One of the best things about living in Los Angeles is that you do not have to fly every time you want to escape the city.
Some of California and the surrounding Southwest's best destinations are within driving distance, meaning you can turn a long weekend into a real road trip and make the journey part of the experience.
Read more: Why you should visit Griffith Observatory on a Monday, when it's closed
Whether you fancy desert lights in Las Vegas, dramatic Pacific coastline on the way to San Francisco or an easy Southern California escape to San Diego, these are three road trips worth doing from LA.
1. Los Angeles to Las Vegas
If you have never done the LA to Las Vegas drive, it is one of those trips that feels almost made for a weekend away.
The direct route is around 270 miles and takes roughly four to five hours without major traffic or stops, following I-15 through the San Bernardino Mountains and into the Mojave Desert.
You could simply drive it in one go, but there are several reasons to get out of the car along the way.
Barstow makes an easy halfway stop for fuel, food and a break, while nearby Calico Ghost Town offers a more interesting detour if you have time.
Further along, Baker is home to the famous World's Tallest Thermometer and is another classic place to stretch your legs before continuing into Nevada.
If you want an unusual photo opportunity closer to Vegas, Seven Magic Mountains sits in the desert south of the city, with enormous brightly colored rock towers standing against the surrounding landscape.
Then there is Vegas itself, where you can ditch the car and spend the weekend walking the Strip, seeing a show, eating, shopping or trying your luck at the casinos.
The drive home can be the least enjoyable part, particularly on a busy Sunday, so consider staying an extra night if your schedule allows.
Best for: A spontaneous weekend away, nightlife, casinos and desert scenery.
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2. Los Angeles to San Francisco
This is the road trip to choose if the journey itself is the main event.
You can drive between LA and San Francisco considerably faster using I-5, but if you have the time, the coastal route is far more memorable.
Highway 1 and the Central Coast take you through places including Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, San Simeon and Big Sur before eventually reaching the Monterey and Bay Area.
California's official travel guide highlights Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, San Simeon, Big Sur and Carmel among the major stops along a coastal LA-to-Bay Area route.
Santa Barbara is an easy first stop, with a walkable waterfront and restaurants around the Funk Zone. Further north, Morro Bay gives you a chance to see its distinctive rock before continuing towards San Simeon.
Then comes the spectacular section.
Big Sur is where this drive turns into one of the great American road trips, with Highway 1 winding along the rugged Pacific coastline. Give yourself plenty of time here rather than treating it as another waypoint on Google Maps.
Carmel and Monterey make excellent places to spend a night before continuing towards San Francisco.
This is not a road trip to squeeze into one day. Give yourself at least a couple of days if you want to enjoy the stops, and ideally longer if you want to slow down and explore.
One important point is that Highway 1 can be affected by landslides, fires, construction and other closures, so check current Caltrans road conditions before setting off. If the coastal route is closed, US 101 is the more practical alternative.
Best for: Coastal scenery, couples, photography, small towns and anyone who actually enjoys driving.
3. Los Angeles to San Diego
The LA to San Diego drive is the easiest of these three road trips and can work brilliantly as a day trip or weekend away.
The direct route down I-5 is roughly two to three hours depending on traffic, but there is little reason to treat the entire journey as a race if you have time to spare.
You can turn off the freeway and make the coast part of the trip, stopping in Laguna Beach, Dana Point or San Clemente before continuing south.
Laguna Beach is particularly good for breaking up the journey, with beaches, coves, galleries, restaurants and plenty of places to walk around.
San Clemente is another worthwhile stop, particularly if you want to stretch your legs and see a classic Southern California beach town before the final drive south.
Once you reach San Diego, there is plenty to fill a weekend. You could explore La Jolla, walk around Balboa Park, visit Coronado, spend time at the beach or head into the city for dinner and nightlife.
If you want to make the return journey more scenic, take your time coming back and add another coastal stop rather than simply following I-5 straight to LA.
The biggest mistake is trying to stop everywhere. Choose one or two places along the way and actually enjoy them rather than spending the entire day getting back into the car.
Best for: A shorter escape, beaches, good food and a relaxed Southern California weekend.
Which LA road trip should you choose?
The three trips offer completely different experiences.
Las Vegas is the easiest option if you want a quick weekend with a big destination waiting at the other end.
San Francisco is the clear winner if you want a proper road-trip adventure where the scenery and stops are just as important as the destination.
San Diego is the simplest choice when you want to get away from LA without committing to a long drive.
And that is the beauty of having LA as your starting point. Within a few hours, you can swap the city for the desert, the Central Coast or another completely different Southern California experience.
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