Inspiration In/Around California Four Night Stay

[pinkpepperclove]

I have spent a lot of time in California and we have four nights to spare after a work trip in LA, would like to go for some well needed R&R. Looking for Inspiration.

Originally looking to head to Hawaii however having been before the prices are eye watering now.. just not worth it at all.

Looking for either a lakeside cabin/resort or beachside with a bit of something going on. Don't mind a bit of a drive. Any recommendations outside of the box?

We will be heading straight to Vegas after so don't want to venture too far.

We went to the Anzac borrego national park for the dark skies. Bit of a drive. It was February and the wildflowers were out.

And San Diego was great. You could stay on the island just off the coast.

Depends what you mean by a bit of a drive but Post Ranch Inn at Big Sur is incredible. It’s about a nine-hour drive from LA though. If you could fly back from San Francisco airport rather than LAX it might take the sting out a bit, it’s closer.

Hawaii is a 5-hour flight from LAX. Hardly worth it for a few days. And expensive when you get there too. Even more expensive than California, which is saying something.

My husband is from Southern California. Santa Barbara is nice. We really like Cambria and Pismo Beach.

9 hours from LA to Big Sur? What are you driving? A pedal car? 5 hours. 5.5 tops.

Joshua Tree
big Bear
lake arrowhead
temecula
ojai
idyllwild
sequoia

Staying in a yurt at Treebones? It was lovely when we went although a few years ago now.

i would probably do two places if I had four nights - two at Treebones and then maybe also Carmel for a couple of nights or Santa Barbara. Depends on your appetite for driving although the drive along Big Sur is a beautiful thing in itself.
we saw pods of dolphins jumping and the novelty of an open topped car - cliched but enjoyable none the less.

@BritWifeInUSA 🤣 TBF it was a desperately underpowered rental! You’re right though, I’m remembering it wrong or possibly getting confused with another journey. We did the Highway 1 thing and meandered a bit but yes definitely closer to five hours than nine.

29 Palms Inn at the northern end of Joshua Tree. No beach but pretty amazing otherwise and works for your itinerary.

Post Ranch Inn for me too but you need deep
pockets. Or stay much closer in Santa Barbara or Santa Monica.

I'd stay in a glass roofed rental in Joshua Tree for sky gazing at night and gong bathing. There is one in particular which comes with a brilliant private chef so you don't have to cook camping style. He produces these crazily gorgeous sushi platters and poke bowls seemingly out of nowhere.

Palm Springs. Not too far from LA and you can then drive to Las Vegas via Joshua Tree and the salt plains.

There's a great discount outlet, cable car up to mountain (freezing cold so need jumper), horse riding in desert etc. My favourite chill place.

Ooh yes. Palm Springs is ace. Had a great evening in a gay bar there and a beautiful trip up the mountain.

joshua tree stay at the pioneer motel which is right next door to Pappy and Harriet's great food and music venue in pioneer town. Was built in the 50s as a set for Westerns.
Then Palm Springs we stayed at a really cheap holiday inn which was actually very nice and right in the centre of bar's restaurants

We also went to a great diner en route I'll try and remember the name