In case you haven’t, it’s time to book your weekend getaway for Valentine’s Day. Here are 5 Romantic Weekend Getaway Destinations from Los Angeles. Whether you want to be next to the coast, the snow, or just below some palm trees – you can find a relaxing getaway in all 5 with your significant other.
ROMANTIC GETAWAYS FROM LA
1. Palm Springs, CA
Located just 2 hours from LA with a climate that’s warmer than anywhere else in Southern California, Palm Springs is perfect for couples who love to play golf or tennis, dine, or just lounge at a resort.
Palm Springs is a resort city in the Coachella Valley with cities next to it that also offers various things to do and explore.
Check our Palm Springs Weekend Getaway Guide to plan your romantic getaway. You can grab a bite at Shields Date Garden in Indio, go shopping at the “Rodeo Drive of the Desert” – El Paseo in Palm Desert or go shopping at the outlet stores in Cabazon. Play golf in La Quinta, check out mid-century homes in Palm Springs and visit one of the many hot springs resort in Desert Hot Springs. If you and your partner loves the outdoor, take a quick hike through Andreas Canyon or do a Jeep Tour of San Andreas Canyon Fault.
If you can grab tickets, make sure to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to enjoy the snowy rocky cliffs during the winter as you ascend the San Jacinto Mountains.
Tip: avoid the festival crowd every April with 2 weekends of Coachella Music Festival & 1 weekend of Stagecoach Festival. Also, it’s sizzling hot in the summer so try visiting during the cooler months.
2. Dana Point, CA
Located in Southern Orange County, CA, Dana Point is perfect for those who wish to go on a romantic getaway but don’t want to drive far from LA.
Use our Dana Point Weekend Getaway Guide to plan a romantic trip that combines pampering with a massage appointment at Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa, sand on your toes at one of their many beaches, and romantic fine dining with a view at Raya inside the Ritz Carlton.
See the city of Dana Point and the coast from the top at the Dana Point Lookout Cabana (maybe even propose) and don’t leave without checking the ocean views at the breakwater.
If you have more time, try to book a whale-watching cruise.
3. Monterey, CA
If you’re planning a long weekend getaway from LA, check our Monterey Getaway Guide and visit Monterey County on the Central California Coast.
It’s a 5-hour drive north from Los Angeles but the views are amazing especially if you take the longer yet scenic route – Pacific Coast Highway.
I would suggest strolling the famous Cannery Row in Monterey, watch the waves at Carmel Beach, and drive through the beautiful 17 Mile Drive.
4. Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
If you’re a nature lover, visit Yosemite National Park and stay at Tenaya Lodge for a romantic getaway near the woods.
Located less than 5 hours away from Los Angeles, here, you can choose to be at the main hotel or at one of the cottage suites. Single unit cabins in the middle of the woods had just opened in 2019 as well.
Enjoy their indoor and outdoor pool, jacuzzi, massage at their spa, dining or like how we did it – room-service throughout our stay. During the wintertime when snow abounds, you can enjoy various snow activities outdoors or cuddle up in your room.
5. Cruise to Mexico
For those who would rather not drive nor fly yet still want to get away, I would suggest going on a cruise.
Shore excursion, alcoholic drinks & spa bookings onboard are extra but almost everything else is included from your cabin, nightly entertainment, the pool, jacuzzi, fine dining, activities, etc.
To make it more romantic, make sure to book a room with a balcony to enjoy the magnificent ocean views.
When you wake up the next day, you’re already in Mexico where you have the option to go down or if you’re past-cruisers like us and don’t feel the need to go down the port, you can stay in the ship and enjoy the adults-only jacuzzi area all to yourself while everyone else is touring Mexico.
Cruises from LA also makes a stop at Catalina Island after Mexico. Catalina Island is also a great romantic getaway destination. This time though, you don’t have to take the small ferry to the island that I heard is a more rocky ride since you’re arriving via a bigger boat – your cruise line.
Both Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise departs from LA. Princess leaves from San Pedro and Carnival leaves from Long Beach.
It may be hard to book a cabin if you’re planning to book for next weekend when it comes to cruises but maybe you can save this for the next romantic getaway – anniversary perhaps. Make sure to read our 101 cruise tips if you’re a first-time cruiser.
Read: Princess Cruises VS. Carnival Cruise
6. Solvang
Take your significant other to Denmark without needing to fly and breaking the bank. Located over 2 hours north of Los Angeles is the quaint town of Solvang – the Danish Capital of America. If you’ve never been to Europe, this is a great way to have a taste of it, both in terms of architecture and food. Plan a Solvang Weekend Getaway for a romantic trip and enjoy Denmark’s farm-style architecture and ambiance, stroll around and peruse through stores, take pictures with one of the 5 windmills, share an Aebleskiver ala mode, and sample wines at 20 downtown tasting rooms from 125 + area wineries.
post updated in 2020.
I also recommend checking out Groupon to save on hotels and getaways.
Follow AnyTots: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube or Email Us
