Spring in L.A. is such a beautiful time with amazing weather. It’s not too hot or cold which makes for a great time to be outside. Spring break is coming up for the kids, and there are so many great places for a mini-vacation with just a short drive from L.A. Kids could spend all day at the pool or beach and as a parent, I enjoy it too! Luckily, L.A. is so close to great beaches and deserts with hotel resorts for a vacation that the whole family will enjoy.

The first great spot that my family and I will be enjoying this break is Palm Springs. Palm Springs is just under a three-hour drive and has so many great hotels, resorts, restaurants, and some amazing golf courses. Visitgreaterpalmsprings.com has a multitude of resort options to choose from! Palm Springs is also typically hot and sunny so it will feel like summer. At most of the resorts, there are spas for massages, facials, pedicures, and more! If you want to leave the resort there are also many activities to do nearby such as hiking trails, parks, biking, horseback riding, and adventure tours.  There is also a ton of shopping nearby and a street fair/market every Thursday night. Thegetaway.com

If you are more into the beach and want some cooler weather, there are many hotels by the beach. San Diego is around a three-hour drive and is a beautiful beach town. San Diego has amazing beaches, a great zoo, and a famous theme park. Some popular beaches in San Diego are Swami’s beach, Coronado Beach, and La Jolla Cove. (Visitcalifornia.com) The San Diego Zoo is a great attraction and something the kids would love. Sea World, the famous theme park, is such a fun experience with fun roller coasters, animal shows, and animal exhibits. Both Sea World and the San Diego Zoo would be great day trips for all ages. Trivago.com is a place to book your hotel and has good deals. Another great place to stay in San Diego is the Lake House Hotel resort and golf club.

Jessica Hall Spring BreakFor a closer option, Santa Barbara is another beautiful beach just under two hours away. Santa Barbara is an amazing beach town with a ton of restaurants and shopping with an ocean so close by. State Street has all the restaurants and shopping you could think of and is just a five-minute walk from the beach. There is also the Santa Barbara Zoo which is a great attraction for the family. There are hotels on State Street to choose from or beachfront hotels with a great view. There is also a train that runs through the city which is a fun experience as well as Trolley tours. The train would be so fun for the little ones and can get you to many different destinations easily.

Another great vacation spot is the Temecula countryside. It is located in Temecula wine country and is surrounded by beautiful land and fields. It is around two hours from L.A., but you will feel like you are even farther with the amazing scenery and luxurious amenities. Here you can enjoy a quiet and unique vacation just minutes away from Old Town Temecula and Pechanga Resort and Casino. A countryside getaway is such a great way to enjoy family time.

Whether you want the hot summer weather in the desert or a cool beach getaway, both options will be such a fun, relaxing vacation. They are both short drives from L.A. and have so many activities and things to do. Both are beautiful places to relax by the pool/beach or have activity-filled days!


Find Jessica Hall on IG  @jessicahall

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