10 Best Weekend Destinations in California

California isn’t short on weekend destinations—the problem is choosing just one. Maybe you need a stretch of peaceful coastline, a mountain town with incredible trails, or a desert where the silence hits different. Whatever your move, these are the best weekend destinations in California worth escaping to.

California is built for weekend getaways. One minute, you’re stuck in traffic, the next, you’re on a secluded beach, sipping a glass of wine, or hiking through ancient redwoods. With so many options, the hardest part isn’t finding a place to go—it’s choosing just one.

This list covers the best weekend destinations in California, from weekend getaways in Northern California for those escaping the Bay, to weekend trips from Los Angeles when the city’s chaos gets old. Some are quick drives, some require a little more effort, but all are worth it. Pack light, gas up, and get going.

Palm Springs is where a weekend getaway in California can turn into an aesthetic experience. The city has perfected the art of doing nothing in style, with mid-century houses, neon sunsets, and pools so photogenic they might as well have their own agents. You could spend an entire weekend floating in a pool with a drink, or venture out into the desert and make it active.

Best Things to Do

• Pool, obviously. If a hotel doesn’t have a good pool scene, does it even exist here? The Ace Hotel is the weekend trip hotspot, but The Parker is where you go if you want everything to feel effortlessly chic.
• Take the Aerial Tramway—A 10-minute ride that lifts you out of the desert heat and into the mountains, where the air is cooler and the views stretch for miles.
• Joshua Tree is practically next door—Only a 40-minute drive from Palm Springs, so there’s no excuse not to go. You don’t need to be a hiker to appreciate the alien-like rock formations and Joshua trees that look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.
• Shop vintage, because it’s that kind of town. The vintage stores here are packed with everything from 60s-era cocktail glasses to velvet chairs that look straight out of Mad Men.

How to Get There

Palm Springs is one of the easiest weekend trips from Los Angeles, just two hours by car if traffic behaves. From San Diego, expect about two and a half hours. Coming from San Francisco? Flying is smarter—it’s an eight-hour drive otherwise.

Who Would Love It

Palm Springs is for people who take their relaxation seriously. It’s a solid pick for design lovers, poolside loungers, and anyone who needs a break that involves more sun and fewer obligations. It’s one of the best weekend destinations in California for couples, friend groups, or solo travellers who just want a few days to reset.

Some places require an itinerary. Big Sur isn’t one of them. You drive, you stop, you stare. Then you do it again. The cliffs are so sheer, and the Pacific is so massive, that it makes everything else feel temporary, including your plans. There’s no main strip, just a handful of lodges, scattered state parks, and some of the best views in California, all stitched together by a panoramic two-lane highway.

Best Things to Do

• Drive Highway 1—not optional. This is the road trip people talk about when they talk about road trips. Bixby Bridge gets all the attention for good reason.
• McWay Falls—an 80-foot waterfall that free-falls onto the sand below. It’s the kind of view that doesn’t need filters.
• Pfeiffer Beach—not the easiest to find, which makes it better. The sand has a natural purple hue, the waves crash against massive rock formations, and if you show up at sunset, you’ll wonder why you don’t do weekends like this more often.
• Hike through the redwoods—Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has trails that weave through sequoia-level trees with very few people around. Buzzard’s Roost Trail is a solid choice—short, steep, and worth it.

How to Get There

From LA, expect a 5 hour drive up the coast, but factor in stops because you’ll be making them. From San Francisco, it’s about 2 ½ hours down Highway 1. If you’re driving from San Diego, 8 hours—long, but not regrettable.

Who Would Love It

People who need to stop checking their email. Hikers, photographers, road-trippers, and anyone who prefers weekends without an itinerary. Great for couples who don’t need distractions, solo travellers who actually like being alone, and anyone who wants to sit on the edge of a cliff and just exist for a while.

Spanish-style architecture, ocean views, and the kind of weather that makes you rethink your entire life situation. It’s no wonder people come here for the weekend and end up checking real estate listings. It has beaches, hiking, wineries, and just enough of a nightlife scene to remind you that it’s not a retirement community.

Best Things to Do

• Hit the Funk Zone—Santa Barbara’s not just about wine, it’s about drinking it somewhere cool. This artsy district is packed with wine-tasting rooms, breweries, and local art galleries that don’t feel like tourist traps.
• Beach time—East Beach is the social one, Butterfly Beach is quieter (and usually has better sunsets). If you want perfectly blue water, drive 30 minutes to Refugio State Beach.
• Mission Santa Barbara—even if you don’t care about history, this 1786 Spanish mission is worth the visit.
• Hike for the view—Inspiration Point is an easy-ish trek with a huge reward at the top: panoramic views of the city and coastline.
• Eat like you live here—Start with breakfast at Jeannine’s, grab fish tacos at La Super-Rica Taqueria, and wrap up with dinner at The Lark (if you can get a table).

How to Get There

Santa Barbara is about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, making it one of the easiest weekend trips from Los Angeles. From San Diego, expect a four-hour drive, and from San Francisco, it’s closer to five hours, unless you take Highway 1 and stop too much (which you will).

Who Would Love It

Anyone who likes their beach towns with a side of sophistication. Couples, foodies, wine drinkers, and anyone who wants to relax without being bored. It’s also great for LA escapees who don’t want to drive too far but want to feel like they did.

If weekend destinations in California were ranked by indulgence, Napa Valley would be at the top. This is where you go when you want your weekend to involve rolling vineyards, perfect weather, and wine that costs more than your monthly grocery bill. It’s polished but not pretentious, a place where you can spend the day hopping between tasting rooms and still feel productive.

Best Things to Do

• Wine tasting, obviously. Start at Domaine Carneros if you want a champagne moment, head to Castello di Amorosa for the full Tuscan castle experience, and make time for Stag’s Leap if you actually care about reds.
• Ride the Napa Valley Wine Train—because drinking wine on a vintage train while rolling through vineyards just makes sense.
• Hot air balloon at sunrise—It sounds like a tourist move (and it is), but floating over Napa at sunrise is one of those things that lives up to the hype.
• Explore downtown Napa—Not everything here is wine. The town itself has killer restaurants, cocktail bars, and Oxbow Public Market, where you can eat your way through stalls.
• Take a spa day in Calistoga—Mud baths, mineral pools, and geothermal hot springs.

How to Get There

From San Francisco, it’s a quick 1.5-hour drive, making it one of the best weekend trips in Northern California. From Los Angeles, expect about 7 hours by car or just fly into SFO and rent a car. San Diego? Same deal—fly, unless you love road trips.

Who Would Love It

Wine lovers, foodies, and people who don’t feel guilty about a weekend of pure leisure. It’s one of the best weekend getaways in California for couples, but it works just as well for friend groups who want to pretend they know what “oak-forward” means. If you’re looking for nightlife, go somewhere else—this is a day-drinking, early-dinner kind of place.

Lake Tahoe is what happens when California and Nevada decide to show off. It’s a perfect weekend getaway for people who can’t decide between hiking, skiing, or just sitting by a lake that somehow looks Photoshopped. Summer is all about kayaking, boating, and trails with ridiculous views, while winter turns it into a ski town that rivals anything in Colorado.

Best Things to Do

• Hike or ski, depending on the season. In the summer, Eagle Lake Trail is a solid pick—short, steep, and leads to a lake that looks too perfect to touch. In winter, head to Heavenly or Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) for some of the best skiing in the state.
• Hit the water. Whether it’s paddleboarding, kayaking, or renting a boat, the best way to see Lake Tahoe is from the middle of it.
• Sand Harbor Beach—the best stretch of sand on the Nevada side. Clear water, smooth boulders, and sunsets that make you stay longer than you planned.
• Casinos, if that’s your thing. The Nevada side of Tahoe has them, and while they’re not exactly high-roller material, they do add a little Vegas energy to an otherwise outdoorsy trip.

How to Get There

From San Francisco, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive, making it one of the best weekend trips in Northern California. From Los Angeles, expect around 7.5 hours by car or fly into Reno (about an hour away). San Diego? Same deal, fly unless you really love long drives.

Who Would Love It

Hikers, skiers, road-trippers, and anyone who likes their nature with a side of luxury. Tahoe is one of the best weekend destinations in California for adventurers, couples, and groups who want to mix outdoor activities with good food and a little downtime by the lake.

Carmel-by-the-Sea feels like it was designed by someone who thought regular beach towns weren’t charming enough. Tiny cottages that look straight out of a storybook, white sand beaches that seem suspiciously perfect, and a main street packed with galleries, wine-tasting rooms, and restaurants that take their seafood seriously.

Best Things to Do

• Carmel Beach at sunset—A long, open stretch of sand with no boardwalk, no crowds, and waves that pull your attention away from whatever else you were thinking about.
• Explore the galleries—Carmel has more art galleries per square mile than just about anywhere in the country. Even if you’re not into art, the variety makes it interesting.
• Drive 17-Mile Drive—A short but scenic route through Pebble Beach, with ocean views, golf courses, and the Lone Cypress.
• Wine tasting in town—Napa gets the attention, but Carmel has plenty of tasting rooms where you can walk in, sit down, and try local wines without needing a reservation.
• Hike Point Lobos—Just outside town, this state reserve has trails that wind along cliffs, past hidden coves, and through cypress groves where you’ll probably spot sea otters.

How to Get There

Carmel is about a two-hour drive from San Francisco, making it a solid option for a getaway Northern California. From Los Angeles, it’s closer to five hours via Highway 101, or longer if you take the scenic coastal route. From San Diego, it’s about seven hours, so it’s best for a long weekend if you’re making the drive.

Who Would Love It

Couples, photographers, wine drinkers, and anyone who wants to take a break from noise. It’s one of those California weekend escapes where you don’t have to do much to enjoy it. If your idea of a good trip includes clubs and late nights, keep driving, as this is an early-dinner, long-walk kind of place.

Joshua Tree is what happens when two deserts collide—the high Mojave and the low Colorado—creating a landscape that’s both stark and strangely beautiful. The namesake trees stand twisted and spiky against a backdrop of massive boulders, sunbaked sand, and open sky that stretches forever. In the daytime, it’s all golden light and quiet trails. At night, the Milky Way practically spills across the sky.

Best Things to Do

• Hike Hidden Valley—A one-mile loop through a secluded valley enclosed by towering rock formations. The story goes that cattle smugglers used to hide here, but even if that’s a stretch, the views are worth it.
• Climb (or just watch)—Joshua Tree is one of the best climbing spots in the country. You’ll see climbers tackling sheer rock faces at places like Intersection Rock and Echo Cove, but even if you’re not one of them, scrambling up some of the smaller boulders is half the fun.
• Keys View at sunset—Drive up to the park’s best overlook, where the entire Coachella Valley, Salton Sea, and even Mexico spread out below. The sky turns deep orange, the mountains glow pink, and suddenly the long drive here makes sense.
• Visit Pioneertown—A 1940s Western movie set turned actual town, now home to a few shops and Pappy & Harriet’s, a desert roadhouse where the beer is cold, the barbecue is solid, and the live music is legendary.
• Stargazing—Joshua Tree is one of the darkest places in Southern California, meaning the stars here are blindingly bright. 

How to Get There

Joshua Tree is an easy weekend trip from Los Angeles, just two hours by car. From San Diego, the drive takes about three hours. From San Francisco, it’s eight hours, so unless you love long-haul road trips, flying into Palm Springs (an hour away) is the way to go.

Who Would Love It

People who like their landscapes raw and their weekends quiet. Hikers, photographers, road-trippers, and anyone who wants to swap city noise for desert silence. It’s one of the best weekend getaways in California for couples, solo travelers, or friend groups who don’t mind a little dust in their shoes.

San Diego is where Southern California finally relaxes. The beaches are wide and golden, the tacos are better than they have any right to be, and the city somehow manages to be both lively and laid-back at the same time. Surfers catch early morning waves, people actually take their time at brunch, and even downtown has a way of feeling casual.

Best Things to Do

• Beach-hop up the coast—La Jolla is all sea caves, tide pools, and sunbathing sea lions, Pacific Beach has a younger, rowdier energy, and Coronado looks like it belongs on a vintage postcard.
• Balboa Park—More than just a park, it’s 1,200 acres of gardens, historic buildings, and some of the best museums in California, including the San Diego Museum of Art and the Fleet Science Center. The San Diego Zoo is here too, and yes, it’s as good as people say.
• Hike Torrey Pines—Coastal cliffs, ocean views, and an easy enough trail that makes you feel accomplished without breaking too much of a sweat.
• Explore the Gaslamp Quarter—The city’s nightlife hub, packed with historic buildings, rooftop bars, and speakeasies like Noble Experiment, where the cocktails are serious and the entrance is hidden behind a wall of fake kegs.

How to Get There

San Diego is one of the easiest weekend trips from LA, just two hours by car if you time it right. From San Francisco, expect a 90-minute flight or a long nine-hour drive. Coming from Phoenix? It’s about five and a half hours by car.

Who Would Love It

Beach lovers, food people, and anyone who wants an escape that doesn’t require much planning. It’s one of the best weekend destinations in California for travellers who want a mix of ocean, nightlife, and really good food.

Mendocino is where Northern California’s coastline gets wild—jagged cliffs, dense redwood forests, and Pacific waves that don’t just roll in, they crash. The town itself is tiny, a mix of weathered Victorian buildings, independent bookstores, and coffee shops that smell like sea salt and fresh pastries. There’s no rush here, no crowds, just quiet trails, hidden beaches, and the kind of ocean views that make you forget whatever it was you were stressing about before you got here.

Best Things to Do

• Mendocino Headlands State Park—A maze of blufftop trails where the coastline drops off dramatically into the ocean. Follow the paths down to secluded coves and tide pools that feel undiscovered.
• Russian Gulch State Park—Hike through a lush, fern-covered canyon to a waterfall that looks like something out of a dream. The Devil’s Punchbowl, a collapsed sea cave, is another must-see.
• Glass Beach (Fort Bragg)—Once a trash dump, now a beach covered in jewel-toned sea glass—reds, greens, blues, all smoothed by decades of waves.
• Wine tasting in Anderson Valley—A short drive inland, Anderson Valley is quieter than Napa but just as scenic, specializing in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
• Stay somewhere with an ocean view—Mendocino is full of cozy B&Bs where you can wake up to the sound of waves.

How to Get There

Mendocino is about three and a half hours north of San Francisco, making it a top pick for weekend trips in Northern California. From Los Angeles, it’s a ten-hour drive, so flying into SFO and renting a car is the smarter move. From Sacramento, it’s just under four hours.

Who Would Love It

People who want the coast without the crowds. Mendocino is one of the best weekend destinations in California for travellers who like their small towns quiet and their ocean views dramatic.

Paso Robles is what wine country looks like when it stops trying so hard. Less polished than Napa, but with just as many rolling vineyards and just as much good wine. This is one of the best weekend getaways in California for people who want the wine scene without reservation waitlists. Beyond the wineries, you’ve got hot springs, olive groves, and one of the most bizarre outdoor art displays in the state.

Best Things to Do

• Wine tasting—Paso has over 200 wineries, most of them small, welcoming, and refreshingly unpretentious. DAOU is famous for its hilltop views, Tablas Creek leads the way in Rhône-style wines, and Booker is where serious wine lovers go.
• Relax in the hot springs—Paso sits on natural geothermal waters, and the best way to enjoy them is at River Oaks Hot Springs, where you can soak in a private tub overlooking the vineyards.
• Visit Sensorio—Imagine a rolling field covered in thousands of glowing, fibre-optic lights that shift colours with the wind. Bruce Munro’s Field of Light installation is surreal, hypnotic, and absolutely worth seeing after dark.
• Explore Tin City—An industrial district turned food and drink hub, packed with craft breweries, cider houses, and small-batch distilleries. Tin City Cider Co. and BarrelHouse Brewing are two of the best stops.

How to Get There

Paso Robles is a three-hour drive from San Francisco and just over three hours from Los Angeles, making it an easy pick for weekend trips in Northern California or from LA. If you’re coming from San Diego, expect a five-hour drive or a quick flight into San Luis Obispo, which is 30 minutes away.

Who Would Love It

Wine drinkers, food lovers, and anyone who wants a relaxed but still incredible wine country experience.

As you’ve seen, California isn’t short on options. Mountains, beaches, deserts, wine country—it’s all here, and most of it’s within a few hours’ drive. The real question is: what kind of weekend is the right one for you? Here’s how to quickly narrow it down.

By Theme: What Kind of Weekend Do You Want?

• For the ocean views & coastal vibes: Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Mendocino, San Diego
• For wine and food: Napa Valley, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara
• For adventure & the outdoors: Lake Tahoe (hiking, skiing), Big Sur (coastal trails), Joshua Tree (desert landscapes), Mendocino (cliffside hikes)
• For design and aesthetics: Palm Springs (mid-century modern, pools), Carmel (storybook charm), Paso Robles (rustic but stylish wineries)
• For a completely different energy: Joshua Tree (remote, quiet, surreal landscapes), Palm Springs (retro desert escape)

By Location: What’s Closest to You?

• Best weekend trips from Los Angeles: Santa Barbara (2 hours), Palm Springs (2 hours), San Diego (2 hours), Big Sur (5.5 hours), Paso Robles (3 hours), Joshua Tree (2 hours)
• Best weekend trips in Northern California: Napa Valley (1.5 hours from SF), Mendocino (3.5 hours), Lake Tahoe (3.5-4 hours), Big Sur (2.5 hours), Carmel-by-the-Sea (2 hours), Paso Robles (3 hours)
• Best destinations for worth a long drive: Joshua Tree (from SF, 8 hours), Mendocino (from LA, 10 hours), Paso Robles (from San Diego, 5 hours)

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