Our list of cheap weekend getaways in California includes national parks, diverse cities, beach towns, wine regions, and more.
The Golden State is not known for being the most affordable vacation destination, but there are plenty of fun and cheap vacation spots in California and this guide lists all the best choices!
Even better, the cheapest places to visit in California are spread out across the state. Whether you are taking a spontaneous road trip or flying in for a short break, here are 15 of the best budget-friendly places to visit in California that won’t hurt your wallet.
Located just 60 miles west of Los Angeles along the coastline, Oxnard is one of the more affordable getaways in California near LAX. It’s a cheaper alternative to Santa Barbara if you’re looking for the perfect blend of a cultural city break and a relaxing beach vacation.
Cut down on dining out by stocking up on fresh local produce at the abundance of farmer’s markets in Oxnard and cooking at your short-term rental. Downtown Oxnard Farmers Market and the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market are just two great options.
I stayed a couple of nights in Oxnard on my way to the Channel Islands and loved exploring this lesser-known destination.
Read more: Oxnard, California Travel Guide
California’s state capital is often overlooked. Compared to other bustling cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, it’s one of the cheapest places to visit in California!
Book accommodation in the Old Sacramento neighborhood to ensure you stick to your budget. You’ll be able to spend your weekend admiring architecture from the Gold Rush era (or faithful imitations of buildings from that era), posing for Old Time photos, as well as visiting affordable museums.
I grew up near Sacramento and loved visiting here on the weekends. It has such a great foodie scene now, in addition to all of the other attractions.
Read more: Cheap Winter Vacations in the USA
If you’re keen to escape the crowds and crippling costs of visiting San Francisco or Los Angeles, the Central Coast region offers plenty of cheap weekend getaways in California. San Luis Obispo is a compact yet absolutely beautiful city with a diverse artistic heritage and tons of museums surrounded by mountains and vineyards.
In fact, San Luis Obispo (SLO) is one of the best budget-friendly places to visit in California for wine lovers compared to Napa Valley and Sonoma. I visited a few of the wineries here during a recent weekend trip and, as a California native, I think it’s better than the more popular wine regions in California.
Basic wine tastings in SLO cost around $20 but they average $40 in other regions. With dozens of tasting rooms that are just a short drive from downtown, you don’t want to miss this stop on your next wine weekend adventure!
Read more: San Luis Obispo Travel Guide
The mountain resort area of Big Bear Lake offers an abundance of outdoor activities in the summer and winter months and it’s one of the best places for a cheap weekend getaway. Fishing, bird-watching, sailing, skiing, and hiking in the San Bernardino National Forest are popular during these times of year.
But Big Bear Lake in California is a four-season destination with plenty of things to do year-round. I have visited during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, and it’s much quieter and more affordable than during the summer or winter.
Read more: Top Weekend Getaways in California
Cambria is a stunning small town on the Pacific Coast Highway with rugged cliffs, views of the Pacific Ocean, and a charming downtown surrounded by pine forests. It has lots of hiking trails, beautiful beaches, wineries, art galleries, and other fun seaside activities to keep you busy for a weekend.
Cambria is usually a quick road trip stop for travelers driving to Big Sur on the iconic State Route 1 and many don’t stay overnight. If you can snag a great accommodation deal, you’ll find it’s one of the best cheap vacation spots in California on the coast!
Read more: Best Beach Towns in California + Where to Stay
Eureka offers perfect, cheap weekend getaways in California for those who want to see the best that Northern California has to offer in one short trip. This port city has the Victorian townhouses of San Francisco and the ancient, massive trees of the Redwood National Park as well as boat trips to offshore islands but not the high costs.
Despite its size, Eureka is a very walkable city and most attractions and landmarks can be accessed on foot. Save money by shunning the rental car and packing comfortable shoes!
While many of these California getaways are coastal towns, Pismo Beach has the quintessential California beach town vibe. Its beaches are unsurprisingly the highlight and are popular surfing spots with the most incredible sand dunes.
Although Pismo Beach also has wineries and golf resorts, stick to the beaches to spare your bank account. You can easily fill a weekend break with all of the free and affordable awesome outdoor activities here.
Read more: Best Things to See & Do on California’s Central Coast
Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards and home to one of the most popular craft breweries in the country, Paso Robles is a must-visit for foodies on a budget. It also has lots of unique museums and attractions with low entrance fees.
Avoid pricey winery and brewery tours costing hundreds of dollars by renting an electric bike for $67 per day and DIY! Wine tastings in the Paso Robles region average around $20-$25 and some are even free if you buy wine bottles to take home.
Read more: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly California Road Trip Guide
Morro Bay is a city on the central Californian coast famous for the ancient volcanic hill called Morro Rock and its many lagoons and salt marshes. It’s incredibly picturesque with sailboats lining the shoreline and lots of budget-friendly cute cafes.
You could quite easily spend an entire weekend in Morro Bay without spending any money on attractions. Many of the best things to do here are free including sea otter spotting from the harbor or hiking in the nearby state parks.
Along with Pine Cove and Fern Valley, Idyllwild is part of a small eclectic community in the San Jacinto Mountains close to Palm Springs. There are lots of campsites so it’s perfect for cheap weekend getaways in California if you want to hike or rock climb.
Just a scenic drive away from downtown San Diego, many of the stores in Idyllwild are artsy vintage and thrift stores. Apart from one or two museums, the main activity in this community is hiking. If you struggle to quash your spending habits when you travel, heading somewhere with no temptations like Idyllwild is ideal.
Located just outside of Yosemite National Park, June Lake is a small mountain community where you can enjoy kayaking and hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. You could spend hours kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the lakes here which is why it’s a perfect place for a budget-friendly weekend destination.
Stay at campgrounds or budget guesthouses to save money, but the accommodations in June Lake are mostly affordable lodges and 3-star inns anyway. Use it as a cheaper base to explore the spectacularly beautiful Mono Lake with its stunning and surreal rock formations.
Read more: The Perfect California 395 Road Trip Itinerary
It can be expensive to visit any of the national parks in California, but there are absolutely ways you can head to Joshua Tree National Park for the weekend on a budget. Its location in the Southern California desert between Los Angeles and Phoenix in Arizona means it’s close to two major travel hubs where you can often find airfare deals.
Joshua Tree National Park also has a warm climate for most of the year. You’ll be able to take advantage of the nine reservation and first-come-first-serve campgrounds which only cost $10 – $25 per night.
I absolutely adore Joshua Tree and I take quick weekend trips here at least three times a year — in all seasons. I never grow tired of the magic of this desert landscape and the solitude it brings.
Read more: Weekend Itinerary to Joshua Tree National Park
Quick! Visit Solvang while it’s still an affordable weekend destination because it will soon blow up. This Scandi-inspired city in Southern California looks like it was ripped right out of a Hans Christian Anderson fairytale book. Thankfully, you can enjoy the town’s kitschy Danish architecture, windmills, and other attractions without the Nordic price tag.
Solvang is also a great place to visit year-round, so you can explore Solvang in the off-season (January – March) and benefit from cheaper accommodation. You’ll have an authentic Scandinavian experience visiting in the colder months anyway!
Being one of the hottest places on earth, I only recommend visiting Death Valley National Park in the spring, fall and winter. But, it is conveniently located on the Nevada border near Las Vegas Airport for an easy weekend trip and is full of free viewpoints, sand dunes, and cool craters to explore.
Hire a mountain bike to ride the rugged roads through Death Valley National Park instead of a rental car. It’ll be a much more epic, unforgettable adventure for a fraction of the cost!
Read more: Death Valley National Park Travel Guide
Sitting on the Nevada border near the cities of Reno and Sacramento in Northern California, South Lake Tahoe is a super popular vacation destination. This gorgeous Alpine lake is incredibly scenic and perfect for water sports enthusiasts, plus there are ways you can visit on a budget.
Ditch the flights and rental cars and utilize the public transport options at Lake Tahoe to save your pennies. You can take an Amtrak train to Truckee and get around using the free TART shuttle buses. April is considered the off-season in Tahoe, so this is the best time to visit for affordable rates.
I have lived in South Lake Tahoe and the beauty of this place never gets old. I keep coming back for visits and finding new hidden gems.
Read more: South Lake Tahoe Travel Guide
One of the best ways to save money on travel is to avoid peak travel times. Consider traveling during the off-season when visiting California on a budget, which is typically from September to May. During this time, you can often find cheaper flights, hotels, and activities. Additionally, you can avoid crowds and enjoy a more relaxing vacation.
Using public transportation is another great way to save money on transportation costs. In cities like Sacramento (SacRT), I recommend checking out the schedules before your departure so you can map out which places you can visit without a car. This will also determine the location to book your hotel.
In smaller towns, check the local bus schedule and see if they offer Bird or Lime scooters for rent.
Many attractions and activities in California offer discount cards or passes that can save you money on admission fees. You can also check Groupon for attractions and services in the destination you’re visiting!
By following these travel tips and hacks, you can save money while still being able to enjoy the best of these weekend destinations in California!
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The post 15 Cheap Weekend Getaways in California To Visit Now (2023) appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.
