Avalon — Travelrags

Condé Nast TravelerAug 14, 2026

The Best Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles, Whether You’re Craving Snow, Sun, or Sea

When you've had enough of driving in the city, drive out of it.

25 things in this story

Trans-Catalina TrailTrailhike the famed trail
Catalina IslandSightMediterranean-esque escape feels worlds away
Wrigley Memorial & Botanic GardenSightexplore the island's nature
Hotel AtwaterHotelbest for a historic stay
Villa with Santorini vibesHotelbest for ocean views
Inn on Mt. AdaHotelbest for old-school charm
Elsewhere
The SphereTheatreLas Vegas, United Statesimmersive experience you won’t soon forget
Fountains of BellagioSightLas Vegas, United Statescatch them at night
Four Seasons Las VegasHotelLas Vegas, United Statesbest for a five-star stay
The Venetian ResortTheatreLas Vegas, United Statesbest for a themed property
courthouseSightSanta Barbara, United Statesclimb to the top for panoramic city views
Funk ZoneNeighborhoodSanta Barbara, United Stateswalk around with wineries, breweries, restaurants, galleries
Honor BarPubSanta Barbara, United Statesget a drink in Montecito
Lucky’sRestaurantSanta Barbara, United Statesget a steak in Montecito
Butterfly BeachSightSanta Barbara, United Stateswatch the sun sink into the sea
Hendry's BeachSightSanta Barbara, United Statestake your furry friend to watch the sunset
The Hotel CalifornianHotelSanta Barbara, United Statesbest for walkability
El EncantoHotelSanta Barbara, United Statesbest for scenic views
The Whale HouseHotelSanta Barbara, United Statesfor design enthusiasts
Channel Islands National ParkNature reserveVentura, United Statesremote national park, one of California’s least-visited
Renovated Airstream in CarpinteriaHotelCarpinteria, United Statesbest for easy ferry access
Rosewood Miramar BeachHotelMontecito, United Statesbest for exploring nearby
Beach cottage for sixHotelVentura, United Statesbest for Channel Islands views
Avila Valley BarnMarketSan Luis Obispo, United Statesstop by for local produce and farm animals
Morro BayNeighborhoodSan Luis Obispo, United Statesvisit for dramatic coastline, thrifting, art shops

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Lonely PlanetJul 20

A guide to California's Channel Islands

Discover how to explore California

23 things in this story

Santa CatalinaSightresort island set up in the early 20th century
Casino at AvalonSightred-roofed art deco building on Santa Catalina
Elsewhere
AnacapaSightVentura, United Statesthree-islet sliver of land with wildflowers
Santa BarbaraSightVentura, United Statesisland with no current boat service
Santa CruzSightVentura, United Stateslargest island with two mountain ranges
San MiguelSightVentura, United Stateswind-swept island best on sunny summer days
Santa RosaSightVentura, United Statesisland with hiking trails and rare pine trees
Santa Barbara IslandSightVentura, United Statessmallest and least visited island in the park
Island PackersPlaceVentura, United Statesruns passenger boat services to the park
Recreation.govPlaceVentura, United Stateswebsite to reserve NPS campgrounds
Mt DiabloSightVentura, United Statespark's tallest peak at 2450 ft on Santa Cruz
Painted CaveSightVentura, United Statessea cave with striking colors on Santa Cruz
Scorpion AnchorageSightVentura, United Statesmain landing site on Santa Cruz island
Scorpion CanyonSightVentura, United Statespopular camping site on Santa Cruz island
Point BennettSightVentura, United Statesshore on San Miguel with 30,000 pinnipeds
Caliche ForestSightVentura, United Statescalcium carbonate casts of roots on San Miguel
Water Canyon BeachSightVentura, United Statesspectacular 2-mile strip of white sand
Signal PeakSightVentura, United States634ft peak on Santa Barbara Island
Sutil IslandSightVentura, United Statesrocky islet near Santa Barbara Island
Anacapa deer mousePlaceVentura, United States
Channel Island slender salamanderPlaceVentura, United States
China CampSightVentura, United States
Cluster PointSightVentura, United States

Read the full piece at Lonely Planet →

Condé Nast TravelerJan 27

41 Best Airbnbs in California, Whether You're Headed to Yosemite or LA

Top spots to stay for seaside getaways, wine country weekends, and national park trips.

24 hotels in this story

Catalina Island villa with Santorini vibesHotelOcean views from cliffside condo
Whitewashed cliffside condoHotelGlorious vistas overlooking Catalina's azure coastline
Elsewhere
Four-bedroom home near DisneylandHotelAnaheim, United StatesFamily-friendly with saltwater pool and game room
Modern outpost amidst ancient rock spiresHotelJoshua Tree, United StatesDog-friendly stay with desert views
Hidden gem in Sonoma for 10HotelSonoma, United StatesPrivate pool and hot tub
Loft in Little ItalyHotelSan Diego, United StatesIndustrial decor, 20-foot ceilings, private patio
Refurbished 1920s beach cottageHotelOceanside, United StatesModern finishes with retro touches, front porch
High-design desert dwellingHotelJoshua Tree, United StatesSleek, state-of-the-art, hot tub with stargazing
Three-bedroom home near Joshua TreeHotelJoshua Tree, United StatesHot tub, outdoor shower, walking distance to downtown
Pool with all the bells and whistlesHotelPalm Springs, United StatesResort-style lounge chairs, outdoor daybed, covered patio
Family-friendly four-bedroom homeHotelOrange County, United StatesStylish solution for theme park trifecta
Airy, light-filled bungalowHotelVenice Beach, United StatesNear Venice Beach shops and eateries, expansive front patio
Downtown LA AirbnbHotelLos Angeles, United StatesWalking distance to The Broad, Grand Central Market
Restored vintage lodgeHotelTopanga, United StatesStudio space near Topanga State Park
Stylized A-frameHotelLake Arrowhead, United StatesMidcentury-modern trappings, adults-only spot
Snug, smartly designed cottageHotelSan Luis Obispo, United StatesCreekside hideaway near downtown San Luis Obispo
Restored 1974 AirstreamHotelCarpinteria, United StatesGlamping done right with full amenities
Reimagined 1948 cabinHotelSequoia National Park, United StatesMeditative retreat near Sequoia National Park
Chalet near YosemiteHotelGroveland, United StatesSoothing space with fireplaces, hot tub, stargazing
Ranch-style prefab homeHotelLone Pine, United StatesModern settlement near Mount Whitney and Alabama Hills
Vibrant coastal cottageHotelCayucos, United StatesAlluring indoor/outdoor living spaces, two-minute stroll to beach
Breezy cottage in Santa CruzHotelSanta Cruz, United StatesCoastal chic interiors, sunny garden courtyard
One-bedroom bungalow in SeasideHotelSeaside, United StatesBright, stylish base for exploring Monterey and Carmel
Modern white-and-wood homeHotelBonita, United States

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Condé Nast TravelerDec 19, 2025

The Best Places to Go in the US in 2026

For retro road trips, outdoorsy getaways, and citywide revivals.

25 things in this story

Catalina CasinoAttractionArt Deco gem built in 1929
Trans-Catalina TrailTrail38.5-mile hike
Lover's Cove Marine ReserveSightsnorkel turquoise waters
Mt AdaHotelWilliam Wrigley Jr.'s former mansion
Elsewhere
The Nickel HotelHotelCharleston, United Statesfull kitchens and luxe details
The Charleston PlaceHotelCharleston, United Statesretooling of lounge, suites, rooftop pool
MerciRestaurantCharleston, United Statesnew kid on the block oozes charm
Bintü AtelierRestaurantCharleston, United StatesBintu Atelier is a West African restaurant with a splash of nomadic flavors.
KulturaRestaurantCharleston, United StatesThe dining room's main feature is the bar, which the restaurant treats like a community table.
OZ Trails Bike ParkTrailBella Vista, United Statesfirst chairlift-served downhill park
Hot Springs National ParkNature reserveHot Springs, United Statesbubbling thermal waters
Ouachita MountainsSightOuachita, United StatesThey are formed by a thick succession of highly deformed Paleozoic strata constituting the Ouachita Fold and Thrust…
The Trails at MenaTrailMena, United Stateslargest lift-served mountain bike park
Delta Heritage TrailTrailArkansas, United States84.5 miles of hiking and biking trails
Crystal Bridges Museum of American ArtMuseumBentonville, United Statestwo new galleries, 114,000 sq ft
The ComptonHotelBentonville, United Statesnewly opened boutique property
Buffalo WaterfrontSightBuffalo, United Statesrestoration plan with trails
Ralph C. Wilson Jr. ParkSightBuffalo, United Statespedestrian bridge links west side
Highmark StadiumSightBuffalo, United Statesworld's largest heated roof
Hispanic Heritage Cultural InstituteMuseumBuffalo, United Statesopening on Buffalo's west side
GraycliffSightBuffalo, United Statesnew visitor center at Frank Lloyd Wright's home
Lipsey Architecture CenterMuseumBuffalo, United Statesnew home on Richardson Olmsted Campus
Hotel RichemontHotelCharleston, United Statessuites with full kitchens
The Dunlin, Auberge CollectionHotelCharleston, United Statesset on the Kiawah River
Ozark National ForestSightOzark, United States

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →