Today I want to bring you my guide to the best weekend trips from Los Angeles. From beautiful mountains to coastal areas and sunny city escapes, there are plenty of fun travel destinations in the Golden State. Whether you want to relax on an island beach or explore one of the most famous national parks in California, there are lots of exciting weekend getaways from Los Angeles you can take. Read on for my top picks. I’ve included a map, too.
Weekend Trips from Los Angeles
Having grown up in California, I’ve done lots of weekend trips around the Golden State. From exciting escapes to San Diego to snowy jaunts to Mammoth and wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley, I’ve covered my home territory from east to west and north to south.
In doing so, I’ve discovered many of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles. In fact, I never cease to be amazed by how many exciting destinations there are to discover in California in a couple days.
Whether you want to soak up the sun in SoCal, enjoy an island escape, discover a national park, or explore a city, there’s a variety of places you can get away to.
Tips for Weekend Travel in California
Before booking your trip, it’s worth bearing in mind that some places can be particularly crowded on weekends. This is especially true when it comes to public holidays, school vacations, and peak seasonal periods.
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 a range of California hotels and book a room here.
It’s also worth noting that some places can be completely closed during certain seasons, or roads can be closed due to weather conditions or natural disasters. The former tends to happen in national parks, while the latter is common in places like Big Sur. 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. This coastal city in Southern California is known for its sunny weather, sandy beaches, great shopping, and luxury hotels. There are excellent restaurants and lots of wine tasting here, too.
There’s plenty to do in downtown Santa Barbara in a weekend. The seafood on Stearns Wharf, the tasting rooms along the Urban Wine Trail, the colorful murals in the Funk Zone, the food stalls in the Santa Barbara Public Market, and the great boutiques on State Street are just a few of the highlights.
And that’s to say nothing of the amazing beaches, museums and cultural sites like the historic mission, cycle routes along the waterfront, and Channel Islands National Park. If you like the water, you can go parasailing, surfing, kayaking, sailing, or stand-up paddle boarding, too.
If you want more guidance, take a look at my itinerary for 2 days in Santa Barbara. It will give you plenty of ideas for things to do downtown and elsewhere in Santa Barbara County (more on the latter below).
If all that appeals, it’s easy to get to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles. The drive takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes (depending where you start from and what traffic is like), putting it firmly in road trip distance. If you don’t want to drive, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train goes right downtown. The 2.5-hour journey has views along the Pacific Ocean, too.
If you need a place to stay, you can book accommodation in Santa Barbara here. There are lots of options in and around the city, from secluded hotels in the hills to beachfront apartment rentals and more. I love staying at El Encanto. This hilltop hotel is one of the coolest places to stay in California. You can book a room here.
2. Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes is another of my favorite weekend trips from Los Angeles. This place is known for skiing and snowboarding in the colder months and a wide variety of outdoor activities in the warmer ones. No matter what time of year you visit, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
One of my top picks for things to do in Mammoth is see the lakes (it’s in the name, after all). From Mono Lake to the bodies of water along the beautiful June Lake Loop, there are lots that show off the natural beauty of the eastern Sierra Nevada.
If you like history, you can visit the ghost town of Bodie while you’re visiting Mammoth (just check if it’s open in the winter, as the road often closes due to snow). It’s a unique spot to dig into California’s Gold Rush past and see what life was like in this part of the Golden State in the olden days.
Depending what time of year you’re visiting, you can also go fishing, hike on the Panorama Dome Trail or Duck Lake Trail, bike along the paved cycle paths around the Mammoth Lakes Basin, visit Devils Postpile National Monument and Rainbow Falls, take in the view from Minaret Vista, or admire the geothermal vents bubbling up in Hot Creek.
If that all sounds good to you, you can fly or drive to get to Mammoth from Los Angeles. The drive takes around 5 hours, depending where you leave from and what traffic is like. If you fly to Mammoth, you can get there in 1 hour and 20 minutes (flights are seasonal).
As far as where to stay goes, you can book a hotel in Mammoth Lakes here. I’ve stayed at The Village Lodge at Mammoth, and I loved that it was situated right in the heart of the area. If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can book your room here.
3. Palm Springs
Palm Springs is another of my top picks for weekend getaways from Los Angeles. I’ve always loved visiting this city in the Sonoran Desert, especially in the cooler months. Not only is the weather milder than during the hot summers, but there’s also a lot going on here.
No matter when you visit, Palm Springs has great restaurants, mid-century modern architecture tours, the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world, plenty of golf courses, fun water parks, and other things to enjoy throughout the year.
Add to that great shopping along Palm Canyon Drive, hot springs, spas, museums, and a botanical garden, and you’re spoiled for choice. If that’s not enough, the Coachella Valley has plenty of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails.
There are lots of great events in Palm Springs throughout the year, too. You can time your trip to coincide with the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, the BNP Paribas Open in March, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April, and other annual highlights.
If all that appeals, it’s easy to get to Palm Springs from Los Angeles. The drive takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending where you leave from and what traffic conditions are like. That makes it a great place to get away to for a weekend road trip.
When it comes to places to stay, you can book accommodation in Palm Springs here. My top pick for a spot to call home-away-from-home is The Saguaro. Surrounded by rugged mountains, this stylish Coachella Valley hotel is a colorful place to spend a couple nights in the desert. You can book a room here.
4. Ojai
Ojai is another of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles. Northwest of LA in Ventura County, this place is nestled in a valley in the Topatopa Mountains. It’s a popular destination for people who seek spiritual experiences, and it’s known for everything from New Age shops to meditation retreats.
Ojai offers a lot of great outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. From hiking to mountain biking, tennis, horseback riding, and golf, there are plenty of things to do. You can even go on a jeep tour.
If you like to go at a more relaxed pace, you can go shopping, gallery hopping, and experience some of Ojai’s best restaurants while you’re here. The city center is fun to walk around, and there’s no shortage of things to discover.
Then come the spas. They’re ideal places to let go of the stress of city life, and they offer a variety of treatments and experiences for guests. Whether you’re interested in an indulgent massage or a communal treatment with self-applied desert clays, there’s something you’ll love.
If this sounds like your kind of 2-day escape, it’s easy to drive from Los Angeles to Ojai. The trip takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending where you start from and what traffic is like along the way.
If you need a place to stay while you’re visiting, you can book accommodation in Ojai here. My top pick for a place to rest your head is the famous Ojai Valley Inn. It’s been named one of the best resorts worldwide, and it has an amazing spa. If that appeals, you can book your room here.
5. San Diego
If there’s not enough sun in LA for you, San Diego is another of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles. I lived here for a while when I was in college, and I loved everything about this beachfront city.
San Diego is the perfect place for a weekend getaway from LA if you like good weather and great beaches in equal measure. From Del Mar to Mission Beach, there are beautiful stretches of sand for surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, sunbathing, and other activities.
There’s more to San Diego than just sun and sand, though, and if you already get enough of that in Los Angeles you’ll find plenty to do here. The city offers everything from fun bar crawls in the Gaslamp Quarter to scenic harbor cruises, cute boutiques in La Jolla, delicious Mexican food in Pacific Beach, paragliding and golf in Torrey Pines, and more.
If you’re into history and culture, you can go to Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, visit the museums in Balboa Park, or tour the USS Midway. And if you love seeing animals, the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are both worth a trip.
If all that sounds good, the drive to San Diego from Los Angeles is around 2 hours (depending where you start and end and how traffic is), so it’s an easy road trip escape 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 Gaslamp Quarter is in a central location near the historic Balboa Theatre. It also has a rooftop pool and great guest rooms. When I stayed at the Andaz I loved the decor and atmosphere. You can book a room here.
6. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is another popular weekend getaway from Los Angeles. It’s fun to visit any time of year to soak up the sunny climate and island vibes.
There’s a lot you can do and see on Catalina Island in a couple days. From outdoor activities like the Garden to Sky Hike to dining, spas, shopping, museums, and adventure tours, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your time here.
If you like getting onto (or into) the water, you can swim, snorkel, fish, and more. Places like the Descanso Beach Club are perfect for soaking up the sun on the sand, too.
If you need more inspiration, my Catalina itinerary will show you lots of ideas. From restaurants to beaches and bars, it has plenty of inspiration. You can watch my YouTube video about the best things to do in Catalina, too.
If that all sounds good, you can take the ferry to Avalon or Two Harbors from Los Angeles. The Catalina Express offers a year-round boat service to Catalina Island from San Pedro and Long Beach, so you can go whenever you want to.
If you need a place to stay, you can book accommodation on Catalina here. There are lots of options to choose from, including hotels, house rentals, and B&Bs. I’ve enjoyed a fun stay at the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel. It has beautiful guest rooms and sweeping views over Avalon. You can book a room here.
7. Santa Ynez Valley
Back in Santa Barbara County, the Santa Ynez Valley is another of the best weekend getaways from Los Angeles. Situated between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the San Rafael Mountains, this part of California is famous for its award-winning wineries, fun towns, and bucolic scenery.
There are lots of popular places to visit in the Santa Ynez Valley. The most famous is Solvang, a Danish-inspired town with whimsical architecture, windmills, delicious bakeries, fun shops, and a range of places to eat and drink.
Others include Santa Ynez with its picturesque main street, Los Olivos with its abundance of wine tasting rooms, Buellton where parts of the movie Sideways were filmed, Los Alamos with its hipster vibe, and Ballard. They’re fun places to shop, explore, and enjoy the great restaurants the area is known for.
If you want more inspiration, you can check out my itinerary for a weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley. It will show you the highlights of the area, from local towns to wine tasting, restaurants, shopping, and hotels. I’ve also published a Sideways wine tour that will show you places from the movie.
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’re on the road. It’s an ideal destination for a weekend escape.
As far as accommodation goes, you can book a place to stay here. My top pick for a weekend is The Genevieve in Santa Ynez. When I stayed, I loved the beautiful decor, great restaurant, and location in the heart of town. If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can book a room here.
8. Big Bear
Big Bear is another of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles. Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains on Big Bear Lake, this place is known for skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking and water activities in summer.
In the winter, most visitors come to go to ski resorts like Big Bear Mountain Resort. It’s particularly popular with families and beginners, as the slopes tend to be more gentle than in places like Mammoth and Lake Tahoe. You can also go snowshoeing, tubing, ziplining, sledding, off-roading, and horseback riding.
In the summer, you can hike in the San Bernardino National Forest, go on a jeep tour, swim, golf, bike, boat, kayak, and do other fun things on and around the lake. There are also adrenaline-fueled activities like ziplining, waterskiing, off-roading, jet skiing, and mountain biking on offer.
No matter what time of year you visit, Big Bear has spas, yoga, and other wellness activities on offer. And that’s to say nothing of the shopping in the village and the dining and nightlife offerings around Pine Knot Ave.
If this sounds like your kind of weekend escape, it’s easy to drive from Los Angeles to Big Bear. 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 places to stay, you can book accommodation in Big Bear here. My top pick for a place to call home-away-from-home is NP Boutique Lodge. The cabins and lodges here have rustic-chic ambiance and contemporary mountain design. You can book a room here.
9. San Luis Obispo County
Another of my favorite weekend trips from Los Angeles is San Luis Obispo County. From coastal spots like Avila Beach to inland areas like Paso Robles, there’s no shortage of exciting places to visit here.
Whether you’re a sun worshipper, a culture vulture, or a wine aficionado, SLO County has something for you. If you love sand, Pismo Beach is famous. If you’re into history, Hearst Castle is a must. And if vineyards call your name, there are great places to sip and savor in Paso.
And that’s to say nothing of local towns and cities that are worth a special trip. Cambria is a gem. From its great restaurants to its fun shops and historic bars, there’s a lot to love about this place. If you want something bigger, downtown Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo are just the places for you.
Other unique features of this part of the Central Coast are the night light displays at Sensorio and the elephant seals in San Simeon. If you want more ideas, my itinerary for a long weekend on the Central Coast has lots of inspiration.
If all that appeals, you can easily drive from Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo for a weekend. The trip takes around 3.5 hours, depending where you leave from and how much traffic there is en route.
If you need a place to stay while you’re visiting, I recommend the Inn at the Cove in Pismo Beach. I’ve had a great time calling this place home-away-from-home. I loved the decor of the rooms, the stunning Pacific Ocean views, and the sandy cove below the hotel. If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can book a room here.
10. Orange County
Orange County is another of the most popular weekend trips from Los Angeles. Given its proximity to LA and its great beaches, this part of SoCal is a favorite with locals and visitors alike. It’s an ideal destination for families and a fun place for couples, groups, and other travelers.
There are plenty of exciting things to do and places to explore while you’re in Orange County. Whether you go to Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar State Beach Park, or somewhere else entirely, there are lots of options in this part of the Golden State.
If you visit Laguna Beach, you can go to the tide pools, have a picnic at Treasure Island Park, visit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, snorkel at Divers Cove, or take in the sunset from Crescent Bay Park.
If you don’t want to spend your whole time at the beach, there are plenty of other things to do in Orange County as well. Theme parks like Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Adventure City are popular places for kids of all ages to visit.
There are fun events going on throughout the year in Orange County, too. From the annual Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach to the extravagant seasonal displays and Ring of Lights decorating competition during the holiday season, there are reasons to visit all year long.
If this sounds like your kind of place, you can book a place to stay in Orange County here. There’s a variety to choose from, including beachfront apartments, hotels, and house rentals. My top pick is The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach. With a Tuscan feel, it overlooks the Pacific Ocean and features a range of bungalows and villas. You can book your stay here.
11. Big Sur
Big Sur is next on my list of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles. It numbers among the most popular places to travel in the Golden State because the natural beauty here is unparalleled. The coastal scenery draws visitors from all over the world, and there are great hotels and restaurants in the area.
Whether you want to hike in Andrew Molera State Park, photograph the iconic Bixby Bridge, settle in for a sunset dinner at Post Ranch Inn or Nepenthe, take in the views of McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, surf the waves, or soak up the scene, there are plenty of ways to spend your time on this part of the Central Coast.
If you need more inspiration, you can take a look at my Big Sur itinerary. It has all kinds of things to do and see along this iconic stretch of Highway 1. Just make sure to check for road closures before you plan your visit, as landslides can often cause damage on this part of the California Coast.
If you want to, you can extend your trip and combine it with a visit to some equally famous areas nearby. My Big Sur, Carmel, and Monterey itinerary has lots of ideas for you. If you have more time, Santa Cruz and Capitola are just up the coast and they’re easy to get to as well.
If all that appeals, you can drive from Los Angeles to Big Sur for a weekend getaway. The trip takes around 4.5 hours, depending where you leave from and how much traffic there is on the way.
If this sounds like your kind of escape, you can book accommodation in Big Sur here. Whether you want to go camping, glamping, or stay at a hotel in Big Sur, there’s a range of options for every style and budget. I’ve stayed everywhere from Treebones Resort to Glen Oaks and Deetjen’s, and they’ve all been great.
12. Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park is another of the best weekend getaways from LA. This otherworldly part of California is beautiful, and there’s no shortage of options for getting outdoors here.
Given the desert heat, it’s best to visit Joshua Tree in the cooler months. The weather is more pleasant in the winter, spring, and fall than in the hot summer season. The tourist crows can be fewer depending when you visit as well. I consider this one of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles in winter.
Once you’re here, there are plenty of things to do and see in Joshua Tree. Hiking is one of the most popular activities, and there are plenty of trails to choose from. They include the Mastodon Peak Loop Trail, the Lost Palms Oasis Trail, and Ryan Mountain.
You can also go horseback riding, rock climbing, or take a guided tour while you’re visiting. They’re popular activities, not to mention unique ways to experience Joshua Tree National Park.
If that all sounds good to you, it’s easy to get to Joshua Tree from LA. The drive takes around 2 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 in Joshua Tree here. My top pick for a place to call home-away-from-home is Sacred Sands. This hotel has amazing views, and it’s right near the West Entrance of the national park. You can book a room here.
13. San Francisco
Next on my list of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles is San Francisco. The City by the Bay is a great place to visit if you love everything from great views to delicious food and fun waterfront activities.
There’s a lot to do in San Francisco in a weekend. From scenic bay cruises to sell-out attractions like Alcatraz, SF offers plenty to entertain visitors. If you want to stay on land, you can visit Golden Gate Park, cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, drive down the crooked stretch of Lombard Street, or ride a cable car up and over the city’s famous hills.
If you’ve been to SF before, you can live like a local and do one of my free self-guided walking tours in San Francisco. Whether you want to see secret stairways in Telegraph Hill, famous mansions in Pacific Heights, or beautiful scenery in the Marina, there’s a walk for you.
If you want more ideas, my 2-day San Francisco itinerary can help. It will show you a range of things to see and do in SF in a weekend. From Ghirardelli Square to North Beach, Chinatown, the famous sea lions in Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Mission, it has it all.
If that sounds good to you, you can fly to SFO from LAX in under 90 minutes. 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 a great location near Union Square and I love the decor. You can book a room here.
14. Death Valley
Next on my list of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles is Death Valley National Park. This famous below-sea-level basin is a land of extremes, and it’s a popular place to visit.
You’ll want to make sure to go to Death Valley in the cooler months. This place has the hottest recorded temperatures on Earth, after all. It’s a lot more pleasant to visit in the winter, spring, and fall than in the scorching summers.
Whenever you choose to come here, you’ll love Death Valley if you’re a fan of the outdoors. The moon-like landscapes and mountains give the place an otherworldly feel. It’s a great place to see wildflowers if you visit when they’re in bloom, too.
There are plenty of famous spots to see in Death Valley. From Titus Canyon to the lowest point in North America at the salt flats in Badwater Basin, you’re spoiled for choice. And that’s to say nothing of hiking along Telescope Peak Trail and seeing Devil’s Golf Course and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
If that all appeals, you can drive from LA to Death Valley. The trip takes around 4 hours, depending where you leave from and what traffic is like.
If you want to visit, you can book a place to stay in Death Valley here. There’s a lot of accommodation on offer, from camping to lodges. My top pick is The Inn at Death Valley. Situated inside the national park, this place dates back to 1927 and it has a spring-fed pool for guests to enjoy. You can book a room here.
15. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is another of the best weekend trips from Los Angeles. Located near King’s Canyon in the Sierra Nevada mountains, this place is famous for its gigantic trees (it’s in the name, after all).
Most visitors come to Sequoia National Park to see highlights like the General Sherman Tree, the subterranean Crystal Cave, the Tunnel Tree, and Moro Rock. The park is also known for its mountains, foothills, and canyons.
There’s excellent hiking here and lots of outdoor activities to do. Whether you want to drive around and take in the views, climb Moro Rock, have a picnic, check out the visitor center, walk through the Giant Forest, or go wildlife spotting, there’s something for every type of traveler here.
If you want to, you can combine a visit to Sequoia National Park with a trip to King’s Canyon National Park. They’re so close to one another that many people do a twin-center trip and explore both in one go.
If that appeals, you can drive from Los Angeles to Sequoia in just under 4 hours. The total time depends where you leave from and what traffic is like along the way.
If this sounds like your kind of California weekend escape, you can book a place to stay in Sequoia National Park here. My top pick is Buckeye Tree Lodge. This hotel and ecolodge is next to the entrance of the park, and it’s a great place to base yourself while you’re visiting. You can book a room here.
Map of Weekend Trips from LA
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the 2-day 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.
Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best weekend trips from Los Angeles, and that it’s inspired you to get out and discover new-to-you parts of the Golden State. There are lots of fun places to travel in California, and you’re bound to find one that fits your travel style.
If you want to stay closer to home, you can even do a weekend staycation in a place like Malibu or Palos Verdes. They’re fun places to spend a couple days without leaving LA County. Whatever you decide, I hope you have a great getaway.
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