Santa Barbara ★ 4.6
Famous for: Spot prawns, urchin (uni), Funk Zone wine tasting
Santa Barbara is a 90-minute coast drive from Los Angeles, with the city's best uni, spot prawns at the harbour and 30 tasting rooms in the downtown Funk Zone.
Food destinations within easy reach of Los Angeles. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Worth the trip
Santa Ynez Valley wine country ★ 4.6
Famous for: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay tastings, plus Solvang Danish pastry
Santa Ynez Valley is two hours from Los Angeles and holds 200 wineries. Sanford and Foxen are the canonical Pinot stops; Solvang holds Danish pastry traditions.
Ojai ★ 4.4
Famous for: Pixie tangerines, olive oil, Ojai Valley Inn dining
Ojai is 90 minutes from Los Angeles, with Pixie tangerine season February-May, olive oil tastings at Ojai Olive and Saturday farmers market under the oaks.
Palm Springs and Coachella Valley ★ 4.3
Famous for: Mid-century dining, date shakes, Mexican cuisine
Palm Springs is two hours east of Los Angeles. Mid-century rooms like Workshop Kitchen and Mr Lyons, plus date shakes from Shields Date Garden on the way.
San Diego ★ 4.5
Famous for: Baja-style fish tacos, Mexican craft beer, Convoy Street Asian food
San Diego is two hours south of Los Angeles. The Convoy Street Asian corridor, Baja-style fish tacos at Oscar's and the Liberty Public Market anchor a food day trip.
Los Olivos and Foxen Canyon Wine Trail ★ 4.5
Famous for: Pinot Noir tastings, Sideways-era institutions
Los Olivos and the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail north of Los Angeles cluster 20 tasting rooms in a single small town. The Sideways-era Pinots are still pouring.
San Gabriel Valley ★ 4.7
Famous for: Regional Chinese cooking from 23 provinces
San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles holds the largest Chinese-American population in the country. Sichuan, Cantonese, Shanghai, Taiwanese and Hong Kong cooking.
Temecula wine country ★ 4.2
Famous for: Tasting rooms, ranch-to-table California cooking
Temecula is 90 minutes southeast of Los Angeles and holds 40 tasting rooms. The Pechanga Resort hosts the larger producers; Wilson Creek pours sparkling.
Food Day Trips in Los Angeles, FAQ
When is the best time to eat in Los Angeles?
Peak food season in Los Angeles is year-round.
What time do people eat in Los Angeles?
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
How does tipping work in Los Angeles?
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
What is the one dish to try in Los Angeles?
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Los Angeles rewards trust.