Pack up the kids and spend the earlier part of the day at the Discovery Cube in Santa Ana (in nearby Orange County), then plan a visit to the Time Travel Mart in Echo Park on the way home. Timing matters here, though, so either give yourself lots of time to sit in traffic, or plan to avoid the busiest times (6–9am and 3–7pm).
Day Trip Idea 3
After a day at the beach or some lovely oceanfront hiking, grab an early dinner (opens at 5:30pm) at Opaque in Santa Monica for a dining-in-the- dark experience. Then grab a bottle of wine and a blanket and head over to Cinespia for an outdoor movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Bonus Trip Idea
Leave your stilettos at home and grab an Uber or assign a designated driver for this adults-only day trip to explore the fun and quirky side of LA. If you plan for the right Sunday, you can start with the local-maker-focused Hollywood Artisan Market on La Cienega; or, if it is reopened, Smorgasburg Los Angeles in DTLA, the largest open-air food market in America. For lunch, try the gorgeous Michelin- chef-run Openaire, perched atop the Line Hotel on Wilshire. To work that off, consider a walking tour of the hidden staircases or seeing if you can find the Sunken City (access to the ruins prohibited). Pair dinner with a tour at the Lost Hills Distillery, an LA treasure surrounded by a moat. Then finish off the evening with a drink or two at Davey Wayne’s (only open Th–Sa— and only if you can find the secret entrance).
NORTHERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY (NORTH COUNTY)
2 to 3-hour drive
For more information on San Diego County visit EdibleSanDiego.com.
Day Trip Idea 1
Solana Beach is the perfect seaside town for a summer day trip or overnight stay. It even has an Amtrak train station for those who want to ditch the car. Enjoy a day at the beach or browse the shops in the artsy Cedros Design District. Stop by Claire’s On Cedros for a hearty breakfast or lunch or pick up something to-go at Claire’s Too, their nearby coffee shop and bakery. In the evening check to see who’s playing at the Belly Up Tavern.
Day Trip Idea 2
If it is nature you want, start the day exploring the eight miles of trails at Torrey Pines State Reserve, just south of Del Mar. Check out Bird Rock Coffee Roasters on the way in and for lunch try Bushfire Kitchen on the way back to the 5 freeway for some tasty health-conscious options or, to stick with ocean views, eat on Sbicca’s rooftop terrace. Finish the afternoon with an educational stop to walk the trails at San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. Bring a camera! You might catch a glimpse of a rare bird species. If you still have time for an early dinner, try Ki’s Restaurant just down the street for hearty homestyle meals with an ocean view.
Day Trip Idea 3
Another eco-conscious beach town worth exploring, an Encinitas trip should be planned on a Sunday to ensure time to visit the Leucadia Farmers’ Market, found in the playground of a local elementary school. See what Pannikin Coffee and Tea has to offer and maybe take your drink down the street to Stonesteps for a stair climb down to a stunning beach surrounded by steep cliffs. When you are ready to move on, find parking near Encinitas Boulevard and North Coast Highway 1 and enjoy a leisurely stroll south, where you will find adorable shops and amazing restaurants, including Prager Brothers, which features long-fermented sourdough and organic pastries. Just two blocks away on B Street, find the beach access to Moonlight Beach. Or walk all the way down to K Street to try Swami’s Café, and then check out the surf at Swami Beach.
