One tank trips from Van Nuys offer numerous opportunities to see the sights nearby. Visitors often travel to Pyramid Lake, the Santa Monica Pier or Magic Mountain, not to mention the fun that the whole family can have at Universal Studios in Hollywood. Here are some other suggestions for where to take your family in your El Monte RV that are not too far away.
From wine tasting in Santa Barbara and vintage hunting in Palm Springs to camping in Joshua Tree or feeling the sand between your toes in San Diego, you’re sure to find a short trip (as opposed to a longer road trip) worth taking.
Solana Beach in San Diego – about 2 hours drive: If you want to spend a day in San Diego, you can either try to go big (the San Diego Zoo! Balboa Park! A Padres game! All in one day!) or go small-town and spend a chill day in a cool oceanfront neighborhood. The beach towns north of San Diego—no, we’re not talking about Pacific Beach—are the stuff that inspired the Beach Boys lyrics. In Solana Beach, you’ll find laid-back vibe and beaches that aren’t totally overrun. It’s easy to get there from L.A. or Van Nuys and it’s a perfect way to take a short trip and enjoy this more relaxing part of Southern California Start at Naked Cafe for a beach-y brunch, then, either head down to the beach at Fletcher Cove or cruise along the Cedros Design District for window shopping, brewery hopping and people watching. There’s also a mix of cute boutiques, surf shops, restaurants, taco spots and bars along South Coast Highway. If it’s racing season, the Del Mar Racetrack isn’t too far—a short ride in your RV.
Santa Barbara – only a little less than 2 hours drive: Santa Barbara is a scenic and worthy vacation destination regardless of your starting point. Stearns Wharf is a go-to spot to see the Pacific, and nearby is State Street, filled with tons of shops and people-watching opportunities. And the Wharf isn’t the only place to see the water: Butterfly Beach, a relatively private spot, is situated next to the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel and faces west for ideal sunset-watching views. Grab lunch at La Super Rica Taqueria—famous for being one of Julia Child’s favorite eateries. The lines tend to be on the ridiculous side, but it’s worth the wait for novelty’s sake alone. If you’re traveling with family, spend a few hours at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Another trip worth taking within 2 hours of Van Nuys and only minutes from San Diego is Coronado and Coronado Beach. Hint: There is actually gold sand on this beach! There’s a reason Coronado has topped lists of the country’s best beaches: Its wide shores never feel overcrowded, the soft, fine-grained sand is easily walkable and the weather is practically perfect. Just a quick ferry ride or bridge drive from San Diego, this wealthy peninsula has the feel of a resort town with the amenities that come from being near a major city. The beachfront grounds of the regal, red-roofed Hotel del Coronado are a must-visit, even if you won’t stay in its $300-plus rooms. Back in town, stop into hole-in-the-wall diner Clayton’s Coffee Shop for a quick meal or Moo Time Creamery for frozen treats. Coronado is also home to a sizable naval base, and while you can’t exactly visit, you can spot fighter jets coming in for landings and submarines surfacing off the coast, while you enjoy a sunny day on this gorgeous beach.