You don’t have to get on a plane to feel like you’re in another country. Los Angeles is dotted with gorgeous, quaint destinations perfect for a weekend getaway from Los Angeles. 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.
One of the best parts about living in a place like LA is the abundance of quick getaway locales that are at your fingertips. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat to the desert, a tasting experience in wine country, or a hiking trip in the mountains, SoCal residents have access to so many incredible escapes from the city. Los Angeles is certainly a great place to visit or live, but sometimes you just need to get out of town. The city’s many freeways can take you to a wide variety of getaway destinations, many within just a few hours.
Living in Los Angeles means being a mere two-hour drive from the desert, wine country and some of SoCal’s most coveted beach towns. While the city itself has plenty to offer, being able to escape the hustle and bustle (and traffic) of LA is, on occasion, a must. Thankfully, luxe accommodations, premier restaurants and breathtaking landscapes surround the city in nearly every direction. Simply hop in the car, put on your favorite podcast and get ready to explore the five best places for a weekend getaway from LA.
Los Angelenos like to point out how easy it is to get out of the city and into a totally different environment. “You can be on the beach in the morning and skiing in the mountains that afternoon,” or something similar is often heard. And it’s true. Freeways, trains, planes, and even helicopters can transport you miles away — and then back to the city by Monday morning for the perfect weekend getaway from L.A. Just a few hours north or south, wine regions offer tastings, tours, and vineyard views.
You can leave the mainland for an island escape and hike up grassy hills to see a herd of bison, or bask in the desert sun during the day and party on the Las Vegas Strip at night. Beaches, rocky shores, hiking trails, spas, and entertainment are all there for those looking for a rejuvenating getaway. Here’s a look at 11 of our favorite weekend trips from Los Angeles.
1. Temecula
You don’t have to go all the way to Napa Valley for award-winning wineries. About 85 miles southeast from the City of Angels, the wineries of Temecula Valley produce more than 50 varietals of wine; this year-round vacation destination pours plenty of craft beers and spirits too. Temecula is also home to a charming Old Town, farm-to-table cuisine, relaxing spas, the massive Pechanga Resort Casino, hot air ballooning and more. The ever-evolving culinary scene, small-town atmosphere, and outdoor recreation and entertainment in Temecula Valley culminate in a spirited destination inspired by the vine. Leave the kids at home for a romantic getaway with your partner in SoCal wine country.
The charming Ponte Vineyard Inn is located in the heart of Temecula Valley, surrounded by nearly 300 acres of mature vineyards and views of rolling hills. During your weekend trip, visit the inn’s on-site wine tasting rooms or hop in a motorcycle sidecar for a tour of other nearby wineries, such as Altisima Winery, Fazeli Cellars or Akash Winery.
2. San Diego
San Diego is a three-hour drive from Los Angeles and offers beautiful weather year-round plus an amazing range of things to see and do. The downtown area, especially the revitalized Gaslamp District, has a thriving restaurant scene, some great music venues, and many interesting retail stores.
Just two hours south of Los Angeles and a few miles north of Mexico, San Diego’s warm, sunny weather makes it the perfect destination for sun worshipers craving a lazy beach day or an afternoon on the water surfing, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, or fishing. For a little culture, spend a full day (and then some) at the 1,200-acre Balboa Park — home to the San Diego Zoo and several museums, gardens, restaurants, and theaters. The WorldBeat Cultural Center offers classes and live music that promotes, preserves, and showcases Indigenous cultures of the world, while the Comic-Con Museum entertains with exhibits celebrating comic book heroes, arcade games and a special Hall of Fame honoring characters like PacMan, Wonder Woman, and Spider-Man.
After a day of exploring, head to Little Italy or the Gaslamp Quarter for dinner — at Taka, for instance, you’ll find fresh fish and a classic sushi menu. End the night under the stars at a rooftop bar or catch a baseball game at Petco Park, then settle in at one of the city’s top hotels. The InterContinental San Diego is located right on the waterfront, the Gaslamp Quarter’s Pendry San Diego will put you in the middle of all the action, and the pet-friendly Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island is hard to beat.
3. Laguna Beach
Enjoy the iconic SoCal experience when you embark on a weekend getaway to Laguna Beach. There’s no sugarcoating it—the beaches in Laguna are far superior to the ones you’ll find in LA. The water is clearer, the sand is cleaner and the shoreline is immaculate. For a luxe boutique hotel to call home for the weekend, Hotel Joaquin is a modern, surf-inspired accommodation that offers ocean views from every window on the property. Those who want to stay directly on the water will love waking up at the oceanfront Surf & Sand Resort. However, when it comes to tried and true luxury, the celeb-adored Montage Laguna Beach is a five-star resort that sits on 30 acres of pristine coastline.
After a day of tanning by the pool or catching waves at the beach, grab a table at Nick’s Laguna Beach for a classic steak and wine dinner in the downtown area of this charming beach town. Prefer an ocean view? Head to The Deck at sunset and indulge in an elevated seafood tower and local halibut ceviche. During low tide, find the iconic Pirate Tower at Victoria Beach and take a dip in the man-made pool or make the most of a sunrise beachwalk at Crystal Cove State Park.
Though it’s such a short distance away from the city, Orange County is a true gem when it comes to a picture perfect day at the beach. From the quaintest, laidback restaurants and shops that line the pristine coastline, to the seemingly perfect waves that barrel in for the surfers, Laguna Beach is a haven for Angelenos looking for a quick escape to paradise.
4. Santa Ynez Valley, Los Angeles
The stress of city living melts away driving down the oak tree-lined driveway at Alisal Guest Ranch (from $550 per night), where rooms are furnished with just the right amount of country Western kitsch, including wood-burning fireplaces, Pendleton blankets, and vintage cowboy paintings. The sprawling grounds are the perfect spot for socially distanced strolling, but if you’re really itching for the Old West, make sure to book a horseback ride through the iconic rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Each ride ends with a hilltop breakfast that includes the finest flapjacks west of the Mississippi. The best part is, you’re just a quick jaunt to Los Alamos, where you can pick up bottles from local winemakers like Lo-Fi and Casa Dumetz, and enjoy a meal from critically acclaimed Bell’s, wine country’s most rightfully talked about restaurant.
5. Rosarito Beach
For an authentic Mexican getaway, why not take a drive down to Rosarito Beach in Mexico? It’s about three hours from Los Angeles by car, only about 15 minutes farther than Tijuana. This beach resort has a wide, large beach and a good selection of tourist hotels. It has delicious, authentic Mexican food with amazing fresh seafood. For a fun side trip, visit Baja Studios, where they filmed Titanic, and stop by the small fishing village of Puerto Nuevo.
To get to Rosarito, it’s best to park on the U.S. side of the border (there’s a large parking lot), walk across into Mexico, and take a taxi or request a rideshare car. Most rental car policies prohibit taking the car into Mexico, and most American auto insurance policies do not apply here. There is a row of taxis waiting right on the Mexican side of the pedestrian border crossing, and the fare is about $30 per carload (not per person) right to Rosarito Beach.
The Rosarito Beach Hotel is an iconic property, the area’s original resort hotel. Most visitors prefer rooms in the new condo wing, rather than the historic original building, which was built in the 1930s. It’s right on the beach, in the center of town. The 500-room mega-resort offers the usual range of amenities, a private beach, several swimming pools and hot tubs, a fitness center, a spa, and a few different on-property dining options.
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