Sprawl tends to dominate the land between Los Angeles and San Diego, but for a region packed with inhabitants, Southern California offers an incredible number of weekend getaways. In a few hours' travel time, residents and visitors can escape the cities and find themselves skiing snow-covered mountains or lounging on warm, sunny beaches.
Stepping onto Catalina feels like stepping into another world. Situated just off the coast of Los Angeles, the largely undeveloped island gives a glimpse at what California must have looked like before freeways and suburbs. Avalon, the island's main town, hugs a small bay with steep hills. The colorful houses and the sailboats docked in the harbor recall the Caribbean or a foreign country. Visitors can rent bikes to explore the area, or rent scuba and snorkel equipment to check out the rich kelp forests below the water's surface.
Windmills and half timbered houses contrast with the sun-drenched hills of California's central coast in the town of Solvang. Popularly known as the Danish capital of North America, it's not unusual to see blond-haired, blue-eyed residents munching on butter cookies while chatting in Danish. Located about 130 miles north of Los Angeles, and a mere 30 miles from Santa Barbara according to Google Maps, Solvang lies in the heart of the Santa Ynez wine region. Made famous by the movie "Sideways," Santa Ynez is known for its Pinot Noir. Visitors to Solvang can try local wines while in town, and then head out to the vineyards for more tastings.
Big Bear draws in Southern Californians year-round, but it's especially popular during the winter and spring ski seasons. Tucked into the San Bernadino Mountains, Big Bear can receive significant snow because of its elevation, even when the rest of Southern California is basking in 60-degree sunny weather. Surrounded by national forest, hikers and mountain bikers also enjoy the large number of trails crisscrossing the area in the warmer months.
Every year, swallows migrating from South America return to nest in the Mission of San Juan Capistrano on or around March 19. This seasonal event is celebrated by the town on the day the swallows return, but the actual mission draws visitors year-round. As the oldest continuously used building in California, the Mission of San Juan Capistrano offers a unique look into California's past. Situated slightly inland from the coast of Orange County, the town also offers visitors great opportunities to shop, dine, and enjoy the nearby beaches at Dana Point.
