Theme park · 50 min southwest
Six Flags Magic Mountain
A big park known for roller coasters, in Valencia.
- Full day · Easy
- Open select days; check calendar
- See the official site for current fees
Day Trippin' › California › From Lancaster
Day trips from Lancaster
From Lancaster, Six Flags Magic Mountain is under an hour away, Griffith Observatory about an hour, and Knott's Berry Farm under an hour and a half. The best day trips from Lancaster, by drive time.
183 places within a 3-hour drive, by real roads.
10 day trips from Lancaster
- Vasquez Rocks Natural Area 27 min southwest
- Six Flags Magic Mountain 50 min southwest
- Universal Studios Hollywood 59 min south
- Getty Center 1 hr 4 min southwest
- Griffith Observatory 1 hr 8 min south
- Knott's Berry Farm 1 hr 28 min south
- Aquarium of the Pacific 1 hr 29 min south
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 2 hr 16 min southeast
- Manzanar National Historic Site 2 hr 30 min north
- LEGOLAND California 2 hr 34 min southeast
Within an hour from Lancaster 6 spots
Theme park · 59 min south
Universal Studios Hollywood
Movie-themed rides, a studio tram tour and Super Nintendo World.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Landmark · 27 min southwest
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area
Tilted rock slabs used in many movies and TV shows, with easy trails.
- 1-2 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free
State park · 51 min north
Red Rock Canyon State Park
Colorful cliffs and canyons where the Mojave meets the Sierra. Easy trails and camping.
- 2-4 hrs · Easy to moderate
- Best Oct-Apr
- California State Parks day-use fee per car
Hike · 42 min southwest
Placerita Canyon Natural Area
Oak woodland trails and a small nature center where gold was found before the Gold Rush.
- 2 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Historic site · 59 min southwest
Rancho Camulos
A historic rancho near Piru that inspired the novel Ramona.
- 1-2 hrs · Easy
- Open select days (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
1 to 2 hours from Lancaster 95 spots
Museum · 1 hr 4 min southwest
Getty Center
A hilltop art museum with big gardens and wide views over the city. Entry is free.
- Half day · Easy
- Closed Mondays (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Observatory · 1 hr 8 min south
Griffith Observatory
Free views of the city and the Hollywood Sign, plus space exhibits and a planetarium. Sunsets here are a classic LA moment.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Closed Mondays (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Theme park · 1 hr 28 min south
Knott's Berry Farm
Roller coasters, a Western ghost town and famous boysenberry treats in Buena Park.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round; check calendar
- See the official site for current fees
Aquarium · 1 hr 29 min south
Aquarium of the Pacific
Sea lions, sharks, jellyfish and a lorikeet forest in Long Beach.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Theme park · 1 hr 33 min south
Disneyland Park
The original Disney park with classic rides and character meetups.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Small town · 1 hr 43 min southeast
Lake Arrowhead Village
A lakeside village with shops, restaurants and a pretty mountain setting. Good for a relaxed lunch.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round
- Free to visit
Historic site · 1 hr 44 min east
Calico Ghost Town
A restored silver mining town with shops, mine tours and a mini train.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
State park · 1 hr 53 min south
Crystal Cove State Park
Beach, tide pools and coastal bluff trails with historic cottages.
- Half day · Easy to moderate
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
2 to 3 hours from Lancaster 82 spots
Landmark · 2 hr 16 min southeast
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
A rotating tram car lifts you from desert floor to cool alpine forest in about ten minutes.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round; annual maintenance closure in fall (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Historic site · 2 hr 30 min north
Manzanar National Historic Site
A moving museum and a driving tour at a World War II Japanese American incarceration camp.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round; hours check
- Free
Theme park · 2 hr 34 min southeast
LEGOLAND California
A theme park in Carlsbad built for kids ages 2 to 12, with rides, shows and a water park.
- Full day · Easy
- Check calendar; some weekdays closed
- See the official site for current fees
Small town · 2 hr 37 min west
Solvang
Danish-style village with bakeries, windmills and shops in the Santa Ynez Valley.
- 3-5 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free
Zoo · 2 hr 38 min southeast
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
A big wildlife park in Escondido with African savannah areas and a tram or safari tour.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Lake · 2 hr 5 min southeast
Big Bear Lake
A mountain lake with boating, fishing, paddleboards and a lively village. Snow play in winter.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Landmark · 2 hr 15 min north
Alabama Hills
Rounded rock formations with arch views framed by Mount Whitney. Many movies were filmed here.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free
Small town · 2 hr 18 min southeast
Idyllwild
A cool pine-forest village under Mount San Jacinto with art shops, cafes and trailheads.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round
- Free to visit
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Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP 93534 (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner). Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.