6 California Staycations To Explore In 2024

CALIFORNIA — Californians are pretty lucky in that they don’t have to travel very far for a memorable vacation. Here are a few unforgettable staycations located within an hour or two’s drive or flight from both the Southland and the Bay Area.

1. Carmel-by-the-Sea

This impossibly charming village along the ocean is about a two-hours drive south of San Francisco, and a two-hour journey from LAX if you fly into Monterey or San Jose. The beautiful village features a picture-perfect downtown dotted with storybook-style cottages.

And Carmel certainly earns its “by the sea” title. Head to Point Lobos State Reserve, the “crown jewel of the State Park system” that offers gorgeous oceanside hiking. The famous “17-Mile Drive” will take you along some of the most scenic coastline anywhere, culminating in the deluxe Pebble Beach resort, golf course, and spa. The town also sits along the Pacific Coast Highway, which offers 656 miles of beautiful oceanside driving. One crucial stop to make along that route is the nearby, world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium.

2. Napa Valley

You could easily spend a week or more enjoying the treasures of Napa Valley, one of the most celebrated, beloved wine regions in the world. Just an hour and a half north from San Francisco and an hour and forty-five minute flight from LAX to the Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa lies a gorgeous region of wine and wonder.

Of course, there are over 400 vineyards and 100 separate tasting rooms to enjoy, notably Faust Haus, Cliff Lede Vineyards, and Darioush. There are also a fabulous array of restaurants, including Press, Boon Fly Café, and The Charter Oak. You can also make wine yourself by stomping grapes, or enjoy the scenery via a train, bike, horse, or hot air balloon.

3. Ojai

About two hours north of LA by car, and a 2.5-hour journey from San Francisco by flying into Santa Barbara, lies Ojai, a quirky, alternative mountain town. You can wind down with meditation retreats, natural foods, or even a pottery workshop. The downtown features numerous independent bookstores (especially Bart’s Books), art galleries, restaurants, cafés, and breweries, all against a stunning mountain backdrop.

If you visit on a Sunday, you’ll be treated to the Ojai Certified Farmers Market, one of the best in the world. The surrounding region also offers a number of great opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

4. Palm Springs

It’s often quicker to fly from SFO into Palm Springs than to drive from LA, particularly headed into the weekend. But there’s traffic to Palm Springs for a reason: it’s fabulous. The downtown is a thriving mix of restaurants, bars, clubs, and quirky museums. But head off the main drag and you’ll find the many chic spas, resorts, and golf courses that make Palm Springs an internationally-known luxury destination. The surrounding desert region also boasts a number of attractions, including the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs Air Museum, and Mt. Jacinto State Park.

5. Paso Robles & San Simeon

Just over an hour’s flight from both LAX and SFO lies one of the most decadent estates ever created: the Hearst Castle, which towers impressively over rolling mountains and ocean. The view once belonged to media baron William Randolph Hearst, who built an opulent Mediterranean estate full of medieval and Renaissance treasures and one of the most photographed swimming pools in the world. In the 1920s and 30s, Hearst hosted celebrities and royalty from all over the world. Today, the estate is open for a number of different tours. Just be sure to arrive on time, or you’ll miss the bus that travels up an endless mountain, past the occasional zebra, to the towering spires ahead.

The estate is a short drive from Paso Robles wine country home to more than 200 wineries, large and small, from the misty cool coast to the blazing hot inland area. Breathtaking wine trails wind through forests of California oak trees draped in Spanish moss and dotted with deer and wildlife.

6. Santa Cruz

About an hour and a half drive from San Francisco and an hour and a half flight from LA, lies Santa Cruz, a beachy city surrounded by redwood forests. Enjoy beautiful ocean views from West Cliff Drive or from a roller coaster near the Santa Cruz Wharf. Natural Bridges State Beach and Wilder Ranch State Park are also beautiful places to commune with the waves. Once you’ve enjoyed the beaches and funky downtown, hike around beautiful old-growth redwood forests in Big Basin Redwoods State Park, or Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.