Looking to get away this spring break and/or summer, but want to stay semi-local? California is a huge state with fun destinations at every corner, so much so that it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to decide where to visit next. With that being said, here are five road trip destinations for Californians looking to explore their home state:
- Big Sur
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Located along California’s central coast, less than three hours away from San Francisco, is Big Sur. It is often regarded as one of the most beautiful coastlines, in the world, due to its undeveloped scenic views. Attractions include the Bixby Creek Bridge, hiking, and even camping. If you visit during the winter months you might get lucky and see gray whales migrating with their newborn babies.
- Palm Springs
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Palm Springs is only two hours away from Los Angeles, making it the perfect weekend getaway. The desert resort city is known for its golf courses, hot springs, and spas. It’s also worth highlighting the countless Instagram-worthy hotels, restaurants, and midcentury-modern architecture.
Cameron Smith / Her Campus - Joshua Tree
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Joshua Tree National Park, known for its desert landscapes, is located in Southern California. There are campsites and trails throughout the park for those truly interested in going a bit off the grid for a couple of hours or even days. Nonetheless, there are also plenty of beautiful Airbnbs equipped with things like wifi, pools, hot tubs, and air conditions, which are always great during the hot summer days.
- Napa valley
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Just north of San Francisco is Napa Valley, home to hundreds of hillside vineyards. The beautiful scenery and world-class wine offer a great experience, especially during the harvest season. Nonetheless, there are still plenty of activities that do not include alcohol. For instance, there are countless historic sites, local shops to visit, sunset hot air balloon rides, and art museums.
- Lake Tahoe
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Straddling the northern regions of California and Nevada is Lake Tahoe. Considered to be one of the purest water lakes in the world, Lake Tahoe is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and ski resorts. Popular attractions on the sparkling blue water include kayaking, water skiing, fishing, parasailing, and paddleboarding.
Californians often get so consumed in daily life that we forget we live in a state that is home to countless tourist destinations. Rather than booking an expensive flight out of state, take some time to explore California regions that others could only dream of visiting!