Easter Weekend Getaways
For me, Easter weekend getaways are some of the best trips of the year because they combine spring energy, family traditions, and unforgettable travel experiences that always feel like a fresh start.
When Easter weekend comes around, I always think it’s the perfect time for a getaway, and I love finding destinations that feel both refreshing and unique. For me, Easter trips are some of the best because they give me that early-spring energy. I love the flowers blooming, outdoor adventures opening up, and plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy. Honestly, some of my favorite travel memories have come from Easter weekends spent exploring new places.
What I love most is how Easter weekend getaways can be so versatile. I can choose a beach escape for relaxation, a charming small town for a cozy vibe, or even an underrated city that surprises me with special events, festivals, and springtime activities. It’s one of the best times of year to enjoy travel that feels light, fun, and meaningful.
My personal highlights:
For me, the best part is discovering underrated destinations that aren’t too crowded but still feel festive and special. I love finding local celebrations, seasonal markets, and outdoor spaces that instantly become some of my favorite Easter memories.
So, where should you go for Easter? To answer that, think about what feels the most unique and fun for you.
Best Easter Weekend Getaways:
Joshua Tree Silence & Stars
From Los Angeles, I cruised east about 2 hours 30 minutes (130 miles via I-10) into Joshua Tree, a small high-desert town (population around 7,500) that serves as a gateway to the national park.
Joshua Tree National Park itself spans a vast 790,000 acres, where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet. I wandered through Hidden Valley, checked out the quirky exhibits at the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum, and ended the day stargazing under some of the darkest skies in California (the park was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2017).
“I didn’t know quiet could feel this loud,” I thought as we stood beneath a sky dusted with stars, the silhouettes of Joshua trees stretching like dancers in the dark. The stillness pressed in, not empty, but full of space to feel.
What I Loved Most: The way time unraveled, slow hikes, sun-warmed rocks, a golden hour that seemed to last forever.
My highlights? We explored the trails near Hidden Valley, the scent of creosote and sunbaked dust rising with each step. Midday heat pushed us toward shade, where we shared oranges and silence. That evening, we watched the sky burn orange, then fade to indigo from a boulder perch near Cap Rock.
Dinner was simple and perfect: wood-fired pizza from a roadside café, eaten in the car with the windows down and the desert breeze drifting through. We didn’t talk much. We didn’t need to.
Plan your romantic Joshua Tree escape:
- Best For: Couples craving solitude, stargazing, and surreal landscapes
- Highlights: Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, roadside cafés, starry nights
- Best Time: October–April for cooler temps and clear skies
- Cost: Park entry ~$30/vehicle; meals ~$10–$30
Coastal Stillness in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
I drove an hour east (about 60 miles) from New Orleans along I-10 to Bay St. Louis, a small waterfront city on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast (population about 10,000). Once named one of America’s Coolest Small Towns by Budget Travel, it mixes history with beach-town vibes.
I explored Old Town’s historic streets, lined with galleries, antique shops, and century-old cottages. The Bay St. Louis Bridge (2.1 miles long) makes for a breezy sunset walk with sweeping Gulf views.
Bay St. Louis welcomed me with a kind of warmth that wasn’t just about the weather, it was in the smiles, the quiet streets, and the slow roll of the Gulf tide. The town moved at a Sunday morning pace, even on a Thursday. That Easter weekend, pastel houses glowed beneath magnolia trees and the breeze carried hints of salt and jasmine. I remember walking the beach at dusk and thinking, “Peace like this can’t be rushed, it just finds you.” It felt like the South at its gentlest.
What I Loved Most: Browsing the local art galleries downtown, then sitting on a shaded bench watching pelicans glide above the bay, completely unbothered by time.
My highlights? Lunch at Starfish Café, a community-centered spot where the food is heartfelt and healing. I had the shrimp and grits, tender Gulf shrimp with creamy cheese grits and just a kick of Cajun spice. The meal felt as soulful as the town itself, especially enjoyed out on the porch with live oak branches framing the sky.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from New Orleans: ~1.25 hours east
- Vibe: Coastal, artistic, soul-soothing
- Highlights: Beach strolls, local art, historic Old Town
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for wildflowers and Easter markets
- Cost: Low to moderate; free beach access
- Hours: Shops typically 10am–5pm, restaurants vary
- Address: 100 S Beach Blvd, Bay St Louis, MS 39520
Reverence and Wonder in Big Sur, California
The drive from Monterey (30 miles, about 1 hour) delivered me into Big Sur’s outdoor playground, where 1,500 square miles of protected land includes Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Los Padres National Forest.
I hiked the Pfeiffer Falls Trail (1.5 miles, $10 park fee), trekked through towering redwoods, and stopped at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to see McWay Falls, a slender 80-foot cascade tumbling into a turquoise cove. Dinner was at Nepenthe, perched on the cliffs since 1949 ($25 burgers with million-dollar views).
Big Sur isn’t just a destination, it’s an experience that demands presence. As I wound along Highway 1, cliffs falling into ocean mist below, I felt something shift. By the time I reached the redwoods, silence had taken over, the kind that clears out everything you didn’t realize you were carrying. That Easter weekend, the wildflowers were in bloom, the fog danced across the Pacific, and I remember thinking, “This is nature’s cathedral.” I hiked, sat, breathed. Nothing more was needed.
What I Loved Most: Watching the sunrise break through the trees at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, gold light filtering through branches like stained glass.
My highlights? A peaceful breakfast at Big Sur Bakery, where rustic meets magical. I had the egg tart with leeks and goat cheese, still warm from the oven, and a slice of their famous almond croissant for good measure. With birdsong in the trees and coffee in hand, it was the kind of morning you hold onto.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from San Francisco: ~3 hours south
- Vibe: Meditative, majestic, untamed
- Highlights: Coastal drives, redwood hikes, ocean vistas
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for blooms and fewer crowds
- Cost: Moderate, state park fees, limited lodging
- Hours: Parks open dawn to dusk; some closures during rain
- Address: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, CA 93920
Urban Bloom in Houston, Texas
From Austin, we drove east about 2 hours 30 minutes (165 miles on US-290) into Houston, Texas’s largest city (population over 2.3 million, making it the 4th largest in the U.S.). We strolled through leafy Hermann Park (445 acres).
In the afternoon, I toured the historic Heights neighborhood, full of 19th-century architecture and funky shops. Dinner was Tex-Mex at Ninfa’s on Navigation (about $18 for sizzling fajitas). We spent the night downtown at the Lancaster Hotel ($210), a boutique property in the Theater District.
Houston during Easter weekend felt like a city in full bloom, literally and metaphorically. Azaleas and dogwoods dotted the parks, and every neighborhood buzzed with energy. It’s a city that doesn't try to impress you with flash, but with substance and soul. As I wandered through Museum District paths and listened to kids laugh under shady oaks, I thought, “This is a city that knows how to mix rhythm with rest.” I didn’t rush, and Houston didn’t ask me to.
What I Loved Most: Walking through Hermann Park’s Japanese Garden just before sunset, cherry blossoms overhead, koi moving gently through the water. A breath between moments.
My highlights? Easter brunch at Lucille’s, a modern Southern gem. I had the fried green tomatoes with crab and a drizzle of spicy remoulade, followed by their oxtail tamales, unexpected, rich, unforgettable. Sitting on the patio with a soft breeze and the hum of weekend chatter, it felt like a celebration grounded in flavor and history.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Austin: ~2.5 hours east
- Vibe: Cultural, diverse, blooming
- Highlights: Museum District, parks, food scene
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for festivals and garden blooms
- Cost: Moderate, parking and museums may have fees
- Hours: Most museums 10am–5pm; restaurants vary
- Address: Hermann Park, 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
Southern Grace in Charleston, South Carolina
We drove about 2 hours (110 miles east via I-26) from Columbia to Charleston, a coastal city of around 156,000 residents that feels much smaller thanks to its historic core. Founded in 1670, Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S.
I spent the morning wandering Rainbow Row (13 pastel Georgian townhouses from the 1700s), took a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets of the French Quarter ($50 for two people), and walked along the Battery promenade with sweeping harbor views. We spent the night at The Vendue ($240), a boutique hotel in a former warehouse that now doubles as an art gallery.
Charleston on Easter weekend felt like a storybook, horse-drawn carriages clicking down cobblestone lanes, pastel houses spilling wisteria, and church bells ringing through warm air. The whole city seemed dressed for the occasion, and I fell right into its rhythm. I remember standing under the live oaks at White Point Garden thinking, “This is what grace feels like.” It wasn’t just beautiful, it was composed, intentional, and wrapped in history that whispered from every corner.
What I Loved Most: A slow sunrise walk along The Battery, where the sky turned peach and pink over Charleston Harbor. It felt like time itself paused to admire the view.
My highlights? Dinner at Husk, where tradition meets bold creativity. I had the heritage pork with creamy hominy and charred greens, Southern comfort with layers of flavor and storytelling. Dining in a restored Victorian home, I felt part of something old and treasured.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Savannah: ~2 hours north
- Vibe: Historic, elegant, romantic
- Highlights: Historic homes, garden tours, carriage rides
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for blooms and Easter charm
- Cost: Moderate to upscale, tours, dining, accommodations
- Hours: Most attractions 9am–5pm
- Address: The Battery, Charleston, SC 29401
Mountain Air in Flagstaff, Arizona
From Phoenix, we drove north about 2 hours 15 minutes (145 miles on I-17) into Flagstaff, a mountain city at 7,000 feet elevation (population about 77,000). I strolled through the historic downtown, where Route 66 once cut through and century-old brick buildings now house breweries and bookstores.
We spent the night at Little America Hotel ($195), a local favorite with trails threading through ponderosa pine forest right outside the door.
Flagstaff offered a different kind of Easter escape, pine-scented air, snow-kissed peaks in the distance, and the kind of quiet that makes you breathe deeper without trying. It felt like the edge of something wilder, more open. I arrived with no plan but to wander, and Flagstaff met me there. I remember looking up at the stars from Buffalo Park and thinking, “This silence is full, not empty.” Nature was the centerpiece, and I was happy to let it lead.
What I Loved Most: Hiking through the aspens on the Fatman’s Loop Trail and feeling the cool wind shift through the trees like a whispered welcome.
My highlights? A hearty breakfast at The Toasted Owl Café, filled with mismatched vintage chairs and locals swapping trail tips. I had the veggie scramble with goat cheese and a gluten-free blueberry muffin. It was fuel for the body and comfort for the soul, best enjoyed with mountain light pouring through the windows.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Phoenix: ~2.25 hours north
- Vibe: Outdoorsy, relaxed, high-desert cool
- Highlights: Hiking, stargazing, downtown shops
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for mild weather and forest hikes
- Cost: Affordable; national forest access may require pass
- Hours: Most parks open dawn to dusk
- Address: Buffalo Park, N Gemini Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Berkeley: Blooms, Books & a Breath of Fresh Air
From San Francisco, I drove across the Bay Bridge (13 miles, about 30 minutes depending on traffic) into Berkeley, a city of roughly 120,000 residents. Known worldwide as the home of the University of California, Berkeley (founded 1868, student body about 45,000), the town mixes academic gravitas with counterculture spirit.
Wisteria hung in soft purple clouds over old brick buildings, and the sidewalks smelled like damp earth and citrus blossoms. “This is the kind of spring I needed,” I thought as we wandered through campus gardens and sunlit courtyards. Berkeley on Easter weekend felt slower, like the whole city had exhaled.
What I Loved Most: Sitting on a hill above the UC Botanical Garden, watching the fog curl around the redwoods, the hum of bees in the background and nowhere else we needed to be.
My highlights? Brunch at La Note, a Provençal café tucked on Shattuck. I ordered the lemon gingerbread pancakes, they arrived warm, lightly crisped at the edges, the scent of lemon zest and vanilla syrup curling into the morning air. Each bite was soft and spiced, like a memory of spring wrapped in butter.
We browsed Moe’s Books, picked up picnic pastries from Cheese Board Collective, and ended the afternoon watching families dye eggs on the lawn near Live Oak Park. It felt like a small town had bloomed inside a college city, quiet, colorful, and full of new beginnings.
Plan your Berkeley Easter weekend:
- Drive Time from San Francisco: ~30 minutes east (or take BART)
- Vibe: Scholarly, blossoming, relaxed
- Highlights: UC Botanical Garden, Tilden Park, La Note brunch, Cheese Board Collective, independent bookstores
- Best Time to Visit: Early spring for cherry blossoms, garden blooms, and fewer student crowds
- Cost: Most gardens and parks are low-cost or free; brunch ~$15–$25/person
Closing Thoughts
Whether I’m attending an Easter sunrise service by the water, joining a community egg hunt, or simply soaking up the spring sunshine, I always feel like Easter weekend trips combine tradition and adventure in the best way possible. They’re the kind of experiences that make me feel renewed and excited for the season ahead.
There’s something about Easter weekend that invites renewal, not just in spirit, but in scenery. It’s that early spring pause when flowers bloom, families gather, and the air feels lighter somehow. For me, it’s always been a perfect time to get away, to trade routine for discovery, and to let new places work their quiet magic.
From the Texas Hill Country to California’s rugged coastlines, each of these destinations offered a breath of fresh air and the best new memory with my family! Some soothed me, some sparked joy, but all gave me space to feel deeply and rest fully.
Whether you’re searching for mountain air, beachside calm, or southern charm, these Easter weekend getaways are just far enough to feel like an adventure, and close enough to be easy.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
