Los Angeles sits within striking distance of some of Southern California's most rewarding destinations — desert, mountains, and ocean all within two hours.
Catalina Island sits about 22 miles offshore, reached by ferry from Long Beach or San Pedro in roughly an hour. The main town of Avalon has a compact walkable harbour and the landmark art deco Casino building; the interior is rugged and home to bison descended from a 1920s film shoot. You can snorkel in clear water at Lover's Cove, kayak along the coastline, or hike the Trans-Catalina Trail.
South on Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach is an artsy coastal city with rocky headlands, tide pools, and small sandy coves tucked between cliffs. It's about an hour from downtown — take PCH rather than the freeway for a far better drive past Crystal Cove.
Malibu stretches 27 miles along the coast north of Santa Monica. Surfrider Beach offers one of the most famous surf breaks in the world; Zuma is the go-to for wide open sand. Santa Monica is its own destination: the historic pier, Third Street Promenade, and the beach path south toward Venice are well worth the trip.
Leave early to beat the freeway traffic in either direction.
