As a native Californian who has lived all over the state, I pretty much consider myself an expert on the golden state and have thoughtfully compiled a list of my personal favorite weekend getaways from Los Angeles. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and just need a quick, easy getaway to somewhere peaceful and calm, you’ve come to the right place! Each of these destinations is within a 4 hour drive of LA and offers charm and serenity that you won’t find in the city. Read on for the BEST weekend getaways from Los Angeles.
1. Palm Springs
Located less than 2 hours from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is at the top of my list for weekend getaways from LA! Palm Springs is one of my favorite places not just in California, but in the whole world! The gorgeous and dramatic landscape, desert vibes, and luxury accommodations give Palm Springs a truly magical feeling.
Whether you’re interested in hiking, golfing, shopping & dining, or just indulging at the spa all day, Palm Springs definitely has something for everyone. It also boasts a rich cultural & art scene and is home to many festivals, including Coachella!
One thing to note is that Palm Springs has year-round sunshine, but the summer months get HOT (up to 120 degrees!), so I recommend visiting between October and May.
2. Santa Barbara
Another incredible destination at the top of my list for the best weekend getaways from Los Angeles is none other than Santa Barbara. Perfectly situated along California’s central coast, around 2 hours from LA, Santa Barbara is incredibly special and is where I would want to live if I ever move back to California.
During a weekend trip in Santa Barbara, you can bask in the most stunning beaches in California, taste some of the best wine in the state, participate in superb outdoor recreational activities, shop til you drop in the beautiful boutiques, take in the Spanish architecture, enjoy a vibrant art scene, and experience perfect weather year-round.
3. San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is a very special place that has been my home-away-from-home since I was a kid. San Luis Obispo, located farther north along California’s central coast and around 3.5 hours from LA, makes for a fabulous weekend getaway from Los Angeles.
San Luis Obispo is known for its small-town charm and has been named the happiest city in America. San Luis Obispo is so unique because it boasts some of the best beauty in California but is not crowded or touristy like other destinations in the state. Visitors can enjoy soaking up the sunshine at Avila Beach, wine tasting in Paso Robles, indulging in the hot springs at the Avila Hot Springs, and hiking some of the most scenic trails in California.
4. Lake Arrowhead
One of the most uniquely awesome things about California is that you can go surfing and skiing in the same day. Lake Arrowhead is a beautiful winter wonderland that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of LA, but is only about an hour and a half drive away!
If you spend a weekend in Lake Arrowhead in the winter, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in a beautiful and picturesque mountain community. If you visit Lake Arrowhead in the summer, you can soak up the sunshine on the lake and go boating, fishing, or swimming. Lake Arrowhead is full of awesome outdoor recreational activities, offering something for everyone. I can’t think of a better way to escape LA than to curl up in a cozy cabin and watch the snow fall.
5. Solvang
Craving a trip to Europe but can’t swing the time or the expense right now? I gotchu– look no further than Solvang, California! Solvang is a charming and quaint Danish town in the Santa Ynez valley of California, located around 2.5 hours from LA. You can pretend you’re in Europe for the day and will feel like you’re literally across the world from LA!
Visitors of Solvang can indulge in the many delicious baked goods, enjoy wine country, soak up the lovely Danish architecture, participate in outdoor activities, or just enjoy the beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. Solvang is a truly delightful town and is a great way to escape LA for the day or for the weekend.
Takeaways
California has SO much to offer and these are just a few of my favorite weekend getaways from Los Angeles! I may do a part 2 of this series or provide more in-depth itineraries for the fabulous destinations I mentioned. If you enjoy the California content, you should read about our recent month-long stay in the golden state here! Stay tuned and as always, thank you for reading! 🙂
Xoxo
Jensen