15 Quick Weekend Getaways from San Diego in 2025

While it’s always nice to have a week (or more) for an escape to Paris, the Caribbean, or any other destination thousands of miles from home, there are still plenty of options for a weekend getaway from San Diego.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic retreat, family time with plenty of entertainment for the kids, or outdoor adventures enjoyed among spectacular scenery, you’re sure to find something enticing on our list of favorites within just a few hours’ drive from San Diego. 

Joshua Tree

The village of Joshua Tree is the main gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, and while it’s just a 2.5-hour drive northeast of San Diego, it feels as if it’s on an entirely different planet. There are miles and miles of scenic trails that wind through the landscape strewn with endless Joshua trees, each of which seems to have its own unique personality, with branches that twist and turn like the limbs of a human. You’ll also encounter numerous bizarre rock formations like Skull Rock, creating nearly endless ways to fill your Instagram feed.

The village itself has the quirky vibe of an artists’ enclave, with many fun shops and delicious eats, while the Integratron nearby provides an extraordinary experience. Hosted in a special acoustic structure, visitors can enjoy a meditative soundbath, provided through the vibrations of gongs and crystal bowls. If you can be back in the park after dark, Joshua Tree is one of the country’s best places for stargazing, with designated areas that include the Mount Ryan and Hidden Valley trailhead parking lots.

Disneyland & California Adventure, Anaheim

Less than a 1.5-hour drive from San Diego, you’ll find dozens of rides like the Matterhorn, Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, along with opportunities to meet Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and many other characters at Disneyland. It’s a fun way to spend a weekend, whether you have kids or you’re a kid-at-heart. Plus, California Adventure is right next door with plenty of its own, including seven different themed areas, such as Cars Land and Hollywood Land.

As you’re bound to do a lot of walking at these vast amusement parks, one of the best ways to soothe those sore feet and muscles is to stay at a hotel with an in-room hot tub. There aren’t a lot of hotels with hot tub in room in Anaheim, but we did find a few. Our personal favorite is Quality Inn & Suites Main Gate, as it offers affordable shuttle service to Disneyland!

Palm Springs

If it’s an art lover’s trip, a foodie weekend, or time spent lounging around the pool under practically guaranteed sunshine you’re after, Palm Springs is just over a two-hour drive from San Diego. This oasis in the desert is renowned for its cool and colorful retro vibe with lots of flamingo pinks, sunny yellows, corals, and turquoise splashed throughout. There are nearly endless enticing art galleries, boutiques, and eateries right downtown, while the Backstreet Art District is just minutes away. One of the most vibrant cultural gems, it’s a collective of creative studios, galleries, and working artists who are locally, nationally, and internationally recognized.

If you want to get more active, ride the Palm Springs Tramway up to Mount Jacinto State Park, where scenic hiking trails can be accessed. Afterward, delve into a culinary adventure back in town where you’ll find creatively crafted cocktails, innovative cuisine, and mid-century modern aesthetics. There are even rooftop bars for sipping with desert views, such as 4 Saints and High Bar at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs.

Pioneertown

For a weekend getaway from San Diego with a guaranteed way to fill your Insta-feed, head to Pioneertown. Built in the 1940s as a film and TV set for Westerns, designed so that the community could live and work to create films and TV series in one location, today it’s an unincorporated village. It comes complete with a variety of Western-style entertainment and even Old West accommodation, providing the chance to step back in time for the weekend in a unique place hidden in the desert.

Enjoy the shops and saloons, all designed to look like a 19th-century Western town, creating a unique atmosphere and fantastic photo ops. The Red Dog Saloon is popular for its wide range of mezcals, while the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve is nearby for those who like to hike. Afterwards, legendary Pappy and Harriet’s is a must-visit, frequently hosting live music that can be enjoyed with tasty food and drink.

Hollywood/Beverly Hills

Spending a getaway being treated like Hollywood stars and perhaps spotting a few celebrities is sure to make for a good time. It’s the perfect girls’ trip, but of course, who couldn’t use a little pampering? You might shop along Santa Monica Boulevard, the “beating heart” of West Hollywood, or head to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to splurge on some new outfits that will make you look like a VIP. Or, do some window shopping for inspiration before visiting The Grove for a VIP appearance without the high price tag. This open-air mall is where the stars like to shop too, so you never know who you’ll bump into.

You might take a scenic drive into the Hollywood Hills, where many of the stars have their grand homes and sometimes walk their dogs along the steep streets. When it comes to dining, make a reservation at an A-list hotspot like Craig’s, where a long list of stars have dined, including John Legend and George Clooney. Searching hashtags like #CraigsHollywood on Instagram and TikTok will reveal who’s been there recently.

Malibu

Malibu offers another opportunity for an exciting weekend of relaxation, activities, and the potential to spot celebrities. You’ll find a wealth of accommodation options, from vacation rentals to luxury resorts, along with many beautiful beaches like famous Surfrider Beach, now officially known as Malibu Lagoon State Beach. It’s the perfect spot for people watching and swimming in the summer. Or visit nearby Leo Carillo State Park, where you can explore sea caves and search through tidepools to discover colorful marine creatures. There are many hiking opportunities as well, including the trails in Malibu Creek State Park.

If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of a Hollywood star, Malibu Country Mart is where many have been spotted, including Christian Bale, Paris Hilton, and Courteney Cox. For amusement thrills, the Santa Monica Pier is home to an aquarium and the iconic Pacific Wheel (the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel), where you can spin while taking in a panoramic view of the coast.

Ensenada, Mexico

Ensenada is an easy weekend trip from San Diego, a little less than a two-hour drive south along the coast. This highly walkable town has a lovely, wide oceanfront promenade, and many outstanding yet affordable places to dine, including a great local seafood market popular for its fish tacos. There are lots of stalls for browsing or purchasing souvenirs, particularly at the far end of the Malecon when walking from Avenida Lopez Mateos or the cruise terminal.

Also near the cruise terminal is the Museo de Historia de Ensenada (Ensenada History Museum), where you can learn about the region’s history from the time Baja California was formed through today, with a focus on the indigenous people.

Tijuana, Mexico

If you want to visit Mexico for the weekend without driving, Tijuana is the place to go, only about 18 miles south of San Diego, right on the border. In fact, once you’ve crossed into Mexico, you’ll be less than a mile from downtown. Simply take the trolley (a light rail system), which runs from San Diego to the border at San Ysidro. A taxi, Uber, or Lyft can get you there too. A 20-minute walk will bring you into the compact tourist areas, including Avenida Revolucion in Zona Centro, the most famous, with its iconic Monument Arch, souvenir shops, markets, bars, clubs, and restaurants.

You might pick up some of the delicious street food with favorites like smoked marlin gobernador tacos and tostadas stacked impossibly high with seafood to bring to Playas de Tijuana. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a picnic, soak up the sun on the soft sand, and enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk.

Lake Arrowhead

For a lakeside retreat in the mountains, head to Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains. Less than 150 miles north of San Diego, it’s often called “The Alps of Southern California,” set at an elevation of around 5,100 feet. Temperatures are moderate most of the year, but in the winter, snow is possible, which means you can enjoy sledding or even skiing nearby at either Mountain High Resort or Bear Mountain Resort.

In the summer, many come to enjoy camping, but you’ll also find cabins for a cozy stay that can include activities like swimming, fishing, waterskiing, hiking, and biking. There are lake cruises available on the Lake Arrowhead Queen paddleboat too.

Channel Islands National Park

Accessed by ferry from Oxnard on the Central Coast of California (just over a 2.5-hour drive north of San Diego), Channel Islands National Park offers an escape like no other for nature lovers. Although this is one of the least visited national parks in California, accessible only by a private boat or one of the park concessionaire vessels, there is a wide range of accommodation to choose from, including campsites, self-catering cottages, guesthouses, and hotels.

The most popular activities include snorkeling and diving among the abundant marine life, including all sorts of colorful fish like sheephead and garibaldi, bat rays, leopard sharks, and even playful seals and sea lions. The waters that surround the island are also teeming with whales, including gray, humpback, and blue whales in the summer. Visitors can also kayak through sea caves and hike one of many epic trails. The Potato Harbor trail on Santa Cruz Island is known for its stunning coastal views, while the scenic Cavern Point Loop is perfect for an easy coastal walk.

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake is about 2.5 hours northeast of San Diego and provides year-round activities. In the summer, you can ride the bobsleds or water slides at Magic Mountain, fish, boat, kayak, ride a zipline via Action Zipline Tours, or hike the miles of trails in the surrounding San Bernardino Mountains. The Castle Rock hike is one of the most popular, a 2.4-mile round-trip trek through dense forest that passes a waterfall. Families might take the easy 1.5-mile loop on the Woodland Interpretive Trail with interpretive signs along the way focused on the region’s geology, botany, and wildlife.

In the winter, snow tubing, snowboarding, and skiing are available at the Snow Summit and Bear Mountain Resort. The Village is the place to go for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Yuma, Arizona

Yuma is known for its abundant sunshine and warm weather, located near the border of Mexico, but there are plenty of things to do here to fill a weekend or longer. It’s home to the Yuma Territorial Prison State Park, which includes the infamous prison built in 1875, featured in “3:10 to Yuma.” Now a museum, visitors can wander through the cell blocks and read the stories of prisoners who were once housed here, for a glimpse of what their lives were like. Don’t miss the chance to climb the guard tower and head up onto the view deck for magnificent views of the Colorado River.

The Colorado River provides a popular way to cool off by going tubing, while the area lakes are great for canoeing and boating. Hiking, biking, and off-roading are all possible in the Sonoran Desert and Imperial Sand Dunes, plus there are nearly a dozen golf courses too.

Temecula

Located an hour from San Diego, Temecula is in the heart of Southern California wine country, providing the ideal retreat for wine enthusiasts seeking a tranquil retreat from the big city. While there are dozens of wineries to visit, Bailey Vineyard & Winery has been named among the best in the country and offers a medieval-themed restaurant with live music on the weekends. Altisima Winery is often considered the most beautiful, with open-air decks, a world-class tasting room and restaurant, and impressive views from every direction.

It’s worth waking early one morning for a hot-air balloon ride over the rolling hills and vineyards at sunrise. Plus, Temecula has a historic Old Town district with unique shops and eateries housed in historic buildings, along with a farmer’s market. In the evening, you can catch a performance at the Old Town Temecula Community Center.

Borrego Springs

Only about 90 miles northeast of San Diego, Borrego Springs is the only town in California surrounded by a state park. It lies in the middle of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which provides a wide range of attractions, campsites, and various lodging options, including hotels and resorts like La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa, which includes casitas with private hot tubs. If you visit between late February to April, the park’s wildflowers, including California poppies, desert sunflowers, brittlebush, and phacelia, create colorful displays for nearly endless photo ops.

As you explore the area, watch for the more than 100 large metal sculptures of prehistoric animals, serpents, and mystical creatures. A guide from the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association reveals their locations. If you like to stargaze, be sure to head outside after dark as the area is a designated International Dark Sky Community.

Catalina Island

Catalina Island provides a blend of adventure and relaxation, only about 20 miles off the Southern California coast, accessed by ferry from the ports at Newport Beach, Dana Point, Long Beach, and San Pedro. Once there, you can get around by golf cart while enjoying a unique island getaway that can even include some of the best snorkeling in the continental U.S., with some of the highest concentrations of fish off the country’s west coast.  It can even be explored by a glass-bottom boat if you don’t want to get wet.

On land, there’s plenty to do as well, including hiking, biking, golfing, and walking food tours. Shopping, dining, and entertainment are all plentiful, while accommodation options include campsites, cottage rentals, historic inns like the Banning House Lodge, and a good range of hotels.

Santa Barbara

While a bit further than some of the other destinations on this list, Santa Barbara is worth the just over three-hour drive north from San Diego. History enthusiasts can visit Old Mission Santa Barbara, which sits on a hilltop overlooking the city and the Pacific, standing out with its combination of Roman, Greek, and Spanish architectural styles that include six pink columns and twin bell towers. Tours of the nine-room museum displaying art and artifacts, the lush garden, and the historic cemetery are available for in-depth exploration. If you like botanic gardens, the city offers one of the best, providing a tranquil oasis with remarkable diversity that includes plants unique to California’s Central Coast, along with beautiful mountain views.

Those who want to get more active might cycle the paved path that runs along the beach and through the palm-lined streets while taking in mountain and ocean views. For some outstanding wildlife viewing, head to the Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve and Rookery just south to see dozens of seals and learn more about them from the volunteers on-site. When it comes to accommodation, if you want to treat yourself, there are many luxury resorts like the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, with a 42,000-square-foot spa that includes a hot tub, a redwood sauna, and a eucalyptus steam room.

Tips for Planning That Perfect Weekend Getaway from San Diego

As a weekend away means your time is a bit limited, to make the most of it be sure to prioritize what you want to see and do the most. If you’re visiting a destination where attractions are more spread out, try to organize your hours by combining things together that are in the same area. For example, you might spend one day enjoying a theme park or museums and the other at the beach, with time relaxing on the sand and enjoying the water. 

When it comes to choosing accommodation, for shorter trips like this, it’s best to stay somewhere near the attractions and activities you plan to enjoy. But be sure to consider the amenities that can make for an even memorable getaway, like an in-room hot tub, a pool, or a spa. Typically, the further you book in advance, the better deals you find.

Bosnus: Staycation in San Diego

Prefer to keep it close to home? Swap the drive for a San Diego staycation: pick a place near your usual spots (beaches, Old Town, Balboa Park) and add a private hot tub to the plan. See our picks for San Diego hotels with Jacuzzi in room.

FAQs: Weekend Getaways from San Diego