One of the perks of living in Los Angeles is the abundance of nearby weekend getaways. Whether you prefer the beach or the slopes, the suggestions below provide weekend vacation options for everyone.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Hop on a plane at LAX, and in just under three hours, you can find yourself enjoying a gorgeous weekend getaway in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Cabo offers great beaches, nightlife, golfing and water sports. The city is extremely tourist friendly, and English is spoken almost everywhere. There are many hotels available in the prime tourist area, but if you have a large group traveling together, considering renting a house at http://www.cabovillas.com/.
Palm Springs, CA
If shopping and spas are your ideal weekend getaway, then Palm Springs is for you. Just a two to three hour drive from Los Angeles, Palm Springs offers one of the premier outlet shopping destinations in the country, Desert Hills Premium Outlets. Of course, after a day of shopping, you’ll need to relax at the spa; there are many luxury hotels in the area which provide excellent spa services, such as the Viceroy Palm Springs. If you have time, be sure to stop at Joshua Tree National Park on your way back, which is forty-five minutes from Palm Springs.
Las Vegas, NV
Viva, Las Vegas! Via a one hour plane ride or five hour drive, you can easily arrive in Las Vegas for a weekend trip. Las Vegas offers something for everyone; whether you want to party all night, see world-class shows, experience fine dining, or just lounge by the pool, you’ll find it all covered here. If you are planning on driving to Las Vegas during a holiday weekend, try to plan your drive during non-rush hours; the traffic from Los Angeles can add over an hour to the drive.
Yosemite National Park
Famous for its high concentration of waterfalls and black bears, Yosemite is a gorgeous weekend vacation located six hours from Los Angeles. The area offers hiking trails, camping, rock climbing and biking. One of the best times to take a weekend trip to Yosemite is in the spring; the waterfalls are at their peak as the snow is melting, and the park is less crowded than it is during the busy summer months.
Mammoth Mountain, CA
For skiers and snowboarders, Mammoth Mountain offers an incredible weekend vacation. You can reach Mammoth via a six hour drive from Los Angeles or a quick one hour flight from LAX. The resort is, well, mammoth, offering 3,500 acres of skiable terrain and 31 lifts during the winter. You can also head to Mammoth for a summer getaway to experience excellent biking, fishing, golfing and hiking. If you are heading to Mammoth, be sure to check weather conditions; chains are often required during the winter months.
Catalina Island, CA
If you are looking for a relaxing or romantic getaway, be sure to consider Catalina Island. The only way to get to Catalina is by helicopter or a one hour boat ride, and the island feels a world away from the busyness of Los Angeles. The primary forms of transportation on Catalina are golf carts, bicycles, and old-fashioned walking; you won’t need a car anyway, since everything is located within a few blocks of the boat dock. Catalina is known for its bison population, which was brought over in 1924 for a film shoot and never taken back to the mainland. The island has world-famous scuba diving and snorkeling, beautiful hiking trails and glass bottom boat tours offering views of the area’s reefs and shipwrecks.
San Diego, CA
San Diego is only 120 miles from Los Angeles, but can be up to a four hour drive with traffic. Nonetheless, San Diego is a great weekend getaway for gorgeous beaches, shopping and relaxation. Be sure to visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, which is a notch above the typical zoo.
