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:
Soaking in salty breezes at Cape Rey Resort - 1 hour 50 minutes from Los Angeles
Cape Rey Resort and Spa had a way of slowing me down without asking. I arrived feeling rushed and disconnected, but the rhythmic crash of waves and the scent of salt in the air worked their magic. Even walking the bluff trails behind the resort felt like a deep exhale. I remember thinking, "This is what I’ve been missing — stillness with a view." As the sun dipped behind the Pacific and painted the sky peach and violet, I felt like time had loosened its grip on me.
What I Loved Most: Watching surfers float in golden light at Tamarack Beach, and listening to the ocean from my balcony with a cup of tea in hand.
My highlights? The post-beach dinner at Chandler’s Oceanfront Dining, where I had the grilled swordfish with lemon beurre blanc, blistered cherry tomatoes, and herb couscous. The citrus notes lit up the dish, and paired with a chilled white wine and ocean breeze, it was California coastal dining at its finest.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~1 hour 45 minutes south
- Vibe: Breezy, coastal, restorative
- Highlights: Ocean views, spa treatments, coastal hikes
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring or early fall for sunshine and fewer crowds
- Cost: Moderate to upscale, valet parking available
- Hours: Hotel check-in from 4 p.m.; beach access dawn to dusk
- Address: 1 Ponto Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92011
La Jolla - La Valencia - 2 hour Getaway from Los Angeles
La Valencia felt like stepping into a California postcard from another era — all rosy hues, ocean vistas, and slow, sun-soaked mornings. I wandered the tiled corridors with bare shoulders still warm from the beach, the scent of bougainvillea trailing behind me. I remember thinking, "There’s nowhere I’d rather be than here, with the sea just beyond the palm trees." Everything moved slower, more elegantly, like even time was wearing linen.
What I Loved Most: Sipping coffee in the courtyard beneath arched windows, and watching pelicans glide above the cliffs near La Jolla Cove.
My highlights? The sunset dinner at The MED, the hotel’s iconic oceanview restaurant. I had seared scallops on a bed of citrus risotto, paired with a blood orange reduction. Light, coastal, and just decadent enough to match the view.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2 hours south
- Vibe: Glamorous, historic, romantic
- Highlights: Oceanfront pool, La Jolla Cove, elegant Mediterranean architecture
- Best Time to Visit: Summer for classic beach vibes, spring for fewer crowds
- Cost: Upscale, valet parking only
- Hours: Check-in from 4 p.m., dining available 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Address: 1132 Prospect St, La Jolla, CA 92037
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe - 1 hour and 45 minutes Los Angeles
The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe whispered rather than shouted. Tucked into rolling hills and shaded by old-growth trees, the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe felt like a pause button for life. I walked through its garden paths, past hummingbirds and wrought-iron benches, and felt the city slip off my shoulders. I remember thinking, "This is how stillness feels — warm, rooted, complete." No need for schedules here; just slow mornings and golden light through the sycamores.
What I Loved Most: Waking up to birdsong and having coffee on a patio that overlooked nothing but silence and trees.
My highlights? A leisurely brunch at Morada, the inn’s cozy restaurant. I had lemon ricotta pancakes topped with macerated strawberries and whipped cream — a soft, sweet start to the kind of day with no agenda.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2 hours south
- Vibe: Quiet, romantic, tucked-away
- Highlights: Garden paths, spa treatments, peaceful cottages
- Best Time to Visit: Fall or spring for mellow weather and open skies
- Cost: Moderate to upscale, free self-parking
- Hours: Check-in from 3 p.m.; restaurant 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Address: 5951 Linea Del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Paso Robles - 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
Santa Barbara - El Encanto - 1 hour and 30 minutes from Los Angeles
Perched in the Santa Barbara hills, El Encanto felt like a secret meant just for us. The Pacific shimmered in the distance while Spanish-tiled roofs peeked through lush gardens. I remember walking the paths at twilight and thinking, "Everything here feels designed to slow you down — and I don’t mind one bit." The scent of jasmine, the clink of silver on porcelain, the hush of the hills at night — every detail made the world feel far away.
What I Loved Most: Sinking into an Adirondack chair with a glass of rosé, overlooking the ocean from above the city’s red rooftops.
My highlights? Dinner at The Dining Room at El Encanto. I had the Santa Barbara black cod with miso glaze and a tangle of pea tendrils — delicate and savory, the kind of dish that matched the view bite for bite.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~1 hour 45 minutes northwest
- Vibe: Elevated, romantic, tranquil
- Highlights: Oceanview terraces, spa, gardens
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for blooms, fall for clear skies
- Cost: Luxury tier, valet only
- Hours: Check-in from 4 p.m.; restaurant dinner 5–9 p.m.
- Address: 800 Alvarado Pl, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Ojai Valley Inn
Ojai had a softness to it — the kind you don’t realize you’re craving until you’re wrapped in it. Ojai Valley Inn itself felt timeless, from its whitewashed walls to the way the light moved through the valley. I remember standing under a canopy of oaks and thinking, "This is where I come to put things back in order — without saying a word." Even the air felt like it carried less weight.
What I Loved Most: A solo morning stroll through the artist cottages, where color and silence met in perfect balance.
My highlights? Brunch at The Oak, the resort’s signature restaurant. I ordered huevos rancheros with house-made salsa and a side of heirloom potatoes — earthy, spicy, and exactly what a slow Sunday should taste like.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~1 hour 30 minutes northwest
- Vibe: Restful, artistic, understated
- Highlights: Golf course, artist studio, spa, nature walks
- Best Time to Visit: Late winter or spring for crisp mornings and blooming citrus
- Cost: Moderate to high; parking included
- Hours: Check-in from 4 p.m.; spa and dining 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Address: 905 Country Club Rd, Ojai, CA 93023
Desert Hot Springs - The Spring Resort and Spa - 2 hours from LA
It’s the quiet that gets you first — that kind of deep, uninterrupted silence only the desert knows. The Spring Resort and Spa isn’t flashy, but it doesn’t need to be. Warm mineral pools, mountain views, and a breeze that never seems in a rush. I remember floating under the stars and thinking, "This is the most relaxed I’ve felt in months." Every breath felt slower, deeper — like the place was teaching me how to exhale again.
What I Loved Most: Watching the sun rise over Mt. San Jacinto from a steaming pool with no one else in sight.
My highlights? A nourishing lunch at Chef Tanya’s Kitchen in nearby Palm Springs — I had the jackfruit BBQ sandwich with slaw and sweet potato fries. Bright, tangy, and full of flavor, it left me feeling lighter than expected.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Los Angeles: ~2 hours east
- Vibe: Detox, minimalist, meditative
- Highlights: Natural hot springs, massage treatments, desert views
- Best Time to Visit: Winter or early spring for mild desert temps
- Cost: Midrange; spa packages available
- Hours: Check-in from 3 p.m.; pools open 24 hours
- Address: 12699 Reposo Way, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Conclusion: Why These Escapes Matter
What I found on these weekend getaways wasn’t just pretty views or pampering (though there was plenty of that). It was a deeper kind of recharge — the kind that comes from silence, space, and the freedom to be fully present. Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a solo reset, or a quick couple’s trip, these places have a way of holding space for whatever you need most. And sometimes, that’s everything.
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