I’m sharing my top 11 ideas for a getaway from San Diego in hopes of inspiring major wanderlust to plan your own trip. I couldn’t narrow it down to just ten because California is a magical place! After living in San Diego for over 4 years I moved away in 2019, but something keeps pulling me back. For example, I’ve managed to spend over 4 months of 2020 in California, exploring more and falling more in love. I know it’s one of the most popular states in the US, for foreigners and domestic travelers, but it is definitely not overrated.
I would recommend a California getaway to anyone. This post is going to focus on short trips you can take if San Diego is your starting point. While it’s true that San Diego is a paradise in itself, you may still want to go on a weekend adventure every once in a while. Or maybe you’re visiting San Diego for a vacation and want to add another destination to your itinerary. The areas nearby have so much to offer!
Plan a Getaway from San Diego Using These 11 Ideas
These 11 locations will offer something completely different, and they can all be reached in an average of 2-3 hours. The shortest distance is 1 hour away, and the longest distance is 4 hours away. After all, you don’t want to spend your whole weekend in transit. Also, always remember that traffic in California can be crazy!
1. Los Angeles, California: A Getaway from San Diego for Culture Lovers
This idea is for the culture lovers and fans of big cities; there are literally endless things to do. Come for a concert (I’ve seen Regina Spektor and John Mayer) or to see a comedy show (you never know if a celeb might show up to test new material). Visit a world-class museum or eat at a famous restaurant. Hit up Venice Beach–rollerblade along the boardwalk, be a healthy hipster on Abbot Kinney Blvd, admire the canals. Visit iconic Hollywood spots by hiking to the Hollywood sign, visiting Griffith Park Observatory, or looking for your favorite actors on the Walk of Fame. Oh, you also can’t forget about Disneyland!
From San Diego, you can drive to LA in about 2-3 hours depending on traffic. On all my trips to Los Angeles, I’ve used Airbnb to search for cool accommodation in different areas of the city. Therefore, I would recommend using Airbnb to book a place to stay in LA.
Other Blogs to Read:
Top Destinations in the U.S. for Art Lovers
Exploring our state: Malibu, Hollywood, and Venice Beach
2. Palm Springs, California: A Stylish Getaway
Palm Springs is such a fun getaway from San Diego, especially if the idea of lounging by a pretty pool pretending you’re rich and famous sounds appealing! This is a desert destination, so you’ll see lots of cacti & sunsets over the mountains. In addition, Palm Springs is home to some amazing art deco architecture. Grab a bike for a couple of hours and find your favorite house. It’s also a very gay-friendly city with lots of bars. It really does offer the perfect mix of relaxation and partying! It takes about 2 and 1/2 hours to drive here from San Diego. I stayed at The Saguaro when I went, which I loved because it’s so colorful and fun.
Other Blogs to Read:
20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Palm Springs
3. Santa Catalina Island, California: For Those Looking for Island Vibes
Island lovers will be very happy with this getaway from San Diego. If you want to feel like you’ve gotten a little off the beaten path, this is a great option. The drive to Dana Point from San Diego takes about 1 hour and then the ferry is 1.5 hours. Arriving by boat makes this place feel extra special and remote. However, if you want to go all out you can even take a helicopter there! I had such a great time exploring the island by golf cart and feeling like I had nothing to do except drink and admire the scenery.
Other Blogs to Read:
How We Found Ourselves on Catalina Island
4. Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada, Mexico: A Getaway for Passport Holders
This getaway from San Diego is for the travel bugs who crave an international trip. San Diego is located a mere 17 miles from the Mexican border. Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada are about an hour and a half from there. Drink amazing wine, eat fresh seafood, and practice your Spanish while enjoying the Mexican sunshine! This is the only destination in this post that I haven’t personally done yet, so it’s still on my bucket list. There are these really cool “bubble” hotel rooms you can book on Airbnb that totally spiked my interest in visiting this area (it’s Mexico’s most famous wine region so that helps too).
5. Temecula, California: A Getaway from San Diego for Winos
All the wine lovers out there will want to add Temecula to their list. Everyone flocks to Napa Valley, but wine tasting in Temecula is a great option if you don’t have the time/money to fly up north. Temecula is just an hour away from San Diego. You could even do this as a day trip if you got a group together and took a party bus or limo. I’ve actually done that before. We went to 3 wineries and didn’t have to worry about a designated driver! On my latest trip, I stayed at South Coast Winery –highly recommend.
6. Big Bear, California: A Mountain Escape
California’s landscape is so diverse, and this getaway from San Diego is for the mountain lovers who crave fresh air and nature. This place feels a world away but it only takes 3 hours to reach by car. In addition, it’s home to one of the best places I’ve ever stayed, which you can read about in the 2 blog posts I’ve linked below. You really can’t beat relaxing under the trees, hiking around the lake (or getting on the lake in summer), skiing in the wintertime, and capping off each day with dinner and drinks in town. You will definitely leave feeling refreshed!
Other Blogs to Read:
Why I Don’t Want to Tell You Where We Stayed in Big Bear
The Top 6 Reasons I Have a Crush on Alpenhorn B&B
7. Santa Barbara, California: For Those Seeking R&R
This getaway from San Diego is probably the furthest drive on my list, taking 3.5 hours without traffic, but Santa Barbara is one of those drop-dead gorgeous places you don’t want to miss. I’ve been twice, and it seems to get more beautiful each time–the sailboats, the ocean, the beach, the line of palm trees, the houses on the hills, the mountain backdrop, the sunshine, and the blue sky all in one view is so pleasing to the eye. I love coming here for some R&R (my favorite thing to do is sit on the pier and take it all in over a fantastic meal and drinks). On my most recent visit, I stayed at the Harbor House Inn and can’t recommend it enough.
8. Joshua Tree, California: For Desert Lovers
Go to Joshua Tree if you love the desert and one-of-a-kind landscapes. This is a place I’ve gone back to again and again because it’s the perfect getaway from San Diego. You can get there in around 3 hours, and there are so many incredible Airbnbs to choose from. For example, my favorite was staying in a retro Airstream at Joshua Tree Acres. Driving through the national park makes for such an adventure–stopping off to do hikes and letting nature rejuvenate you. It’s also a great place for stargazing, so after a long day of exploring you can grab a drink, make smores, and look at the stars!
Other Blogs to Read:
Joshua Tree is the Best Weekend Trip from San Diego
Joshua Tree: California’s Desert Gem
9. Malibu, California: Perfect for a Girls Trip Or a Romantic Getaway
Lately, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this getaway from San Diego–it was definitely a highlight of my 2019 travels! Malibu offers a “lifestyles of the rich and the famous” vibe that can be done affordably. It’s home to one of the best activities I’ve done in California (a wine safari), and it’s only a 2.5-hour drive away. The blog I linked has extensive details about how to plan a 2 day trip to Malibu, so please check that out!
Other Blogs to Read:
What to do in Malibu: a 2-Day Itinerary
10. Julian, California: For History Lovers
If you’re looking for more rustic vibes on your getaway from San Diego, I recommend visiting Julian. Everyone knows the story of pioneers coming to California in the 1800s in search of gold, so why not delve deeper into that history and actually visit a gold mine! Julian is also known for apples, so if you visit at the right time you can go apple picking (but they offer their famous apple pie and alcoholic cider year-round). I haven’t been to the California Wolf Center yet, but it looks like a super cool activity to add to a Julian itinerary if you can. It takes just over an hour to drive here from San Diego. I would recommend booking a cute bed and breakfast or an Airbnb in the countryside. This place would be epic in the fall when the leaves start to change colors!
11. Orange County, California: A Getaway for Beach Bums
Orange County offers beautiful beach after beautiful beach. Since SD is also a beach town, you may not initially consider coming here for a getaway. However, don’t let that stop you because there is so much to see and it’s such a short drive away! If you’re a fan of Laguna Beach or The Hills or The OC, exploring these areas will be so much fun (Laguna Beach and Newport Beach especially). If you’re a fan of surfing, Huntington Beach hosts the Vans Surf Competition every year. Or if you just love being at the beach in general, spending time at some different spots along the beautiful coast of Southern California will take you to your happy place for sure (I personally loved San Clemente Beach).
Plan Your Getaway from San Diego Now!
In conclusion, I hope these 11 ideas have inspired you to get out and see more of Southern California. Road trips will be especially clutch in this era of COVID while we all try to navigate traveling again. If you have questions about any of these trips, don’t hesitate to send them my way. And please share this post on Pinterest if you found it helpful! Happy travel planning fellow daydreamers 🙂
1 thought on “Getaway from San Diego: 11 Must-Do Trips”