Day trip from Lucca and Lucca to Imperia?
 

We'll have a full day in Lucca, and one extra night. I know we want to stroll the wall, and maybe go up in the tower, but in addition to exploring the town is there someplace nearby we might investigate? A special village or town, winery, olive oil production? We will have a car.

Also when we leave Lucca we will be headed to Imperia. Google Maps says 2 1/2 hrs, so lets say a 3 hr trip. So leaving right after breakfast we should have about 4-5 hours to explore someplace along the way, any ideas?

We only got to have lunch and catch a brief bit of Lucca last fall -- I would love to go back to stay at least two nights, as it is a lovely town and we missed a great deal. I wouldn't plan to day trip away from there at all (unless I was staying for a week - then I might day-trip back to Cinque Terre one day, and another morning head over to Pisa to see the tower.)

With your limited time I think you'll be kept busy in Lucca. I was there for two weeks and never got bored. Several interesting churches, Palazzo Pfanner, a nice leisure lunch, stroll in the town, people watch while pn Piazza Anfiteatro, etc.

I agree. If you only have one day, I wouldn't be going anywhere else. Sure there is the ramparts and the towers but a lot more than that. Shopping is nice, food is great. The first time we were there we hired some audio guides and toured the old city. That was great. Didn't see any tourists carrying them last year so not sure if they are still available. Maybe they are downloadable now???
If you must move, Viareggio is cute art deco seaside town, Montecatini Terme is nice, or a drive up into the mountains. There are also a couple a villas and gardens near Collodi (close to where Pinocchio comes from!) personally, I'd spend at least a full day walking between the Cinqueterre towns. You get a real feel for them that way.
Lucca to Imperia I assume 2.5hrs via the motorway. To detour off might significantly add to your journey. Imperia looks lovely, I really loved Portofino. We walked to San Fruttuoso for a beautiful lunch on the beach. Comogli also brings back fond memories. Santa Margherita might be a place to stop for lunch. We didn't find it overly enthralling for much else.

Have lunch in Camogli.

Eat at Buca di San Antonio in Lucca.

Sorry Bob, I ate at Buca Di San Antonio last year and can report that it was one of the worst meals I have ever had when eating out anywhere. Unbeknown to the Italian waiters we could understand enough of their conversations. There are two tiers of service and quality to this restaurant. bEWARE.
Canuleia provided more interesting and FRESH food. Gli Orti was okay but not fantastic. A local favorite

I think we're going to stay in Lucca on our full day, have a relaxed car-free day, and explore.

On the way from Castellina in Chianti to Lucca I'm thinking of stopping in Volterra. I think we could easily allocate 6-7 hours for Volterra. What is the drive like from Volterra to Lucca, scenic?

From Lucca to Imperia I'm wondering about getting out to stretch our legs on The Via dell’Amore. Park at Riomaggiore or Manarola, walk both ways maybe with a stop along the walk for a light lunch? Apparently there are places to eat along the walk? Is this enjoyable or are there better options?

I see 3 better options than driving to those CT villages:
Portovenere
Santa Margherita
Camogli

What about Barga and Castelnuovo?

Montecatini Terme - just a few miles east of Lucca to me is one of the most interesting and unique places in Italy - one of Europe's spiffiest most ornate spa towns - many suave Italians - many quite elderly - flock here to take the waters. Unlike the chaotic nature of many Italian towns (one reason I love them!) Montecatini has a verdant campus-like setting - visit the various thermal establishment and be sure to sip the stinking IMO of sulphur water!

http://www.montecatinihelp.info/wordpress/

Colldo is a small town tucked high above Lucca - home of Pinnochio and o town that treads on the relationship!

http://www.pinocchio.it/uk/homeuk.htm