10 Top-Rated Weekend Getaways In California, The USA - Updated 2024

1. Palm Springs (from USD 306)

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Be swept away by the blue skies and swaying palm trees that line the streets of Palm Springs, a beautiful desert city located in Riverside county of Southern California. What Palm Springs is famous for are its luxurious hotels, lush green golf courses, pampering spas and fine restaurants. Shoppers flock here to find the trendiest togs at local boutiques and designer stores located along Palm Canyon Drive. Stroll along the city’s popular streets and you may meet a movie superstar or music celebrity. Easily accessible by road and flight, Palm Springs is located only 37 mi (59.5 km) east of San Bernardino, 111 mi (178.6 km) east of Los Angeles and 136 mi (218.8 km) northeast of San Diego.

2. Joshua Tree National Park (from USD 171)

1/5 weekend getaways in california | joshua tree national park

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Joshua Tree National Park is a treasure trove of desert flora and fauna for nature lovers. It spans 790,737 acres (320,000 hectares) and features gorgeous rock formations and desert landscapes that reach as far as the eye can see. What’s unique is the Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems that co-exist within the park where visitors learn about the fascinating wildlife, cultural history and geological features of the area. Gain access to the park via its west entrance at Joshua Tree town, north entrance at Twentynine Palms and south entrance at Cottonwood Spring. This park is 140 mi (225 km) east of Los Angeles, 175 mi (282 km) northeast of San Diego and 215 mi (346 km) southwest of Las Vegas.

La Luna - Contemporary Home in Boulders w/Hot Tub!

Joshua Tree, California, United States
427.13 km (265.5 mi) from Madonna Inn

386 reviews   Superhost

ENTIRE HOME 2 Beds 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews

Amenities & Room:

the wifi was a bit spotty but cell service is quite good

a hot tub a record player huge kitchen and a sky full of stars

the bathroom was brand new and sparkling and the bedrooms were incredibly comfortable

beds were very comfortable

super comfortable and conveniently located for exploring joshua tree np

Cleanliness:

very clean and private

everything was very clean and neat

super clean and well design

it was very clean and comfortable

amazing time clean comfortable and pretty

Host:

shanon was very helpful on our questions

shannon is a great host

shanan was a perfect host and wonderful to communicate with

amazing place with amazing host

the host was always available and made sure all of our needs were met

Location:

wonderful location in the middle of the boulders

beautiful location under the stars

great location and beautiful home

the location was perfect and secluded but not too far either

the property was gorgeous and in an ideal location

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171

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3. Laguna Beach (from USD 1160)

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Get ready for awesome adventures at Laguna Beach, a small coastal city in southwest Orange County, California. Famed for its popular surfing spots, sandy beaches, hidden coves, coastal canyons and wilderness parks, Laguna Beach attracts plenty of locals and tourists every year. Also known as the best place to enjoy coastal fun, visitors love the exciting activities this city offers such as swimming, snorkelling, paddle boarding, surfing, beach sports, hiking, nature trekking, biking and lots more. Laguna Beach is easily accessible as it’s located about 40 mi (64.3 km) south of Los Angeles and 72 mi (115.8 km) north of San Diego.

4. Napa (from USD 419)

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Weekend getaways in Napa are the sweetest thanks to Napa Valley, the region world-renowned for its wines and wine growing prowess. Located in Northern California, Napa is only 50 mi (80 km) northeast of San Francisco and 160 mi (257 km) from Monterey. With over 400 wineries in Napa Valley, visit the many hip wine tasting rooms to sample local wines and take home the best-tasting ones for family and friends. Next, make time to explore Napa’s interesting art galleries, cafes, gourmet restaurants, spas and stylish boutiques. Finally, feast your senses at Napa Farmer’s Market where local farmers sell fresh produce and artisans display masterpiece artworks.

5. South Lake Tahoe (from USD 189)

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Breathtakingly beautiful scenery, exciting outdoor adventures and 24-hour entertainment are the key attractions of South Lake Tahoe. This spectacular destination is located close to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in El Dorado County in California. Go skiing at the local ski resorts or enjoy swimming and picnics by the lake at El Dorado beach. Reconnect with nature at Van Sickle Bi-State Park where visitors go hiking and horseback riding or explore the wilderness at Rubicon Trail with lovely lake views. Getting to South Lake Tahoe is easy as it’s located on the border of Nevada and California and is only one hour’s drive from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and a three-and-a-half-hour drive from the Bay Area.

6. Yosemite National Park (from USD 250)

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Among the many national parks in California, Yosemite National Park located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains rises high as a favourite among travellers. Be amazed by its majestic glaciers, cascading waterfalls, lush landscapes and expansive wilderness. Encompassing almost 1,200 sq mi (3,108 sq km), an exploration of the park reveals deep valleys, green meadows and ancient sequoia trees. Within the park are other attractions such as Yosemite Village with eateries and shops, as well as Yosemite Museum that depicts the history and culture of its local people. The scenic mountain park is sited an estimated 140 mi (225 km) east of San Francisco and 100 mi (160 km) southeast of Sacramento.

Alpenglow 3

Yosemite National Park, California, United States
278.41 km (173.0 mi) from Madonna Inn

255 reviews   Superhost

Entire cabin 4 Beds 6 Guests 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 6

Top guest reviews

Amenities & Room:

cable tv and wi-fi were nice amenities to have as well

the kitchen was awesome the view from the deck was beautiful

our wifi worked great and my cell service with verizon was also pretty reliable there

comfortable beds nice deck for evenings and luxurious bathrooms

the satellite wifi worked great the catch is it shuts off at 500mb per day

Cleanliness:

very clean all modern conveniences

the place was very clean and well designed

very tidy and clean

the place was spotless and absolutely beautiful

yay the place was sparkling clean with very comfy beds

Host:

laundry in the unit was so helpful

interaction and communication with the host were also very good

the host isaac and team were responsive and very helpful

the management company on site is incredibly helpful and work nearly nonstop to clear winter roads and driveways

Location:

beautiful house located within the park

the location is absolutely great

great house right in park

great place in a great location

really nice place very close to the park

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250

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7. Solvang (from USD 199)

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Set your sights on vintage Danish-style architecture and iconic landmarks at Solvang, the spectacular city sited in Santa Ynez Valley of Southern California. Stroll along the city streets and discover quaint Danish icons such as windmills, Little Mermaid Fountain and a giant red clog outside Solvang shoe store. Savour good food such as delicious pizza at the Round Tower and a variety of Danish pastries in local bakeries. Other key attractions include Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum and Museum of History and Art which traces the city’s Danish heritage. Solvang is about an hour’s drive from the city of Santa Barbara and sited 83 mi (134 km) from Bakersfield, and 114 mi (183 km) from Los Angeles.

8. Big Bear Lake

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Located in Southern California, Big Bear Lake is easily accessible as it’s located about 24 mi (38 km) from San Bernardino, 64 mi (103 km) from Anaheim and 78 mi (125 km) from Los Angeles. A popular place for anglers, Big Bear Lake city, like its name implies is sited on the banks of Big Bear Lake filled with local fish such as trout, bass, catfish and sunfish. Other activities not to be missed are ski adventures at Bear Mountain ski resort, Snow Summit ski resort, plus shopping and dining at Big Bear Lake Village. What travellers love are the nature trails such as Castle Rock Trail, Cougar Crest Trail, and spending the day with animals at Big Bear Alpine Zoo.

Teddy Bears Cabin - Lake & Village

Big Bear Lake, California, United States
360.85 km (224.3 mi) from Madonna Inn

755 reviews   Superhost

Entire cabin 11 Beds 13 Guests 4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 13

Top guest reviews

Amenities & Room:

lots of space very comfortable

lots of beds/blankets/pillows which are helpful for large groups

this cabin was beautiful and perfect for our bachelorette weekend getaway plenty of room for all our guests

very family friendly (toys books extra beds in each room) and plenty of space for all of us

the cabin was perfect for our large family and was very comfortable

Cleanliness:

it was so clean and everything

towels are really nice thick and clean

it was very clean and well stocked

it was immaculately clean and well appointed

clean and decorated so nice

Host:

drew was very responsive

amazing home and even better hosts

ted is a great host

the house owner is really friendly

host is very nice and considering

Location:

great cabin close to everything

great location super close to the village

it’s a perfect location as well

close to the village downtown area nice quiet street

such a beautiful cabin in a great location

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9. Pismo Beach (from USD 219)

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Soak up the vintage vibes and picturesque sea views at Pismo Beach, the charming coastal city located in San Luis Obispo County in the central coast of California. Taste the variety of fine wines at the many wineries and indulge in delicious seafood at the restaurants that offer exotic dining experiences. Truly amazing is Monarch Butterfly Grove which features monarch butterflies and Dinosaur Caves Park with playground sited atop rocky bluffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Getting to Pismo Beach by road is easy as it’s located 93 mi (149 km) from Bakersfield, 121 mi (195 km) from Fresno and 155 mi (249 km) from Los Angeles.

10. Big Sur

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For adventure seekers big on thrills, Big Sur promises adventures worth a lifetime at its rugged, mountainous region located on the central coast of California. Famed for having the longest and most beautiful stretch of coastline in the USA, Big Sur does not disappoint when it comes to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, redwood forests and pristine beaches. A verdant natural haven, Big Sur impresses all with its lush green landscapes, challenging hills that are perfect for hiking and rocky bluffs that invite the brave to try cliff jumping. Undoubtedly, Big Sur attracts tourists aplenty as it’s located only 26 mi (42 km) south of Carmel and 176 mi (283 km) from Santa Barbara.

Honeymoon Wine Country Treehouse

Carmel Valley, California, United States
165.93 km (103.1 mi) from Madonna Inn

381 reviews  

Entire cottage 1 Bed 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Top guest reviews

Amenities & Room:

gorgeous views comfortable bed romantic hot tub & amenities and so much more

we loved the hot tub and serene views the cottage was comfortable and had everything we needed

cozy cottage in an amazing area

the view from the bed the area around the hot tub are great

great place such a cozy cottage with an amazing view

Cleanliness:

clean and as pretty as advertised

super clean and full of thoughtful touches

the cottage was spotless and the hot tub was sparkling clean

amazing stay very clean and very quiet

very clean and safe with awesome views

Host:

host was very responsive

they were great hosts

gina and jay are the perfect hosts

the hosts communications were thoughtful and timely

she was very responsive to my messages

Location:

great location for a quick and private getaway

great location in beautiful carmel valley close to many great restaurants wineries hiking and other activities

the place is closer to the house than expected but still felt super private

we loved our trip to carmel valley it was such a beautiful place and the location is great

beautiful location and the place is adorable will definitely be back

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Let your weekend getaway dreams come true in California

The best dreams happen when you’re awake. Make that dream of a wonderful weekend in California come true when you check out the top-rated weekend getaways in California, the USA. Known as one of the world’s best holiday destinations, it’s time to awaken your wanderlust in the sunshine state of California.