State park · 38 min southwest
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
Day Trippin' › California › From Ridgecrest
Day trips from Ridgecrest
From Ridgecrest, Trona Pinnacles is about 25 minutes away, Alabama Hills under an hour and a half, and Calico Ghost Town under two hours. The best day trips from Ridgecrest, by drive time.
143 places within a 3-hour drive, by real roads.
10 day trips from Ridgecrest
- Red Rock Canyon State Park 38 min southwest
- Lake Isabella 1 hr 9 min west
- Lone Pine 1 hr 18 min north
- Alabama Hills 1 hr 20 min north
- Mobius Arch Loop 1 hr 24 min north
- Manzanar National Historic Site 1 hr 34 min north
- Calico Ghost Town 1 hr 35 min southeast
- Six Flags Magic Mountain 2 hr 10 min southwest
- Lake Arrowhead Village 2 hr 18 min south
- Universal Studios Hollywood 2 hr 20 min south
Within an hour from Ridgecrest 1 spots
1 to 2 hours from Ridgecrest 17 spots
Historic site · 1 hr 34 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
Historic site · 1 hr 35 min southeast
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
Landmark · 1 hr 20 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
Lake · 1 hr 9 min west
Lake Isabella
A large reservoir in the southern Sierra with boating, fishing and views.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Small town · 1 hr 18 min north
Lone Pine
A small desert town with Whitney views, a film museum and diners.
- 1-2 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free
Hike · 1 hr 24 min north
Mobius Arch Loop
A short loop to a natural arch that frames Mt Whitney.
- 1-2 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free
Scenic drive · 1 hr 36 min northwest
Whitney Portal
A steep mountain road climbing to the trailhead for Mt Whitney with a waterfall and picnic area.
- Half day · Easy
- Road usually open late spring-fall
- See the official site for current fees
Food town · 1 hr 52 min west
Bakersfield Basque Food
Family-style Basque restaurants, a local specialty.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
2 to 3 hours from Ridgecrest 123 spots
Theme park · 2 hr 10 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
Small town · 2 hr 18 min south
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
Theme park · 2 hr 20 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
Museum · 2 hr 24 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 · 2 hr 28 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 · 2 hr 36 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
Theme park · 2 hr 37 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 · 2 hr 49 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
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Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP 93555 (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner). Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.