3 Favorite SoCal Destinations for a Quick Getaway With and Without Kids
Palm Desert
For quick getaways with kids, we always go to Palm Desert. We are regulars at Shadowridge and our son LOVES it there. We generally stay in the Enclaves because we like their villas and the pool area that's good for both kids and adults. It also has a giant TV at the pool that plays sports pretty much all day so that's a win for our sports obsessed family. They have kids activities daily at the pools, a kids club, splash pads, multiple pools and family friendly cafes. We bring the scooter for my son and get in a ton of walking too. Favorite restaurants: Wilma + Frieda, Pacifica Seafood, Ristorante Mamma Gina and no trip would be complete without a night on the patio at Casuelas Nuevas. There is a great Bristol Farms just down the road from the hotel so we stock up on groceries and eat breakfast + lunch in. If you are going sans kids to the desert, we recommend the Ritz in Rancho Mirage.
Terranea, Palos Verdes
For an adults only experience that is close to home we love Terranea in Palos Verdes. We frequently take an overnight special occasion trip there. It’s got beautiful scenery, great hiking, multiple pools and restaurants plus a fantastic spa. It's also closer than heading out to a lot of other SoCal destinations given traffic getting in and out of LA. You can definitely take the kids here too but we generally prefer it as an adult trip.
Ojai
Ojai is our favorite for either a short family trip or adults only getaway nearby. The Ojai Valley Inn is our go-to though we've also rented houses in that area as well. It’s a quick and easy drive but like entering a completely different world. I could stroll around the property all day and be happy. It’s also a short walk into town which hosts fun shops, ice cream stores and great restaurants. There are tons of activities to choose from, multiple pools, a spa, and restaurants on property, as well as all of Ojai to explore. On our last trip, we largely stayed on property—swam, walked and made smores at night by the fire. We did get out to try one restaurant which was excellent—Nocciola. More activity highlights coming soon!