Coolest Long Beach Day Trips
Here are our 3 favorite Long Beach CA day trips.
A 50-miles round trip to Manhattan Beach
If you decide to head west from downtown Long Beach CA, you will find yourself on a picturesque road that will take you through several different places before reaching the upscale community of Manhattan Beach. For such a short distance, you can enjoy a great variety of views. First, you will drive through the combined ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and then the scenic coastal road around the Palos Verdes Peninsula will take you to the port town of San Pedro. While driving, you will pass two span bridges that will allow you enjoy a view of tankers, cruise ships,and long-shore equipment. Once in San Pedro, you will be driving along palm-lined streets. The town offers two main attractions – the Friendship Park, dedicated to the peaceful relationship between the USA and South Korea, where you can see military barracks, sea defenses, and a Coast Guard Watch Facility. If you are traveling with your children, you can stop at the kid-friendly Point Fermin Park. Then, you continue your drive along the picturesque California coastline that resembles the Italian Amalfi Coast.
The peninsula is famous for its whale-watching and fishing spots, while the Rolling Hills Estates are home to many movie stars and other famous people.
Your next stop is the beautiful town of Redondo. It’s a great place for lunch here since the place is famous for one of the most delicious and freshest seafood on the West Coast.
Take the coastal road that will lead you to the town of Hermosa, known for its surfing beaches and finally to Manhattan Beach. Once you have finished admiring the beauty of the beach, you can take Interstate 405, the San Diego Freeway, and reach Long Beach Airport in less than 30 minutes. During rush hour, be prepared for an hour and a half drive.
A Wine-tasting trip to Temecula
If you are a wine lover, then a day trip to Temecula is the best getaway for you. Only an hour and a half drive from Long Beach CA takes you to this beautiful historic place. There are more than 30 wineries, which you can visit on your own or take a guided tour. Some of the attractions include grape stomping. You can also visit the old town and the Temecula Valley Museum or get into a hot air balloon to experience the view from the skies.
Enjoy the Dutch atmosphere of Solvang
If you want to experience a different atmosphere, then this 2-hour drive to Solvang is the perfect choice. The town was founded by the Danish and bears the Dutch atmosphere, despite the fact that there aren’t many Danes living there. What you will find, however, are wooden windmills, breweries and pancake cottages. There is even a replica of Copenhagen’s Round Tower, along with Christmas shops, Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid trinkets, and Danish bakeries. The Elverhol Museum is a must-see for history lovers and for those who love adventures. OstrichLand, known as the Jurassic Park for ostriches, is located just on the outskirts of the town.
Have you tried these Long Beach CA day trips? Let us know your experience in the comments!