Best Holiday Escapes Near Los Angeles
If you're looking to decompress over the holiday season, fancy a romantic getaway, have a hankering for some personal pampering or simply have a craving for a slice of scrumptious apple pie, read on. These are the best holiday escapes in and around Los Angeles, from swanky resorts and tranquil "glamping" retreats to island parks and maritime preserves.
Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 658-5730
www.nps.gov/chis/
Join fellow adventurers on an Island Packers charter out of Ventura Harbor and take a voyage of discovery to one of California's best-kept secrets: The Channel Islands National Park. Hike along rugged cliff-top trails, kayak and scuba dive in vast undersea kelp beds and camp beneath the boughs of ancient eucalyptus trees. With a choice of five island destinations — Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara and San Miguel — visitors can opt for a number of island experiences. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might catch a glimpse of the super-cute island fox, a species so rare it's found nowhere else on the planet.
El Capitan Canyon Resort
11560 Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
(805) 685-3887
www.elcapitancanyon.com
Popularized by the TV reality show "The Real Housewives of Orange County," El Capitan Canyon is a delightful "glamping" resort about 20 miles to the north of Santa Barbara. Featuring a collection of rustic cedar cabins, safari tents and Yurts located in a hidden valley dotted with oak and sycamore trees, visitors can enjoy a level of pampering designed to suit all tastes. Described as "an antidote to all that is excessive, formal, artificial or contrived," the resort offers yoga, aromatherapy massages and fireside dinner packages to provide the perfect complement for that romantic getaway.
Related: One-Tank Trip To Santa Barbara
Santa Catalina Island
Catalina Express
320 Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802
(800) 481-3470
www.catalinaexpress.com
Hop aboard the Catalina Express, and take a day trip to Avalon on Santa Catalina, the idyllic former island home of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. Explore the stunning art deco dance hall known as The Casino, take a tram ride into the interior in search of bison, or simply relax and soak up the rays on the beach and promenade. Enjoy a host of water-related activities from fishing and sailing to kayaking and semi-submersible water tours whilst the more adventurous opt for a two-hour zip line eco-tour. If you pre-register on the Catalina Express website you may even ride to the island for free on your birthday.
Related: A Guide To Catalina Island
Big Bear Lake
43101 Goldmine Drive
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
www.bigbear.com
During the holidays, why not drive up to the mountains and enjoy the snow with your loved one or friends. Big Bear offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy nature while being around the fire and enjoying the scenic parts of this great state. The area, which is located in the San Bernardino Mountains, is just a short drive and offers lake activities as well as great dining.
Terranea Resort
6610 Palos Verdes Drive S
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 265-2800
www.terranea.com
If you're looking for a romantic weekend with your partner but don't fancy a two-hour drive to get out of town, check out the Terranea Resort, a 102-acre luxury oceanfront resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula that offers a variety of hotel rooms, suites, villas, casitas and bungalows. Splash out on a Spa Club Bungalow and you'll not only get a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean but you'll also receive free access to a private spa pool, sauna and steam room along with complimentary all-day dining at The Spa Café. If dinner with a view is a better fit for your budget, take a stroll to Nelson's, the resort's bluff-top restaurant, pull up a chair by the fire pit, and watch the sun slowly sink into the ocean.
Julian Gothard is an internationally published freelance writer covering all things Los Angeles. You can check out his popular RVing and travel column at Examiner.com.
