Living in San Diego, we’re spoiled with options when it comes to easy road trips and spontaneous weekend escapes. While everything is 30 minutes away in-town, drive a little further and you can be wine tasting in rolling hills, wandering red rock canyons, or lounging on picturesque beaches south of the border. Whether you’re after a quick reset or a full-on adventure, these destinations are within driving distance or less than a two-hour flight away.
Newport Beach, CA
Where to Stay: Pendry Newport Beach
Newport Beach in Orange County has a little bit of everything. Visitors can enjoy a mix of activities and experiences that cater to every type of traveler, including both beginner-friendly and powerful surf breaks; casual, beachside dining spots and upscale chef-driven restaurants; and designer shops dotting the coast next to mom-and-pop boutiques.
Locals heading north can check into the Pendry Newport Beach for an easy weekend getaway just two hours from San Diego. The four-star property features chic accommodations, a mix of casual and fine dining, a full-service spa, outdoor pool, and a members-only club, The Elmwood Club. The latter boasts a private restaurant and bar, a pub with golf simulator, a cabaret, a screening room, a members-only boardroom, and a rare art gallery.
Nearby, guests can also visit South Coast Plaza (about a 14-minute drive away) to enjoy fine dining, luxury brands, and world-class arts and culture experiences at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Coast Repertory, and the Orange County Museum of Art. Or, for those looking for outdoor adventures, Newport’s many beaches—including The Wedge (known for its massive waves)—are only about a 20-minute drive away. Families can catch the ferry to explore Balboa Island and check out classic arcade games or the ferris wheel before trying a local fave: a frozen banana.
Santa Barbara, CA
Where to Stay: Rosewood Miramar Beach
Santa Barbara feels like California’s little slice of the Mediterranean. Between its Spanish Revival architecture, sprawling vineyards, and palm-tree-lined coast, this seaside city blends easygoing SoCal charm with a refined, European edge. It’s perfect for travelers who want equal parts culture, wine, and sunshine.
Start your day in Santa Barbara, strolling down State Street and make a quick detour to the Funk Zone, a revitalized warehouse district filled with tasting rooms, surf shops, and open-air cafés. From there, head to the waterfront for kayaking, sailing, or whale watching around Stearns Wharf. For history buffs, the Old Mission Santa Barbara—founded in 1786—offers a glimpse into the region’s colonial roots.
Base yourself at the Rosewood Miramar Beach, an elegant oceanfront resort where white cabanas, two sparkling pools, and an on-site spa make it easy to settle into vacation mode. The property also features eight restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Caruso’s, a sushi bar, and even an old-fashioned ice cream shop for post-beach treats. Off-property, grab oysters and a Bloody Mary at Brophy Bros., or enjoy local wines at Deep Sea Tasting Room right on the pier.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Where to Stay: Fontainebleau Las Vegas
While San Diegans are all too familiar with a quick weekend trip to Las Vegas, sometimes posting up at your property for the entire stay is the best way to enjoy Sin City. Leave the Ubers and walking between casinos to the birds.
Opened at the end of 2023, the Fontainebleau Las Vegas is one of The Strip’s most glamorous and, now, its tallest hotels (it clocks in at a cool 67 stories). The property feels like its own destination with 20 restaurants and 12 bars and lounges, a casino, designer shopping, six outdoors pools with a separate 21+ section, a 55,000-square-foot spa, a full service fitness center, and LIV, the sister nightclub to its Miami location.
For dining options, check out Chyna Club, which features a special peking duck tasting menu offering five ways to enjoy this rich and savory meat. Or book a reservation at Papi Steak, set inside a nightclub-like space with an old Hollywood vibe. Everything here is a show, including the full performance (illuminated signage, a dedicated entrance song, and staff hyping up your table) any time the $1,000 tomahawk steak is ordered.
What’s nice about a stay here is that everything is modern and upscale—even the casino floor feels like a dress-up occasion. Everything about the Fontainebleau promises a more elevated and sophisticated Vegas, the kind that doesn’t require an unofficial NDA afterwards.
Ensenada, Baja California
Where to Stay: Villa Simul Hotel Boutique
Just a two-hour drive south of San Diego, Ensenada is Baja’s laid-back gem—a port city known for its sandy beaches, vibrant seafood scene, and proximity to Mexico’s famous wine country, Valle de Guadalupe. It’s an ideal getaway for food lovers, surfers, and anyone craving a little adventure south of the border.
Stay inland at Villa Simul Hotel Boutique, a peaceful retreat tucked among the vineyards. From here, it’s an easy hop to wineries like Vinícola Alximia, Casa Frida, and Monte Xanic, or to horseback rides through the Valle’s rolling hills. For dinner, check out Enzzo Valle Restaurante offering a scenic outdoor dining experience or consider King & Queen Cantina nearby, a colorful spot that might feel familiar if you’ve been to its sister location in Little Italy.
If you’ve had your fill of wine, head 30 minutes south into downtown Ensenada. Explore the historic Riviera del Pacífico Cultural Center, wander the Ensenada Malecón for ocean views, and bar hop your way through Baja’s emerging craft beer scene at Agua Mala and Wendlandt Brewery. Don’t leave without trying fresh ceviche from the world-famous La Guerrerense street cart or grabbing dinner at Manzanilla, an acclaimed seafood restaurant by chef Benito Molina.
For a dose of nature, visit La Bufadora, one of the world’s largest marine geysers, or spend an afternoon at Playa Hermosa—the city’s go-to strip of sandy beach. Ensenada is an easy mix of good food, good wine, and good vibes—a perfect change of pace for San Diegans.
Solvang, CA
Where to Stay: Mirabelle Inn
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Europe without leaving California, Solvang is your answer. Known as “The Danish Capital of America,” this small town in the Santa Ynez Valley feels straight out of a fairytale, with windmills, cobblestone streets, and timber buildings that nod to its Danish roots. It’s a dream for travelers who love cozy charm, pastries, and a slower pace.
Book a stay at the Mirabelle Inn, a 12-room boutique hotel that feels like an old-world lodge, complete with elegant decor and a renowned Michelin bib gourmand restaurant, First & Oak, right downstairs. Spend your mornings wandering Copenhagen Drive, ducking into bakeries like Solvang Bakery or Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery for flaky Danishes and pop by Good Seed Coffee Boutique for your caffeine fix.
In the afternoon, sample local wines at Lucas & Lewellen or Kaena at The Ranch, visit Mission Santa Inés, or explore nearby vineyards. For dinner, check out Peasants Feast, a local favorite born during the pandemic that still serves up some of the best comfort food in town. Solvang is small enough to explore in a day but charming enough to make you want to linger all weekend.
Los Olivos, CA
Where to Stay: Fess Parker Wine Country Inn
Just 15 minutes from Solvang, Los Olivos is wine country distilled to its purest form—tree-lined streets, horses grazing nearby, and more tasting rooms than you could fit into one trip. Founded in 1861 as a stagecoach stop between San Francisco and Los Angeles, this tiny town is perfect for oenophiles and couples looking for a quiet, romantic getaway.
Check in at Fess Parker Wine Country Inn, a cozy property featuring a pool, spa, and one of the area’s top restaurants, Nella Kitchen & Bar. From there, stroll through the charming downtown filled with boutiques, galleries, and tasting rooms. Don’t miss Carhartt Family Wines‘ “Tiny Tasting Room”, a lively outdoor patio known for its laid-back atmosphere, or Zaca Mesa Winery just up the road for Rhône-style reds.
If you want to mix things up, stop by Vega Vineyard and Farm for their animal feeding zoo, or swing by Ostrichland USA for a quirky photo op. Hot-air balloon rides are another local favorite, consider rides from Sky’s the Limit Ballooning that offer sweeping views of the valley and vineyards below. Los Olivos is small-town serenity at its best—slow mornings, long tastings, and evenings that end with a glass of Syrah under the stars.
Ivins, Utah
Where to Stay: Black Desert Resort
If you’re craving a total change of scenery, head to southern Utah—an underrated desert paradise about a 90-minute flight from San Diego. The small town of Ivins, near St. George, is surrounded by towering red rock formations, winding canyons, and some of the most photogenic landscapes in the Southwest. It’s the perfect getaway for climbers, golfers, hikers and anyone who wants to unplug in style.
Base yourself at Black Desert Resort, a new five-star escape centered around Utah’s top-ranked golf course, according to Golfweek, which winds dramatically through lava fields. The resort also features a full-service spa, multiple pools and hot tubs, and restaurants that celebrate local ingredients and desert flavors.
Spend your days hiking through Snow Canyon State Park (just 2.5 miles away), cooling off at Gunlock Falls, or day-tripping to Zion National Park. In the evening, grab dinner at Xetava, where the patio is shaded by red rock cliffs, or sip cocktails at the resort’s Rusted Cactus Bar under dreamy desert sunsets. Utah might feel like another planet—but that’s exactly what makes it such a refreshing escape from the coast.
