Weekend Getaways28 guides
Weekend GetawaysCentral Coast
Weekend in Carmel-by-the-Sea: A 2-Day Itinerary
A 2-day Carmel-by-the-Sea itinerary: Carmel Beach at sunset, Point Lobos trails, the village courtyards, 17-Mile Drive, Carmel Valley wine and where to stay.
4 min read
Weekend GetawaysSierra Nevada
3 Days in Yosemite: A First-Timer’s Itinerary
A 3-day Yosemite itinerary for first-timers: Tunnel View and the Valley, the Mist Trail, Glacier Point or Tioga Road, plus entry rules and where to stay.
4 min read
Weekend GetawaysCentral Coast
Weekend in Santa Barbara: Wine, Beaches and Hikes
A Santa Barbara weekend plan: Funk Zone tasting rooms, a foothill hike, the best beaches, a Santa Ynez Valley wine day, and where to stay and eat.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysSierra Nevada
Yosemite Firefall Guide: Dates, Parking and Viewing
How to see Yosemite Firefall at Horsetail Fall: best February dates, entry reservation rules, where to park and watch, winter driving and what to pack.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysSierra Nevada
Summer in Mammoth Lakes: Lakes, Hikes and Hot Springs
Plan a summer trip to Mammoth Lakes: which lakes allow swimming, the best hikes, Devils Postpile shuttle tips, nearby hot springs, and where to stay and eat.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysSierra Nevada
Eastern Sierra Fall Colors: Where and When to Go
Eastern Sierra fall colors: when the aspens peak, the best canyons from Bishop Creek to Lundy, a 3-day Highway 395 route, and where to stay along the way.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysCentral Coast
Weekend in Ojai: Hikes, Wine, Spas and the Pink Moment
A slow weekend in Ojai: watching the Pink Moment, easy hikes and bike rides, downtown tasting rooms, spa soaks, the Sunday market and where to stay and eat.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysDesert
2 Days in Joshua Tree: Hikes, Stargazing and Pioneertown
Two days in Joshua Tree National Park: the best short hikes, Keys View, Cholla Cactus Garden at sunrise, dark sky stargazing, Pioneertown and where to stay.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysNorthern California
Napa vs. Sonoma: A 3-Day Wine Country Itinerary
Napa or Sonoma? This 3-day wine country itinerary covers both: Carneros bubbles, St. Helena, Calistoga mud baths, Sonoma Plaza, Healdsburg and where to stay.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysDesert
Death Valley in Winter: A 3-Day Itinerary
A 3-day Death Valley winter itinerary: Zabriskie Point at sunrise, Badwater Basin, Mesquite Dunes, Golden and Mosaic canyons, dark skies and where to stay.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysCentral Coast
Paso Robles Weekend Guide: Wineries, Hot Springs, Sensorio
A two-day Paso Robles plan: west side and east side wineries, Tin City tasting rooms, a mineral springs soak, Sensorio’s Field of Light and where to stay.
4 min read
Weekend GetawaysCentral Coast
48 Hours in Solvang: Danish Bakeries, Wineries and Hotels
Spend 48 hours in Solvang: the Danish bakeries worth the line, aebleskiver, Los Olivos and Sta. Rita Hills wineries, Buellton eats and where to stay.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysNorthern California
Mendocino Weekend Guide: Headlands, Hikes and Cozy Inns
A weekend in Mendocino: headland walks, Russian Gulch and Fern Canyon, Big River canoeing, Point Cabrillo, Fort Bragg, the best food and the inns to book.
4 min read
Weekend GetawaysSouthern California
3 Days in San Diego: Beaches, Hikes and Neighborhoods
A 3-day San Diego itinerary: Balboa Park, Little Italy, Torrey Pines, La Jolla Cove, Cabrillo tide pools, Ocean Beach, Coronado and where to stay.
4 min read
Weekend GetawaysSouthern California
Laguna Beach Weekend Guide: Coves, Tide Pools and Hikes
Plan a Laguna Beach weekend: the best coves and tide pools by tide, Crystal Cove, Thousand Steps and Victoria Beach, ocean-view dinners and hotels.
4 min read
Weekend GetawaysSierra Nevada
Nevada City and Grass Valley: A 2-Day Gold Country Guide
Two days in Nevada City and Grass Valley: Empire Mine, Cornish pasties, South Yuba River swimming holes, Malakoff Diggins, historic hotels and local eats.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysSouthern California
Catalina Island Weekend Guide: Ferries, Avalon and Hotels
Plan a Catalina Island weekend: which ferry to take, golf cart rules in Avalon, snorkeling at Lover’s Cove, interior tours, Two Harbors and where to stay.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysNorthern California
3 Days in San Francisco: Sights, Viewpoints and Local Eats
A 3-day San Francisco itinerary: the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Lands End, North Beach, the Mission, quiet viewpoints, local food and where to stay.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysSouthern California
Julian Weekend Guide: Apple Pie, Gold Mines and Hikes
A weekend in Julian: where to get apple pie, the Eagle and High Peak mine tour, apple picking, Volcan Mountain and Cuyamaca hikes, cider and cozy stays.
3 min read
Weekend GetawaysNorthern California
How to Visit Mt. Shasta: Lakes, Waterfalls and Scenic Drives
Plan a Mt. Shasta trip: the Everitt Memorial Highway, Panther Meadows, Castle Lake and Heart Lake, McCloud Falls, Castle Crags, climbing permits and stays.
4 min read
Weekend GetawaysCentral Coast
A Weekend in Morro Bay and Cayucos: Hikes, Otters and Eats
Plan a weekend in Morro Bay and Cayucos: Morro Rock, paddling with sea otters, Montaña de Oro hikes, Cayucos pier, whale watching and where to stay.
6 min read
Weekend GetawaysCentral Coast
How to Visit Hearst Castle: Tours, Tickets and Nearby Stops
How to visit Hearst Castle: which tour to book, Grand Rooms vs Upstairs Suites, visitor center tips, elephant seals, Cambria and pairing with Paso Robles.
5 min read
Weekend GetawaysNorthern California
Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip from San Francisco
Plan a Muir Woods and Sausalito day trip: parking and shuttle reservations, the best redwood trails, Muir Beach Overlook, houseboats, ferry and bridge views.
5 min read
Weekend GetawaysNorthern California
Russian River and Sonoma Coast Weekend Guide
Plan a Russian River and Sonoma Coast weekend: Armstrong Redwoods, paddling from Guerneville, Jenner and Goat Rock seals, Bodega Bay, and where to stay.
6 min read
Weekend GetawaysSouthern California
Things to Do in La Jolla: Seals, Sea Caves and Beaches
The best things to do in La Jolla: sea lions at the Cove, Children’s Pool seals, sea cave kayaking, La Jolla Shores, Torrey Pines, Windansea and parking tips.
5 min read
Weekend GetawaysCentral Coast
Pismo Beach and Avila Beach Weekend Guide
A Pismo Beach and Avila Beach weekend: the pier, Oceano Dunes, monarchs, Shell Beach tide pools, the Bob Jones Trail, hot springs and Edna Valley wine.
5 min read
Weekend GetawaysNorthern California
Fort Bragg and the Skunk Train: A Mendocino Coast Guide
Plan a Fort Bragg trip: which Skunk Train ride or railbike to book, Glass Beach rules, Noyo Harbor food, the Haul Road, Jug Handle, and where to stay nearby.
5 min read
Weekend GetawaysDesert
A Weekend in Palm Springs: Architecture, Hikes and Food
Plan a Palm Springs weekend: mid-century homes and Sunnylands, the Aerial Tramway, Indian Canyons hikes, Palm Canyon Drive, and when summer heat gets serious.
4 min read