Best Weekend Trips From Southern California
There’re a multitude of reasons why traveling is so popular. From experiencing other cultures and cuisines to discovering unknown locales, to getting a chance to relax, unwind, and recharge, there’s no shortage of factors compelling us to explore or planet. While getting to the most heralded vacation and travel destinations often requires hopping a flight — if not several — there are a surprising number of legitimately stellar travel locales that can be accessed via a quick drive (or ride). Case in point: our picks for the best weekend getaways and trips from Southern California.
The Criteria
With AETHER’s headquarters and home being the city of Los Angeles, we’ve opted to kick off this list with some of our personal favorite weekend getaways in and around the southern portion of the Golden State. Because a “short drive” can be pretty subjective, we’ve also limited these trips to destinations that can typically be reached from Los Angeles in five hours or less (depending on traffic and conditions). So, whether you’re looking to go camping or glamping, explore a mountain town, enjoy wine country, relax on the beach, or get your off-roading fix, this AETHER-approved list has got you covered.
NOTE: Miles shown use AETHERla Store (161 S. La Brea Ave) as starting point.
The Destination: Angeles National Forest
Miles From LA: 19 Miles
Starting with the quickest and most easily-accessed locale on our list, we’ve got the Angeles National Forest. Just a stone’s throw from LA’s East Side, this local landmark offers the peaceful feeling of being far removed from the city, without requiring a multi-hour drive. The forest features a massive selection of hiking and mountain biking trails, and an equally generous number of campgrounds. This includes everything from sites with picnic tables, fire pits, and communal bathroom access, to camp sites with zero amenities whatsoever. Covering over 700,000 acres, this stunning mountainous destination is also accessed via the famed Angeles Crest Highway, which is one of our personal favorite riding and driving roads, making this already-fantastic weekend getaway spot that much more appealing. Because of its proximity to “civilization,” it’s easy to drive down the mountain and pop into town for supplies or to grab a meal while visiting this spot.
The Destination: Catalina Island
Miles From LA: 51 Miles
Accessible via a roughly one-hour ferry ride from Long Beach, Dana Point, San Pedro, or Newport Beach, Catalina Island is an ultra-popular weekend getaway locale for SoCal residents — and for very good reason. Spanning 22 miles by 8 miles (at its widest point), the island features a surprising number of high-end amenities and accommodation options, plus boasts a full-size casino. What’s always attracted AETHER’s ranks to the island is its bevy of outdoor activities such as hiking, helicopter tours, zip-lining, and Jeep tours of the island’s interior, just to name a few. Being an island, there’s also a slew of activities in and on the water, from a glass-bottom boat ride to snorkeling and diving to kayaking and paddle boarding — though it is worth noting the surfing on the island is a little underwhelming. Like the Angeles National Forest, this destination doesn’t require a multi-hour drive each way.
The Destination: Channel Islands National Park
Miles From LA: 88 Miles
Before delving into this next location, we should take a second to acknowledge that Catalina Island is part of the Channel Islands; however, in this entry, we’re focusing on the islands other than Catalina, as they offer a vastly different experience. While Catalina Island boasts restaurants, luxury boutique hotels, and a plethora of other plush amenities, the remaining Channel Islands are the complete and total opposite, with no shopping, food, or lodging whatsoever. As such, you have to bring your own food, shelter, and any other gear or supplies that you’ll need. Though it requires you to rough it, these islands afford a much more adventurous overall experience, and one that feels far removed from civilization as this chain of islands still remains largely untouched by humankind. And, despite being a National Park, this locale is one of Southern California’s best-kept secrets.
The Destination: Joshua Tree National Park
Miles From LA: 136 Miles
Straddling the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, Joshua Tree is an absolutely stunning National Park characterized by its extreme arid desert environment. With miles and miles of untouched desert for as far as the eye can see, Joshua Tree boasts an otherworldly vibe that’s made it a go-to destination for campers and hikers — ourselves very much included. Requiring a three-to-four-hour drive or ride from LA, Joshua Tree also boasts an extensive network of trails and dunes for off-roading. While no doubt rustic, this destination does have its fair share of noteworthy watering holes and lodging, from a slew of idiosyncratic desert Airbnb properties to the legendary Pioneertown Motel. Taking its name from the Joshua Trees littered throughout the region, Joshua Tree is also the home to AETHER’s annual Pioneertown Rally.
The Destination: Julian, CA
Miles From LA: 145 Miles
Located around four hours from Los Angeles — and roughly an hour east of San Diego — Julian is the epitome of a hidden gem. Standing at an elevation of 4,226’, Julian possesses a distinctive small mountain town feel, despite its close proximity to the city. Part of San Diego County, this tiny town has a population of under 2,000 people. With a Main Street-style village (located on Farmer Road), this old-timey locale features a classic greasy spoon diner, a museum, antique shops, and other quaint businesses that look like they’ve barely changed since the 1950s. A trip to Julian really does feel like hopping in a time machine, and that’s a huge part of its charm. The locals are also incredibly warm and welcoming, further solidifying its small mountain town vibe. If you’ve already done Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead and want a more unique mountain town weekend getaway, Julian is the way to go.
The Destination: Lake Arrowhead
Miles From LA: 88 Miles
While we’ll be the first to admit that Lake Arrowhead doesn’t offer the best skiing, this California mountain town should nonetheless be on your list of weekend trips this summer for a slew of reasons. The region is packed with rental cabins ranging from small affordable ski shacks to luxury lodges and chateaus. The main village is also home to a ton of great dining options, and some surprisingly high-end boutiques. During the winter, Lake Arrowhead offers skiing, while the summer time sees it play host to a variety of activities on the lake. There are also some pretty stellar local attractions such as ATV tours and a wolf sanctuary. Lastly, the drive up the mountain that leads to Lake Arrowhead is another treat and highlight of visiting this locale.
The Destination: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Miles From LA: 305 Miles
Home to AETHER’s annual ski rally, Mammoth Lakes is a picturesque town nestled over 8,000’ up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. A hotspot for outdoor photographers, the location is prized for its breathtaking natural beauty and wealth of outdoor activities ranging from off-roading to hiking to mountain biking. Another massive draw for this locale — at least in the year’s colder seasons — is its slopes, as Mammoth undoubtedly offers some of the best skiing in the state. There’s also a bustling ski culture that’s present in the town, and consequently, it offers more than its fair share of apres activities as well. Being approximately 300 miles from Los Angeles, this destination does require a longer drive (which can exceed 5 hours depending on traffic and conditions) though we’d argue it’s well worth it.
The Destination: Morro Bay, CA
Miles From LA: 198 Miles
Requiring a roughly four-hour ride or drive from Los Angeles, Morro Bay is a lesser-known weekend getaway spot located on the California coastline. Its smaller population and smaller number of tourists mean it can maintain a relaxed, small-town feel, which plays a pivotal role in its unique character and charm. While this town’s interior has various trails and shops to explore, the main draw here is undoubtedly its expansive beach — which is home to the famed Morro Rock, a massive volcanic plug jetting up out of the sea. Whether you’re interested in surfing, spotting wildlife, or just strolling the beach, Morro Bay is an extraordinary option for anyone who wants to disconnect, unwind, and recharge. Best of all, it’s close enough to other noteworthy towns that you can easily day trip to places like San Luis Obispo, which is only a 15-20 minute drive.
The Destination: Ocotillo Wells, CA
Miles From LA: 172 Miles
With more than 85,000 acres of desert terrain, Ocotillo Wells is a true off-road and outdoor Mecca. Found roughly 170 miles southeast of Los Angeles, Ocotillo’s natural land and topography features some outstanding off-roading, plus it sports a generous slew of manmade obstacles to negotiate. When people talk about off-road and overland playgrounds, Ocotillo is exactly the kind of place they’re referring to. While this location doesn’t have as much to offer in the way of non-vehicular pursuits, it’s a true bucket-list destination for adventurers and gearheads, whether you’re piloting an adventure motorcycle, a dirt bike, a Jeep, or a side-by-side.
The Destination: Paso Robles, CA
Miles From LA: 202 Miles
While there’s no denying that California’s best wine country is found up in Nappa and Sonoma, Paso Robles still gives these NorCal destinations a good run for their money with its own bevy of vineyards and wineries — all of which can be accessed via a roughly four-hour drive from Los Angeles, making Paso Robles the premium destination for LA-based oenophiles. On top of a climate and soil that are perfect for cultivating grapes, Paso Robles also features picturesque views and its own fair share of natural beauty, plus there’s no shortage of charming hotels, restaurants, wine bars, and bed and breakfast spots scattered around the town. These factors are also what led AETHER to select Paso Robles as the location for one of our annual campouts, including the upcoming AETHER CineRally. And, while we’re partial to Paso Robles, Solvang is another extraordinary destination for vinophiles that’s a quick drive from Los Angeles.
The Destination: Point Lobos State Nature Reserve
Miles From LA: 321 Miles
Often touted as "the crown jewel of the California State Park System,” Point Lobos State Nature Reserve is another lesser-known weekend destination that’s very much worth the trip. Also recognized as one of the coastal state’s richest marine habitats, Point Lobos has a lot to offer in the way of natural beauty, which is why it’s become so popular with outdoor and nature photographers. For the more adventurous, this locale offers diving and a handful of other marine activities, plus the reserve is home to numerous campgrounds. And, while it is a bit of a trek at a little over 300 miles from the city, Point Lobos is just a short distance from a few other noteworthy weekend trip destinations like Monterey and Salinas.
The Destination: San Luis Obispo
Miles From LA: 185 Miles
Though it’s as well-known as the day is long, San Luis Obispo — or “SLO” — is another popular weekend getaway destination for Los Angelinos. It features all the typical amenities that you’d expect from a college town, while also boasting a good deal of luxury dining and lodging options. Furthering the appeal of SLO is the town’s pristine beaches, and all the activities available in and on the water. What’s more, there’s also no shortage of incredible Airbnb properties in SLO that can make for an even more memorable weekend trip. For those looking to do a bit more exploring, it’s worth noting that San Luis Obispo is only a quick 15-minute drive to Pismo Beach which offers some truly great beach camping. What’s more, Cambria is also just a short trip away.
The Destination: Sequoia National Park
Miles From LA: 200 Miles
A less-than-four-hour drive from Los Angeles, the famed Sequoia National Park is more than just a weekend trip locale and is instead a bonafide bucket list destination, regardless of whether or not you reside in LA. Covering over 600 square miles, this National Park offers seemingly endless hiking and biking trails, and some of the best camping the state has to offer. The immense popularity with tourists has also resulted in this locale now hosting a ton of great dining and lodging options. What really makes this entry special, however, is undoubtedly the fact that Sequoia National Park is home to a forest of giant Sequoia trees, the oldest of which date back several thousand years and stand at over 300’ tall. This National Park also boasts an extensive underground cave system which we’d highly recommend exploring.
The Destination: South Carlsbad State Beach
Miles From LA: 96 Miles
When it comes to easily accessible beach camping, it’s genuinely hard to do better than South Carlsbad State Beach. Brimming with outdoor and marine activities, South Carlsbad State Beach offers swimming, surfing, fishing, and hiking, just to name some of its more popular attractions. One of the coolest aspects of this destination is its proximity to Carlsbad Village and the various amenities that it has to offer — meaning you can go enjoy a proper meal at a high-end restaurant before returning to your campsite to spend the night on the beach under the stars. And, for those interested in other beach camping options easily reachable from LA, we’d also recommend Jalama Beach County Park up in Santa Barbara County.
The Destination: Yosemite National Park
Miles From LA: 276 Miles
Made up of nearly 750,000 acres, Yosemite National Park is a bucket-list vacation destination for practically all outdoor enthusiasts. Home to some of the best hiking trails on the planet, as well as some truly world-class rock climbing, Yosemite boasts miles and miles of sprawling forests and several granite rock formations that are as enormous as they are iconic, from El Capitan to the famed Half Dome. The trip from Los Angeles can exceed five hours depending on traffic and conditions, but there’s no doubt that Yosemite is worth the extra time and effort that it takes to get to.
