Memorial Day is coming up at the end of next month, so it’s best to plan now. Here are my recommendations for the best Memorial Day Trip Options in SoCal by type of trip.
Best Couples’ Destination: Terranea Resort
Okay, so Terranea Resort is not really that far outside of Los Angeles in Palos Verdes, but it is a destination into and of itself. Right by the beach, there is tons to do: paddleboarding, hiking, or just relaxing by the pool.
Terranea Resort is expensive, however, they are currently running a special: 15% of 3 nights; 20% off of 4 nights; and 25% off of 5 nights.
Best Solo Destination: Palm Springs
A great budget option, especially for solo travelers is Palm Springs. The hotel is going to be the most expensive part. Hotels run between $100 and $200 depending on whether it is peak season or not. I recommend Days Inn by Wyhdham Palm Springs.
Once you’re in Palm Springs, there are a ton of free things to do, like taking a self-guided architecture tour, checking out the backstreet art district, and exploring Coachella Preserve.
Best Family Friendly Destination: Escondido
You might be surprised that as a Disney Travel Agent, I am not recommending Disneyland. Here’s the thing: Disney tends to be over the top crowded. A holiday weekend is not the right time to go.
Where to stay: I recommend Quality Inn Escondido Downtown. This is going to run about $500 for the entire weekend (Fri-Mon), not including a $100 deposit. It is 20 minutes from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which is the main attraction for this stay. Admission is $65 for adults and $55 for children just to get in. There is one free safari that comes with this admission price as well as admission to see the animal exhibits.
Other activities I recommend for this trip: Queen Califa’s Magical Circle, Avian Behavior International, and San Diego Children’s Museum.
Best Girlfriend Getaway Destination: Ojai
You’ll notice that I chose the a little more out of the way Ojai over Santa Barbara. Don’t get me wrong, I love Santa Barbara, and I think it’s a great place to visit. However, major cities (or even smaller ones like Santa Barbara) tend to be more expensive than their suburbs. Second, they may be less crowded on a holiday weekend.
Where to stay: In this case, I recommend Ojai Cabins through Air Bnb. It will likely cost around $200/night, but that can be split among several people as the rentals are for entire cabins, up to potentially five people. From yoga to wine tastings to spa days, there is plenty to do with your closest girlfriends.
AprilCoxTravel & Freelance 