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 a memory I didn’t know I needed. 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. Here's where the season took me.
Best Easter Weekend Getaways:
Joshua Tree Silence & Stars
“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
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
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
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
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
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
Saratoga Stillness & Sips
“It’s so quiet here you can hear the vines breathe,” I thought as we sat under the trees at Big Basin Vineyards. The breeze carried notes of oak and earth, and time felt unhurried—like it knew we needed this.
What I Loved Most: The calm between sips and the shade of redwoods just a turn away from downtown.
My highlights? We visited the small tasting patio at Big Basin, sharing a flight of Pinot and Syrah—each glass layered, grounded, and local. The staff spoke with quiet enthusiasm, and the views rolled out golden and wide. Later, we walked downtown, hand in hand, stopping for gelato and peeking into boutiques that closed when the sun dipped low.
Plan your Easter Saratoga escape:
- Best For: Wine-loving couples, redwood daydreamers, peace seekers
- Highlights: Big Basin Vineyards, Saratoga Village strolls, nearby trails
- Best Time: Spring and early fall for vineyard views and cool air
- Cost: Tasting flights ~$25–$40; strolls are free
Closing Thoughts
Traveling over Easter isn’t about distance—it’s about intention. It’s choosing to step out of your day-to-day and into a place that speaks to the season’s softness and sense of possibility. These destinations didn’t just fill a weekend; they filled me up in quiet, meaningful ways. From blooming gardens to coastal sunsets and everything in between, each one reminded me that renewal doesn’t always ask for effort—sometimes, it simply asks for presence.
So if you're dreaming of a weekend that offers rest, color, and connection, you might find what you're looking for in one of these places—just like I did.
Berkeley: Blooms, Books & a Breath of Fresh Air
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
Jump to a Spot...
- • Joshua Tree Silence & Stars
- • Coastal Stillness in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
- • Reverence and Wonder in Big Sur, California
- • Urban Bloom in Houston, Texas
- • Southern Grace in Charleston, South Carolina
- • Mountain Air in Flagstaff, Arizona
- • Saratoga Stillness & Sips
- • Berkeley: Blooms, Books & a Breath of Fresh Air