Today I want to bring you my guide to the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter. From classic mountain destinations to coastal areas and sunny city escapes, there are lots of fun travel destinations to visit over the cooler months in California. Whether you want to go skiing or discover one of the best national parks the Golden State, there are lots of fun winter weekend getaways from LA you can take. Read on for my top picks. I’ve included a map, too.
Weekend Trips from Los Angeles in Winter
Having grown up in California, I’ve taken a lot of weekend trips around the state. From snowy jaunts to Mammoth to sunny getaways to San Diego, I’ve covered my home territory from north to south and east to west.
Doing so has allowed me to take a lot of the best winter weekend trips from Los Angeles. In fact, I never cease to be amazed by how many exciting destinations there are to discover in California during the cooler months.
Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun in SoCal, ski or snowboard in the Sierra Nevada, discover a national park, or explore a city, there’s no shortage of places you can escape to this season.
Tips for Winter Travel in California
Before booking your trip, it’s worth bearing in mind that some places can be particularly crowded in winter. This is especially true when it comes to ski resorts and dates that fall around Christmas, New Year’s Eve, winter break for schools, and public holidays like Martin Luther King Day and Presidents’ Day.
As such, it’s a good idea to book things like hotels well in advance. You can often get better rates and have a wider selection to choose from. You can see hotels and book a room here.
It’s also worth noting that some places can be completely closed for the season, or the roads can get snowed in. The former tends to happen in smaller destinations where summer is the high tourist season, and the latter is common with places in the mountains during particularly snowy winters.
In light of that, make sure to check what’s open and what road conditions are like before you book and travel.
1. Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is first on my list of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter. This coastal city in Southern California is known for its mild weather, beaches, shopping, and luxury hotels. There’s excellent food and plenty of wine tasting here, too.
Santa Barbara has a lot going on in winter. During the holidays there are festive workshops, markets, parades, theater and dance performances, and pop-up gift galleries, boutiques, and bars in town.
There’s also a walk-through light show called ZooLights at the Santa Barbara Zoo, and an annual Trolley of Lights Tour through the most festive neighborhoods in town.
If you’re visiting Santa Barbara for 2 days during winter break or outside of the holiday season, there’s still plenty for you to do on a weekend getaway from LA.
The seafood restaurants on Stearns Wharf, the murals in the Funk Zone, the tasting rooms along the Urban Wine Trail, the delicious stalls in the Santa Barbara Public Market, and the shopping downtown are just a few of the highlights.
If that all sounds good, it’s easy to get to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles. The drive takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, putting it firmly in road trip distance. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can go by rail. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train drops you off downtown, and the 2.5-hour journey offers scenic views along the Pacific Ocean.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in Santa Barbara here. There are lots of options throughout the area, from landmark hotels in the hills to beachfront apartments and more. I love staying at El Encanto. This luxurious hilltop hotel is one of the coolest places to stay in California. You can book a room here.
2. Palm Springs
Palm Springs is another of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter. I’ve always loved visiting this desert region in the cooler months. Not only is the weather milder than during the hot summers, but there’s also a lot going on here.
Palm Springs has excellent restaurants, renowned golf courses, mid-century modern architecture tours, the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world, and other things to enjoy throughout the year. But in winter there are added bonuses. One is the Palm Springs International Film Festival, which is held each January. I went once and I loved all the movies and events.
In late winter, you can go to the famous BNP Paribas Open in Coachella Valley. Taking place in early March at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, this annual tournament is the largest combined ATP Tour and WTA Tour two-week event in the world.
Add to that seasonal events like the drive-through Magic of Lights holiday experience, Indian Wells Winterfest, the Indio International Tamale Festival, and Modernism Week, and you can keep busy all season.
If that all sounds good to you, it’s easy to get to Palm Springs from LA. The drive takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending where you leave from and what traffic is like on the way. That makes it a great place to get away to for a winter weekend road trip.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in Palm Springs here. My top pick for a spot to call home is The Saguaro. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, this hip Coachella Valley boutique hotel is a colorful spot to spend a couple nights in the desert. You can book a room here.
3. Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is another of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in the cooler months. This otherworldly part of California is especially beautiful in winter light, and there’s no shortage of options for camping and hiking here.
There are lots of benefits of visiting Joshua Tree in winter. The weather is more pleasant in the cooler months than in the hot summer season. Daytime temperatures reach the mid-60s, and there’s still plenty of sunshine. The tourist crows are lower as well.
There are plenty of things to do and see in Joshua Tree in winter, too. Hiking is one of the most popular activities, and there are loads of trails to choose from. They include the Mastodon Peak Loop Trail, Ryan Mountain, and the Lost Palms Oasis Trail.
You can also go horseback riding, rock climbing, or take a guided tour while you’re visiting. They’re popular winter activities, not to mention unique ways to experience Joshua Tree.
If that all appeals to you, it’s easy to get to Joshua Tree from LA. The drive takes around 2.5 hours, depending where you leave from and what traffic is like along the way.
As far as places to stay go, you can book accommodation here. My top pick for a place to call home-away-from-home is Sacred Sands. This beautiful hotel has amazing views, and it’s right near the West Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park. You can book a room here.
4. Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes is another of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter. This area is known for offering a wide variety of outdoor activities in the colder months. You can go skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, and all kinds of other things while you’re here.
You can also see the lakes in Mammoth (it’s in the name, after all). From Mono Lake to the bodies of water along the famous June Lake Loop, there are lots that show off the natural beauty of the eastern Sierra Nevada.
There’s plenty to do in Mammoth during the holiday season if you’re visiting at the end of the year, too. From evening fireworks to kick off the festive period to Santa in the Village Plaza and colorful decorations, there’s a lot to get excited about.
If that all sounds like fun to you, you can fly or drive to get to Mammoth from LA. The drive takes around 5 hours, depending where you leave from and how traffic conditions are. If you fly to Mammoth, you can get there in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
From November 26, 2025 through April 27, 2026, Advanced Airlines is offering flights from Hawthorne-LA (HHR) to the Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH). Flights are on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 9am. There’s a free shuttle from LAX to Hawthorne if you’re flying into LAX first (you’ll need to reserve it in advance).
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a hotel in Mammoth Lakes here. I’ve stayed at The Village Lodge at Mammoth, and I loved that it was located right in the heart of the area. If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can book a room here.
5. San Diego
If LA doesn’t have enough sun for you, San Diego is another of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter. I spent a winter living here when I was in college, and I loved how nice the weather was.
San Diego is an ideal place for a winter getaway if you like good weather and great beaches in equal measure. From Del Mar to Mission Beach, there are amazing stretches of sand for sunbathing, surfing, and water activities.
But there’s more to San Diego than just sun and sand. You can do a tour or a bar crawl in the Gaslamp Quarter, go sightseeing on a harbor cruise, eat delicious Mexican food in Pacific Beach, paraglide in Torrey Pines, shop in La Jolla, and more.
If you love culture and history, you can explore the museums in Balboa Park, visit Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, or tour the USS Midway. And if you enjoy seeing animals, the San Diego Zoo is famous, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is worth a trip.
The drive from LA to San Diego is around 2 hours (depending where you start and end), so it’s an easy road trip getaway for a couple days.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in San Diego here. My favorite is the Andaz. This lifestyle boutique hotel in the buzzing Gaslamp Quarter is in a great location near the historic Balboa Theatre. It also features a rooftop pool and beautiful guest rooms. When I stayed at the Andaz I loved the decor and atmosphere. You can book a room here.
6. Ojai
Next on my list of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter is Ojai. Situated northwest of LA in Ventura County, it’s nestled in a valley in the Topatopa Mountains. Popular with people seeking spiritual experiences, it’s known for everything from meditation retreats to New Age shops.
Winter is a great time to visit Ojai because daytime temperatures are mild and there are great outdoor activities to enjoy. From hiking to mountain biking, horseback riding, tennis, and golf, there’s no shortage of things to do. You can even go on a jeep tour.
If you like to go at a more leisurely pace, you can spend time shopping, gallery hopping, and dining while you’re visiting. The city center is fun to walk around, and there’s lots to discover.
Then there are the spas. They’re perfect places to hole up in winter, and they offer plenty of treatments to choose from. Whether you want a massage or a communal treatment with self-applied desert clays, there’s something for you.
If this sounds like your kind of winter getaway, it’s easy to drive to Ojai from LA. It takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending where you start from and what road congestion is like on the way.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in Ojai here. My top pick is the famous Ojai Valley Inn. This place has been named one of the best resorts worldwide, and it has an amazing spa. You can book a room here.
7. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is another popular winter weekend getaway from Los Angeles. It’s fun to visit and spend time soaking up the mild climate and island vibes.
As an added bonus, the crowds aren’t as big as they are during the peak summer season and there are better deals on accommodation and dining. While some things are closed for the season, it’s much more cost-effective to visit in the cooler months.
There’s a lot you can do and see on Catalina Island in winter, too. From outdoor activities like the Garden to Sky Hike to shopping, dining, spas, museums, adventure tours, and boating, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy your time here during the cooler months.
Temperatures average around 60 to 65 degrees in winter, and you can still go in the water if you wear a wetsuit (or you’re brave enough to swim in the 60-degree ocean). Whether you want to go snorkeling, diving, or stand-up paddle boarding, there’s something for everyone here.
If that all sounds good, you can take the ferry to Avalon or Two Harbors from LA. The Catalina Express offers a year-round boat service to Catalina Island from San Pedro and Long Beach.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay here. There are plenty of options to choose from, including hotels, house rentals, and B&Bs. I’ve had a great stay at the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel. It has beautiful rooms and sweeping views over Avalon. You can book a room here.
8. Santa Ynez Valley
In Santa Barbara County, the Santa Ynez Valley is another great winter getaway from Los Angeles. Situated between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the San Rafael Mountains, this part of California is known for its award-winning vineyards and wineries, charming towns, and beautiful scenery.
Visiting the Santa Ynez Valley in winter is great because the weather is cooler than in the summer months, the crowds are fewer, and the wine tastings are easier to book.
There are lots of popular places to visit in the Santa Ynez Valley. The one most people know is Solvang, a Danish-inspired town with whimsical architecture, windmills, fun shops, and a range of places to eat and drink.
Others include Santa Ynez with its pretty main street, Los Olivos with its plethora of wine tasting rooms, Buellton where parts of the movie Sideways were filmed, Ballard, and Los Alamos. They’re fun places to go wine tasting and enjoy the excellent restaurants the area is known for.
If this trip appeals, you can drive to the Santa Ynez Valley from LA in around 2.5 hours, depending where you depart from and arrive at and what traffic is like when you travel. It’s a great road trip destination.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay here. My top pick is the Vinland Hotel and Lounge in Solvang. When I stayed, I loved the contemporary decor and location in walking distance of the heart of town. You can book a room here.
9. Big Bear
Big Bear is next on my list of weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter. Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, this place is popular with those seeking snow-driven adventure sports like skiing and snowboarding.
Right on Big Bear Lake, most visitors come here in the winter to go to ski resorts like Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. They’re particularly popular with families and beginners, as the slopes tend to be more gentle than in other California winter destinations like Mammoth and Lake Tahoe.
Beyond the pistes, there are plenty of popular winter activities in Big Bear. These include snowshoeing, tubing, ziplining, Segway tours, sledding, outdoor scavenger hunts, toboggan runs, snow play areas, helicopter rides, off-roading, and horseback riding.
If you want to stay inside and out of the cold, Big Bear has spas, yoga, and other wellness activities on offer. And that’s to say nothing of the dining and apres ski offerings at the ski resorts and around Pine Knot Ave.
If this sounds like your kind of winter escape, it’s easy to drive to Big Bear from LA. It takes around 2.5 hours to get here, depending where your start and end points are and what traffic is like along the way.
When it comes to accommodation, you can book a place to stay in Big Bear here. My top pick is N + P. The cabins and lodges here feature cool contemporary mountain design and rustic-chic ambiance. You can book a room here.
10. San Francisco
Next on my list of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter is San Francisco. The City by the Bay is a great place to visit during the cooler months, not least because the weather can be warmer in February than July.
Furthermore, SF goes all-out for the holiday season. It’s the ideal place to get into the festive spirit if you visit San Francisco in December. Highlights include the giant Christmas tree and ice skating rink in Union Square, the puppies and kittens in the windows of Macy’s, The Nutcracker ballet at the War Memorial Opera House, and the twinkling tree in the dome at Neiman Marcus.
Add to that seasonal bars and pop-ups, the gingerbread house at the Fairmont Hotel, the sugar castle at the Westin St. Francis hotel, the decorations in Ghirardelli Square, The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace, and the Christmas tree and afternoon tea offerings at the Palace Hotel, and there’s a lot to love about San Francisco during the festive season.
Even if you’re not visiting during the holiday season, San Francisco is a great winter weekend getaway from LA. The tourist crowds are fewer in popular areas like Fisherman’s Wharf, and it’s easier to get tickets for sell-out attractions like Alcatraz. If you want more ideas, my 2-day San Francisco itinerary can help.
If that all sounds good to you, you can fly to SFO from LAX in under an hour and a half. That makes it easy to spend a weekend in San Francisco.
As far as accommodation goes, you can book a place to stay in San Francisco here. There are plenty of options, from bayfront hotels to apartments with views. I like staying at Hotel Triton. It’s in an ideal location by Union Square and I love the decor. You can book a room here.
11. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is another of my top picks for weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter. This mountain destination in the Sierra Nevada is popular year-round, and snow makes it the perfect place to travel in the colder months.
Most people visit Tahoe to ski or snowboard. Whether you go to Palisades, Northstar, Sugar Bowl, Heavenly, or elsewhere, there are lots of options. From beginner slopes to challenging terrain, there’s something for every ability level.
If you’re not into skiing or snowboarding, there are still plenty of things to do in Lake Tahoe in winter. From snowshoeing to sledding and cross-country skiing, there are lots of winter activities you can do.
If you’d prefer to stay indoors, there’s no shortage of great spas, shops, restaurants, and bars. From Tahoe City to Truckee and the ski resorts, you’ll be spoiled for choice. And that’s to say nothing of the apres ski scene.
If that all appeals to you, you can get to Tahoe from LA by flying to Reno. The flight from LAX takes an hour and a half, making it quick and straightforward to get here.
As far as accommodation goes, you can book a place to stay in Tahoe here. There are lots of great options, from hotels to lodges, condos, lakefront cabins, and more. I love staying at Palisades. The lodge is great, the condos are spacious, and there are lots of activities on offer. You can book a room here.
Map of Winter Weekend Trips from LA
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the winter getaways from LA on my list. You can see it here. If you click on the pins, you can find more information and my relevant blog posts about each one I’ve written about.
Winter Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter, and that it’s inspired you to get out and explore more of the Golden State. There are lots of exciting places to visit during the cooler months, and winter is a fun time to vacation here.
If you want more ideas for seasonal escapes in California, you can take a look at my blog post about winter weekend trips from San Francisco. Happy travels!
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