Day trips · By train, ferry or car · Checked against operators’ own pages
Day Trips from Los Angeles: Six Worth the Journey, from About US$50
Live check just now: Guided Santa Barbara day tour from US$188.00
Find your Los Angeles experience
How to choose
Santa Barbara and San Diego have direct trains; Catalina Island has a ferry. For Joshua Tree and Temecula wine country, arrange a car or tour. Palm Springs has a connecting motorcoach, but check whether its schedule and onward travel make a same-day visit workable.
Good to know
- Malibu and Palos Verdes suit a half day inside LA County, not a full one, so both are left off. La Jolla folds into the San Diego trip below.
| Mode | One way | |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Barbara | Surfliner train | About 2h 40m |
| San Diego | Surfliner train | About 2h 55m |
| Catalina Island | Ferry | About 1 hour |
| Joshua Tree | Self-drive (I-10/CA-62) | 140 miles |
| Palm Springs | Drive or connecting bus | Check schedules |
| Temecula Valley | Self-drive (I-15) | No train or bus |
| Option | Our verdict |
|---|---|
| Santa Barbara — direct train, about 2h 40m | Walk the waterfront; plan separate local transport for the Mission. |
| San Diego — train, about 2h 55m | The longest ride; USS Midway fills the day. |
| Catalina Island — ferry, about 1 hour | The cheapest trip; walk Avalon once you land. |
| Joshua Tree — self-drive, 140 miles | Start early to beat the desert heat. |
| Palm Springs — drive or connecting bus | For a day trip, compare schedules and the transfer to the Tramway. |
| Temecula Valley — self-drive, no train or bus | A guide removes the designated-driver problem. |
Santa Barbara: guided day tours from US$190 (about 2 hours 40 minutes by train)
The Pacific Surfliner runs directly from Union Station to Santa Barbara in about 2 hours 40 minutes. The waterfront and lower State Street are walkable from the station; allow a separate local ride for Old Mission Santa Barbara.
See or book a Santa Barbara day tour
- Take a Pacific Surfliner train from Los Angeles Union Station north to Santa Barbara (SBA).
- Walk from the station toward the waterfront; Stearns Wharf and East Beach sit a few minutes on foot.
- Arrange a local bus or rideshare to Old Mission Santa Barbara for its self-guided tour.
Good to know
- The mission’s self-guided tour runs Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 5:00 and Sunday 12:30 to 5:00; the last ticket sells an hour before close.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Santa Barbara day tour, from | US$188 | ≈ €171 |
| Old Mission Santa Barbara admission | US$17 | ≈ €15 |
On your own
Take the direct train, walk the waterfront, and arrange a local ride if visiting the Mission.
With a guide
Trades the direct train for a coach plus a shorter Amtrak leg from Oxnard.
A guided Santa Barbara day tour starts from US$190.
Prices checked 17 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
San Diego: guided day tours from US$210 (about 2 hours 55 minutes by train)
San Diego is the longest Pacific Surfliner ride here, almost three hours each way, so USS Midway Museum alone can fill the ground time. The retired aircraft carrier sits a short walk from Santa Fe Depot station.
See or book a San Diego day tour
- Take an early Pacific Surfliner train from Union Station to San Diego Santa Fe Depot.
- Walk from the depot to the USS Midway Museum on the Embarcadero.
- Budget at least three hours aboard the carrier; the flight deck and below-deck both take time.
Good to know
- USS Midway Museum admission covers the flight deck, the hangar deck and most exhibits; a self-guided audio tour is included.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Guided San Diego day tour, from | US$202 | ≈ €183 |
| USS Midway Museum admission (13+, online) | US$39 | ≈ €35 |
On your own
Workable with an early train, though six hours of the day goes to travel.
With a guide
Removes the early start and adds the harbor in one planned day.
A guided San Diego day tour starts from US$210.
Prices checked 17 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
Catalina Island: ferry from US$50 (about 1 hour by sea)
Catalina Express sails from Long Beach to Avalon in about an hour, a little longer from San Pedro or Dana Point, the cheapest crossing here. Avalon is small enough to explore on foot straight off the boat, with the Casino building close to the terminal.
See or book the Catalina Express ferry
- Book a Catalina Express round trip from Long Beach or San Pedro to Avalon; sailings run up to 30 times a day.
- Walk from the Avalon terminal into town; the Casino building and Crescent Avenue sit a few minutes away.
- Confirm your return sailing before you explore; the last boats back run in the early evening.
Good to know
- Catalina Express fares are all sales final: no refund for a cancelled sailing, unlike the guided options here.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Catalina Express one-way ferry, from | US$49.50 | ≈ €45 |
| Round trip fare from 6 October (Long Beach/San Pedro) | US$103 | ≈ €94 |
On your own
The cheapest trip here: book the ferry, then walk Avalon at your own pace.
With a guide
Adds a golf-cart route to Mount Ada once you land.
A one-way Catalina Express ferry starts from US$50.
Prices checked 17 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
Joshua Tree: guided day tours from US$220 (140 miles east, no train or bus)
Joshua Tree National Park sits 140 miles east of Los Angeles on Interstate 10 and Highway 62, with no scheduled train or coach nearby. The park never closes, so the drive decides the day; start early to beat the desert’s midday heat.
See or book a Joshua Tree day tour
- Drive Interstate 10 east, then Highway 62 to the park’s West Entrance near Joshua Tree Village.
- Show your park pass at the entrance station; the park is open 24 hours but rangers keep daytime hours.
- Walk the short loops at Hidden Valley, Skull Rock or Arch Rock; each takes under an hour.
Good to know
- A 7-day vehicle pass costs $30; an annual pass costs $55. GPS can route vehicles onto impassable backcountry roads, the Park Service warns.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Joshua Tree day tour, from | US$219 | ≈ €199 |
| 7-day vehicle pass, on your own | US$30 | ≈ €27 |
On your own
Needs a car and a full day; the park has no shuttle once you arrive.
With a guide
Removes the long drive and the navigation risk, for a fixed schedule.
A guided Joshua Tree day tour starts from US$220.
Prices checked 17 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
Palm Springs: the Aerial Tramway for US$40 (plan the journey)
An Amtrak connecting motorcoach serves the Palm Springs area via Fullerton, but same-day schedules and onward travel to the Tramway need checking. Driving is more flexible. The rotating cable car climbs Chino Canyon in about ten minutes to a station over 8,500 feet up.
- Drive Interstate 10 east toward Palm Springs, then follow signs to the Tramway’s Valley Station off Tramway Road.
- Park at the Valley Station; parking for cars and motorcycles costs a flat $15 fee.
- Ride the rotating tramcar up to the Mountain Station inside Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Good to know
- The first car up runs at 8:00 or 10:00 in the morning by season, with the last car down by 9:30 or 10:30 in the evening.
- Our LA tour search leaned toward private charters. Check current options and prices.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial Tramway adult ticket | US$36.95 | ≈ €34 |
| Aerial Tramway child ticket (3-10) | US$20.95 | ≈ €19 |
On your own
Driving gives the most flexibility; check the connecting bus and local transfer if avoiding a car.
With a guide
Compare the currently available tours; the options checked for this page leaned toward private charters.
A Palm Springs Aerial Tramway adult ticket costs US$40.
Prices checked 17 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
Temecula Valley: guided wine tours from US$990 (no train or bus from LA)
Temecula Valley wine country has 47 wineries and no scheduled train or coach from Los Angeles. A designated driver or a guide decides how the day works.
See or book a Temecula wine tour
- Drive Interstate 15 south toward Temecula, then follow De Portola Road or Rancho California Road into wine country.
- Pick two or three wineries rather than rushing through many; tasting rooms often expect a weekend reservation.
- Book a guided tour instead if no one in your group wants to stay sober for the drive home.
Good to know
- The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association counts 47 wineries in the region.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Temecula wine tour, per group, from | US$989 | ≈ €898 |
| Same tour, split four ways (estimate, per person) | US$247 | ≈ €224 |
On your own
Needs a strict designated driver plan for the return.
With a guide
Costlier, but the only way everyone in the group can taste.
A guided Temecula wine tour starts from US$990 per group, not per person.
Prices checked 17 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation
If you only do one
Santa Barbara. A direct train from Union Station and a walkable waterfront; plan about 2 hours 40 minutes each way and book any Mission visit separately.
Good to know
- The cheapest trip instead: Catalina Island, a short ferry crossing with the fare as the only real cost.
- The wildest scenery: Joshua Tree, reachable in a day if an early start beats the heat.
- For wine without driving: a guided Temecula tour removes the designated-driver problem entirely.
Attractions & day trips from Los Angeles
What it costs, and where to book
| Plan | Tickets and transport | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Catalina Express one-way ferry | about US$50 | Book the Catalina Express ferry |
| Guided Santa Barbara day tour | about US$190 | Book a Santa Barbara day tour |
| Guided San Diego day tour | about US$210 | Book a San Diego day tour |
| Guided Joshua Tree day tour | about US$220 | Book a Joshua Tree day tour |
| Palm Springs Aerial Tramway adult ticket | about US$40 | – |
| Guided Temecula wine tour | about US$990 | Book a Temecula wine tour |
Prices checked 17 Sep 2026 · per person, tickets and transport, excluding accommodation. Amounts over 20 are rounded up. Ticket prices are per person for the first reviewed ticket and change by date.
Where a guided day tour earns its money, and where it does not
A guide earns its money on Joshua Tree, Temecula Valley and Palm Springs, where the drive itself is the cost and the return trip is the risk. Santa Barbara, San Diego and Catalina Island already run on a fixed train or ferry schedule, so a guide there mainly adds convenience.
Mubboo compares flights and tours and may earn a commission when a traveller uses a partner link. Booking and payment happen with the provider.
Questions people ask
Is there a train to Palm Springs or Temecula from Los Angeles?
Palm Springs has an Amtrak connecting motorcoach via Fullerton; check its schedule and your onward transfer before planning a day trip. Temecula wine country is more practical by car or guided transport.
Which Catalina Express port is fastest?
Long Beach, at about an hour to Avalon; San Pedro takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and Dana Point about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Is Joshua Tree National Park open every day?
Yes. The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, though rangers keep daytime hours only.
Do I need to book Old Mission Santa Barbara in advance?
No. Self-guided tour tickets are sold on site during opening hours, Monday to Saturday from 9:30 in the morning and Sunday from 12:30 in the afternoon.
Can I do Joshua Tree without a car?
Not really. There is no shuttle inside the park and no scheduled coach from Los Angeles, so a guided tour or a rental car is the only practical way in for a day trip.
Plan deeper in Los Angeles
Sources (23)
Every figure above was checked on the dates shown.
- Mubboo reviewed ticket options for Los Angeles (the booking platform destination 645); per-person prices read when the page is built — mubboo.flights/los-angeles/tours (checked 2026-09-17)
- Amtrak, Pacific Surfliner route and stations — www.amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-train (checked 2026-09-17)
- Pacific Surfliner timetable effective 4 May 2026 — www.pacificsurfliner.com/globalassets/pdfs/schedules/4399327873_pacific-surfliner-timetable_la-slo-expansion_5-4-26.pdf (checked 2026-09-18)
- Old Mission Santa Barbara, Visit / self-guided tour — santabarbaramission.org/visit/ (checked 2026-09-17)
- USS Midway Museum, Buy Tickets & Annual Passes — www.midway.org/visit/buy-tickets (checked 2026-09-17)
- Catalina Express, home page — www.catalinaexpress.com/ (checked 2026-09-17)
- Catalina Express, Schedule & Fares — catalinaexpress.com/schedule-fares/ (checked 2026-09-17)
- National Park Service, Joshua Tree — Directions — www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/directions.htm (checked 2026-09-17)
- National Park Service, Joshua Tree — Basic Information — www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm (checked 2026-09-17)
- National Park Service, Joshua Tree — Fees — www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/fees.htm (checked 2026-09-17)
- Amtrak Southwest Chief timetable, Fullerton–Indio connecting motorcoach — content.amtrak.com/content/timetable/Southwest%20Chief.pdf (checked 2026-09-17)
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, home page — pstramway.com/ (checked 2026-09-17)
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Tickets — pstramway.com/tickets/ (checked 2026-09-17)
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Hours — pstramway.com/about-us/hours/ (checked 2026-09-17)
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Parking Information — pstramway.com/parking-information/ (checked 2026-09-17)
- Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, home page — www.temeculawines.org/ (checked 2026-09-17)
- Mubboo Tours search, Los Angeles (the booking platform destination 645), term ‘Santa Barbara Scenic Train and Coastal Charm’ — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=645&term=Santa%20Barbara%20Scenic%20Train%20and%20Coastal%20Charm¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-17)
- Mubboo Tours search, Los Angeles (the booking platform destination 645), term ‘LA to San Diego History Harbor USS Midway’ — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=645&term=LA%20to%20San%20Diego%20History%20Harbor%20USS%20Midway¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-17)
- Mubboo Tours search, Los Angeles (the booking platform destination 645), term ‘Catalina Express’ — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=645&term=Catalina%20Express¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-17)
- Mubboo Tours search, Los Angeles (the booking platform destination 645), term ‘Joshua Tree National Park’ — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=645&term=Joshua%20Tree%20National%20Park¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-17)
- Mubboo Tours search, Los Angeles (the booking platform destination 645), term ‘Temecula Wine Tour from Los Angeles’ — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=645&term=Temecula%20Wine%20Tour%20from%20Los%20Angeles¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-17)
- Mubboo reviewed ticket options for Los Angeles (the booking platform destination 645); per-booking price read when the page is built — mubboo.flights/los-angeles/tours (checked 2026-09-27)
- Mubboo Tours search, Los Angeles (the booking platform destination 645), term ‘Palm Springs from Los Angeles’ — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=645&term=Palm%20Springs%20from%20Los%20Angeles¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-17)