Pine Mountain Club
Located in the Los Padres National Forest, Pine Mountain Club is just two hours from the chaos of Los Angeles. It’s cool because it’s off the beaten path—think alpine vibes, starlit skies, and a community that runs at its own chill pace.
Highlights include hikes like the Mt. Pinos Trail, cozy cabins, and a tiny village center with cafés offering delicious pastries, chai lattes, and coffee. It’s perfect for unplugging and finding some headspace. Read my full recap.
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Check out the first cabin my friend and I rented in PMC:
Pine Mountain Club on the map:
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear is a great escape offering small-town charm. Why’s it cool? The lake offers year-round fun, from paddleboarding in summer to snowy slopes come winter. Just a two-hour drive from L.A., it’s close enough for a day trip yet feels far away from city life.
Our cabin was awesome and our AIRBNB host sent my brother a birthday cake.
Highlights include the Alpine Pedal Path for lakeside strolls, fresh-baked goods at Grizzly Manor Café, and the awesome sunsets over the water. Don’t forget the Snow Summit for skiing and amazing views. Read my full recap.
Big Bear Lake on a map:
Julian
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| The hot tub at dusk was amazing. |
A little slice of Americana tucked into the Cuyamaca Mountains, Julian is known for its apples—and yes, its apple pie is worth the hype. What makes it cool? The blend of Gold Rush history, rustic charm, and delicious food.
Our AIRBNB cabin was awesome and cozy.
It’s a bit farther from L.A. (about 2.5 hours), but the scenic drive and the pie make it 100% worth it. Read my full recap.
Julian on the map:
Idyllwild-Pine Cove
Just under two hours from L.A., it’s a quick escape where you can sip locally roasted coffee, shop for handmade crafts, and hike trails like Devil’s Slide. Read my full recap.
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| We make sure our rentals have a hot tub. |
Bonus points for the incredible dog-friendly culture—your pup will love it too! We stayed at this dog-friendly cabin and clearly, Archer loved it.
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| This was my first girls trip with Archer, my friend's pup. |
Idyllwild-Pine Cove on the map:
Overall, these destinations offer the ultimate respite from the L.A. hustle: clean mountain air, scenic drives, and small-town vibes. If you’re looking for solitude, adventure, or the best slice of pie, these spots are highly recommended.
Have you been to any of these mountain towns? Let me know in the comments.
Don't forget to PIN this post!
Whenever I book a cabin rental, I make sure that there's a hot tub, free Wifi, check-in via code or lock box, on site parking, and I make sure to read comments from previous renters.
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.
Hey, I'm Christy Scronce, a Filipina-American Los Angeles native and travel enthusiast. I love visiting new places and trying new food. Welcome to my adventure blog where I capture both State & National Park visits, family excursions, and road trips, while sharing my travel photos and recaps. My goal is to visit as many National Parks using my “America the Beautiful” annual pass. 
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