Los Angeles, California — Several affordable road trips within a day’s drive of Los Angeles offer spring break escapes for students attending UCLA, the University of Southern California and other Southern California universities.
With tens of thousands of students living across Los Angeles campuses, nearby destinations throughout California and the Southwest provide travel opportunities that often require little more than a few hours behind the wheel, according to regional tourism organizations.
One of the most popular drives heads east to Joshua Tree National Park, where visitors explore desert hiking trails, rock formations and stargazing areas across one of California’s most recognizable landscapes.
Students also frequently travel south to San Diego, about two hours from Los Angeles. The coastal city features beaches such as La Jolla Shores, along with waterfront parks and walkable neighborhoods near the Pacific Ocean.
Another common getaway leads to Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. The alpine resort town offers mountain trails, lakeside viewpoints and scenic drives that attract visitors looking for cooler temperatures and outdoor recreation.
Travelers looking for dramatic coastal scenery often head north along California’s Pacific Coast Highway, where destinations like Santa Barbara offer beaches, historic missions and waterfront parks.
Farther north, Sequoia National Park draws visitors hoping to see some of the largest trees on Earth, including the towering giant sequoias that define the Sierra Nevada landscape.
Los Angeles’ location along major California highways places deserts, mountains and coastal cities within reach of a manageable road trip.
For younger travelers and college students managing tight budgets, these destinations provide opportunities to explore Southern California while staying within driving distance of UCLA and USC campuses.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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