The Best Road Trips From Los Angeles, CA

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Best 6 Road Trips

From Los Angeles

Being a destination in its own right, Los Angeles offers everything you need: nightlife, culture, excellent food, incredible hikes, and a never-ending stream of up-and-coming neighborhoods to discover.

However, Hollywood Hills scores bonus points on how easy it is to drive a Kyte and experience an entirely new environment in just a few hours. Whether you're looking for a simple weekend getaway or are in for a slightly longer break, these road trips will allow you to explore the best of what California has to offer.

Deserts, forests, nature reserves, and tropical escapes – the outer reaches of Los Angeles have it all. Here are the best six road trips from the City of Angels that you can take this weekend.

1. Palm Springs

Travel time: 107 miles (1 hour 45 minutes)

If you've heard of Coachella, you've probably heard of Palm Springs. Palm Springs, a little more than a two-hour drive from LA, is a fantastic summer destination, which is perhaps why it leads the list of the best road trips from Los Angeles.

Palm Springs has become a hotspot for people looking to unwind on the weekend with its resort-like atmosphere, hot springs, luxury hotels, golf courses, and spas.

That's not all. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens appeal to people who enjoy a little culture, history, and sightseeing while exploring a new destination.

Kyte Recommendation

Sedan

Palm springs sign with characteristic palms in the background

2. Malibu Coastline

Travel time: 34 miles (1 hour)

Malibu Coastline, 30 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway, is a world away from the hustle and bustle of LA streets. You might think of Malibu as a place where the famous and wealthy go to buy expensive ocean-front mansions, but it's so much more than that.

You’ll find parks, canyons, and beaches to explore along the coastline. The Malibu Solstice Vineyard is famous for its wines and vistas. The Malibu Pier is another sought-after destination.

Pro tip: When at the Pier, drive a little further down to the El Matador State Beach. This rocky beach offers stunning scenery perfect for relaxing for a few hours.

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SUV

Bird's-eye view of the malibu coastline

3. Long Beach

Travel time: 25 miles (30 minutes)

Just south of downtown, Long Beach is a destination worthy of being on the list of best road trips from Los Angeles. As the name suggests, Long Beach is perfect for spending a relaxing day on the beach.

When you wish to explore some tourist attractions, go aboard the Queen Mary, a majestic ship that sailed the oceans between the 1930s and 1960. Today, it hosts events such as murder mystery dinner shows, Sunday brunches, and night markets.

The Whale watching cruise, Signal Hill Park, Lighthouses, and Shoreline Village are just some of the many more attractions you can add to your itinerary.

Kyte Recommendation

Economy

 Long beach canal with during a cloudy sunset.

4. Laguna Beach

Travel time: 50 miles (1 hour)

Laguna Beach has more to offer than what its namesake MTV reality program showed. This gorgeous seven-mile Pacific coastline has everything from pristine white-sand beaches to romantic rock-lined coves.

Laguna Beach is one of the best road trips from Los Angeles, where you can take your Kyte, crank up your favorite tunes, get away from the city's chaos, and experience peace and calm in an hour. It is home to some of the county's best beaches, including Woods Cove Beach and Victoria Beach, which features the landmark La Tour tower.

This tourist destination is great for those who enjoy water sports, hiking, and mountain-biking paths that promise picture-perfect views.

Kyte Recommendation

Economy

Bird’s-eye view of the coast line of laguna beach and the nearby road.

5. Big Sur

Travel time: 295 miles (5 hours 30 minutes)

Big Sur is a road tripper's paradise. It's one of the world's most famous sections of coastline, which instantly qualifies it as one of the best road trips from Los Angeles. A narrow cliffside road goes down from the redwood-covered slopes to the big ocean below, offering breathtaking scenery.

You can take your Kyte to drive the coastline along Highway 1, which may be one of the most stunning roads in the United States. If you're lucky, you may rendezvous with the California condors flying overhead–they are one of the largest birds in North America and a sight to behold in real life.

If you are one of those who like to take the road less traveled, visit Mission San Antonio de Padua, located in a remote valley off Nacimiento Road, and you will not be disappointed.

Kyte Recommendation

Sedan

Bird’s-eye view of a hill with a cloud cover background.

6. Santa Barbara

Travel time: 95 miles (1 hour 40 minutes)

Santa Barbara is so beautiful that you may as well decide never to leave. Lately, famous names such as Oprah and Brad Pitt have made Santa Barbara their home (or home away from home).

If you're looking for a relaxing break, consider this one of the best road trips from Los Angeles. Santa Barbara offers a wonderful selection of restaurants and bars and a historic waterfront with the Stearns Wharf pier and the palm-lined East Beach.

The lovely city, also known as The American Riviera, offers white sand beaches, Spanish-style buildings, and rolling hills that pour into wine country, making it an ideal weekend destination.

Kyte Recommendation

Sedan

Bird’s-eye view of the town of Santa Barbara

Conclusion

The beauty of Los Angeles is you can leave its urban sprawl anytime with a Kyte, and in just a few hours, find yourself surrounded by nature and beautiful scenery. Whether you're looking for a short day trip or a more extended getaway, this list has a destination for every time of traveler.

What's more, you don't need to own a car to visit any of these places. Kyte takes care of that. Booking a Kyte is simple and hassle-free. Enter your delivery and return address, select your dates and times, choose your Kyte, complete a short verification process, and sit back and relax. We'll deliver and pick up your Kyte from your doorstep.

Our Kyte Surfer will meet you on the day of your trip at the location of your choice to hand over the key and verify your license. With that taken care of, all you have to do is pick a destination, pack your bags, and go on that trip.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I return my Kyte at a different location than my delivery?

Yes! You have the option to select different delivery and return addresses within the same service area when you make your booking. If you want to make a change after booking, let us know via in-app chat or send us a text and we will update that for you!

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You can do it through our App or on our Website! Go to your trips, select the trip you'd like to edit, and modify it under "where & when". Make sure you click on "Confirm & Pay".

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We accept all major credit and debit cards. If using a debit card, the standard deposit during your booking will be $500. We do not accept cash or pre-paid debit card payments for the booking cost or the deposit.

Can I extend my trip?

Trip extensions are subject to vehicle availability. You may extend for as long as you’d like, just let us know at least 2 hours before your original scheduled return. Extensions made within 2 hours of your return will incur a $25 rescheduling fee to cover our Surfers’ time.

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  3. Cancellations made within 24 hours of your scheduled delivery time will be subject to a $25 cancellation / rescheduling fee which will be deducted from your refunded Kyte credit.