Day (and Weekend) Tripping Around Los Angeles

Palm Springs

While the area might be a mecca for the elderly and gay men, it seems that everyone in LA loves Palm Springs just as much as the next AARP member. While you could head to the Valley for scorching heat and golf, it’s just not the same as heading out to desert. Since I’m not one for heat, I love going to Palm Springs in the winter. Last time I went we took the infamous tram (remember to bring some $$$ because those tickets don’t come cheap) and went snow shoeing at the top! It was kind of great. 

What To Bring on a (Long-ish) Car Ride:

• Snacks, snacks, and more snacks
• Plenty of water
• Phone and iPod chargers
• iTrip or CDs
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hand wipes
• Napkins

Another Word or Two About Snacks

Since snacks are an integral part of the roadtrip, here’s some to consider:

• Chex Mix
• Pirate’s Booty
• Veggie Stix
• Trader Joe’s Honey Whole Wheat Pretzel Sticks
• Cheez-Its
• Snap Pea Crisps
• Pita chips
• Trail Mix

Ojai

I went to summer in camp in Ojai as a kid so I totally have a soft spot for this place. Ojai is a hippie arts colony at heart, so you can expect used book stores (Bart’s Books!), vegetarian fare (Rainbow Bridge!), and art galleries. If you’re a film buff you can organize your trip around the annual Ojai Film Festival. And if you’re an outdoorsy person you won’t be dissatisfied with the local hiking and biking trails. I’ve ridden on the bike path from Ojai to the beach in Ventura (the terrain is all flat so it’s not too strenuous) and I definitely recommend it!

San Diego

My parents used to take us here all the time when we were kids (I guess no one wants to spend more than 2 hours in the car with a bunch of kids!). We used to stay in hotels on Mission Bay, and our trip pretty much revolved around the bay. We went sailing and water skiing and of course we lounged on the beach. We always talked about wind surfing, but somehow we never took the plunge. 

Monterey

If you’re a literary buff you’ll love going to Monterey which is otherwise known as Steinbeck country. You can explore the area that Steinbeck parlayed into books like “Cannery Row.” If you complained the whole way through “Grapes of Wrath” don’t worry there are plenty of literature-free activities in Monterey. Perhaps the most famous is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is located on Cannery Row. If you decide to go to Monterey you should also make a sidetrip to Carmel. Carmel is pretty artsy so you should expect art galleries and theater galore. But I think my favorite thing to do in Monterey is go on the 17-mile drive (a scenic drive that takes you along the coast) with a lunchtime stop at Roy’s at Pebble Beach.

Santa Ynez Valley

If you’re looking to get tipsy on good wine (or you want to relive the movie “Sideways,”) then book yourself a wine country getaway in the Santa Ynez Valley. It’s way closer than going to Napa and it’s just as awesome. And if you get tired of swirling and sniffing Pinot, then you can always place some bets at the nearby Chumash Casino. Or better yet, head to the “Danish” town of Solvang for some windmill spotting. 

Santa Barbara

Not too far from Santa Ynez is Santa Barbara, which is a vacation destination in and of itself. The last time I was in Santa Barbara was for a bachelorette party (which meant drinking, dancing, and more drinking), but Santa Barbara is a great destination for outdoorsy activities like horseback riding, biking, surfing, and hiking. But don’t overlook places like that Natural History Museum, zoo, or the mission. And don’t forget to stick around on Sunday for the arts and crafts market that takes place by the pier.

Mammoth

At about 5 hours, Mammoth is the longest drive on this list, but it’s worth the gas money. Mammoth is a great destination in the summer or the winter time. Of course winter is all about the snow sports. Mammoth Mountain is awesome, but it does get crowded on the weekends. June Mountain is smaller (and less intimidating for beginners), but there’s considerably less traffic. And if you’d rather just look the part of a snow bunny, there are a bunch of shops in the village to keep you occupied. If you decide to go up to Mammoth during the summer time you can mountain bike, hike, rock climb, fish, and golf. And be sure to stop at Schat’s Bakery for some sandwiches on the drive up or down (or both!).

Laguna Niguel

If you’re really in need of some R&R there’s no need to book a pricey resort in the Caribbean or Mexico. Instead you can book yourself a room at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna. You can surf, play golf, lounge by the pool, and go to the spa. If that doesn’t sound like a five-star vacation I don’t know what does. 

Road Trip Mix for your Ipod

• “Don’t Stop Believing” — Journey
• “Freefalling” — Tom Petty
• “Under Pressure” — Queen & David Bowie
• “Gimme Shelter” — Rolling Stones
• “Break on Through” — Doors
• “Chain” — Fleetwood Mac
• “Teenage Wasteland” — The Who
• “More Than a Feeling” — Boston
• “Summer in the City” —Lovin’ Spoonful

Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach isn’t Miami, but it is a quaint beach town. It’s what I imagine a beach town in Maine would be like, but without the lobster. The beaches are pretty nice here, although when I was here back in July the water was FREEZING. If you get tired of lounging on the beach (or if it’s just too cold to lounge), you can head to San Luis Obispo, and you can drive up to Heart Castle to see over-the-top architecture and elephant seals.  

Big Bear

If you’re looking for skiing/snowboarding close to home, then Big Bear is your best choice. It’s not Mammoth and it’s not Tahoe, but it is about a two hour drive, making it close enough to go up for the day. The last time I went skiing at Snow Summit the snow was a tad icy, but it was one of those rain-less winters in LA, so I guess I can’t really complain too much. The weekends are way packed around here, so you’re better off calling in “sick” during the week.