Easy Fall Day Trips from Los Angeles

1. Big Bear Lake

Go hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and breathe in the fresh outdoor air of this alpine lake. Big Bear does cozy fall cabin feels very, very well. It's also one of the best places to see fall foliage near Los Angeles. 

2. Santa Barbara

If the Los Angeles Zoo is old hat, zip up the coast to take the kids to the intimate Santa Barbara Zoo. And if you have some time left in your day, the MOXI is a treat for kids of all ages. In fact, there's so much to do in Santa Barbara with kids that you might want to turn your day trip into a weekend getaway. Cooler temperatures and less tourists make the fall the perfect time to visit this seaside gem. 

Go apple picking and eat cider donuts in Oak Glen. Photo courtesy of Gina Ragland

3. Oak Glen

If there is any place for fall day trips near Los Angeles that should be at the top of your bucket list for a fall adventure, it's Oak Glen. It's the ultimate SoCal spot for apple picking near Los Angeles. Don't forget to get apple cider donuts and bring home some fall leaves for a fall leaf craft, too. Tip: Go on a weekday if possible, as fall weekends can get busy! 

4. Long Beach

No need to travel far to have a vacation; enjoy a day or weekend sightseeing in Long Beach with kids, where you can hop on the Ferris wheel, boat around the harbor, and visit the Aquarium of the Pacific. 

5. The Huntington Library and Gardens 

When fall arrives, it’s a perfect time to stroll among the impressive flora at the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino. Fall means fabulous festivals, like the Mid-Autumn Moon Celebration.  

6. Ojai

A short drive up the Ventura Freeway feels a long way away in Ojai, a sunny artist community with hiking, biking, horses, and the best outdoor bookstore in the world. Enjoy the pumpkin patch at Boccali's, a charming Ojai pizza spot. Grab some fall-themed books for the kids at Bart's Books, the world's largest outdoor bookstore. 

7. Underwood Family Farms 

Plan for a full day at the Annual Fall Harvest Festival at Underwood Family Farms. With pumpkin patches, hay rides, farm animals, and fall photo ops galore, it's easy to spend hours here completing your family's fall bucket list. 

8. Malibu

Head up to Malibu and enjoy one of the world’s finest beach towns when the tourists have decamped. Follow that up with a dinner at Neptune’s Net, and cross the PCH to check out the tide pools at Leo Carrillo State Park. 

9. Lake Arrowhead

Lake Arrowhead is the perfect place to pull on a flannel and wander through the woods to a quaint coffee shop. It's everything fall should be! There are plenty of cozy cabins dotting the area. 

10. Disneyland 

The happiest place on earth goes all out for the seasons. It makes for an easy (albeit pricey) choice as one of the best fall day trips from Los Angeles to eat festive seasonal goodies while walking among Mickey-shaped pumpkins around every corner. 

11. Newport Beach

Newport Beach is lovely any time of the year, but just think of wandering Balboa Island with a warm coffee in hand on a coastal misty morning. This spot is perfect for all ages, with Balboa Bars, the Balboa Island Ferry, the Balboa Island rides and attractions, Fashion Island, and more. 

12. Ventura

Santa Barbara might be more well-known, but this sleepier coastal city is a fantastic option for fall day trips near Los Angeles. You won't want to miss the Ventura Harbor Village, the Sunburst Railbikes, or the Ventura Botanical Gardens. 

Trek up to a giant jack-o-lantern. Photo courtesy of Gina Ragland

13. Pumpkin Rock 

In the equestrian city of Norco lies an enormous jack-o-lantern-painted pumpkin rock that gets a fresh coat of orange each year. Conquer the hike, which has route options for various ability levels, and strike a pose in front of the giant pumpkin. 

14. Palos Verdes 

Summer might be over, but September and October still bring warm temperatures to Southern California. Head to the picturesque Palos Verdes Peninsula for breathtaking coastal hiking trails and the South Coast Botanic Garden. 

15. Irvine 

There are endless things to do in Orange County with kids, and that increases even more during the fall season. Don't miss the annual Irvine Park Railroad Pumpkin Patch and all the fall festivities at Tanaka Farms. 

16. Carlsbad 

With so much to do in this charming beach city, it will be hard to fit it all in a day! Of course, there's Legoland, which means you can time a fall trip to Carlsbad with Brick or Treat. 

17. Catalina Island 

Lesser tourists yet still beautiful weather make Catalina Island an idyllic place for fall day trips from Los Angeles. Go on a buffalo expedition, take a glass-bottom boat tour, and soak in the ocean views. 

18. Solvang 

SoCal's happy little Dutch town is worth a drive for the charm, the shopping, and of course, the Aebleskivers. What's an Aebleskiver? Stop by one of Solvang's famous Dutch bakers to find out. 

Head to Julian for a weekend of apple picking and fall festivities. 

Perfect Fall Day Trips from Los Angeles for Weekend Getaways

19. Julian

If you can't make it to Oak Glen for apple picking near Los Angeles, Julian will deliver the same nostalgic fall memories! It's a bit far for a day trip, but there's so much to do in this historic little town, you won't mind spending the night. Pick apples, sample apple pie, press apple cider, and breathe in the smell of fall. 

20. Joshua Tree

If you drive a couple of hours from Los Angeles, you will end up in the spectacular desert landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park. If you want to turn your adventure into a wonderful weekend stay, try booking a spot at the AutoCamp in Joshua Tree. Temperatures are cooler in the fall, making it an ideal time to check out this oasis (and check a national park off your bucket list!)

21. San Diego 

In October, San Diego offers fantastic "Kids Go Free" deals at many major attractions! With all there is to do in San Diego with kids, like the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, Coronado Island, and La Jolla, to name a few things, you might even need longer than a weekend. 

22. Mammoth Lakes 

If you're craving fall foliage and outdoor adventures but looking beyond Oak Glen and Big Bear, consider a weekend getaway to Mammoth Lakes. Brilliant fall foliage is plentiful amid gorgeous landscapes, lakes, and hiking trails. There's even Bodie State Historic Park, a ghost town that kids can explore if they dare. 

23. Pismo Beach

Take a trip up the PCH to this little seaside town packed with history and character. Fall is a favorite time to go because starting in October, you can take a trip to the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, where thousands of butterflies gather. Kids love the downtown area of Pismo Beach by the pier, where Pismo Bowl has an old-school alley and arcade, and be sure to visit the nearby Dinosaur Caves Park.

24. Palm Springs 

Enjoy the view of a lifetime from Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, where it may show as fall on the calendar, but it feels like summer at the base of the mountain and winter at the top! Then, stay in Palm Springs for the weekend and enjoy the desert warmth (temperatures are pleasantly warm all autumn). 

25. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Experience the world’s largest tree–the General Sherman Tree—at Sequoia National Park. Walk among double the amount of giants at not one but two national parks. Sequoia and Kings Canyon are adjacent to one another. 

26. Calico Ghost Town

Fall is spooky season, and what's more spooky than ghosts? While you're not likely to encounter actual ghosts in Calico Ghost Town, this western wasteland has plenty to entertain the young 'uns, and campsites for those who want to stay overnight. 

27. Santa Cruz

Go Banana Slugs! This quirky little beach town has family-friendly fun everywhere you look, from the famous Beach Boardwalk to a magical steam train through the redwoods. Fall is a great time to enjoy the beauty, scenery, and The Mystery Spot. Plus, like Pismo Beach, Santa Cruz has a Monarch butterfly trail that starts to become active in mid-October at Natural Bridges State Beach. 

28. San Luis Obispo 

Visiting SLO in the fall means fewer crowds when visiting Avila Valley Barn and Avila Hot Springs. Downtown SLO is vibrant; stroll around the city's core (don't miss Bubblegum Alley!) and stop at the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum. Make sure to spend at least one night at the fabulous and quirky Madonna Inn. 

29. Pinnacles National Park 

It's often the forgotten national park in California. Then again, most people forget that California has the most national parks (nine!) in any state. Fall is an ideal time to visit Pinnacles, especially as temperatures drop. Kids will love exploring the many caves. Given its location, Pinnacles could easily be combined with a weekend getaway to Monterey. 

30. San Francisco 

Fall in San Francisco means the fog is gone, the attractive skyline is sunny and clear, and there's no shortage of things to do. Chow down on soup dumplings in Chinatown with kids in the cool SF weather. Fleet Week also flies into the city every October. 

31. Monterey 

Monterey is famous for its world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium and the more touristy Cannery Row. Nearby, the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great place to get lunch. The hiking by this stretch of coast can’t be beat. 

Originally published October 9, 2016. Additional reporting by Kylie Williams and Gina Ragland