Living in Los Angeles means sunshine, culture, and constant motion — but even in paradise, a change of scenery can work wonders. Whether you’re craving coastal luxury, wine-country calm, or desert stillness, these weekend escapes are all within easy reach. Each one gave me something different: a pause, a breath, a moment to realign. Here are seven of my favorite weekend getaways from LA — places that reminded me how good it feels to step away, even just for a little while.
Best Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles:
Cliffside Calm and Ocean Color in La Jolla
The air shifted as I drove into La Jolla. It was cooler, saltier. Seagulls drifted lazily above the bluffs, and surfers waited in quiet rhythm below. I parked near Prospect Street and walked toward the ocean. I could smell sunscreen and seaweed on the breeze. I paused at the edge of Ellen Browning Scripps Park and thought, “This is what it feels like to stand still and let the view come to you.”
What I Loved Most: Walking along the cove just before sunset. I looked for sea lions on the rocks.
My highlights? A late breakfast at The Cottage—coastal, casual, and full of quiet chatter. I had the brioche French toast, thick and golden, dusted with powdered sugar and topped with strawberries. I ate outside and enjoyed the ocean breeze.
Plan your weekend getaway to La Jolla:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2–2.5 hours south
- Vibe: Polished but relaxed, coastal, artsy
- Highlights: La Jolla Cove, Prospect Street galleries, kayaking in sea caves, Birch Aquarium, tidepool walks
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and early fall for mild days and good visibility along the cliffs
- Cost: Hotels from ~$175/night; meals ~$15–30; coastal access is free
- Hours: Trails and beach access sunrise to sunset; restaurants typically open 8am–9pm
Hidden Trails and Suburban Stillness in Irvine
When I'm in LA, I always enjoy a trip to Orange Country! I didn’t expect to slow down in Irvine, but that’s exactly what happened. I discovered shady walking trails, eucalyptus groves, and wide parks. I started my weekend with a short hike in Bommer Canyon. Since dogs aren't permitted, if you are traveling with one, try Quail Hill Loop instead.
Where I ate I had a satisfying brunch at Mendocino Farms in the University Center. I ate outside in the shade.
Plan your weekend escape:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~1–1.5 hours southeast
- Vibe: Nature-meets-suburb
- Highlights: Bommer Canyon, Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Irvine Spectrum Center, Tanaka Farms
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for green hills and cooler walks; fall for light breezes and fewer crowds
- Cost: Trails and parks free; meals ~$10–20; hotel stays from ~$150/night
- Hours: Trails open sunrise to sunset; most shops and restaurants open 10am–9pm
San Diego, A Weekend Escape from LA
The drive south from Los Angeles too under 2 hours. I could feel the shift in rhythm right away. San Diego was full of sunshine and sea breezes.
I started at the USS Midway Museum and walked on the massive decks.
From there, the New Children’s Museum brought color and energy, a place where creativity spilled across every floor.
Evenings were for rooftop views at Kettner Exchange, where the city lights glittered like a reflection of the stars.
Between stops, I walked along Pacific Beach. The air was thick with the smell of grilled fish from Pacific Beach Fish Shop. Afterwards, I cooled off with an ice cream sandwich at The Baked Bear.
One night ended with a private tasting tour through Brew Hop.
What I Loved Most: Standing on the flight deck of the USS Midway at sunset, the harbor glowing in the last light.
My highlights? Fresh local yellowtail tacos at Pacific Beach Fish Shop — smoky, tender, and bright with lime, the ocean just steps away.
Plan your San Diego weekend getaway:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2 hours south
- Vibe: Coastal, vibrant, relaxed
- Highlights: USS Midway Museum, New Children’s Museum, Kettner Exchange, Pacific Beach Fish Shop, The Baked Bear, Brew Hop
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round; spring and fall for lighter crowds
- Cost: Many attractions $15–$30; beaches and coastal walks free
Golden Hills and Courtyard Mornings in Paso Robles at Hotel Cheval - 3 hours from LA
Hotel Cheval offered a kind of luxury that didn’t need to flaunt itself — thoughtful details, cozy corners, and a fireplace that always seemed lit just when you needed it. Paso Robles wine country wrapped around us like a soft ribbon, and with each glass, the world felt a little farther away. I remember thinking, "Why didn’t I come here sooner?" The hush between vineyards, the clink of glasses at dusk — it all felt like a deep exhale.
What I Loved Most: Sitting around the courtyard fire pit after wine tasting, with stars overhead and a blanket around my legs.
My highlights? Dinner at The Pony Club, the hotel’s rustic-chic wine bar. I had the duck confit flatbread with fig jam and goat cheese — rich, sweet, and salty all at once, especially good with a bold Paso red.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~3½–4 hours north
- Vibe: Intimate, wine-country, elegant
- Highlights: Fire pits, wine bar, nearby tasting rooms
- Best Time to Visit: Fall harvest season for full vineyard color and energy
- Cost: Upscale boutique rates
- Hours: Check-in from 3 p.m.; bar open evenings
- Address: 1021 Pine St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Salt Mist & Stillness in Long Beach, WA
“It felt like the clouds came all the way down to meet the dunes.” That’s what I remember thinking as I stood on the wooden boardwalk, the Pacific wind cool and persistent, ruffling the marram grass. Long Beach stretched endlessly, gray and golden, a soft hush broken only by gulls and the occasional kite rising above the fog. It was a place that didn’t ask for much—just your presence.
What I Loved Most: The way the beach felt wide open yet intimate. A morning walk along the Discovery Trail felt like slipping between two worlds—one where time moved slower, softer.
My highlights? Lunch at Pickled Fish, perched just above the dunes. I ordered the Dungeness crab mac and cheese—rich, briny, and slightly smoky, the cheese sauce clinging to the pasta like sea foam to rock. The scent was buttery and ocean-bright. Through the window, the Pacific heaved like a great sleeping thing.
Plan your Long Beach day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~19 hours north (best as a fly + drive weekend via Portland or Seattle)
- Vibe: Misty, slow-paced, coastal quietude
- Highlights: Discovery Trail, World’s Longest Beach, Cape Disappointment State Park, boardwalk strolls, kites and cozy cafés
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for the driest skies and mild breezes
- Cost: Most beach access is free; state park entry ~$10/day
- Hours: Trails and beaches open daily; most shops 10am–5pm
Wildflowers, Wine & Stillness in Lompoc, CA
The wind smelled like salt and lavender as I rolled into Lompoc. Fields stretched out in all directions—some bright with mustard flowers, others quiet and dry. There wasn’t much noise, just the soft hum of a small town surrounded by open land and the gentle rise of the coastal range. I sat on a bench near South H Street and thought, “This place isn’t trying to impress anyone—it just grows and breathes.”
What I Loved Most: The way the day unfolded slowly—murals in the morning light, a glassblowing studio hidden behind a fence, and vineyards that welcomed you like a neighbor dropping by with a bottle in hand.
My highlights? I stayed at The Eagle Inn—a cozy, Spanish-style hideaway that made the air feel still and soft. The room was simple but thoughtful, with a fireplace, tile floors, and a bed that smelled faintly of eucalyptus. Later, I visited Ampelos Cellars in the Wine Ghetto. I didn’t sample the wine, but the space was cool and inviting, and I lingered in the quiet, reading the labels and tracing the vineyard maps on the wall. Dinner that night was wood-fired pizza from a local spot, eaten outside under string lights. The crust was blistered and smoky, the cheese bubbling over roasted tomato slices. I could still smell the basil on my fingertips hours later.
Plan your Lompoc getaway:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2.5–3 hours northwest
- Vibe: Laid-back, agricultural, a little wild around the edges
- Highlights: Ampelos Cellars (in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto), murals downtown, La Purísima Mission, The Eagle Inn, seasonal flower fields
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for wildflowers, fall for wine harvest season
- Cost: Lodging ~$150–$250/night; tasting rooms ~$20; casual dining ~$15–$30
- Hours: Most tasting rooms 11am–5pm; shops and cafés 10am–6pm
Golden Afternoons in Los Olivos, CA
The road into Los Olivos curved gently through vineyards and hills that looked sun-brushed and soft. I stepped out onto a street lined with tasting rooms and old oaks, the air dry and sweet like crushed sage. It was quiet in the way small towns often are—but there was something lively beneath the stillness. “It feels like time pauses here, just long enough to savor everything,” I thought, walking past a weathered porch with rocking chairs and empty wine glasses.
What I Loved Most: The way the town tucked itself into the landscape—just a few blocks of warmth and wine, where every turn smelled of lavender, sun-dried grass, and something on the grill.
My highlights? A stop at Beckmen Vineyards, where the pond reflected the late afternoon light and the vineyard rows stretched in even lines toward the hills. I didn’t sample the wine, but I wandered the grounds slowly, letting the breeze lift through the olive trees. For lunch, I sat outside at Panino, where I ordered a warm roast turkey sandwich with brie and cranberry chutney. The bread was crusty, the cheese just beginning to melt, and the scent of rosemary from a nearby hedge drifted across the table.
Plan your Los Olivos day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2.5 hours northwest
- Vibe: Pastoral charm, small-town warmth, vineyard calm
- Highlights: Beckmen Vineyards, downtown tasting rooms, flagstone sidewalks, boutique shops, olive groves
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for cooler temps and green hills
- Cost: Walking the town is free; tastings $20–$30; dining ~$15–$25
- Hours: Most shops and tasting rooms open 11am–5pm; restaurants open later on weekends
Grace & Gardens in Arcadia
“It felt like an escape without the distance.” That’s what I thought as we stepped under a canopy of trees at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia, less than an hour from LA. The air was cooler here, somehow, and filled with the soft rustle of bamboo and the calls of peacocks wandering freely. My husband, my son, and I had come for a slow day—something green, something new, something quiet—and Arcadia delivered all three.
In the afternoon, we stopped by the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. The building itself was elegant and modern, tucked on the high school campus but standing tall with glass and steel and intention. We caught an afternoon performance—local talent with professional polish—and sat in plush seats under soft light, surprised by how immersive it all felt. The sound carried perfectly, every word clear and close.
What I Loved Most: Sitting in that theater as the curtain rose, feeling like we’d stumbled into something special just by showing up.
My highlights? Watching my son’s eyes widen during a monologue—he was still quoting lines hours later. It reminded me why we take these little trips: not to fill the day, but to stretch it out a bit longer.
Dust, Trains & Open Skies in Barstow, CA
The horizon felt wider in Barstow—bluer sky, brighter sun, more space to think. I pulled off I-15 and slowed down in a place that most people speed through. But there was something steady about Barstow. Old rail lines, faded signs, and history written in rust and rock. “This town doesn’t pretend,” I thought, watching a long freight train roll past in the heat haze.
What I Loved Most: The honesty of it. No pretense, just desert quiet, neon diners, and the sense that everything moved at its own pace—train cars, tumbleweeds, time itself.
My highlights? Lunch at Jenny’s Grill Steak & Mariscos, tucked near the old part of town. I ordered carne asada tacos—grilled meat with charred edges, cilantro, onions, and lime. The tortillas were warm and soft, and the smell of smoky spice hit me before the plate even touched the table. Outside, the heat shimmered on Route 66 like a mirage that never left. I stopped at the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, where postcards, license plates, and jukeboxes told stories from a hundred road trips past.
Plan your Barstow day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2 hours northeast
- Vibe: Roadside nostalgia, desert landscapes, railway history
- Highlights: Route 66 Mother Road Museum, Barstow Harvey House, Rainbow Basin Natural Area, Western America Railroad Museum, outlet shopping
- Best Time to Visit: Fall through spring—summers are intense
- Cost: Most museums free; lunch ~$10–$20; nature sites free
- Hours: Most attractions open 9am–5pm; restaurants vary
Hidden Calm Beneath the Trees in Lake Forest, CA
There was something quietly suburban and surprisingly serene about Lake Forest. It didn’t push itself forward like other weekend towns. Instead, it waited—gently wooded, with neighborhoods stitched between groves of eucalyptus and shaded trails. I walked around the lake at dusk and thought, “This feels like a town built for breathing.”
What I Loved Most: The way nature tucked into daily life—parks with duck ponds, bike paths under sycamores, and hills that caught the last light of day like they were holding it just a little longer.
My highlights? Lunch at Avila’s El Ranchito, a family-run spot with tiled tables and warm light. I ordered their carnitas plate—crispy, tender pork with fresh guacamole, homemade tortillas still steaming in the basket, and rice that smelled faintly of cilantro and lime. The flavors were rich but familiar, the kind of food that stays with you in the best way. Afterward, I wandered through Heritage Hill Historical Park, where the scent of sun-warmed adobe and orange blossoms lingered in the still air.
Plan your Lake Forest day trip:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~1 hour southeast
- Vibe: Relaxed, green, suburban with pockets of charm
- Highlights: Lake Forest Sports Park, Heritage Hill Historical Park, Serrano Creek Trail, shopping and dining at Foothill Ranch Towne Centre
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round, but spring and fall offer cooler walking weather
- Cost: Parks and trails are free; dining ~$15–$30
- Hours: Most parks open sunrise to sunset; shops and restaurants 10am–9pm
Jump to a Spot...
- • Cliffside Calm and Ocean Color in La Jolla
- • Hidden Trails and Suburban Stillness in Irvine
- • San Diego, A Weekend Escape from LA
- • Golden Hills and Courtyard Mornings in Paso Robles at Hotel Cheval - 3 hours from LA
- • Salt Mist & Stillness in Long Beach, WA
- • Wildflowers, Wine & Stillness in Lompoc, CA
- • Golden Afternoons in Los Olivos, CA
- • Grace & Gardens in Arcadia
- • Dust, Trains & Open Skies in Barstow, CA
- • Hidden Calm Beneath the Trees in Lake Forest, CA
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