Looking for an excuse to get out of the house this weekend and hit the road on a fun SoCal adventure? Look no further than these 10 quick road trips in Southern California that will take you to some of our favorite places in SoCal. No need to spend hours and hours in the car to get to these spots as they are an easy drive from most parts of SoCal. So which road trip will you be doing this weekend?

Related Stories

The Most Affordable Southern California Road Trip Takes You To 4 Stunning Sites For Under $100

The Most Affordable Southern California Road Trip Takes You To 4 Stunning Sites For Under $100

This Bargain Hunters Road Trip Will Take You To The Best Thrift Stores In Southern California

This Bargain Hunters Road Trip Will Take You To The Best Thrift Stores In Southern California

La Jolla Is An Inexpensive Road Trip Destination In Southern California That's Affordable

La Jolla Is An Inexpensive Road Trip Destination In Southern California That's Affordable

So where are you headed this weekend? We hope one of these SoCal road trips will be at the top of your list! Do you have any quick road trips in Southern California you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments! If you love exploring new parts of Southern California while eating great food, you may also enjoy taking this Taco Trail road trip that will lead you to the very best tacos in all of Southern California.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Quick Road Trips in Southern California

What are some amazing places to visit in Southern California? 

Southern California is outrageous beautiful – much more so than many people seem to give it credit for. Most obviously, it’s home to splendid beaches, but there’s so much more to SoCal than just that. There’s Sequoia National Park, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a park that is nothing short of hypnotically beautiful. In Antelope Valley, there’s an outstanding and vibrant poppy field that attracts revelers and photographers alike year in and year out. The best colors of the year can be spotted from mid-February through May, so make sure to plan accordingly if you decide to visit. Joshua Tree National park is absolutely incredible, and home to some of the strangest trees – the fabled Joshua Trees – you'll ever see.  

What kind of day trips in Southern California are there to take?  

If you can dream it, you can probably plan it! Southern California is a huge area of land, and with so much space comes plenty of ideas for epic day trips. There are the more obvious choices, like making an entire day (or longer) out of SoCal’s breathtaking state and national parks, but then you can get more creative, too. We’ve covered plenty of ideas for day trips in Southern California; take a drive through some of SoCal’s most incredible fields of wildflowers, such as the poppies in the spring. If you’re more of an urban exploration fan, no worries – there are plenty of ghost towns and/or abandoned places day trips you could plan, too. Foodies might want to consider a trip to some of the best ice cream shops in the region, or maybe the best wine tastings. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination.  

What are some fun things to do in Southern California? 

Southern California is known for its sunny, sandy beaches, good vibes, and relaxed atmosphere. Of course, you could always do the usual stuff – hiking, camping, or fishing come to mind, and all are very popular with locals and visitors alike. However, you can always put a uniquely Southern California twist on those things; find places to camp on the beach. If you’ve never experienced beach camping... you have no idea what you’re missing. You’ve GOT to do it. You could also visit our national parks, of which there are nine to choose from. Go kayaking or canoeing, or if you’re more adventurous, explore some caves. City slickers will love the beauty of places like Los Angeles, where there’s never any shortage of fun things to do and see.