Best Of

Best Day Trips From Orange County

June 27, 2015 / 5:00 AM PDT / KCAL News

Orange County is home to many fun and adventurous activities and is a picturesque location visited by many tourists every year. For those that live in Orange County, getting in a quick day trip out for new experience is not only necessary, but very possible with these locations. Here are some of the best places for a day trip getaway from the OC.

San Diego
750 B St., Suite 1500
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-3101
www.sandiego.org

Get some vitamin D this summer at a quick, one-day trip to San Diego, where there are warm breezes, beautiful beaches, and numerous activities to enjoy while in town. San Diego is home to Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. The park has more than 4,000 rare and amazing animals. For those with children, there is also Legoland California Resort, which is great fun for the whole family. The USS Midway Museum is also a great visit for those that enjoy history and exploring the longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. If you are one for adventure, San Diego offers many water sports and activities that include speed boating, jet skiing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and surfing. The Old Town Trolley Tours offers a great two-hour narrated sightseeing tour that stops at eight locations for those exploring San Diego for the first time.

Los Angeles
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-5901
www.lacity.org

Only a short drive from Orange County, Los Angeles has many activities and adventures to offer. The city of angels from the beach cities, Beverly Hills, Downtown, Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica and The Valley offers different experiences in each location. Los Angeles has world famous theme parks, like Universal Studios, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and movie and TV studios, like Warner Brothers, Paramount and Sony Pictures, that offer a fan experience. For those that want a taste of Hollywood head over to Grauman's Chinese Theatre and Hollywood & Highland to get a feel for one of the top tourist locations in the area. From the beach to Hollywood and even hiking trails, Los Angeles is a great getaway destination from Orange County.

Catalina Island
Green Pleasure Pier
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-1520
www.catalinachamber.com

Getting to Catalina can be a fun experience either by sea or air from four mainland ports: San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach or Dana Point. Avalon is only one square mile and is easy to explore by foot. You can relax and unwind when you need a change of pace and the island is only an hour from the mainland. Activities available include ziplining, parasailing, diving, snorkeling, seatrekking, kayaking and hiking. The island is a great place to get away and enjoy nature.

Joshua Tree National Park
6554 Park Blvd.
Joshua Tree, CA 92256
(760) 366-1855
www.nps.gov

The national park is open all year round where more than 1.4 million visitors go to enjoy activities including hiking, camping, rocking climbing and photography. The serene desert scenery attracts many who are looking to unwind and relax. Whether it is the first time you visit or you've been before, Joshua Tree is a new experience every time. One thing that is worth the trip is stargazing; you can view the Milky Way in its clear skies. There are also many day hikes available that range from difficulty and distance. Either way, the desert scene is a great change from the daily hustle and bustle of Orange County.

Temecula
41000 Main St.
Temecula, CA 92590
(951) 694-6444
www.cityoftemecula.org

The natural beauty, rich history and year-round entertainment is a great place to retreat from the Orange County life. Known best for its climate and championship golf courses, Temecula is also a great location for wine tasting. Nestled in 3,000 acres, Temecula's wine country is home to award-winning wineries. The city also offers a wonderful opportunity to go hot-air ballooning because of its serene and beautiful environment. The annual Balloon & Wine Festival is one to visit. If you are one that enjoys gaming, boxing and concerts, the city is also home to Pechanga Resort and Entertainment Center.

Elle Toussi is a freelance journalist covering all things Southern California. She has traveled to the Middle East in 2013 and 2014 covering the Syrian refugee situation in Jordan. That experience inspired her to become the founder of InOneMinute.org which uses the power of mobile technology and philanthropy to meet specific needs of women around the world. Her previous work can also be found on Examiner.com and AXS.com.

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