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Consider These Top Affordable Travel Destinations in Southern California
The first tip for affordable California travel, while hardly groundbreaking, is to plan a road trip. If your destination is less than 500 miles away (roughly the distance between San Diego and San Francisco, for example), consider trading airport queues for the freedom that comes with captaining a car. Avoiding peak travel periods also makes for more reasonable hotel rates (true almost everywhere, of course), and traveling midweek usually equals additional savings. Then, once you have pinned down the destination and lodging, research what trails, seashores, parks, and forests to fill your days with — free (or low-cost) attractions, courtesy of California. Below are top recommended places for an affordable California vacation.
Big Bear Lake
Set in the San Bernardino National Forest and about 100 miles from Los Angeles, it’s easy to visit any time of year. In the spring, summer, and fall (when there’s no snow on the ground), trek the Castle Rock Trail (about three miles) and ride the free trolley to get the lay of the land. If temperatures are higher, pack a picnic and linger in Meadow Park, which has a nice stretch of beach, or rent a kayak or paddle board from a marina kiosk to get out on the water. On Tuesday mornings from April to September, check out the local farmers market. If you love local diner vibes, head to Grizzly Manor Cafe, or sit at the counter at Teddy Bear Restaurant for a hearty breakfast. Not that long ago, dependable Big Bear accommodation options were limited to cabin rentals, but a few hotels have opened recently and with reasonable rates. Hotel Marina Riviera, for example, is a great restoration effort by Casetta Group, a boutique hotel brand with multiple California properties to bookmark. The property has just 42 adorable rooms and six cabins. A private beach, pool, hot tub, sauna and more are additions expected sometime this year. Also new to the scene and worth considering is Sessions Retreat & Hotel.
Crystal Cove State Park and Cottages
Crystal Cove State Park is the place Southern Californians head to for incredible tide pool adventures. Barnacles, mussels, sea stars, and urchins are among the creatures you’ll spot here, but there are also beautiful beaches and coves, and the park’s inland acreage offers great trails of varying lengths. To turn a visit here into a full vacation, mark your calendar to book one of the historic Crystal Cove beach cottages. These restored homes were erected between 1920 and 1940, and they’re available for rent at incredible prices considering their stunning seaside locations. There are 14 cottages and 10 “dorm-style” cottages, all available 365 days a year. Reservations open daily for dates six months out, and they’re booked pretty much immediately. If you do manage to book one, consider spending some time exploring the nearby coastal cities of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.
Lone Pine to Bishop
The part of Highway 395 that skirts along the Sierra Nevada mountains is picturesque, with Mount Whitney (the highest peak in the continental U.S.) looming to the west and lots of small towns worthy of a pit stop along its length. Lone Pine, with a population hovering around 1,300, is the gateway to Mount Whitney, as the trailhead to the peak is about 15 miles east from town. And while climbing Whitney requires training (and a permit), other hikes in the area do not. Exploring in the nearby Alabama Hills National Scenic Area is a must, too. You can boulder on gorgeous golden rocks here, or hike around the otherworldly preserve on trails of various lengths. If you have the kids with you, it’s a great spot to let them roam and climb. Camping is also an option here, if you’re willing and you have the proper gear. Then, about 60 miles north of Lone Pine is the town of Bishop — yet another great home base for outdoor adventure. Plan a day hike, go rock climbing, visit the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, or go chasing waterfalls. For great local eats, stop by at Great Basin Bakery and Erick Schat’s Bakery. And to stay in town, consider the new Wayfinder Bishop, which has 87 rooms and sits right on Bishop Creek. The property offers two on-site food and beverage options (ideal after a long day on the trail), fire pits, a pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and more. For an even grander trip, connect this one with Mammoth Lakes, which is just 45 minutes north.
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes, located in the Eastern Sierra region, is beautiful in the summer months, when you can fill your days with alpine hikes, bike rides, and outdoor concerts. There’s a free trolley that drops adventurers at trailheads in the area (and carries your bike there, too, if that’s your preferred mode of transport). Or, you can swim in a lake or soak in a natural hot spring with the Sierras as your backdrop. For easy eats, try Stellar Brew & Natural Cafe and Elixir Superfood & Juice. To be right at the base of the mountains, stay at Tamarack Lodge, which has charming rooms (wood-paneled walls, bear-themed bedding) at the edge of Twin Lakes. And the lodge is a trolley stop, so you can explore further out with ease. In town, look at Outbound Mammoth, which was newly renovated to the tune of $34 million; the property has a beautiful fireside lobby, a restaurant and wine bar, and 179 accommodations.
Santa Ynez Valley
About 100 miles south of Paso Robles is Santa Ynez Valley, a gem of a region that you can explore with family and friends many times over. The towns of Solvang, Los Olivos, Ballard, Buellton, Santa Ynez, and Los Alamos make a pretty constellation here, and wine figures prominently. Even if you’re traveling with kids, you can imbibe as you please, since lingering with little ones in outdoor “tasting rooms” — sometimes below magnificent oak trees or overlooking vineyards — is commonplace. Have a glass of wine in the sprawling yard at Bodega Los Alamos (on weekends, you can pair it with killer barbecue). For a tasting flight, the top recommendation is Roblar Farm ($25 for five wines); order outside on the patio and consider trying some incredible farm-to-table dishes with your wine. Add Kings Carey to your list (four wines for $20, or six for $30). You can also splurge on the wine and picnic experience at Presqu’ile Winery (bookable on Tock). Foodies on a budget might instead head to Los Olivos for the happy hour menu at Bar Le Cote — an order of peel-and-eat shrimp ($12) and a side of fries ($4) makes a magical lunch in the area. For activities, check out the many free museums and events offered in Solvang, hike the quick Nojoqui Falls Trail, and stroll around Ostrichland (admission is $7 or less, and observing the resident ostriches and emus here is dependably entertaining). For affordable accommodations in Solvang, there’s the 20-room New Haven Inn. Other stylish spots in the area with affordable rates include Alamo Motel, Skyview Los Alamos, and Hotel Ynez.
Text by Chelsea Lowe | Photo credits on travelandleisure.com | Read More Here
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