Long Beach offers more than year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, and a thriving arts scene. Its central location along Southern California’s coast makes it a prime starting point for scenic, memorable getaways. With mountains, deserts, wine country, and iconic beach towns all within a few hours’ drive, planning weekend trips from Long Beach is a popular way for residents to explore the best that the region has to offer.
Whether you're craving outdoor adventure, cultural immersion, or a quiet coastal retreat, the accessibility of these nearby destinations is one of the many perks of living in Long Beach. For potential homeowners considering a move to the area, the convenience of these short getaways adds to the already appealing lifestyle. Below is a guide to some of the most rewarding weekend trips from Long Beach, each offering a unique experience that’s just far enough to feel like a true escape without requiring extensive travel planning.
Santa Barbara: Coastal Elegance Just a Few Hours Away
About two and a half hours northwest of Long Beach, Santa Barbara remains one of the most popular weekend trips from Long Beach for its combination of Mediterranean charm, wine tasting, and oceanfront relaxation. The city’s Spanish Colonial architecture and upscale boutiques set a refined tone, while the beaches, hiking trails, and waterfront restaurants offer a casual, welcoming vibe.
Visitors can explore the Funk Zone for wine tasting and art galleries, take a sunset cruise along the harbor, or enjoy scenic views from the Santa Barbara County Courthouse tower. Nearby Santa Ynez Valley adds a rural escape with vineyards, horseback riding, and charming small towns like Solvang and Los Olivos.
Visitors can explore the Funk Zone for wine tasting and art galleries, take a sunset cruise along the harbor, or enjoy scenic views from the Santa Barbara County Courthouse tower. Nearby Santa Ynez Valley adds a rural escape with vineyards, horseback riding, and charming small towns like Solvang and Los Olivos.
Palm Springs: Desert Luxury and Mid-Century Modern Style
For those seeking a different kind of scenery, Palm Springs offers a stylish desert escape just under two hours from Long Beach. Known for its iconic mid-century modern architecture, spa resorts, and vintage shopping, Palm Springs draws everyone from design enthusiasts to outdoor adventurers.
The city's thriving culinary scene, relaxing poolside experiences, and proximity to hiking spots like Tahquitz Canyon or Joshua Tree National Park make it a versatile choice for a long weekend. With a variety of hotels and rentals tailored to both families and couples, it’s no surprise Palm Springs continues to rank high among favorite weekend trips from Long Beach.
The city's thriving culinary scene, relaxing poolside experiences, and proximity to hiking spots like Tahquitz Canyon or Joshua Tree National Park make it a versatile choice for a long weekend. With a variety of hotels and rentals tailored to both families and couples, it’s no surprise Palm Springs continues to rank high among favorite weekend trips from Long Beach.
San Diego: Urban Culture Meets Laid-Back Living
Located just over 100 miles south, San Diego is ideal for those who want a city-focused weekend getaway without sacrificing beach access. This vibrant coastal city offers something for everyone—family-friendly attractions like the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, walkable neighborhoods like Little Italy and Gaslamp Quarter, and world-class beaches in La Jolla, Coronado, and Pacific Beach.
A weekend in San Diego can include a Padres game at Petco Park, paddle boarding in Mission Bay, or exploring Balboa Park’s museums and gardens. With its combination of culture, nature, and entertainment, San Diego remains one of the most dynamic weekend trips from Long Beach.
A weekend in San Diego can include a Padres game at Petco Park, paddle boarding in Mission Bay, or exploring Balboa Park’s museums and gardens. With its combination of culture, nature, and entertainment, San Diego remains one of the most dynamic weekend trips from Long Beach.
Big Bear Lake: Mountain Air and Four-Season Fun
In just over two hours, Long Beach residents can trade ocean views for alpine vistas by heading to Big Bear Lake. This popular mountain destination in the San Bernardino National Forest is perfect for both winter and summer getaways. In colder months, Big Bear Mountain Resort offers snowboarding, skiing, and snow tubing. During the warmer season, visitors enjoy hiking, fishing, and lakefront boating.
The town’s cozy cabins, scenic trails, and welcoming village atmosphere make it an excellent choice for a refreshing break from coastal life. For those looking to experience California’s seasonal diversity, Big Bear offers one of the most immersive weekend trips from Long Beach.
The town’s cozy cabins, scenic trails, and welcoming village atmosphere make it an excellent choice for a refreshing break from coastal life. For those looking to experience California’s seasonal diversity, Big Bear offers one of the most immersive weekend trips from Long Beach.
Temecula: Wine Country Closer Than You Think
Temecula, located approximately 90 minutes from Long Beach, is Southern California’s hidden wine country gem. With over 40 wineries set amidst rolling hills and vineyards, Temecula offers a sophisticated yet approachable wine tasting experience. The region also features luxury resorts, horseback tours, and hot air balloon rides over the valley.
Historic Old Town Temecula adds charm with its preserved architecture, local boutiques, and lively weekend events. For a low-key but indulgent escape, Temecula is among the most scenic and accessible weekend trips from Long Beach, especially for wine enthusiasts and couples.
Historic Old Town Temecula adds charm with its preserved architecture, local boutiques, and lively weekend events. For a low-key but indulgent escape, Temecula is among the most scenic and accessible weekend trips from Long Beach, especially for wine enthusiasts and couples.
Catalina Island: A Coastal Adventure by Ferry
Just 22 miles off the coast, Catalina Island feels like a world away—and yet it’s only a one-hour ferry ride from Long Beach. Avalon, the island’s main town, offers a mix of boutique shopping, beachfront dining, and water-based activities including snorkeling, kayaking, and glass-bottom boat tours.
Hikers can explore the rugged interior via the Trans-Catalina Trail, while others may opt for spa treatments or a golf cart tour through the hillside streets. The island’s mix of adventure and relaxation makes it one of the most unique weekend trips from Long Beach, with easy access and a distinctly island atmosphere.
Hikers can explore the rugged interior via the Trans-Catalina Trail, while others may opt for spa treatments or a golf cart tour through the hillside streets. The island’s mix of adventure and relaxation makes it one of the most unique weekend trips from Long Beach, with easy access and a distinctly island atmosphere.
Joshua Tree National Park: Desert Beauty and Stargazing
For those who appreciate natural landscapes and stargazing, Joshua Tree National Park is an unforgettable destination. Just over two hours from Long Beach, the park is known for its striking rock formations, vast desert plains, and the namesake Joshua Trees that dot the landscape.
Hiking, photography, and rock climbing are popular daytime activities, while the evenings offer exceptional views of the night sky. Nearby towns like Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley provide artistic flair, cozy accommodations, and local dining. A visit here reconnects travelers with nature and offers a serene break from the pace of coastal living.
Hiking, photography, and rock climbing are popular daytime activities, while the evenings offer exceptional views of the night sky. Nearby towns like Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley provide artistic flair, cozy accommodations, and local dining. A visit here reconnects travelers with nature and offers a serene break from the pace of coastal living.
Laguna Beach: Artistic Coastal Escape
For a short and scenic getaway under an hour away, Laguna Beach delivers coastal beauty with a strong creative pulse. This artist-driven beach town features galleries, oceanfront dining, and the popular Heisler Park, which offers walking paths with panoramic ocean views.
Visitors can enjoy tide pooling, boutique shopping, or attending seasonal events like the Sawdust Art Festival and Pageant of the Masters. With its upscale charm and laid-back atmosphere, Laguna Beach is one of the best low-effort weekend trips from Long Beach and a favorite for couples or solo travelers looking for inspiration and relaxation.
Visitors can enjoy tide pooling, boutique shopping, or attending seasonal events like the Sawdust Art Festival and Pageant of the Masters. With its upscale charm and laid-back atmosphere, Laguna Beach is one of the best low-effort weekend trips from Long Beach and a favorite for couples or solo travelers looking for inspiration and relaxation.
Lake Arrowhead: Tranquil Retreat in the Pines
If you're looking for a quieter alternative to Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead offers alpine serenity just under two hours away. Known as the “Alps of Southern California,” this private lake community features forested trails, lake tours, and boutique shopping in Lake Arrowhead Village.
It’s a great destination for families, nature lovers, and anyone seeking peace and quiet among towering pines. Lake Arrowhead is especially appealing in the fall and winter months when the foliage changes or light snow transforms the landscape into a postcard-perfect retreat.
It’s a great destination for families, nature lovers, and anyone seeking peace and quiet among towering pines. Lake Arrowhead is especially appealing in the fall and winter months when the foliage changes or light snow transforms the landscape into a postcard-perfect retreat.
Making the Most of Living in Long Beach
What makes Long Beach an exceptional place to call home isn’t just what it offers within city limits—it’s also the access it provides to an incredible array of destinations. From beaches and mountains to wine country and island escapes, weekend trips from Long Beach enhance quality of life by offering countless ways to unwind, explore, and recharge.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to the area, making time for these short getaways adds depth to the Southern California lifestyle. Each destination offers something unique and helps reinforce why so many people choose to settle in Long Beach—it’s not just where you live, but how easily you can enjoy everything around you.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to the area, making time for these short getaways adds depth to the Southern California lifestyle. Each destination offers something unique and helps reinforce why so many people choose to settle in Long Beach—it’s not just where you live, but how easily you can enjoy everything around you.
Contact The Elmer Team to Learn More About Weekend Trips from Long Beach
Living in Long Beach means access to exceptional real estate and unforgettable adventures. If you’re considering making a move to the area—or simply want to find a property that fits your lifestyle—contact The Elmer Team today. Their local expertise and commitment to service can help you find the right home base to make every weekend getaway from Long Beach a seamless and rewarding experience.
