My Favorite Weekend Getaway Destinations in California

I love where I live, but I also love getting away for the weekend. One of the best parts of living in California is the number of amazing weekend getaways that are only a quick drive away. No flight necessary! Maybe I’ve been living in cities for too long, but a smooth ride with no stop and go traffic feels like a breath of fresh air. As much as I love keeping a travel bucket list and bookmarking new destinations to visit, a quick roadtrip is sometimes all you need to come back feeling refreshed. Here are some of my favorite roadtrip destinations in California, and ones that are on my bucket list.

My favorite weekend roadtrips from LA

+ San Diego

I visited San Diego last year and had an absolute blast. It definitely became one of my favorite SoCal cities – read more about my trip and itinerary here.

+ Palm Springs

Palm Springs is really one of my homes away from home. I love the desert, any time of year, no matter how hot it is. I’ve loved every place I’ve stayed at, but my favorites are Korakia Pensione and the Parker. Once you visit Palm Springs, you’ll know why.

+ Joshua Tree

Technically less than an hour from Palm Springs, but I typically visit the two separately. While Palm Springs is wonderful for food and laying by a pool, Joshua Tree feels more spiritual and down to earth. Not to mention, it’s just incredibly beautiful.

+ Big Sur

The road to Big Sur is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful drives in the entire country. Make sure to take the route along the ocean, and not the one that goes through farmlands in Central California : ).

+ San Francisco

Technically too far for my liking from Los Angeles, but I couldn’t leave SF out. The drive is doable and better with friends – but to be honest, a plane ticket is around the same price and much more convenient (IMO).

+ Napa Valley

Again, too far to drive to from Los Angeles – I’ve flown from LAX to Sonoma County and the flight was cheap and fast. I’d highly recommend. If you haven’t visited wine country in Northern California yet, it’s a lot of fun with your girlfriends or significant other.

+ Solvang / Santa Ynez

I loved visiting Santa Ynez for wine tasting and staying at nearby Solvang (definitely check out The Landsby if you can!).

Roadtrip Destinations in California Wishlist

+ Ojai

I’ve been wanting to visit Ojai and stay at the Ojai Valley Inn for years. Only a couple hours out of the city, Ojai is a peaceful wellness sanctuary to recharge and unwind.

+ Yosemite

The natural beauty in Yosemite National Park is unparalleled – I’m not usually the type of person to camp, but I would make an exception when visiting the park.

+ Tahoe

The beauty of California is in how many different types of climates and land there are across the state. Tahoe is beautiful in winter and summer, depending on what you are looking for. It’s a little too far for driving from LA for my liking, so I may choose to fly into San Francisco and then drive for a ski weekend next winter .

Stay tuned for travel diaries and itineraries from upcoming roadtrips. If you have any questions at all about any of the destinations, please leave them below.

matching set: spell | hat: lack of color | boots: marc fisher

bag: saint laurent from tradesy (get $50 off your first purchase with my code AMYZ50)

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