Fly to Cities

Southern California experiences the perfect weather around the year, making it the perfect weekend getaway anytime you want. We have compiled a list of five affordable weekend destinations in Southern California that are far away from any traces of city life.

1. Big Bear Lake

Located just two hours from Los Angeles, right past San Bernardino, this idyllic location has a population of just 5,200 people. Despite its size, Big Bear Lake has enough sight-seeing spots to keep you engrossed throughout the weekend.

The downtown area has a lot of restaurants, souvenir shops, clothing stores, jewelry stores, art and craft shops, theatres and dessert parlors that you can explore. During the winter months, tourists can ski and snowboard on the slopes, sled down snow-capped hills, cross-country ski on the trails, and go tubing. There is no alternative to enjoying a cup of hot cocoa in a shed next to a roaring fire.

In the summer, these trails transform into a haven for off-road adventure riding, or you can simply embark on a hiking expedition through the hills. Big Bear Lake offers a range of activities, including waterboarding, kayaking, fishing, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, jet skiing and parasailing.

If you have never been to Big Bear Lake, we recommend you plan a weekend trip soon.

2. Goleta

Santa Barbara is quite an expensive location to live. With moderate temperatures round the year and palm trees lining the beach, Santa Barbara is what dreams are made of. This place receives a ton of tourist footfall round the year, and can be quite lively.

But if you are not interested in spending time shopping, try heading north to Goleta. This is where you will find the locals. You can start the day with some jambalaya, then head down to Ellwood and take a stroll on the beach, which are devoid of tourists and are quite serene.

Take a walk along the waterfront, all the way around to the UCSB Campus Point where you can watch surfers trying to catch the waves. Goleta Beach Park, located right next to the campus is a great place to rent stand-up paddle boards and kayaks if you are feeling a little adventurous.

Do not forget to grab nachos for dinner from the one and only Freebirds and head over to a local brew pub. if you are thirsty for adventure, taking a hike through one of the area’s numerous trails is a great way to end the day.

  3.Idyllwild

Located in the San Jacinto mountains near Palm Springs, Idyllwild is around a two-hour drive away from Los Angeles. The place will remind you of Big Bear, and is often overlooked as an affordable weekend destination.

The town has a rustic appeal with all the shops and restaurants being locally owned. Entering the low log-like cabin buildings will transport you to a different era.

When in Idyllwild, start the day by grabbing breakfast at one of the diners before heading out to the forest for a hike through the trees. If you have the need for speed or prefer traveling on wheels, try your hands at mountain biking.

Rock climbing is another popular activity at Suicide Rock and Tahquitz Peak. You can end your day with a giant burger and fries at The Lumber Mill or a cold sip at the Idyllwild Brewpub.

4. Solvang

If you do not mind leaving Lon Angeles far behind, the Danish town of Solvang located at Santa Ynez, is the perfect weekend getaway for you! Located at a 45-minute drive from Santa Barbara and 3-hours and 40 minutes away from Los Angeles, Solvang is a small Danish town, complete with an iconic Danish windmill.

The town is lined with a number of boutiques, curio shops and bakeries to keep you entertained throughout the day, alongside an array of wine-tasting shops hailing from the Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills and the Santa Barbara county.

If that is not enough to keep you busy, try out horseback riding, cycling, or visit the Solvang Festival Theatre for your daily dose of music and theatre. Get tickets to an afternoon show at the open theatre and bask in the warm Southern California sun as you watch the pros in action.

If you are looking for breakfast, grab an apple strudel and coffee at the Danish Mill Bakery or from the Solvang Restaurant. The pancakes there are plate-sized, the orange juice freshly squeezed and the sausages are delicious.

If you want a fancy dinner, The Hitching Post II is the perfect restaurant to head to. For a more casual evening, you could head out to AJ Spurs, a prominent music venue and steakhouse frequented by the locals.

5. Pacific Beach

Just a two-hour drive down south from Los Angeles, Pacific Beach is a great beach town just 15 minutes north of San Diego. If you plan on spending a quite weekend close to a big city, Pacific Beach is the place to be.

Pacific Beach offers an uninterrupted view of the ocean, and has quite a few surf spots and sunbathing points. The town has a Bohemian vibe, while the 3.2-mile boardwalk running parallel to the shore is lined with a ton of local shops, restaurants and bars.

If your idea of South California is smothered in sand, surf and sun, Pacific Beach is your dream destination. When you are not surfing the waves or bodysurfing, you can bike or rollerblade down to Mission Beach Jetty from Mission Boulevard.

If you are in the mood to check out some of the best local breweries in San Diego, it is just a 15-minute drive away. We recommend taking a cab, as you might get an urge to gulp down a drink or two.

San Diego has some of the best Mexican food joints. You could ask the locals to guide you their favorite places for an authentic Mexican plate.  If you are looking for a chill weekend getaway, complete with sand in your pants, Pacific Beach is the place to be!