vabarone

I'm from NYC, but have been in LA for two very long weeks in LA. Turns out I will have a day to myself and looking desperately for an OUT of LA day trip. I don't want to be more than an 1.5/2 hr drive from Hollywood (just in case). But other than the distance and wanting an "off the beaten track" destination I'm really open to all suggestions. A great scenic drive to winery, a small artist colony, a destination food experience, a must see state park, a small vintage town, I really am open to anything! I'll also be looking for a spot to eat wherever I land. Thanks all!!

Momddtravel2

Varbone...hummm...hard for me to know exactly what to suggest - I am assuming it is now (since you are speaking in present tense.) personally I would stay along the coast - the weather is so lovely by the beach.

I would take the train to San Diego - get off downtown - explore the gaslamp - maybe take in a Padre game (Petco Park is one of my favorite ball fields) maybe get a cab to Balboa park - do the Zoo -

Or drive to La Jolla - great place to spend the day - that is a little further than your 2 hours..

Laguna Beach is fabulous, shops, beach...places to eat... have a drink at sunset at the Montage - hike at Crystal Cove State Beach...

I am not a huge fan of the wineries close enough for you to get to - so others might be able to chime in.

MmePerdu

Strictly speaking, these 2 places are in the greater LA area, San Marino & Pasadena, but a world apart. Together they'd make a great day out, maybe 3 miles from one to the other. Both are world-class examples of what they offer and a couple of my favorite places anywhere to visit.

Have a good look at the websites:
http://www.huntington.org/
http://www.gamblehouse.org/

Lots of great dining in Pasadena.

curiousgeo

Agree with the Laguna Beach suggestion, scenic with a great vibe and you could also visit Newport Beach on the way. Closer to Hollywood is the drive up the coast to Malibu.

dbdurand

I suggest Ojai. It meets your desirements and is in the direction to take you OUT of the LA metropolitan area instead of through it. And yes, I have been there many times.

http://www.ci.ojai.ca.us/index.asp?Type=B_LOC&SEC={648B4DF8-2C7F-440C-827C-A6AE6C083A0D}

It's about an hour and a half northwest of Hollywood (in non rush hour traffic).

dbdurand

That's not a great page! Click on the "Visit Ojai" box on the left to get a better story.

logandog

Sometimes I think we shortchange Los Angeles.
It is a spread out mess of sometimes amazing places.
My two adult children live in LA (one in Silver Lake and one in Santa Monica).
I believe that this town can be as interesting and provocative as any major city in the world.
One of the reasons that makes it that way are the amazing , nearby destinations.

suze

Catalina Island?
Solvang?

Tabernash2

You could drive up into the San Bernardino mountains and visit Lake Arrowhead. Cute place with shops and restaurants. The smell of the pine trees will revive your city-weary self!

But, it's a drive, at least 1 1/2 hrs each way.

Tabernash2

logandog, I agree about LA being a mess of small and amazing places. Culver City, for one. You just have to know where to go.

The OP could do Santa Barbara in a day, also.

We've never been to Catalina, but always intend to go. It would make a nice day out.

jamie99

I'd go to Santa Barbara, 2 hours in non rush hour traffic with wineries nearby in the Santa Ynez valley, about 40 minutes north of Santa Barbara, a truly beautiful town, you can do it as a daytrip although I prefer staying overnight. There is an artist fair on Sundays on Cabrillo down near the harbor.

clarkgriswold

What day? If Sunday you prob don't want to deal with all the traffic back into L.A. from Santa Barbara.

Ojai and then around to Fillmore appears to be what you're looking for. The little olive farm/ olive oil factory in Ojai is a nice relaxing stop.

logandog

Catalina.