{"id":11760,"date":"2024-02-07T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/?p=11760"},"modified":"2024-02-07T09:51:25","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T09:51:25","slug":"weekend-getaways-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekend getaways in California: From beaches to wineries and beyond\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There\u2019s no shortage of beautiful spots to explore in California, the state that is blessed with warm weather for much of the year and <strong>over 284 days of sunshine<\/strong>. Whether you\u2019re planning to hit the beach, take a tour of some of the area\u2019s world-famous wineries, or spend time exploring the vibrant cities, there\u2019s so much to see and do in the Golden State. And the best way to experience all the West Coast has to offer? Hopping in the car and taking off on a California weekend getaway.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t happen to have your own set of wheels, don\u2019t panic \u2013 there are lots of SIXT car rental branches in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/california\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California<\/a> where you can pick up <strong>the perfect vehicle for your next weekend trip<\/strong>. Whether you\u2019re looking for a romantic getaway or the ideal spot for a family-friendly holiday, there\u2019s something for everyone. Read on to discover the very best weekend getaways in California.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#big-sur\">Big Sur: One of the best weekend getaways in California for nature lovers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#palm-springs\">Palm Springs: One of the best weekend trips in California for architecture buffs&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#yosemite\">Yosemite National Park: One of the best California weekend getaways for the whole family<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#los-angeles\">Los Angeles: One of the best weekend getaways in California for celeb spotting<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#napa-valley\">Napa Valley: One of the best weekend trips in California for wine lovers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#catalania-island\">Catalina Island: One of the best California weekend getaways for beach lovers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#laguna-beach\">Laguna Beach: One of the best weekend getaways in California for art aficionados<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#lake-tahoe\">Lake Tahoe: One of the best weekend trips in California for outdoor sports fanatics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#santa-barbara\">Santa Barbara: One of the best CA weekend getaways for those who like the finer things in life<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"big-sur\">1. Big Sur: One of the best weekend getaways in California for nature lovers\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not miss: The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best period to visit: September to November&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive time from the closest SIXT branch: 2-hour drive from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-jose-ca\/san-jose-international-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Jose Airport<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you think of a California road trip, the first image that comes to mind is usually the dramatic stretch of coastline around Big Sur, with its <strong>crashing waves and windswept beaches<\/strong>. One of the best ways to experience the area\u2019s awesome beauty is from the car as you drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, and there are plenty of pullouts along the way where you can stop and take in those sweeping ocean views.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nature lovers will enjoy admiring the redwoods at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park before heading to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park where you can hike to McWay Falls, the picturesque waterfall that tumbles straight into the ocean.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for picking up your set of wheels, SIXT has several car rental locations in Northern California to choose from. Those flying into the area can pick up a vehicle from the SIXT branch at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-jose-ca\/san-jose-international-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Jose Airport<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"palm-springs\">2. Palm Springs: One of the best weekend trips in California for architecture buffs\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2024\/02\/palm-springs-weekend-getaways-california-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11756 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not miss:&nbsp; House of Tomorrow and Palm Springs Art Museum&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best period to visit: Late December to April&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive time from the closest SIXT branch: 2-hour drive from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/los-angeles\/los-angeles-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LAX<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A visit to Palm Springs almost feels like stepping back in time thanks to the fact that the city is home to the largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture in the world. Driving around, you can spot architectural marvels like the 1960s <strong>House of Tomorrow<\/strong>, which Elvis and Priscilla Presley rented as their honeymoon hideaway, and the Kaufmann Desert House, which was built in 1946 and quickly became one of the finest examples of high Modernist style in America.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Culture lovers, meanwhile, should head to the Palm Springs Art Museum where they can spot works by Andy Warhol and Picasso. Or, make the most of the desert heat by lounging beside an outdoor pool and admiring the palm trees. No wonder the city is always listed as one of the best weekend getaways in California.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best place to pick up your vehicle is from SIXT in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/los-angeles\/los-angeles-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LAX<\/a>, where there\u2019s a wide variety to choose from. Get a Mini Cooper or Ford convertible and enjoy the sunny days a little more.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"yosemite\">3. Yosemite National Park: One of the best California weekend getaways for the whole family\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not miss:&nbsp; Half Dome&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best period to visit: May and September<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive time from the closest SIXT branch: 3 hours from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-francisco\/san-francisco-mission-district\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mission District<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking for a weekend destination that\u2019s going to satisfy the whole family? Look no further \u2013 we\u2019ve found it. Yosemite National Park ticks all the boxes when it comes to a weekend getaway in California that will appeal to little and big kids alike. There\u2019s no shortage of family-friendly activities here, from <strong>fishing and hiking to splashing about in the creeks and rivers<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also plenty of driving tours that will allow you to enjoy truly spellbinding views \u2013 the best is from Tunnel View, where you can see Half Dome, Bridal Falls and El Capitan, as well as the park\u2019s sweeping valley. Just make sure not to come during peak season in the middle of summer, as the park can be unbearably overrun by tourists. The best times to come are either in spring or fall, when the crowds have thinned out a bit but the weather is still warm.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best places to pick up a rental car is from SIXT&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-francisco\/san-francisco-mission-district\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mission District<\/a> branch in San Francisco. Make sure you choose a larger model, like a BMW or Chevrolet SUV, to have plenty of room to fit you, the kids, and all your vacation gear.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"los-angeles\">4. Los Angeles: One of the best weekend getaways in California for celeb spotting\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not miss:&nbsp; Venice Beach and The Pacific Wheel&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best period to visit: March-May and September-November&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive time from the closest SIXT branch: 50 minutes from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/los-angeles\/los-angeles-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LAX<\/a> via I-105 E and I-110 N&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A trip to LA is a must for anyone visiting the Golden State, and while a weekend is never long enough to experience all this vibrant city has to offer, it\u2019s a great starting point for getting to know the City of Angels. <strong>Start off with an early morning hike to the Hollywood sign<\/strong> in Griffith Park before taking a tour of the A-list mansions in Beverly Hills and Bel-Air (keep your eyes peeled, you never know who you might spot here).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For seaside fun, head to Venice Beach, where you can watch the skaters do jaw-dropping tricks in the oceanfront skate park before soaking up the coastal views from the top of the Pacific Wheel on Santa Monica Pier. The Pacific Wheel is the world\u2019s only solar-powered Ferris wheel.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re planning a trip to Beverly Hills, you need to make sure you fit in with the locals. SIXT&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/los-angeles\/los-angeles-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LAX<\/a> branch has plenty of luxury vehicles to choose from, including convertible BMWs. Browse through the range of top models to make sure you arrive in style.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"napa-valley\">5. Napa Valley: One of the best weekend trips in California for wine lovers\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not miss:&nbsp; The Napa Valley Wine Train winery tour&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best period to visit: August \u2013 October&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive time from the closest SIXT branch: 1.5 hours from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-francisco\/san-francisco-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco Airport<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Northern California\u2019s wine region is famous the world over, and for good reason. This is one of the loveliest spots to come to for a romantic getaway in California, where you can stay in some of the state\u2019s finest luxury hotels, drink great wine and <strong>enjoy wonderful farm-to-table cuisine in some of California\u2019s top restaurants<\/strong> like Thomas Keller\u2019s The French Laundry, which is regularly voted one of the best in the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are dozens of great wineries to visit, but our top pick would have to be Inglenook, which is owned by acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola and dates back to 1879. One of the most charming ways to explore the valley is aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, which goes from winery to winery and offers fantastic views from its observation dining car.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pick up your vehicle from the SIXT branch at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-francisco\/san-francisco-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Francisco Airport<\/a>, where you\u2019ll have a full fleet to choose from. Make sure you book your ideal car online before your arrival, so you can make sure it will be available and waiting for you.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"catalania-island\">6. Catalina Island: One of the best California weekend getaways for beach lovers\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not miss:&nbsp; The Catalina Island Zip Line&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best period to visit: September \u2013 December&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive time from the closest SIXT branch: Around 40 minutes from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/los-angeles\/los-angeles-downtown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Downtown Los Angeles<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for Mediterranean vibes in the heart of Southern California, this is the place to visit. Charming Catalina, the most picturesque of California\u2019s Channel Islands, was <strong>once a favorite spot for stars of Hollywood\u2019s Golden Age, including Marilyn Monroe, Henry Fonda, and John Wayne<\/strong>. They came for the renowned Art Deco Catalina Casino and for peaceful Two Harbors, where they could relax at the beach club and lounge beside the sparkling turquoise waters.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The beach is just a short boat ride away from the island\u2019s main hub of Avalon. Come to explore the island\u2019s natural beauty \u2013 keep an eye out for bald eagles, foxes, deer, and roaming bison, which were originally brought over by a film crew in the 1920s and have now gone native. Or, book a thrilling ride on the Catalina Island Zip Line, which offers fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean below.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The island is blissfully quiet thanks in large part to the fact that very few cars are allowed on it. So, after you\u2019ve picked up your wheels from the SIXT branch in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/los-angeles\/los-angeles-downtown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Downtown Los Angeles<\/a> and driven to Long Beach, you\u2019ll need to leave your vehicle and hop on the high-speed Catalina Express catamaran, which takes about an hour.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"laguna-beach\">7. Laguna Beach: One of the best weekend getaways in California for art aficionados\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not miss: The art galleries&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best period to visit: April-June and September-October&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive time from the closest SIXT branch: Around 1 hour and 20 minutes from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-diego-ca\/san-diego-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Diego Airport<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Orange County might be better known for its beachside towns of Huntington and Newport, but one of the top picks is the lesser-developed Laguna Beach, which remains one of the prettiest in the area. Originally created as an artist\u2019s colony in 1927, <strong>the city is still home to lots of first-class art galleries<\/strong> as well as popular art festivals in the summer, including the Sawdust Art Festival in June and the Pageant of the Masters in July.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But art isn\u2019t the only thing on offer here \u2013 this is also a great spot to go whale watching, take part in a spot of mountain biking, go hiking in the verdant hills, or hit the waves on your surfboard. No wonder it\u2019s regarded as one of the best places for a relaxed weekend getaway in California.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s important to choose the right car for your weekend trip \u2013 for a visit to Laguna Beach, you\u2019ll want to pick something roomy to make sure you have space for all your beach gear, like a Chevrolet SUV. Head to the SIXT branch at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-diego-ca\/san-diego-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Diego Airport<\/a>, to pick up your car.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"lake-tahoe\">8. Lake Tahoe: One of the best weekend trips in California for outdoor sports fanatics\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not miss:&nbsp; Sand Harbor State Park&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best period to visit: April-May and September-November<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive time from the closest SIXT branch: 3.5 hours from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-francisco\/san-francisco-fishermans-wharf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fisherman\u2019s Wharf in San Francisco<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>South Lake Tahoe is a great spot to visit all year round, especially for those who love to take part in outdoor sports. <strong>During the colder months, it transforms into a snowy winter wonderland<\/strong>, with ski resorts dotted all around the lake\u2019s shores. There\u2019s plenty of fun for the whole family during this season, with everything from skiing and snowboarding to sledding and tubing on offer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When the weather warms up, the area turns into a summer paradise. Families splash about in the lake\u2019s crystal-clear waters and book up water activities, from kayaking and paddle boarding in Emerald Bay State Park to lounging on the pristine beach at Sand Harbor State Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll be spending plenty of time in the car driving to and from Lake Tahoe\u2019s most popular spots, so you\u2019ll want to make sure you choose one of the more luxurious vehicles for this road trip. Why not go for one of the elite BMW SUVs, which you can pick up from the SIXT branch at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/san-francisco\/san-francisco-fishermans-wharf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fisherman\u2019s Wharf in San Francisco<\/a>?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"santa-barbara\">9. Santa Barbara: One of the best California weekend getaways for those who like the finer things in life\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2024\/02\/santa-barbara-weekend-getaways-california-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11757 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/683;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not miss: The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best period to visit: March-May and September-November&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drive time from the closest SIXT branch: 2 hours from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/los-angeles\/los-angeles-downtown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Downtown LA branch<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Often referred to as the American Riviera, <strong>Santa Barbara is where California\u2019s most glamorous characters come to let their hair down<\/strong>. Just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, it\u2019s famous as a haven for Hollywood A-listers \u2013 Katy Perry, Oprah Winfrey, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex all have mansions in the wealthy neighborhood of Montecito. As well as being a playground for the rich and famous, Santa Barbara is also a great spot for a California weekend getaway for anyone no matter what time of year it is, thanks to the So-Cal city\u2019s temperate climate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Come to admire the Spanish Colonial heritage at the picturesque County Courthouse and the Old Mission, take a sunset stroll along one of the many beaches, learn about California\u2019s native plants at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and get your culture fix at the recently revamped Santa Barbara Museum of Art.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure you fit in with the locals by arriving in a premium car \u2013 you can choose from a whole range of luxury BMW SUVs at SIXT\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/usa\/los-angeles\/los-angeles-downtown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Downtown LA branch<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you know some of the best weekend getaways in California, it\u2019s time to choose the one that you like the sound of the most. There are so many great options, whether you\u2019re looking for beachside frolics, big city thrills, or an opportunity to get back to nature. Behind the wheel of a SIXT rental car, you\u2019ll be able to explore the very best that the Golden State has to offer in a few short hours. So, pack your bags and get booking!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s no shortage of beautiful spots to explore in California, the state that is blessed with warm weather for much of the year and over 284 days of sunshine. Whether you\u2019re planning to hit the beach, take a tour of some of the area\u2019s world-famous wineries, or spend time exploring the vibrant cities, there\u2019s so&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-11760","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The best weekend getaways in California for fun in the sun<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Looking for the best weekend trips in California? We\u2019ve got you covered with the finest spots to visit across the state. Don\u2019t miss SIXT\u2019s must-visit places.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The best weekend getaways in California for fun in the sun\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Looking for the best weekend trips in California? We\u2019ve got you covered with the finest spots to visit across the state. Don\u2019t miss SIXT\u2019s must-visit places.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SIXT rent a car Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-02-07T09:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-02-07T09:51:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2024\/02\/santa-barbara-weekend-getaways-california-unsplash.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"packermann\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"packermann\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The best weekend getaways in California for fun in the sun","description":"Looking for the best weekend trips in California? We\u2019ve got you covered with the finest spots to visit across the state. Don\u2019t miss SIXT\u2019s must-visit places.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The best weekend getaways in California for fun in the sun","og_description":"Looking for the best weekend trips in California? We\u2019ve got you covered with the finest spots to visit across the state. Don\u2019t miss SIXT\u2019s must-visit places.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/","og_site_name":"SIXT rent a car Magazine","article_published_time":"2024-02-07T09:00:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-02-07T09:51:25+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1280,"url":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2024\/02\/santa-barbara-weekend-getaways-california-unsplash.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"packermann","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"packermann","Est. reading time":"12 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/"},"author":{"name":"packermann","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/ed2af37c9b0ee5c0d0358abc9c9c67f1"},"headline":"Weekend getaways in California: From beaches to wineries and beyond\u00a0","datePublished":"2024-02-07T09:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2024-02-07T09:51:25+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/"},"wordCount":2503,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2024\/02\/palm-springs-weekend-getaways-california-unsplash-1024x683.jpg","articleSection":["Travel"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/","url":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/","name":"The best weekend getaways in California for fun in the sun","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2024\/02\/palm-springs-weekend-getaways-california-unsplash-1024x683.jpg","datePublished":"2024-02-07T09:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2024-02-07T09:51:25+00:00","description":"Looking for the best weekend trips in California? We\u2019ve got you covered with the finest spots to visit across the state. Don\u2019t miss SIXT\u2019s must-visit places.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/#primaryimage","url":"","contentUrl":""},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/weekend-getaways-california\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Weekend getaways in California: From beaches to wineries and beyond\u00a0"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/","name":"SIXT rent a car Magazine","description":"Travel Tips and News","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#organization","name":"SIXT Rent A Car","url":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2025\/10\/SIXT_Logo_Pos_RGB-2.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2025\/10\/SIXT_Logo_Pos_RGB-2.png","width":2000,"height":804,"caption":"SIXT Rent A Car"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/ed2af37c9b0ee5c0d0358abc9c9c67f1","name":"packermann","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/195d0b7721724d95e00a8ed0c09b668246fc329f4ff3e92513836d6626653185?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/195d0b7721724d95e00a8ed0c09b668246fc329f4ff3e92513836d6626653185?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"packermann"}}]}},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11760","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/111"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11760"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11760\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11760"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11760"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11760"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}