mlgb, I know it's the same distance, I just meant it didn't make sense to go to LA for TWO day trips when the attractions the OP is interested in are so close to each other.

I would also second traveling to the coast. Oceanside has a nice beach, but the town isn't much. Carlsbad is a nicer town, with better restaurants, but the beach isn't as good. Del Mar has even better restaurants, but it will be crowded because of the races.