Top 13 California Spring Break Destinations
Spring is a great time to travel in California because there’s a good chance you’ll be treated to some awesome weather. Spring break is also a popular time to vacation because many students have time-off from school.
This California Spring Break Guide works for both college students and parents with kids who are on break from school. My top destinations have a bit of something for everyone!
If you can’t decide on just one California city, try my epic Pacific Coast Highway road trip with over 25 cities!
Ice Cream Flight from Hammond's in North Park, San Diego.
Ice Cream Flight from Hammond's in North Park, San Diego.
California Spring Break Destinations
San Diego
My husband’s family lives in the San Diego area and I have written soooo many blog posts about this awesome SoCal destination. The springtime weather in San Diego is almost always sunny with temperatures between 65 - 75 degrees.
In the spring there’s also the famous Carlsbad flower fields which are truly stunning in person and make for beautiful photography.
Explore San Diego with these blog posts:
Escondido (trending city 30 miles from the city center of San Diego)
Los Angeles
La la land is for many the quintessential California city. The weather is almost always warm and sunny and there’s no shortage of things to see. Los Angeles is very large and it’s best to pick one area of the city to explore in one day (because otherwise you’ll end up spending most of your day in traffic).
Here are some of my favorite Los Angles neighborhoods:
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is definitely one of the most magical places in California (and arguably in the whole USA). It has a certain mystical feeling which is why many journey here to find spiritual awakening. See my guide to finding beautiful hidden gems inside Joshua Tree Park.
Palm Springs
I can say with confidence that Palm Springs has to be the most colorful place in California, it’s was pretty much made for beautiful Instagram photos. A vacation in Palm Springs pretty much consists of sunshine, fruity drinks next to a fabulous pool and then fancy dinners in trendy restaurants.
See my Palm Spring guides:
Standing in front of Lily Pond in Balboa Park, San Diego.
San Jose & Silicon Valley
The Silicon Valley is not just for computer geeks, trust me! There’s so much style and good food to be found amongst the tech giants of the world. The Bay Area peninsula ranging from Redwood City to down south in San Jose also has excellent springtime weather with warm sunshine.
And my Instagram Guide to San Jose.
San Francisco
San Fran is definitely one of the most classic California travel destinations, especially if you love visiting historical landmarks. The weather is super unpredictable in San Francisco, especially during the first half of the year. Many actually enjoy seeing the fog hover the rolling hills in the city.
See my San Francisco travel guides:
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is one of California’s most famous surfer cities, making it kinda perfect for a spring break vacation. This is another very colorful city filled with public art, fresh culinary options and of course awesome beaches.
San Luis Obispo
This scenic college town is best known for both its sophisticated foodie scene and old quirky attractions (an odd combo but somehow they make it work!). By far the best two hotels in town are the Granada Hotel and the Madonna Inn. The Granada Hotel is very modern and chic, while the Madonna Inn is famous for its over-the-top tacky themes and decor.
Gardens inside Balboa Park, San Diego.
Botanical Building and Lily Pond in Balboa Park, San Diego.
Napa Valley
The world famous California Wine Country welcomes thousands of visitors every year. The sight of rolling hillsides filled with vineyards is definitely a bucket list travel goal. You’d be surprised at how many different sightseeing opportunities you can find in this one area of Northern California.
Petaluma
Petaluma is one of the best kept secrets of Sonoma County. This little town is both perfectly charming yet still has so many of the modern touches that city folk seek out. My travel guide to Petaluma has all the best restaurants and sights for a weekend getaway.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite needs no introduction, it’s a nature lover’s paradise. In the spring the snow has begun melting away and the waterfalls are at their most majestic. You’ll see flowers blooming all over the park, and the landscape is green and lush. The weather is also nice and mild, unlike the frozen winter and summer heat.
Sacramento
California’s capital is currently the fastest growing city in the state. In the last few years it has become a modern mecca for millennials. We’ve seen new trendy neighborhoods sprouting up all over Sacramento, and so many great restaurants and shopping destinations. The spring is especially beautiful in Sacramento because of all the almond blossom trees in the area.
Lake Tahoe
Another California destination filled with natural beauty is Lake Tahoe. Believe it or not, Tahoe is a big destination for snow during the spring break months of March and April. In the spring you can expect temperatures around 50 degrees and an average of 32 inches of snow. There are major ski resorts in Tahoe for snow related activities.
Our favorite place to stay in South Lake Tahoe is Basecamp Hotel, it’s super rustic cute!
Sunset at Scripps Pier in La Jolla.
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