12 Escape-Worthy Weekend Getaways
With the end of lockdown on the horizon, we’re dreaming of the weekend getaways to come. We know we aren't alone.
As adventurists, we care about three things: access to good outdoors, good food and drink to wash it down, and good company to share in the experience. You’ll find no fewer than two of the three in this inspiration checklist of destinations within a few hours of home—all you have to do is call up a friend.
We’re itching to get out of town, but while we wait, we’ll content ourselves to dream of the places we’ll go once it’s safe to do so.
This list is far from exhaustive—with so many places to discover, how could it be?
We want you to share your favorites with us. Tell us what we missed by creating a story of your own. You could win big!
Overlooking the Enchantments from Prusik Peak. Photo by Connor Charles.
Leavenworth, Washington
135 miles, about 2.5 hours
Easy access to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness anchors the appeal of little Bavarian-themed Leavenworth, Washington, including the Enchantments, notoriously difficult for overnight trips but easy, relatively speaking, to visit on a day trip. The rest of the time, you can float the Wenatchee River for the cost of an ice cream cone and sample beers at a handful of local breweries, like Icicle Brewing.
Explore adventures around Leavenworth, Washington.
Cliff diving into the Elwha River. Photo by Eric Harris.
Port Angeles, Washington
83 miles via the Bainbridge Island Ferry, about 2.5 hours
It’s hard to overlook the San Juan Islands, but good luck with the line for the Lopez Island ferry. There’s more land to roam around Port Angeles, where Olympic National Park meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and you’ll easily fill your weekend with hikes and swimming holes. The recently un-dammed Elwha River is here. Sol Duc Hot Springs are nearby. Hurricane Ridge isn’t far, either, nor is a delicious bite to eat at new eatery Sapor. If you do take the long way, don’t sleep on shellfish in the Hood Canal.
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Exploring McCall Point. Photo by David Schelske.
Hood River, Oregon
63 miles from Portland, about an hour
The Columbia River Gorge is the closest and most heavily accessed area for recreation near Portland, and Hood River is a perfect hub for a great weekend of adventure. The wind is world class, the waters are great for fishing, and the surrounding Cascades are a landscape primed for mountain biking, hiking, and camping. Plus, in recent years, the town has become a food and beverage hotspot with local shops like Hood River Distillery and Broder Øst.
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The summit of Saddle Mountain. Photo by Erik Sanders.
Astoria, Oregon
95 miles from Portland, about 2 hours
What once was a crime-ridden port has been completely reborn in the 21st century as a quaint coast town for Millennial creatives escaping the urban grind. Hunt mushrooms in the coast range, hike Saddle Mountain, paddle the slow-moving ribbons of the Columbia, cross into Washington to build sand castles on Long Beach, or browse the robust crafts and vintage stores that line Commercial Street.
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The photogenic Bonsai Rock. Photo by Lisa Bao.
Truckee, California
187 miles from San Francisco, about 6 hours
I will go to my grave saying that trains are the most gentlemanly mode of transit, but motorcycles are for badasses. In Truckee, a mountain town that has resisted Tahoe’s bougie pull better than others, perhaps, you can have both. Take the train from San Francisco and rent a toy from Tahoe Dirt Bikes. From there, follow your nose through throughout some of the best mountain terrain in California.
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The Avenue of the Giants. Photo by Justin Ritucci.
Arcata, California
279 miles from San Francisco, about 5 hours
An option best for long weekends, Arcata is a quaint coastal town in the heart of an area that once boasted hundreds of thousands of the world’s tallest and oldest organisms. The coastal redwoods have been culled back for a while now, but the most impressive specimens aren’t far away. When your wondering is over, wander over to Humboldt Regeneration, a hyper-local, regenerative brewery, or soak in a private hot tub at the Finnish Country Sauna.
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Couch Rock overlooking Ojai, California. Photo by Trevor Cox.
Ojai, California
83 miles from Los Angeles, about 1.5 hours
A little provincial town with a funky vibe, Ojai has taken pains to maintain an eclectic vibe. Most guides will mention the assortment of A-listers who retreat to Ojai’s spas and farm-to-table restaurants and (almost certainly) independent bookstores, which are equal-opportunity endeavors for adventurers. What we like: close access to hikes in Los Padres National Forest, like Matilija Falls, and a wide variety of camping options.
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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park near Julian, California. Photo by Michael Fricke.
Julian, California
61 miles from San Diego, about 1.5 hours
San Diego’s little, quiet frontier is in Julian, historically a gold rush town now known for its apple harvest. Preferred, perhaps, by those who wish to avoid crowds in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, Julian is a hideaway with similar opportunities. Anza Borrego is a desert mecca that bursts during the spring wildflower bloom, and that aforementioned apple harvest also means there are great ciders and breweries nearby. Try Nickel Beer Company for its interesting taps, including a jalapeño beer that tastes like nachos and beer-cider hybrid called the Apple Pie Ale.
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The surf near beach campsites on Padre Island, Texas. Photo by Amanda Webb.
Padre Island, Texas
161 miles from San Antonio, about 2.5 hours
Stilt houses, wildlife refuges, and oyster shacks line Padre Island, a loosely defined area that includes the barrier islands of Texas’ southern coast. While the stilt houses are only available via a 5-year lease agreement with the state, there’s plenty else to draw you here. Paddle quiet waters north of Rockport, camp on the beach, windsurf Lower Laguna Madre, or visit its more resort-like destinations at points south.
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Big skies and sunsets over Amistad Reservoir. Photo by Becky Heath.
Del Rio, Texas
158 miles from San Antonio, about 2.5 hours
While the towering walls of Big Bend National Park are too far for a weekend away, Del Rio is much more accessible and has many of the perks: a large waterway to explore at Amistad Reservoir, a quiet river retreat in Devils River, d and arguably more human comforts to slake your thirst when you’re finished, including Texas’ oldest winery.
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Overlooking the Appalachian Trail at Preachers Rock. Photo by Christian Murillo.
Blue Ridge, Georgia
93 miles from Atlanta, about 1.5 hours
Less familiar than its counterpart to the north, Georgia’s mountain retreat is a surprising outdoor refuge, whether or not it should be. The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail also boasts whitewater rafting on the Ocoee, waterfalls, a swinging bridge, and other waterways stocked with fish and slow-paced for more relaxing adventures. When you’re done, sample Southern fare at downtown restaurants like Southern Charm.
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The Luray Caverns. Photo by Mike Fennell.
Luray, Virginia
93 miles from Washington, D.C., about 2 hours
In the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Luray has easy access to the national park’s miles of forest hiking trails, Skyline Drive, and picturesque lookouts—there’s enough here to fill many weekends. The Luray Caverns are here, the best restaurant in town is Triple Crown BBQ, and you can wash it down with local taps at Hawksbill Brewing.
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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