There are so many wonderful weekend getaways in Southern California! The region is incredibly diverse with mountain, desert, beach, and wine getaways just a short drive away.
You don’t have to get on a plane to feel like you’re in another country. Southern California is dotted with gorgeous, quaint destinations perfect for a weekend getaway from L.A. These easy, affordable road trips are all within a three-hour scenic drive (or ferry ride) of the city. Once you arrive at your destination, partake in things that Californians do best: beach-lounging, wine-drinking, hiking and dining. Oh and there’s some pretty good shopping and thrifting in the mix, too. Let these weekend getaways from L.A. be your roadmap to a magical world within SoCal.
From the stunning coastal vistas of Big Sur to the majestic beauty of Yosemite National Park and the exquisite vineyards of Napa Valley, California truly has it all.
Even as borders begin to open and international travel becomes ever-more feasible, many travelers would still rather stay closer to home. So it’s an ideal summer for a road trip. And with coronavirus restrictions across California lifted as of June 15, the state’s scenic roadways have never looked more appealing—making it ideal territory for day trips and more. Here are nine California weekend getaways within just a few hours’ drive of San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego.
There are more places in California for weekend escapes than you can hope to get on a list. The Golden State is full of fun things to do, no matter where you choose to go: desert, redwood forests, mountains, or coast.
But if you are looking to visit some of those incredible weekend getaway destinations that immediately come to mind when you think of California, you will find them in this round-up, with suggestions for the best things to do and places to stay.
If you’re interested in finding things to do or planning a weekend getaway that might be closer to your home, you can skip on over to browse weekend getaways in Northern California or find out what the best things to do are in Southern California.
1. Big Bear, California
Big Bear has been one of the most popular weekend getaways in Southern California for generations. My great grandfather built a cabin up near Big Bear Lake nearly 100 years ago and since then, word has definitely gotten out about this special place!
If SoCal residents want to enjoy snow, droves of them head up towards Big Bear after a winter storm. If you want to avoid a traffic jam, try to time your visit for mid-week.
We love skiing at Bear Mountain or Snow Summit, enjoy snow tubing at Magic Mountain, and joining snowshoeing tours with the folks at Big Bear Discovery Center.
When the snow is gone, Big Bear is still an ideal weekend getaway for those who want to enjoy some cool mountain air and walk among the pines. There are several hiking trails in the area.
The centerpiece of Big Bear is Big Bear Lake, and the summer is the perfect time to enjoy it. You can fish, rent a pontoon boat, coast around on a Wave Runner, or even paddle a stand-up paddleboard.
Big Bear made our list of the best California mountain towns. See what other spots made the list!
2. Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree should be on everyone’s bucket list. Only three hours from L.A., the magical national park offers a varied landscape full of its gnarled namesake trees and giant boulders to admire as you bike, hike or take a leisurely stroll. The stargazing is choice here—so long as there’s no full moon—and wild coyotes may even howl you to sleep if you plan an overnight camping trip. If you visit during a wet spring, head south to Pinto Basin to see colorful wildflowers in bloom.
Other notable attractions include Pappy & Harriet’s for lunch in a ghost town; the Integratron for a new-age sound bath; and the town of Joshua Tree itself, which offers unique hotels, a few tasty restaurants, some good thrifting and quirky public art.
3. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of the nation’s greatest treasures and is beloved for its massive granite monoliths and towering waterfalls.
This massive national park covers 748,542 acres and has over 750 miles of trails to explore for nature lovers and hardcore outdoor adventure seekers.
One of the best hikes in Yosemite is up to the top of the 2425-foot-tall Yosemite Falls, which offers unique vantage points of the falls along the way.
Hikers can also opt for a strenuous but rewarding trek up to Glacier Point for views of Half Dome or a leisurely stroll to mirror lake for a picnic by the water.
Without making a special trip to Sequoia National Park, visitors can get up close to the giant Sequoia trees, which are the largest in the world.
To make a stay in the national park extra special, rent one of the cabins near Yosemite, where you can enjoy a night of counting stars from the hot tub or curl up by the fire.
Yosemite is one of the best weekend trips in California for an opportunity to connect with nature at one of the state’s top outdoor destinations.
4. Napa Valley
There’s no way around it: It’s been a rough few years for Napa Valley. The pandemic’s toll on tourism was compounded by devastating wildfires that damaged some iconic hotels, took out others entirely, and wreaked havoc on winemakers during the all-important harvest season. But California is famously resilient, and Napa in particular is ready for your return.
Up in Calistoga, Solage Resort and Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection, has just completed a $30 million redesign featuring restyled suites and studios, appealing pool cabanas, and a new poolside restaurant, Picobar, with modern takes on Mexico City-style street food.
Don’t miss the natural mineral pools and mud baths down the road at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, which date back to 1952 and recently emerged from a full renovation that leans hard into its mid-century roots as a wellness destination.
There’s plenty new to visit down the valley, too. A few miles south, in St. Helena, taste your way through luscious Cabs at the striking new Faust Haus—you can’t miss the jet-black restored 1878 Victorian perched on a hillside above the valley. For an entirely different tasting experience, wine geeks can book an intimate tasting at Lang & Reed’s new St. Helena salon that specializes in Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc, varietals rarely given the spotlight in this region.
And take a break from wine at the California Brandy House; grape brandy has a rich history in the state, and well-priced flights in the stylish downtown Napa space include gems like the Germain-Robin XO. Grab dinner a few steps away at industry favorite Compline.
5. Monterey Peninsula
The Monterey Peninsula, on California’s Central Coast, is made up of several charming towns set close enough to each other that you can choose to take in highlights from each one, or spend a relaxed weekend in just one.
Monterey offers exceptional whale-watching, and a world-class aquarium. Go kayaking, admire the marine life, or explore the sites of the Monterey State Historic Park. Nearby Pebble Beach offers topnotch golf courses and the scenic 17-Mile Drive. In quiet and charming Pacific Grove, take in the spectacular water views from the Asilomar Coastal Trail, or enjoy kayaking and other water activities at scenic Lovers Point Park.
Tour the town’s quaint heritage homes and discover its many colorful murals. Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a gorgeous crescent-shaped sandy beach, perfect for strolling or sand play. In the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, wander the quaint cobblestone streets and browse the many boutiques and art galleries. Tour Carmel’s storybook cottages and enjoy farm-fresh cuisine. Nearby, Carmel Valley, and River Road in the Santa Lucia Mountains, have several picturesque vineyards where you can enjoy tastings with a view.
6. Calistoga
The northernmost town in Napa Valley is beautiful enough to take your breath away. Calistoga is the spa capital of Napa Valley, a charming small town with less pretense than some of its southern neighbors. You’ll find some interesting things in the area besides its visitor-friendly wineries, making it an excellent place to enjoy a “wine country” scenery but with different things to do while you look at it. It’s great for family outings, romantic getaways, and wine tasting.
7. Santa Barbara
Heading up the coast to Santa Barbara is definitely one of my favorite weekend getaways in Southern California. Why? The scenery, weather, and wine scene are hard to beat!
It is no surprise that celebrities like Oprah and Prince Harry call the region home. Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is a simply gorgeous place where the mountains meet the sea and the Mediterranean architecture reflects the region’s Spanish colonial roots.
Your visit to Santa Barbara should include some time at the beach, and East Beach is the city’s hub of activity. It is a popular spot for biking, sunbathing, kite flying, and water play.
It is also located adjacent to downtown as well as Stearns Wharf, a fun place to enjoy a drink and appetizers while taking in the waterfront.
Leadbetter Beach is a good spot to visit if you want to surf or boogieboard. Hendry’s Beach (aka: Arroyo Burro Beach) is the place to go if you want bring your dog along with you. Summerland Beach is a nice locale to relax and enjoy your own piece of paradise.
Downtown, you won’t want to miss Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail which has more than two dozen tasting rooms with wines from the area’s celebrated wine region.
You also won’t want to miss strolling the grounds of Mission Santa Barbara, known as the Queen of the Missions. It was founded in 1786 and the inspiration behind the city’s red-roofed architecture.
If shopping and window watching are your thing, spend time strolling down State Street and through Paseo Nuevo, admiring the shops along palm-lined streets. There is a free shopping trolley that will help you around the area.
The Santa Barbara Zoo is a great destination for animal lovers. It is small but beautiful and feeding giraffes with beach views can’t be beat!
8. Ojai
The cozy, pastoral town of Ojai is a close and beautiful bet for an easy L.A. getaway. Just an hour and a half northwest of many parts of the city, Ojai is a unique mix of old-school hippie healers and artists along with the new-school folks that are working to make that scene hip again.
Ojai’s microclimate means seemingly everything grows here, from olives and grapes to an abundance of citrus, so meals are super fresh and always reflect the season. The wine, too, is locally made and—as a bonus—brought right to you, with tasting rooms dotting the downtown strip and saving you the (sober) drive out to a vineyard. If you’re more outdoor-inclined, Ojai makes a great stop before or after a trip to Los Padres National Forest, just north of town.
9. Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth is located high in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains and offers two distinct seasons for a perfect getaway.
During the winter, Mammoth Ski Resort transitions into a winter wonderland with plenty of fresh powder for shredding the slopes. In fact, it’s one of the most beautiful mountains with snow in California.
There are even accommodations that have direct access to gondolas that will whisk skiers and snowboarders right to the top of the mountain.
When the warmer summer arrives, Mammoth becomes a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers, with 112 trails that traverse the scenic valleys and peaks.
10. Healdsburg
While each of Sonoma County’s small towns has its own appeal, there’s something especially charming about Healdsburg—and plenty of recent developments that merit a visit. Montage Healdsburg, stretching over 258 acres of oak forests and vineyards, is the county’s most impressive opening in years. Designed to highlight the region’s rustic beauty, its 130 rooms and suites all but disappear into the Sonoma landscape.
As for wineries, you’ve got access to world-class wine regions of the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley. Must-visits include the House of Flowers, where you’ll sip estate vineyard Pinot Noir under sleek cabanas; and the swank new tasting room at the Aperture Estate, specializing in cool-climate Bordeaux varietals, with spectacular views out onto the Russian River Valley.
Always a dining destination, Healdsburg’s newer culinary hits include bakery hotspot Quail & Condor, the impressive Asahi Sushi & Kitchen, and the phenomenal Hazel Hill up the road at the Montage; worth a drive even if you’re not booked in at the resort. Keep an eye out for more restaurant openings later this summer: long-anticipated tri-level The Matheson, from local talent Dustin Valette, and vegetarian restaurant Little Saint, from the team behind triple Michelin-starred SingleThread.
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