Spring Break Staycations
For those who are in town for Spring Break, and still are seeking an abnormal adventure, don’t spend your spring break rotting away in your bed. Your newfound time is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of all southern California has to offer. From being submerged in nature, to delving further into the city, new adventures are constantly evolving and available.
Drive up PCH to camp at local-ish campsites like Malibu Creek or Leo Carillo.
Getting out of the city and indulging in nature is the epitome of Spring Break. What better way to do that then plan a local camping trip! Both Malibu Creek State Park and Leo Carrillo State Park are a 45 minute drive from Santa Monica. Go to reservations.gov to find an available campsite, pack your tent, sleeping bags, marshmallows, and some friends for a memorable night. The temperature does indeed drop at night, so make sure to bring warm layers and firewood. With hiking trails connected to both State Parks, enjoy the fresh air outside the city, and stay up to see stars not disrupted by Los Angeles smog.
Head inland day trip to Ojai.
Take a trip up north and enjoy the calming vortex of Ojai. A quaint town an hour and a half away from Santa Monica, explore the vast orange groves, take a trailride on horseback, or a hike in the Topatopa Mountains. If you want to stay in town, explore Bart's Books- the world's largest outdoor bookstore. If you visit on a Sunday, indulge in the locally grown produce the farmer’s market has to offer. To stay the night, there are many boutique hotels where you can book a stay.
Food markets, farmers market, flea markets - you have options!
You don’t need to leave LA to have a unique experience this spring break. Take advantage of your free time, and explore one of the many markets around the city. Sundays have the most options. Some recommendations include Smorgasburg food market downtown, 626 Night Market, Rose Bowl Flea Market, Long Beach Flea Market, Santa Monica Farmers Market, and the Mar Vista Farmers Market. All of these options hold endless flavors and goodies.
Explore the Venice Canals, rent a paddle board, walk or bike around.
Experience Venice, Italy, in Venice, California at the Venice Canals. The Venice Canals, or Venice of America was founded in the early 1900s by developer Abbot Kinney. Today, you can enjoy the stretch of serenity on foot, paddling, or biking. Visitors are permitted to use their own non-motorized vessel to see the canals on the water. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on a bridge, or head over to Abbot Kinney Boulevard for some lunch.
