Destinations USA California San Diego 9 Best Weekend Getaways From San Diego From city breaks and wine-tasting tours to desert retreats, these ideas are perfect for a quick trip. By Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty Patricia Doherty is a writer who specializes in covering destinations, resorts, and cruises for Travel + Leisure and other publications. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 29, 2024 Close Photo: Getty Images Even those who live in San Diego, one of the country’s most desirable cities with near-perfect weather, may want a change of scenery from time to time. A few days away from the routine is healthy, and there are many great destinations within easy reach of the city. A few hours’ drive can take you to mountains, deserts, national parks, casinos, or vineyards. You can spend the day hiking, shopping, indulging in spa treatments, visiting a museum, or simply enjoying being somewhere different. If you're looking for a quick vacation, consider one of these weekend getaways from San Diego. Borrego Springs Kevin Key/Getty Images About 90 miles northeast of San Diego, Borrego Springs lies in the middle of the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. As a designated International Dark Sky Community and the only California town surrounded by a state park, it's an ideal weekend getaway for nature lovers. The town also boasts charming shops, restaurants, galleries, and annual events like the Borrego Springs Film Festival, held each January. The Borrego Art Institute includes a gallery, pottery studio, workshop, and children’s programs, and provides classes, shows, and community events. As you explore the area, look out for around 130 large metal sculptures of prehistoric animals, serpents, and mystical creatures by self-taught artist Ricardo Breceda — you can pick up a guide from the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association. The town is also known for its spring wildflowers that draw thousands of visitors each year. Campsites are available in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and more lodging options can be found in RV parks, motels, and resorts. Stay at La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa, where you'll find multi-bedroom casitas with private pools and a variety of amenities like tennis and pickleball courts. How to See the Wildflowers at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Death Valley Getty Images For the ultimate escape, drive about five hours north of San Diego to Death Valley National Park. Even before entering the park, you’ll see stunning rock formations along the road. Arriving from San Diego, you’ll enter via Panamint Valley Road and soon encounter the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Stop at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to purchase your pass, view the exhibits, and get any information you need from the rangers. Zabriskie Point is one of the most popular spots in Death Valley and is a must-visit for its memorable sunset and sunrise views. Artists Drive, with its vistas of multicolored hills and unusual rock formations, is another great place to stop for photos. Hike one of the many trails throughout the valley, or enjoy the surroundings as you drive through the park. Be sure to check the weather conditions, as summer temperatures in Death Valley often soar as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. That doesn’t discourage some visitors who enjoy the extreme heat, but outdoor activities must be approached carefully. Stay at one of the many campgrounds or the Oasis at Death Valley, which includes a 66-room luxury boutique inn and a 224-room family-friendly ranch. Los Angeles Getty Images When you want a change of urban scenery, opt for a mini vacation in downtown Los Angeles, less than a three-hour drive from San Diego. Get to know DTLA with LA Walking Tours, which leads guided strolls past historical sites, filming locations, or notable buildings. If you’d prefer cycling to walking, Handlebar Bike Tours covers the neighborhood on wheels. Those with an interest in architecture won't want to miss the unique late-19th-century Bradbury Building with its ornate ironwork, marble, and cage elevators. Then, take a short ride on the Angels Flight Railway, a funicular dating back to 1901, and end at the Grand Central Market, where you’ll find more than 38 vendors. Within a 10-minute drive away at L.A. Live, you can dine, catch a concert or movie, shop, or spend a few hours at the Grammy Museum. Hotel options abound in this neighborhood, including the boutique Hotel Figueroa with chic dining options, a pool, art-filled historic spaces, and renovated guest rooms. Meanwhile, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown features breathtaking views, a sleek steak and seafood spot, and an open-air rooftop bar, Spire 73. Dana Point Adrian Rudd/Travel + Leisure A 70-mile drive up the coast on Interstate 5 will take you to this Orange County city, which is home to some of California’s finest beaches for swimming and surfing. Doheny State Beach is popular with surfers and provides picnic areas, as well as camping and RV sites. A five-minute drive away, Capistrano Beach attracts visitors with its basketball and volleyball courts and concession stands. At Dana Point Harbor, you’ll find everything from shopping and waterfront dining to kayak rentals and fishing and whale-watching excursions. The Ocean Institute offers environmental education through cruises that explore the underwater ecosystem and local marine life aboard its 65-foot research vessel. On land, the Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area features four conservation parks forming a 60-acre area with habitats for more than 150 species of coastal plants and animals. There are plenty of places to stay, from campsites near the shore to motels, hotels, and resorts. For a luxurious retreat, consider the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, which boasts a spa, a golf course, a private beach club, and rooms overlooking the Pacific. On-site dining options include an oceanfront restaurant and chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak. Palm Springs Getty Images In less than three hours on the road, you can be in California’s desert city of Palm Springs — one of the most popular weekend getaways from San Diego. Depending on the season, you have the option of lazing away the day around a pool, playing golf, shopping, hiking, or visiting a spa. Come evening, enjoy some live music and alfresco dining. The Uptown Design District has become a major attraction for shoppers scouting clever home decor and art items, clothing, and gifts. Art lovers will be dazzled by the collection and special exhibits at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Nature fans can choose from hiking trails for all levels, including the Indian Canyons, with waterfalls, streams, rock art, and native plants. About an hour east, Joshua Tree National Park offers spectacular rock formations, starry skies, and campgrounds. Stay in a luxe golf resort, boutique hotel, restored motel-style inn, or modern downtown hotel, depending on your plans for the weekend. The Kimpton Rowan offers a rooftop pool and stunning restaurant, and the restored Villa Royale has a retro vibe. Dive, an 11-room boutique hotel, features an intimate 1960s French Riviera feel, perfect for a buyout. Visit Greater Palm Springs' directory of LGBTQ+-friendly establishments makes it easy to find inclusive entertainment and lodging. Temecula Getty Images About an hour north of San Diego, Temecula is a convenient destination with plenty of things to do — or, if you prefer, great places to do very little. If you’re looking for outdoor activities, you’ll find more than 100 miles of bike trails, including some that wind through picturesque vineyards. Pick fresh produce, depending on the time of year, or tour a local farm to get ideas for your own home garden. Golf, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and hot-air ballooning are also available. Temecula Valley’s wine region has grown to include more than 40 wineries since becoming an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1984. Many visitors plan their itinerary around tasting and learning about vino by joining a tour or arranging transportation to various vineyards. Eating out is also a pleasure in Temecula, with many restaurants offering spectacular views and alfresco dining. In Old Town Temecula, browse boutiques and antique shops while strolling along wooden boardwalks with rustic storefronts. Several resorts offer recreation as well as accommodations, including South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, where you can sip wine, relax at a spa, and ride in a horse-drawn carriage through a vineyard. At the sprawling Pechanga Resort Casino, there’s entertainment, gaming, shopping, a pool, spa, and fitness center, as well as a variety of dining spots. For golfers, the Temecula Creek Inn offers charming suites, a 27-hole course, and 300 acres of nature to explore. 12 of the Best Wineries in Temecula Valley Lake Arrowhead Getty Images Less than 150 miles north of San Diego and set in the San Bernardino Mountains, Lake Arrowhead is known as “The Alps of Southern California.” At an elevation of about 5,100 feet, the area sees snow in the winter and moderate temperatures the rest of the year, making it ideal for outdoor activities. You'll also find boutiques, galleries, and outlet stores. During the summer, swimming, waterskiing, fishing, hiking, and biking are ways to enjoy the lake and surrounding San Bernardino National Forest. Take a one-hour cruise aboard the Lake Arrowhead Queen paddleboat to see the lake and homes lining its shore. In the winter, there’s skiing at nearby Big Bear Mountain Resort and Mountain High Resort. Stay in a local campground, several of which include running water, RV hookups, showers, and restrooms. Or, choose the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa and enjoy its wellness center, pool, spa, private beach, and lakeview dining. The historic Saddleback Inn’s restored guest rooms and cottages (some pet-friendly) are set among tree-lined cobblestone paths and conveniently located near the village and lake. Las Vegas Getty Images A five-hour drive or a short flight will bring you to the glitter of Las Vegas (picture poolside relaxing, shopping, gambling, shows, dancing, and thrill rides). Among the best hotels in Las Vegas are resorts on the Strip with a wide range of restaurants and entertainment. With so many hotels to choose from, you can pretend you’re in Italy at The Venetian or in Egypt at the Luxor. For excitement away from the gaming tables, take a 30-minute ride on the High Roller, the world’s largest observation wheel, which soars 550 feet above the Strip. In downtown Las Vegas, you can fly above Fremont Street on Slotzilla's zip line or higher Zoomline ride, where you can glide Superman-style at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. While you’re downtown, don’t miss the Fremont Street Experience's free Viva Vision Light Show on the largest LED canopy screen in the world. San Diego Getty Images Yes, a staycation in San Diego can be the perfect weekend getaway. You can stay at a hotel or full-service resort in another part of the county and save time and money on transportation. A few miles north of the city, the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is set on 45 acres of gardens, nature trails, and olive groves. The property features a spa, two heated pools, tennis courts, complimentary bikes, and the chance to test drive a Bentley or experience a private wine or tequila tasting. The Rancho Bernardo Inn is another luxurious option nearby, with a spa, a golf course, a pool with cabanas, and several restaurants. In Mission Valley, the Town and Country Resort, an area landmark since the 1950s, immerses guests in updated midcentury modern style. The sprawling property includes three pools with a waterslide and private cabanas as well as a three-acre park along the San Diego River. At the landmark Hotel del Coronado, you have a choice of guest rooms in the historic Victorian building, an oceanfront cottage in Beach Village, or a stay in one of the Cabanas surrounding the pool. Explore the 28-acre resort, browse the shops, and enjoy the beach and restaurants. Or, opt for an urban-style staycation downtown with a room at the Pendry in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.