It is summer, and you want to do something fun and exciting! You need an adventure — see new places, eat new food, and maybe check out some wine you have never tried before.
Although you may not be able to snap your fingers and find yourself on a plane to Rome, you can still find a way to enjoy a vacation on a smaller budget and with less time.
Day trips allow you to explore the regions surrounding the Santa Clarita Valley. Whether it is hiking trails, wineries, restaurants, or shopping, the neighboring areas have something to offer everyone.
The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley that supports members in fitness, health, and social connectedness.
We know it can be tough to juggle all the challenges that life throws your way. But we believe leisure and fun are essential to your health and well-being. In this article, you will learn where the best day trip destinations are within two hours of the Santa Clarita Valley.
8 Best day trips near the Santa Clarita Valley
Summertime is when people take vacations so they can travel, relax, and take time to enjoy themselves. Learning about your local area is a great place to begin.
Staying local helps you minimize your travel budget and support regional businesses. When you are short on time and want to save some pennies, then day trips are a great way to unwind and enjoy your greater community.
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1. Griffith Park
Griffith Park is a large municipal park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. Griffith Park is home to many popular attractions, such as the Los Angeles Zoo, the Autry Museum of the American West, the Griffith Observatory, and the Hollywood Sign.
Travel Town Museum is one of the highlights of Griffith Park, especially for children or train enthusiasts. Explore the collection of historic trains they have at this outdoor museum. You can get up close and personal with different models and even step inside some of them.
There is an indoor museum where you can look at mini-train models and learn how trains work. They also offer small train rides around the property, which are super fun for all ages!
It will take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour to drive there.
2. Los Angeles
There are literally hundreds of ways to be a tourist in LA. But one of the best landmarks to visit is The J. Paul Getty Museum. The Getty has two locations — The Getty Center in Los Angeles and The Getty Villa in Malibu.
The center shows the majority of the exhibitions and installations, including sculptures, paintings, and photographs from various periods and regions, such as Europe and North America.
They also host concerts, lectures, and festivals throughout the year. Reservations are required, but admission is free. The Getty Center is located about 40 minutes outside of Santa Clarita.
3. Lake Arrowhead
If you are looking to recharge in nature, then Lake Arrowhead is the place for you. Lake Arrowhead is a beautiful, cozy, and quaint mountain resort paradise in the San Bernardino National Forest. It can be a place to take the whole family or a romantic getaway for you and your sweetie.
Lake Arrowhead offers year-round opportunities such as mountain biking, backpacking, water and snow skiing, hiking, and fishing. This town has stunning scenery and wildlife. The temps are a little cooler, so head to this area when the valley heat has you cooking.
Lake Arrowhead is about two hours from Santa Clarita.
4. Ojai
Ojai is a small city in Ventura County. It has a wonderful downtown that is great to stroll through. Enjoy checking out the art galleries, cafes, and new-age shops.
If you want your day to be active, plan to hike, bike, or horseback ride. When you need a trip for restoration, choose one of the lovely spas or visit a local winery.
You can also plan your day trip around special seasonal activities such as the lavender, music, or wine festival. Lake Casitas is nearby, which is another popular recreation area.
Ojai is 70 minutes from Santa Clarita.
5. Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a great place to visit for the day. There are many fun restaurants, and you can spend the day sunbathing and swimming at the beach.
Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach is a popular restaurant right on the beach. They do not take reservations, but after you put your name in for a table, you can walk along the beach while you wait. Enjoy their ceviches and poke for your starter, and the coconut shrimp or seared sesame ahi tuna for dinner. They have a well-curated wine list as well.
There is a dog beach nearby, so you can bring your pooch on your day trip. Unfortunately, the Boathouse does not accept dogs at the restaurant, so plan on packing a picnic or eating at a different establishment.
If you plan on bringing the family to Santa Barbara, consider visiting the Santa Barbara Zoo. They have over 146 different species and 500 animals. Check out the gorillas, flamingos, African lions, and the famous giraffes! They are open daily from 9:30 am - 5:00 pm. Admission ranges from $15-$25.
6. Santa Monica
Santa Monica offers a wide variety of activities for the whole family. It is only 8 miles square and is very walkable. Check out the restaurants, shops, and beaches.
The Santa Monica Pier is one of the picturesque areas of southern California. Bring the kids to Pacific Park and enjoy the rides like the West Coaster and the Pacific Wheel.
Shop from the many vendors along the pier sell jewelry, crystals, hats, magnets, and souvenirs. The pier has a rotating collection of street performers who dance or sing. Spoil yourself with some tasty seafood, burgers, or a creamy milkshake.
7. Solvang
Solvang is a Danish-style town where you can eat authentic Danish foods, shop, or simply wander the downtown area and check out its beautiful architecture. There are many wineries nearby, making it a great place to visit as a couple. Alternatively, take the whole family to explore the culture of the town.
There are over 120 shops and wineries to choose from. Ride the hour-long trolley tour that takes you through the entire town. There are three Solvang-based festivals to visit — Julefest, Grape Stomp, and Danish Days.
The Solvang Festival Theater is an outdoor theater that seats 700. They put on plays, comedy shows, and concerts throughout spring, summer, and fall.
Solvang is two hours outside of the Santa Clarita Valley in Santa Ynez Valley.
8. Valencia
Although Valencia is your own backyard, there is nothing like seeing your town with fresh eyes. Take in a Concert in the Park, snuggle animals at the Gentle Barn, or stroll down Old Town Newhall and visit one of the lovely cafes or wine bars.
But if you’re looking for an adrenalin kick, head north to Six Flags Magic Mountain. It's a huge amusement park. They offer roller coasters, shopping, dining, and entertainment. There is also an area with smaller rides for younger children.
Hurricane Harbor is a water park located next door. Cool down by cruising down the water slides, riding rafts, and more.
They offer day tickets as well as season passes. Magic Mountain is about a 10-15 minute drive from Santa Clarita.
Enjoying your day trip
Stepping away from the regular work and family schedule to take a day trip is a great way to have new experiences, introducing novelty and fun. Day trips can be an opportunity to bond with those around you, whether it is your spouse, kids, or BFF.
It is often difficult to take weeks off from work and budget for a long trip, so short jaunts for the day can help you have the time to hit the beach, meander through the woods, or eat at that great seafood restaurant you have been dying to try.
The Paseo Club offers over 60 fitness classes each week, courts for tennis and pickleball, and a junior Olympic pool.
If you only have time for an afternoon off, we’ve got you covered. Come and sweat it out with a LIFT or TRIBE fitness class, get a massage or facial at our onsite spa, then grab a bite to eat at our cafe. Exercise, relax, and eat. It happens all in one place, under one roof.
If you’d like to check out a community-focused fitness center, then the Paseo Club may be the place for you. Schedule a tour of the club and meet members, staff, and instructors.
Read these three articles to learn more about the Santa Clarita Valley.
- Ice Cream in the Santa Clarita Valley: An in-depth review
- Best summer evening entertainment in the Santa Clarita Valley
- Where to get your stretch on — A review of yoga studios in the Santa Clarita Valley
