While we’re lucky enough to live in such a beautiful tourist destination as San Diego, sometimes a slight change of pace is needed. Thankfully, there are multiple hot spots that are perfect for a three-day weekend getaway within a short drive or flight from San Diego.
If big cities top your list of must-sees, check out the bustling nightlife of Las Vegas, the fascinating culture of San Francisco or the Hollywood glamour of Los Angeles. If you prefer a more mellow vacation, consider taking a tour of the wine country of Napa Valley and Sonoma, soak up the desert sun in Palm Springs or venture down south to Baja California.
Here’s a brief overview of the highlights of each vacation destination:
Los Angeles
Looking for a weekend full of diverse activities? Hit the freeway and head north to Los Angeles.
“Los Angeles offers dozens of tourist attractions with appeal across a broad range of tastes,” said Tim Heffley of LAtourist. “The mixture of cultures and lifestyles here inspires a vacation environment where anyone can feel comfortable.”
Heffley recommends making West Hollywood your home base for the weekend. Not only is it the self-proclaimed gay center of Los Angeles, but it’s also conveniently located near popular tourist attractions, such as Hollywood Boulevard, Beverly Hills and the Getty Center.
If you’re interested in seeing a lot of the well-known sights of Hollywood, consider booking a tour.
“You can cover more territory than you probably would on your own, and L.A. traffic is so much more pleasant when someone else is driving,” Heffley suggested.
Other popular Los Angeles based activities include spending the day at Universal Studios or visiting the beach and amusement park at Santa Monica.
Palm Springs
Soak up the sun in the beautiful desert oasis of Palm Springs, located just a two-hour drive northeast of San Diego. Palm Springs offers a range of activities, from relaxing poolside at one of the many resorts to exploring the vibrant downtown district’s restaurants, shops and museums. The city is also known for its modernism architecture and offers several architecture tours.
Palm Springs’ 350 days of sunshine leaves plenty of time for great outdoor activities as well, especially in the cooler months. Try hiking in Palm and Andreas Canyons but be sure to bring lots of water, a cell phone and hiking shoes and avoid hiking during peak temperatures.
“(The trails) are very close to downtown Palm Springs but you feel like you’re back in the day when our tribe, the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians, lived there,” said Mary Jo Ginther of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism.
For an easier way to enjoy the views, ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram, to the top of the mountain at 8,500 feet.
Visit during one of Palm Springs’ many events throughout the year, such as the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals or the Palm Springs International Film Festival, for a unique trip.
Baja
Immerse yourself in a whole new culture with an exotic trip south-of-the-border to Baja. This Mexican neighbor of San Diego is known for its natural beauty, history, food, wineries and more.
“As soon as you cross that border, there is a magical relief in your soul,” said Holly Darrah of Down South Tours. “There is a sense of freedom and being far away from everything: work, worries, life. And the great thing is you’re still close enough to not have to travel forever or by plane.”
Spend the day at the beach in Rosarito and check out Papas n Beer, the largest beach nightclub on the West Coast. Or visit the wineries in the countryside of Valle de Guadalupe.
Not sure what you want to see in Baja? Down South Tours offers a variety of tours and takes care of all the planning and transportation.
Despite the buzz that traveling to Mexico isn’t safe, Darrah stressed that it isn’t the case.
“Contrary to popular belief, Mexico is statistically safer than you think,” Darrah said. “Please do an Internet search on it and read for yourself. Don’t let it hinder your travels.”
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is home to more than 400 wineries, making it the ideal location for wine aficionados. Although the area is perhaps best known for its award-winning wineries, the area also features more than 125 restaurants with a total of 11 Michelin Stars and many relaxing spas.
“For a true wine country experience, visitors need to experience the Napa Valley,” said Angela Jackson of Visit Napa Valley, who recommends allowing for a minimum of one hour at each winery and limiting your stops to four to five wineries per day.
Be sure to take the time to enjoy the beautiful scenery in Napa Valley in between winery stops. There are a variety of outdoor activities available, including golfing, hiking and biking. The Napa Valley Vine Trail, which is currently under construction and is opening up in segments, will eventually stretch 47 miles from the Vallejo Ferry Terminal to the city of Calistoga. A 12.5 mile stretch between Napa and Yountville opens this year.
Other popular things to do in Napa Valley include hot air balloon rides and the Napa Valley Wine Train.
Sonoma
Located 45 minutes north of San Francisco, Sonoma borders Napa and offers more than 400 wineries as well as numerous outdoor activities, such as zip lining, hiking and paddling a canoe down the Russian River.
Treat yourself to a day of wine tasting in laidback Sonoma, where many of the tasting rooms offer free tastings and you can often chat directly with the winemaker.
Since Sonoma County borders the Pacific Ocean, be sure to visit the coast and admire the remarkable views of the water off Highway 1. Then travel inland to Guerneville, which is known as the West Coast’s “favorite gay and lesbian playground,” according to Sonomacounty.com’s Web site.
San Francisco
Whether you’re planning your first visit to San Francisco or your tenth, you’ll be sure to enjoy a fun-filled weekend of exciting activities, spectacular dining and incredible shopping. As the fourth-most populous city in California, San Francisco is home to a plethora of must-see tourist destinations.
From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the bustling Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, San Francisco’s landmarks are known worldwide. Visit the Haight-Ashbury district for a trip back in time to the groovy Summer of Love or check out the Painted Ladies Victorian homes in Alamo Square. Other popular sights include Chinatown, Alcatraz Island, Ghirardelli Square and Coit Tower.
Don’t forget to catch a ride on the cable cars, which continue to travel San Francisco’s hilly streets on a daily basis.
Las Vegas
It’s no secret that Las Vegas is the city to visit for a one-of-a-kind weekend. After all, it’s nicknamed “Sin City” for a reason. But Vegas has more to offer visitors than just casinos, alcohol and adult entertainment.
Las Vegas features a nearly impossible to compete with assortment of shows and concerts, practically guaranteeing that you’ll find something that’s right up your alley. In addition to the seven Cirque du Soleil shows that make their home on the Strip, there are also magicians, comedians and showgirls.
While Las Vegas has been an LGBT-friendly city for years, it became even more so when Nevada legalized gay marriage in 2014. Perhaps your weekend trip will include a trip down the aisle of one of the many wedding chapels.
