Day Trippin' › California › From Los Angeles › Best food and wine stops
Our picks for the best food and wine stops within 3 hours of Los Angeles: 18 places, 2 under an hour away, 10 between 1 and 2 hours and 6 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 90012.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Downtown Disney District, 29 min southeast of Los Angeles.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: shadowhound, CC BY-SA 2.0
#1 · Small town · 1 hr 26 min east
A lakeside village with shops, restaurants and a pretty mountain setting. Good for a relaxed lunch.
Heads-up: The lake is private, so public swimming is limited. Winter roads may need chains.
Photo: Allie_Caulfield, CC BY 2.0
#2 · Small town · 2 hr 9 min west
Danish-style village with bakeries, windmills and shops in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Heads-up: Busy on holiday weekends.
Photo: --Microsomen 17:11, 31 May 2005 (UTC), CC BY 2.0
#3 · Food town · 2 hr 24 min southeast
An old gold-mining mountain town known for apple pie, cider and fall color.
Heads-up: Very busy fall weekends. Snow possible in winter.
Photo: Contributor19, CC BY 4.0
#4 · Family fun · 29 min southeast
Free shops, restaurants and shows outside the park gates.
Heads-up: Parking is paid. Open daily; hours vary, check Disneyland calendar.
Photo: Davishan99, CC BY-SA 3.0
#5 · Small town · 1 hr 22 min southeast
A Western-style main street with shops, cafes, and a short drive to the wineries.
Heads-up: Busy on weekends. Summer afternoons are hot. Historic district with shops, restaurants, museum and theater; Saturday farmers market.
Photo: Skyman9999, CC0
#6 · Landmark · 1 hr 43 min northwest
A famous country music hall, restaurant and museum in Bakersfield with live music.
Heads-up: Some shows are 21+.
Photo: Roman Eugeniusz, CC BY-SA 3.0
#7 · Historic site · 1 hr 52 min southeast
The birthplace of San Diego with old adobe buildings, museums, shops and Mexican food.
Heads-up: Busy on weekends. Evening is lively. Visitor center and select museums open 10 AM to 5 PM; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Photo: Tristan Loper, CC BY-SA 4.0
#8 · Small town · 2 hr 14 min southeast
A tiny mountain town with a famous bakery, a ranch store and nearby hills.
Heads-up: Busy on weekends. County preserve and nature center near Julian; open 8 am to sunset; leashed dogs only.
Photo: Liam Hughes, CC BY 2.0
#9 · Winery · 1 hr 32 min southeast
Rolling vineyards with dozens of tasting rooms, plus restaurants and balloon rides.
Heads-up: Plan a designated driver. Book popular weekend tastings ahead.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0
#10 · Food town · 1 hr 56 min southeast
Historic downtown blocks with restaurants and nightlife next to the ballpark.
Heads-up: Loud at night. Metered parking.
Photo: Jester7777, Public domain
#11 · Winery · 2 hr 7 min west
Wine roads lined with oaks and ranches with tasting rooms from small to large.
Heads-up: Plan a designated driver.
Photo: Damian Gadal, CC BY 2.0
#12 · Food town · 2 hr 8 min west
Tiny wine town with tasting rooms and a quiet main street.
Heads-up: Plan a designated driver.
#13 · Food town · 32 min south
Walk canals in Naples, then eat along 2nd Street in Belmont Shore.
Heads-up: Weekend parking is tight. Long Beach neighborhoods: canals on Naples, Second Street dining in Belmont Shore.
#14 · Small town · 1 hr 6 min west
Waterfront shops and restaurants, plus boat tours and sunsets.
Heads-up: Parking can be busy on weekends. Shops, dining and boat trips; business hours vary.
#15 · Food town · 1 hr 18 min northwest
Craft beer, vintage shops and good dining a short walk from the beach.
Heads-up: Weekend evenings are lively. Run by Downtown Ventura Partners; shops open daily.
Bakersfield Basque Food (1 hr 45 min), Liberty Station (1 hr 54 min), Edna Valley Wine Country (2 hr 59 min)
Our top picks are Lake Arrowhead Village (1 hr 26 min), Solvang (2 hr 9 min), Julian (2 hr 24 min), Downtown Disney District (29 min) and Old Town Temecula (1 hr 22 min). The page lists 18 places in all.
18: 2 under an hour away, 10 between 1 and 2 hours and 6 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 90012.
Downtown Disney District, about 29 min southeast of Los Angeles.
11 need no pass or fee, including Solvang, Lake Arrowhead Village and Old Town Temecula. Fees change, so check each place.
17 of the 18 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.