9 California 'Staycation' Destinations Worth The Trip

CALIFORNIA — You don’t have to go far to plan your next staycation in California.

Maybe a big trip isn’t in your budget, or you want to explore something local. From day trips to quick getaways, here are some ideas to help you unwind.

Satisfy your travel craving with a road trip or visit. Whether you prefer hiking the great outdoors or taking it easy, new discoveries and special offers are near you.

From Northern California to Southern, plus the central coast in between, here are 11 ways to relax and explore the Golden State.

Catalina Island

Book a ferry on the Catalina Express from San Pedro, Long Beach or Dana Point to Avalon or Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island. The island was hit hard in the pandemic, and now a series of packages are available for travelers, including boat and hotel room packages, a local gift guide and hiking trail recommendations for all fitness enthusiasts.

You can visit Avalon, the main town with hotels, spas and restaurants, or take a hike beginning at Two Harbors and wind up the hills and switchbacks to the Western side of the island. You may even see some wild buffalo left behind from a John Wayne Western. Catch incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and California Coast. You can snorkel through kelp beds and catch a view of a Garibaldi, or tap into your adventurous side and zipline. And, if you’re in the mood to party, then RSVP for the New Year’s Eve Gala at the stylish Casino Ballroom. Reservations are $199 per person and include a gourmet buffet meal, plus a performance from the Christien Anthony Band.

Temecula

Temecula is a SoCal gem located just north of San Diego. Temecula Valley Wine Country has tons of fantastic wineries, activities and ways to unwind.

Channel your inner housewife and hop on the cable car, vineyard trolley to get around. Cable Car Wine Tours, which offers wine tours by day and haunted tours at night, launched in 2006 with the initial goal of restoring an original 1914 San Francisco cable car as a vineyard trolley. Check out a full list of Temecula Valley-area wineries and book your hotel, resort or stay in town.

Paso Robles

If you want to unwind and unplug, then consider a trip to Paso Robles. You can take an Amtrak train or make the drive up the coast to this relaxed town. This quaint, Central Coast town has plenty of local vineyards, restaurants and spots to uncover.

Visit a family vineyard from former LA Laker and basketball legend Aleksander "Sasha" Vujacic, or stick around through Jan. 2 to see the glowing outdoor exhibit "Bruce Munro: Light at Sensorio," a 15-acre, illumination extravaganza, which includes more than 17,000 wine bottles. The solar installation was dubbed by The New York Times as #6 in its "52 Places to Go in 2020."

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara has tons of options and beautiful weather. Enjoy the outdoors and camp at Los Prietos Campground under the tall oak trees, explore local hiking trails and head down to the beach to dip your toes in the sand.

Walk down State Street in downtown Santa Barbara and experience the European vibe, which was transformed as a promenade perfect for strolling to local shops and restaurants. Grab a beer at Modern Times Academy of Recreational Sciences or celebrate Santa Barbara’s Chumash Indian heritage with inspired dishes from Barbareño.

You can learn even more about Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. The museum reopened its popular exhibit “Mermaids: Visualizing the Myths and Legends – Photography by Ralph A. Clevenger & Friends,” which includes 16 images printed on canvas by Ralph Clevenger and friends. Let your imagination help guide you.

Monterey

If you’re inspired by the vision of misty, hazy coastal images in “Big Little Lies,” or you’re just curious about seeing otters in real life, then consider a trip to Monterey. Visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and plan your visit to see jellyfish and penguins. See Cannery Row, a historic area that features boutiques, hotels, wine tasting and dining options. Grab an ice cream sundae and take a walk near the waterfront. You can also rent bikes nearby and cruise by the waves.

Go slow and cruise. Take the drive to Carmel and walk down the main strip. Grab some coffee and delicious pastries along the way.

San Francisco

It might not be the same hippie mecca, but San Francisco is definitely a spot to be and see. Head to the Mission District, grab a book from Dog Eared Books and a coffee from Ritual Coffee Roasters. From there, walk up the hill and explore Dolores Park. Bring a blanket, snacks and soak up the city views.

Stop by Vital Tea Leaf (three locations are on Grant Avenue) and explore the produce markets and walk around Chinatown. You can also visit the historic landmarks Cliff House and Sutro Baths, a famous location on San Francisco’s western shore where visitors can hike concrete ruins north of the Cliff House.

Santa Monica

Drop by the famous Santa Monica Pier, taste a bacon-wrapped hot dog or grab a soft-serve ice cream from Korean dessert destination SOMISOMI and check out Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place. Expect to see plenty of shopping options, and for more boutique options, check out Main Street or Montana Avenue, and grab a juice from Kreation to really experience the LA-life.

Santa Monica residents also have a chance to staycation at local hotels or help host visiting family and friends at local hotels with the “Santa Monica Extra Bedroom” program, which runs through Feb. 6. Learn more about it on the website and check out the 25 participating hotels offering discounts to locals.

Ojai

Spend your day in a gorgeous setting and see what life is like in Ojai. This stunning Ventura County town is nestled in the Ojai Valley and features spectacular hiking in Los Padres National Forest, plus camping and spots to swim along the way.

Drop by Ojai Rôtie and sit under the trees to sample French-Lebanese style rotisserie chicken, delicious sides and wine. Swing by the Dutchess, a new Burmese restaurant brought to town by Rustic Canyon restaurant group in Santa Monica. Taste the fudge at
You can also check unique gift shop Jones & Company to pick up a gift or treasure. You can also meditate and practice yoga at Light And Space.

Palos Verdes Peninsula

Get outside and wander the South Coast Botanic Garden, including immersive “GLOW (or Garden Lights & Ocean Waters)” with food, drinks, music and a transformative garden with thousands of lights near the beach, an imagined bayou for cocktails and dreamy waterfalls. The exhibit has interactive experiences and themed nights.

If you want to take a break or schedule some fun, Terranea has tons of ways to help you ring in the new year with family dinner (Adults: $139 | Children 12 – 20: $95 | Children 5-11: $40 | Children 2-4: $15) or the adults-only New Year’s Eve Neon Extravaganza (Pre-Sale: $215; VIP table service options available), which includes an open bar, food, live entertainment and a deejay.

Plus, if you’re local then you can take advantage of a coastal getaway offer available through Jan. 12. Guests can enjoy complimentary daily parking, resort fee and $100 resort credit for seasonal activities and adventure offerings. Use promo code: TRADITIONS.