17 Best Weekend Getaways From LA To Escape The Urban Jungle

Lompoc is located on the beautiful Central Coast, nestled in the St. Rita Hills, and is situated near the center of California's coast, 155 miles north of LA.

The city is surrounded by chaparral forest to the north, rolling hills to the south, and open-level Valley to the west. It invites people through its attractions, including a vast array of murals renowned wine industries, and other activities. It also boasts diverse restaurants including casual spots, delis, pizza places, and more.

Palm Springs is one of the most popular golf, spa, and resort destinations, propelled by its breathtaking natural environment and world-class cultural and sports events.

This place is also a top destination for food offering a variety of cultural experiences. The city hosts their food and wine festival showcasing international cuisine, live cooking, and food pairings. Also, they have world-class restaurants and resorts and innovative chefs who serves you fresh, farm-to-table fare.

Carlsbad is a beach city in the North Country area, located 140 km south of LA downtown. It is a popular visitor destination and home to many businesses in the golf industry. 

With a perfectly mild climate, the city offers a variety of unique events and activities, from street fairs to art walks. It maintains its gorgeous open spaces, providing a friendly atmosphere and unmatched amenities. Also, it promises to offer special experiences and fun-filled memories that will stay forever.

Nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang is a picturesque testament to the Danish-American heritage. This charming village invites visitors to explore its unique history, interesting architecture, and vibrant cultural offerings.

Travelling through the neighborhood streets, you will taste traditional and local artisan cuisine indulging in bites of traditional Danish comfort fare, fresh baked bakery goodies, and sample artisan goods.

Los Olivos is known for its wine region and the vineyards in Santa Ynez Valley. Visitors can go to this city to enjoy their luxurious weekend away where they can relax, while tasting wine, indulging in local cuisine, and experiencing the outdoors.

It's picturesque panoramic views attracts visitors and travelers year round alongside its excellent wine, food, and art enticing guests to keep coming back for more.

Oceanside is a gateway city between Los Angeles and San Diego, known for its beaches, history, and arts scene. It has a vibrant arts landscape, creative makers culture, and dynamic culinary scene.

This place has some of the best sandy beaches along the San Diego coast. The city has grown its popularity of weekend retreats to the ocean side for families in the warmer inland areas with beaches, hotels, a wharf, an opera house, and a bath house. 

New Cuyama is a town in California that offers residents a rural feel with most of them owning their homes. The small town offers an amazing place to relax, soak up the sun, hike, and best accommodations.

This place has many restaurants, including diners, steakhouses, and other eateries and cafes. You can either enjoy a farm-to-table restaurant bar with excellent food, or American steak options and homemade pies.

Carpinteria is a charming coastal town just south of Santa Barbara. The town boasts some beautiful beaches, breathtaking mountain views, and unique local businesses. 

You can come to Carpinteria to enjoy festivals, parks and recreations, quaint restaurants, and special events during weekends to enjoy with friends and family. It is a small town charm valued by its visitors and residents alike.

Los Almos has always been a place of spectacular scenery, fascinating history, diverse wildlife, class cultural activities, and small-town friendliness.

This place offers many dining options, including New Mexican dishes prepared with local ingredients, like enchiladas, tamales, and chile rellenos. It also has some cozy spots to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, artisanal pastries, and homemade breads.

Located on the Gold Coast of sunny California, Oxnard is approximately halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. It is a sun-soaked Californian city known as the gateway to the Channel Islands.

The city is also known for its delicious food, including its strawberries, farm stands, taquerias, and restaurants. You can find many restaurants, including full-service eateries, cafes, and taqueiras. Also, there are trendy food spots and upscale eateries.

Morro Bay is a great destination for a weekend gateway due to its natural beauty, family-friendly activities, and other things.

It is located in a gorgeous natural setting along the highway where you can explore natural wonders, including Morro Rock, State Parks, and wildlife. With beaches, state parks, and delicious food with a wide selection of restaurants including a local cafe and the scenic Embarcardero, it can be an ideal place to spend the weekend. 

Laguna Beach has seven miles of coastline with coves and beaches, and the most beachfront lodging in California. It is known for its beaches, wilderness, arts, and outdoor activities.

The city also has adventurous hiking trails, dramatic views, and marine sanctuaries. You can also try AhbA, which is a Mediterranean-inspired coastal cottage with weekend afternoon bites menu and a speakeasy called Helen's Cocktails.

Sequoia National Park is known for its giant sequoia trees, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree by volume. Other attractions include Moro Rock, Tunnel Log, and Crystal Cave.

This national park includes the Foothills, Giant Forest, Lodgepole Wuksachi, and Mineral King areas. You can hike, take a guided tour, or go stargazing. This place has also diverse dining options, including restaurants, cafe and markets, for a casual meal, or any grab-and-go options.

San Diego is a great weekend gateway destination because it is charming and walkable. It has many attractions, including the 70-mile coastline offering a variety of beaches for surfing, sunbathing, and tide-pooling.

You can also find Californian cuisines famous for farm-to-table roots, Mexican Cali-Baja cuisine, and French, Spanish, Italian, Vietnamese, Filipino, Indian, and central and east Asian food in San Diego. It has many neighborhoods with different dining styles and cuisines including the Little Italy, North Park, and Ocean beach.

Big Bear Lake is a popular year-round destination for a weekend gateway. It has many outdoor activities that you can engage in, including skiing and snowboarding, Alpine sliding and bobsledding, fishing, water sports, hiking, and horse riding.

Located at a 3-hour drive from LA, it offers great lodging options, including hotels, cabins, and bed and breakfasts. This place has multiple restaurants offering hearty mountain fare to address that calorie deficit after long days on the slopes or trails. You can enjoy your meal with retro dinner scenes, pine trees, and classic cars too.

Known as "The City By The Bay", San Fransisco is a vibrant city with many attractions and things to do, making it a perfect weekend place for a gateway. This city boasts famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Pier 39.

You can also explore unique neighborhoods like Fisherman's Wharf, The Marina District, Union Square, and other beautiful outdoor spaces. You can also visit Yosemite, one of the America's first national parks, for a weekend gateway away from LA.

Mammoth Lakes is known for its dormant volcanic dome and the resort that sits on top of it. It mesmerizes guests and visitors for a weekend gateway with its mountains, lakes, forests, and outdoor activities.

You can enjoy over 80 miles of hiking and biking trails. You can also visit different lakes, including Lake Mary, Lake Mamie, Lake George, Twin Lakes, and McLeod Lake. You can find casual restaurants offering diverse food options, from burgers to salads to kid-friendly options, including The Patty Shack and Fowl Language. Also, you can get authentic Italian food or an intimate fine dining experience.