One of the many perks of living in California is the fantastic weather year-round, which lets us enjoy all the beautiful places the state has to offer. That’s exactly what makes SoCal getaways so fantastic! Hitting the open road and listening to your perfect playlist is an essential Californian experience. We’ve made a list of dreamy SoCal day trips from San Diego. We’ve organized them from closest to furthest, you can easily decide where to go.
1. Lake Poway
Tucked away in the hills of Poway, the lake is one of the closest natural attractions to San Diego and makes for a great full day–or even half-day–getaway. Whether you choose to keep things chill with a picnic by the lake and paddle boats on the lake or you choose an adventure-filled day out on the lake with powerboats, there’s a perfect activity for you. For those with an equestrian inclination, this spot also offers pony trekking!
2. Carlsbad
Carlsbad is probably one of the most popular SoCal day trips destinations – and for good reason. Home of Tamarack Surf Beach, the Carlsbad Sea Wall, and Legoland. This town just a short ride away from San Diego has plenty to offer! You can choose to chill by the beach (please don’t forget sunblock) and take a stroll around town, spend a fun-filled day at Legoland, or you can visit Batiquitos Lagoon. This wetland reserve is perfect for catching a glimpse at the local fauna and flora and taking some stunning shots of the incredibly photogenic outpost.
3. Julian
This historic mining town was once San Diego’s only gold source but nowadays is better known for its award-winning apples. You can explore the town’s historic legacy as a center for gold mining by taking a tour of Eagle Mine and panning for real gold, or enjoy apples galore by visiting one of Julian’s many orchards. But whatever you do make sure to get your hand on an apple pie from one of the town’s many purveyors–you won’t want to miss out on all that sweet goodness!
4. Borrego Springs
No, that giant dragon slithering through the desert is not a mirage, although it certainly looks like it. Tucked away in the Anza-Borrego park you’ll find over 100 metal sculptures by artist Ricardo Breceda. These fantastical creatures that appear to be roaming the desert in all of their rust-red glory are simply mesmerizing. Accompanying the beautiful 350-foot-long serpent you’ll also find anything from rams locking horns to dinosaurs and ancient camels. There are 130 or so sculptures to find and keep busy in this exciting treasure hunt. Will you find them all? During the spring and summer, this SoCal destination is also ideal for admiring the wildflowers.
5. Idyllwild
Tucked away in the Jacinto mountains, surrounded by towering pines and legendary rocks, you’ll find the cute little town of Idyllwild. This charming hideaway is perfect for spending the day reconnecting with nature, breathing in the crisp mountain air, and exploring one of its many trails and paths. The idyllic town is full of small shops and restaurants as well as art and other cultural events–a great way to escape city life but still get that dose of urban life.
6. Los Angeles
Just a quick car ride and you’ll be right in the heart of the City of Angels! Or, you can take the AMTRAK, and enjoy the scenic views. Check our sister website Secret Los Angeles for ideas of what to do in one of the most popular SoCal day trips destinations.
7. Slab City
At “the last free place on earth” or at “anarchist RV town,” there are no rules nor is there running water, electricity, or sewage services. Rising out of the dusty ground of this post-apocalyptic landscape, this desert gem is an abandoned military base that constantly attracts musicians, filmmakers, photographers, and, of course, influencers. Its iconic Salvation Mountain was built by Leonard Knight using haystacks and support beams, plastered with smooth adobe clay. It’s covered in vivid images and bible scriptures. Other attractions to check out in this desert town include The Range, the city’s very own open-air nightclub. The RVs, old school buses, tanks, and driftwood shacks are inhabited by the town’s residents, known as “snowbirds.” Remember to be respectful when wandering around the town.
That’s a wrap on our favorite SoCal day trips – we hope yours made the list, or we’ve inspired you to explore a new beautiful destination.
Featured image: Shutterstock