1. Joshua Tree National Park
Why it’s Cool: Unique Joshua Trees and rock formations make this a great getaway location for hikers, stargazers, and outdoor lovers. The park also has cultural history, including hidden petroglyphs and abandoned mines.
Best Time to Visit: October to April, when temperatures are cooler, making it ideal for hiking and exploring.
Where We Stayed: I've been to Joshua Tree three separate times and since I love enjoying AIRBNBs, I've stayed in rental homes enjoying hot tubs, the desert night sky, and relaxing in spacious backyards. If you want to stay close to big chain stores, opt to stay in Yucca Valley, CA. We found ourselves there buying groceries for the rental home.
Read my full recaps.
2. Borrego Springs, CA
We loved seeing metal statues all around the desert |
Why it’s Cool: Borrego Springs is a desert oasis known for its landscapes, including the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Read my full recap about this park. It's famous for its wildflower blooms in the spring and the impressive metal sculptures scattered throughout the desert.
Best Time to Visit: Late February to April for wildflower blooms or October to March for pleasant hiking conditions.
Where We Stayed: We actually made this visit a day trip and our home base was Julian, CA, where we drove through winding mountain roads to get to the desert. You can also stay in Borrego Springs if you want to be closer to the park.
3. Idyllwild, CA
Our cute cabin in Idyllwild with a hot tub on deck |
Why it’s Cool: Located in the San Jacinto Mountains, Idyllwild offers a mountain escape with scenic hiking trails, and cozy cabins. It’s a perfect respite from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall are ideal for hiking, while winter is perfect for cozy cabin stays and potential snow activities.
Sign we saw while walking Melissa’s dog, Archer. |
Where We Stayed: My friend and I rented a cabin in the Idyllwild mountains and it was so nice enjoying the hot tub while stargazing every evening. Bats would fly around near sunset and it was interesting to see.
Read my full recap of this trip.
4. Julian, CA
Why it’s Cool: This historic gold-mining town is famous for its apple orchards and delicious apple pies. Julian offers a preserved old-town ambiance and is surrounded by beautiful mountain views. We loved exploring the Santa Ysabel Preserve and the little town, trying apple cider and pies, exploring the historic cemetery, and hiking in the peaceful
Apples galore in Julian, CA |
Best Time to Visit: September to November for apple season or early spring for fewer crowds and blooming wildflowers.
Where We Stayed: My friend Melissa and I rented an AIRBNB in the Julian mountains not far from town.
Read my full recap of my trip to Julian.
5. Lake Cuyamaca, CA
Why it’s Cool: Located near Julian, Lake Cuyamaca is an awesome spot for fishing, boating, and picnicking. It’s surrounded by lush greenery and offers a peaceful escape with stunning views of the Cuyamaca Mountains. We loved eating at the lakeside restaurant nearby called The Pub.
Best Time to Visit: Spring to fall for outdoor activities like fishing and hiking.
Where We Stayed: Our cabin in Julian was the perfect home base for this trip.
Read my full recap.
6. Pioneertown, CA
Why it’s Cool: Originally built as a movie set for Westerns, Pioneertown now offers visitors a step back in time with its old Western-style buildings and shops. It’s a quirky and fun destination near Joshua Tree.
Best Time to Visit: October to April, when the weather is mild, allowing for comfortable exploration of the area.
Where We Stayed: This town is not far from Joshua Tree, so if you’re like us, you’ll rent an AIRBNB or hotel in Joshua Tree and make this a day trip. You can also stay in Yucca Valley if you want to be even closer to Pioneertown.
Read my full recap or watch my video below:
7. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Amazing views on the Terranea Trail |
Why it’s Cool: This coastal city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula offers ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and scenic hiking trails. The area is also home to the Terranea Resort and the Point Vicente Lighthouse.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round, though spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities.
Terranea Cove (Lost Boys filming location) |
Where We Stayed: This is an ideal location if you are in Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, Long Beach, or any of the surrounding areas.
Read my full recap.
8. Solvang, CA
Why it’s Cool: Solvang is a Danish-inspired town known for its unique architecture, bakeries, and wineries. It’s a blend of European culture and California wine country. Not too far is a trail to a waterfall called Nojoqui Falls. We also loved visiting Ostrichland USA and feeding the huge birds.
Best Time to Visit: September to November for wine harvest season or December for festive holiday celebrations.
Read my full recap and watch my video below:
9. Pine Mountain Club, CA
Mt. Pinos views |
Why It’s Cool: Pine Mountain Club is just 2-2.5 hours from Los Angeles, CA and offers a peaceful, small-town atmosphere in the Los Padres National Forest. It’s a great spot for outdoor activities like hiking, birdwatching, and stargazing. The area has awesome trails, including Mount Pinos, where you can experience panoramic views at about 8,000 feet elevation. The community is also known for its village center, featuring local shops, restaurants (La Lena Mexican Restaurant is my favorite), and a golf course. Wildlife sightings are common, and during winter, you might even enjoy some light snow.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Pine Mountain Club is during the late spring to early fall (May to October). This period offers the most favorable weather for outdoor activities, with mild temperatures and clear skies. If you enjoy winter activities like snowshoeing or cozying up by a fire, a visit in December or January might also be appealing, though roads can occasionally be impacted by snow.
Where We Stayed: We stayed in an AIRBNB cabin in Pine Mountain Club.
Read my full recap.
10. Big Bear Lake, CA
Why it’s Cool: Big Bear Lake is a year-round destination offering a ton of activities. In the winter, it’s a hub for skiing and snowboarding with resorts like Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. In the summer, the lake becomes a playground for boating, fishing, and swimming. The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest provides excellent hiking and mountain biking trails, and the town itself has a vibrant, rustic feel with plenty of shops, restaurants, and festivals.
Posing with bear statues |
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Big Bear Lake depends on what you’re looking for. For winter sports, December through February is ideal, offering plenty of snow. If you prefer warm-weather activities like hiking, boating, or attending local festivals, visit from June to August, when temperatures are mild and the lake is at its most inviting.
Read my full recap and watch my video below of the Pirate Ship Tour.
Would you like to visit any of these locations? Let me know in the comments!
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Trip Resources
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals.
Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.
GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.
VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.
TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.
Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.
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