A short boat journey will bring you to the island atmosphere and strong cocktails. The untamed isle is reachable by the Catalina Express, with ferry launches in Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. While the accessible main port of Avalon is ideal for a day trip, Two Harbors beckons overnight backpackers. Drive to Avalon to take the Ridgetop Eco Adventure ($84.95), an off-road tour in an open-air biofuel Hummer, to explore the spectacular, secluded interior. Back in town, chow down on egg-topped avocado toast at Cafe Metropole before strolling along the beachside promenade to the Catalina Casino, a building with an Art Deco interior best experienced on foot.

At the nearby Descanso Beach Club, where you are able to legally consume alcohol on the beach, you can sink into the sand while admiring the ocean vistas while sipping a cold Buffalo Milk cocktail. The elegant Catalina Island Museum delves into the rich past of the century-old vacation spot, which includes proto-CIA military operations and Chicago Cubs spring training. Dine on seafood specialties at Bluewater Grill Avalon on the dockside patio. Grab a gooey cinnamon bun from the Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. before you depart from island life for the return trip. Keep reading to discover more best car-free day trips from Los Angeles.

Location: Santa Catalina Island, California

This warm beach town, often known as the "American Riviera," is located about 100 miles north of Los Angeles and is a popular getaway spot for Hollywood celebrities. However, practically everyone can enjoy Santa Barbara's charm and beauty. Beautiful old Spanish-style structures, enormous palm palms, and kilometers of sandy beaches entice tourists.

Earlier Mission The 1820 adobe church in Santa Barbara, known as the "Queen of the Missions," is in excellent condition. The Franciscan Friars of Spain founded this historical site in 1786, and it is adorned with artwork from the colonial era. The mission compound also houses a museum with artwork and relics on display.

The mission is located on grounds that span 15 acres and have lush gardens not far from the Pacific Ocean. La Huerta Historical Garden is a highlight; it contains olive, citrus, peach, pomegranate, and peach trees that were once found on mission sites. Lunch at the Mission Rose Garden would be lovely.

Location: Santa Barbara, central California coast

The Pacific Surfliner is more appropriately titled than you might think, so grab your board and enough surf wax to challenge Madame Tussauds: Surfboards are permitted on these trains and can be checked as luggage or carried by the passenger. Along the seaside and on the hills above the water, the town has a rich population. You should visit the neighborhood favorite Roberto's for some carne asada fries and wrapped tacos to fuel up. Also, you can visit the Culture Brewing Co. tasting room for a beer after visiting Seaside Beach and Fletcher Cove. Are you looking for a more racy option? From July through September, Del Mar's renowned horse track operates nearby, along with a number of artists at the San Diego County Fair (through July 4).

Seaside, a popular surfing location with an offshore reef called Table Tops that breaks on large southwest swells, is located at the northernmost point of Solana Beach. Tide Beach features the nicest sand of the group and a section of reef where tide pools can be found.

Location: Solana Beach is located along San Diego's north coast and nestled between glitzy Del Mar to the south

You have a ton of possibilities for a fast getaway with approximately a dozen roundtrip trains running south daily. The state's first European settlement, Old Town Station, where you can exit, welcomes you with folkloric dancing, restaurants, ghost tours, and an adobe house from the 1830s. If you want to see something a little more contemporary, get off the train in Santa Fe Depot, where you may find the Museum of Contemporary Art ($10). Take a horse-drawn carriage or a pedicab to Little Italy for breakfast, lunch, or supper at the upbeat café Herb & Eatery-don't miss the house-made ice cream sandwiches-or grab a reservation for dinner at the acclaimed fine-dining establishment Juniper & Iv. y.

You can take the trolley to Balboa Park if you want to visit another museum or to Petco Park if you want to watch a Padres game. 17 museums are located on the lush grounds, several of which were constructed for two early 20th-century expositions. If you really want to go wild, the renowned San Diego Zoo is only next door. San Diego is definitely one of the best car-free day trips from Los Angeles.

Location: San Diego, California