I’ll soon be celebrating my 11-year anniversary of moving to Los Angeles, and although the City of Angels shines just as brightly for me as it did the day I arrived, I’ll admit I love a weekend escape every now and then.
Luckily, Angelenos are spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where to spend a Friday to Sunday getaway. Whether you prefer the desert or the mountains, the beach or an amusement park, there are plenty of vacation-worthy destinations surrounding Los Angeles.
The only problem? Traffic.
Our congestion is pretty much world famous (I once had a 2-mile drive take over an hour), but there are a few places I can safely visit from my base in Los Angeles, knowing I won’t have to sit for more than 3 hours in gridlock.
Here are my favorite weekend getaways, even when departing at rush hour.
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Palm Springs
I’ve visited Palm Springs over 20 times in the past decade, and plan on retiring there one day. Even from my West Hollywood neighborhood, a drive from Los Angeles always clocks in between 2.5 to 3 hours, though it can be as little as 2 if the traffic gods cooperate.
It’s one of my favorite cities, effortlessly blending desert sunshine and vibrant hues with retro midcentury modern architecture.
I love staying at the wellness-focused Azure Sky, an adults-only boutique hotel with 14 immense suites and a gorgeous courtyard surrounded by picturesque mountain views. But for a more seen-and-be-seen, well, scene, try the Parker Palm Springs, a luxe resort designed by Jonathan Adler, which also houses the delicious Norma’s terrace restaurant and one of my favorite spas, the nautical-inspired Palm Springs Yacht Club.
While it’s easy to spend an entire weekend relaxing poolside, there’s quite the bustling restaurant and bar scene, too. Enjoy burgers, deviled eggs topped with caviar, and creative cocktails at books-up-quickly Bar Cecil; perfectly-cooked steaks at Mr. Lyons; and an ever-changing menu at the Michelin-recommended Workshop Kitchen & Bar.
Delicious cocktails also abound in Palm Springs. My favorite spots include the speakeasy Paul’s Bar, the Tonga Hut tiki bar, and Tailor Shop for craft cocktails.
Then, go out and explore. Soar 8,516 feet in the air on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to take in the views (and cooler weather) at Mount San Jacinto State Park, explore rotating collections at the Palm Springs Art Museum, go for a scenic hike at Tahquitz Canyon, participate in daily giraffe feedings at The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, or even take a surf lesson at The Palm Springs Surf Club.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is coastal chic at its finest, perfectly blending laidback vibes with upscale elegance. Head northwest of Los Angeles along the 101-North for the roughly 2-hour drive, before arriving at your pick of beaches, art galleries, and wineries.
There are plenty of hotels to drop your bags. Splurge on a suite or bungalow at the El Encanto, indulge in a beachfront escape at The Milo or Mar Monte Hotel, treat yourself to a spa weekend at Rosewood Miramar Beach, or go the historical route at the Hotel Californian.
A visit to Santa Barbara isn’t complete without the Urban Wine Trail. Oenophiles will love exploring over 20 tasting rooms spanning two downtown neighborhoods. Or, dive into history with a self-guided tour at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park, visit the scenic Old Mission Santa Barbara, stroll along State Street, or take in the sunset at Butterfly Beach.
You can also go whale watching, which has various peak times for different whale species throughout the year.
When hunger strikes, the 13-block Funk Zone near lower State Street and the waterfront is a good place to start, since it’s got a host of restaurants, breweries, and bars, like The Lark, Rare Society, or Loquita.
Disneyland
The Happiest Place on Earth is only 35 miles from Los Angeles. The trip definitely depends on traffic, but even in rush hour, I’ve made it in under 3 hours.
From thrilling roller coasters to iconic storybook rides, evening fireworks spectaculars to delicious dining, Disney brings out anyone’s inner child.
I’ve had a Disneyland annual pass for almost a decade, so suffice it to say, I’ve visited well in the upper hundreds of times. I definitely suggest at least a 2-day weekend escape, since it’s impossible to accomplish everything at both parks in only one.
If it’s your first time, I recommend riding everything in Fantasyland, since that’s where the park began in 1955. My favorites are Peter Pan’s Flight to soar over starry London, and Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, which is one of the park’s well-known “dark rides.”
Other hits include Space Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and It’s a Small World, which was created for the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair.
Across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure Park, don’t miss the Incredibles-themed Incredicoaster, the hot air balloon-inspired Soarin’, and my all-time favorite ride, Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout!, which features thrilling free-fall drop sequences and appearances by the movie characters.
Food is fairly plentiful at the parks, but for a side of Mickey Mouse and his pals, try a character dining experience at Plaza Inn inside Disneyland, or at either Goofy’s Kitchen (at the Disneyland Hotel) or Storytellers Cafe (at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa).
While staying on property is convenient, it’s expensive. There are plenty of cheaper options either a short walk or rideshare away, such as the Anaheim Marriott Suites, Element by Marriott Anaheim, Grand Legacy at the Park, and SunCoast Park Hotel.
Big Bear Lake
Avid skiers will certainly appreciate Big Bear Lake’s close proximity to Los Angeles. The hub for alpine recreation is located about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, which typically takes around 2.5 hours along the I-10 East.
Unsurprisingly, Big Bear Lake features high altitudes, ranging from 6,750 to 9,000 feet. Daytime temperatures in the winter typically sit in the low 40s, making it an ideal location for skiing and snowboarding, since there are 17 lifts, over 55 runs, and more than 400 acres of terrain for beginners and experts alike.
You also can visit in summer, too, for fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, wakeboarding, and waterskiing. Enjoy a round of nine-hole golf at Bear Mountain Golf Course, ride the Scenic Sky Chair, or do a little stargazing at the Big Bear Solar Observatory.
While much of Big Bear is taken up with Airbnbs and vacation rentals, there are some hotels, too. The Lodge at Big Bear Lake is within walking distance of the lake and boardwalk, or you can book a variety of cabins through Big Bear Lake’s tourism website (just note that they tend to book fairly far in advance).
All that outdoor activity is sure to leave you famished. Grab a bite at Dank Donuts, Himalayan Restaurant, Royal Thai Bistro, The Pines Lakefront, or De La Nonna.
Ojai
Located just over 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles, Ojai is a peaceful, bohemian-inspired paradise in Ventura County. Even in bumper-to-bumper weekend traffic along U.S. Route 101 (a.k.a. the Ventura Freeway), the scenic road trip should only take you about 90 minutes.
Most people will tell you to stay at Ojai Valley Inn (and they’re not wrong), it’s a five-diamond resort with championship golf, tennis courts, four pools, and multiple restaurants. Or you may prefer the quirky Blue Iguana Inn, your own private airstream trailer with Caravan Outpost, or the Lavender Inn, which was originally Ojai’s first schoolhouse in 1874.
Once you drop your bags, head to the Ojai Olive Oil Company, a multi-generational, organic farm with a 200-year-old olive grove and daily olive oil tastings. Next, browse the world’s largest outdoor bookstore, Bart’s Books, which not only has over 130,000 used and new books, but has been an Ojai staple since 1964.
Another must-see is Meditation Mount, a spiritual epicenter where, yes, you can meditate and seek spiritual enlightenment. And, whatever you do, look out for the “pink moment,” when the sunset reflects off the Topatopa Mountains, painting the sky in stunning shades of pink, peach, and lavender.
Finally, I’m a spa lover through and through, and there’s no shortage of them in Ojai. Treat yourself at Spa Ojai or The Day Spa of Ojai, and save time to pay homage to the thriving arts community. The Ojai Art Center, Ojai Valley Museum, the Libbey Bowl, and the annual Ojai Playwrights Conference, are all highlights.
The Shortcut
If the goal is a long lunch, a pool, and not much else, pick Palm Springs or Santa Barbara. All you have to chose is between desert or coastline for the ultimate dose of relaxation.
Ojai is for the traveler who gets restless at a resort but has no interest in a hike. There's an olive grove with daily tastings, and the used bookstore in town has been outdoors since 1964.
Big Bear and Disneyland both reward planning ahead, especially for weekends. Cabins go fast in the winter, and you need to strategically plan your time at parks.
