Easter Weekend Getaways
When Easter weekend comes around, I always think it’s the perfect time for a getaway. That said, I have to warn you that getting around can get tricky with all the crowds at the airpots, and that's why I generally recommend staying closer to home around Easter.
I love that early-spring energy during the Easter weekend, the flowers blooming, and plenty of family activities to enjoy. Here are the places we've enjoyed over the years for Easter on the West Coast, and I hope you’ll love them too.
Joshua Tree National Park
If you live in SoCal and you are craving something other than beaches, this park is for you!
Best of all, I think Easter weekend is one of the best times to visit Joshua Tree National Park. Why? First off, with temperatures in the high 70s the weather was perfect for hiking and stargazing at night which I love. Secondly, the desert is stunningly beautiful, and since the park offers miles of quiet trails, you can easily get away from Easter weekend crowds. Personally, I love seeing all the rock formations and vast landscape.
After a 2.5-hour drive east from Los Angeles, we were based at 3-star Oasis Inn & Suites Joshua Tree - 29 Palms for three days. You'll find this hotel just 15 minutes from the park’s West Entrance. At $120/night, it felt like a steal on Easter weekend. There are also 500 affordable camping sites but be sure to have reservations.
- Average temperature in April: 73 °F – 81 °F (23 °C – 27 °C)
- Google Maps Pin
Local tip:
I have to warn you though that the parking lots suddenly got crowded, especially later int he day. You should be patient and ready for that because it's such a major holiday. You should be good if you get there early.
Berkeley
This Bay Area city was one of the best places to visit on Easter. We loved the air fragrant with blooms, historic architecture, and the way the city relaxes over Easter weekend.
From San Francisco, we drove across the Bay Bridge (about 30 minutes depending on traffic) into this famous city of roughly 120,000 residents.
As you walk around, you can enjoy cherry blossoms, magnolias, and even wildflowers across the trails in Tilden Park.
When you get hungry, grab and outdoor table and try the sandwiches at Gather in Berkeley.
Vancouver, Canada
With daytime highs in the 50s, Easter is a great time for greeting the spring in Vancouver, Canada. I especially love Vancouver's culinary scene where we had a chance to taste so many dishes from around the world.
First thing, we explored Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden within Chinatown. We strolled around Chinatown after, followed by a delicious lunch at Chinatown BBQ. Vegetable Egg Fried Rice was my favorite ($13).
After exploring the gardens, Chris and I joined Vancouver Brewery Tours. This is a great way to get to know different brews available in Vancouver, but the guide also taught us a lot about local history.
5-star Loden Hotel was our home base for three fun days over this Easter weekend.
Saratoga, CA
Just 50 minutes south of San Francisco, Saratoga is so close that it can easily be an Easter day trip. I like spending a few nights here to go wine tasting and enjoy the restaurants in the evenings too.
I like starting my morning with a hike through Sanborn County Park. My favorite hiking trails are the Todd Creek Redwoods and the John Nicholas Trail because they let you see redwood trees along the way. You should know that there is a vehicle entry fee of $6 for the main parking lot. Camping is affordable, starting at $41 per night in high season (cheaper in low season). I have to warn you that you definitely need reservations over Easter weekend here!
We like heading to Saratoga Village for lunch. You can browse local boutiques, have delicious coffee, or pop into one of the tasting rooms.
Later, we enjoyed a romantic stroll through Hakone Estate and Gardens. I learned that it's one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the Western Hemisphere ($12 entry).
For me Saratoga, CA, is one of the best Easter weekend getaways on the West Coast of the USA.
We stayed the night at The Inn at Saratoga ($230). I loved the Victorian touches and our balcony overlooking a quiet creek.
What I loved best:
Ending the day with a peaceful walk through Wildwood Park, simple and free of charge.
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.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
