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Summer has a way of creeping up before you’ve had time to make a single plan. Before you stress-book a far-flung flight to Puglia or spend weeks staring at your phone in indecision paralysis, consider this: Some of the best trips start with zero planning at all. You can take a deep breath. And instead, start small by booking a weekend getaway.
If you happen to live in Los Angeles, you’re in one of the best hubs for a long weekend away; several bucket-list spots for many are just a quick car trip away for you. Whether it’s the rolling hills of Montecito, sun-baked days in Joshua Tree, or the retro-inflected poolside charm of Palm Springs, you’re situated within a three-hour drive of so many summer destinations. All you have to do is pick one.
The Best Airbnbs for a Weekend Getaway from L.A., According to Vogue:
- For an Aman-Lite Experience: Folly Mojave Off-Grid Wilderness Retreat, from $1,877 a night
- For a Designer Mountain Stay: Idyllic Alpine Designer Cabin, from $565 a night
- For an A-Frame Above the Clouds: Modern Mountain A-Frame, from $636 a night
- For a Rosy Desert Home: Hacienda by The Joshua Tree House, from $391 per night
- For a Luxury Ranch Stay: Serene Ojai Ranch, from $2,064 a night
To help with that, we’ve selected design-forward rentals that cater to a number of travel styles. Most are designed for groups (the more the merrier when it’s only a 72-hour trip), though we also included a few spots ideal for couples. You’ll feel like you’re on a vacation you spent months planning—no red eye flight required. Ahead, the very best Airbnbs for a weekend getaway from Los Angeles.
Folly Mojave Off-Grid Wilderness Retreat
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For your own personal, Aman-like getaway, look no further than this off-the-grid cabin in Twentynine Palms. With interiors and architecture by Alqadi Malek, the pint-sized structure (ideal for up to four guests) sits on 200 acres at the intersection of Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park. Its brutalist design blends in beautifully with the desert landscape, with terracotta and sandy hues throughout.
The interiors read intentional yet restrained. There is a cozy bedroom located downstairs, two kitchenettes, and an open-air bedroom with a retractable roof that allows for late-night stargazing and being at one with nature.
Rooms: 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms
Amenities: Private saltwater pool, air conditioning, HDTV, washer/dryer, dedicated workspace, WiFi, and free parking
Location: Twentynine Palms, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 3 hours
Montecito Beach Cottage
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Just steps away from Miramar Beach and Coast Village Road, this gated Montecito home makes a strong case for skipping the five-star hotel. The main house offers three bedrooms and two baths—a primary queen with an en-suite, a second queen with garden views, and a twin room ideal for kids—plus a detached one-bedroom guest house with a pullout sofa for additional guests. Suffice it to say: It’s group trip-friendly.
The interiors strike a thoughtful coastal balance (nothing too cutesy) with light oak furniture, rattan accents, and minty green and blue tile throughout. There are multiple outdoor dining and lounge areas, a private two-person sauna, and lush tropical gardens enveloping the exterior. Plus, if you get the hankering to chill in a hotel lobby, martini in hand, The Rosewood Miramar is a quick walk down the road.
Rooms: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Amenities: Sauna, beach access, WiFi, kitchen, fully-fenced backyard, TV, dryer
Location: Montecito, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 1.5 hours
Serene Ojai Ranch
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The name really says it all. This 110-acre, seven-bedroom home in the Ojai foothills is a slice of paradise just a short distance from Los Angeles. Ideal for larger groups and families, the Spanish-style estate decorated with a neutral-leaning palette spreads across a three-bedroom main house, a four-bedroom guest house, and an art studio.
It boasts enough square-footage for everyone to have a little more personal space (always a good idea for group trips). The chef's kitchen comes stocked with a gas stove, double oven, and a breakfast nook framed by mountain views. The living room, meanwhile, has a cozy, white-washed fireplace, made for cuddling up with a book and a cup of coffee. Outside, fruit trees, oaks, and olive groves provide a nature-forward respite ideal for entertaining (the outdoor kitchen is a testament to that), plus a trailhead for anyone who feels the need to earn their evening glass of wine.
Rooms: 7 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
Amenities: Chef's kitchen, art studio, washer/dryer, WiFi, dedicated workspace, TV, free parking, pets allowed
Location: Ojai, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 1.5 hours
Idyllic Alpine Designer Cabin
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Located just 100 miles from Los Angeles, Idyllwild sits along the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Jacinto Mountains; this newly renovated three-bedroom cabin from beloved textile designer Heather Taylor Home is a pretty great reason to go.
The historic structure gets the full HTH treatment inside: ginghams, plaids, custom built-ins, and designer furniture that lands somewhere between Wes Anderson and The Berenstain Bears. Wake up to mountain views from the screened-in porch, spend the day hiking or rock climbing along the one-acre property, then come back to a fireplace and plush beds dressed in linens from the brand. It's just the perfect amount of cottagecore—and worth the drive in spades.
Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
Amenities: Fireplace, screened-in porch, fully equipped kitchen, Sonos, Smart TVs, high-speed WiFi, washer/dryer
Location: Idyllwild, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 2 hours
The Pom Pom House
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This three-bedroom home brings the vibrant essence of ’60s Palm Springs into the current day. From the wood-paneled sunroom peppered with elevated furnishings and a vintage bar setup to the eight-foot sliding doors that open straight onto the backyard with a view of the mountains to the blush-hued kitchen backsplash and dusty rose Mario Bellini sofa anchoring the living room—the vibe is thoughtful, stylish, and very Palm Springs.
In the backyard you’ll find a pool, a gas fire pit, an outdoor dining table, a lounge area, and a ping-pong table. The kitchen is fully outfitted for at-home dinners, and the primary suite, with its king bed and private bath, shares that same indoor-outdoor sightline through its own sliding doors.
Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Amenities: Pool, gas firepit, ping-pong table, pets allowed, EV charging, central AC, dedicated workspace
Location: Palm Springs, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 2 hours
Maman
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This modern three-bedroom property reveals itself at the end of a winding road, tucked between towering rock walls in a hidden ravine of boulders. The exterior mimics its surroundings, with a small infinity pool surrounding the space reflecting the otherworldly landscape.
Inside the home, you’ll see stone integrated throughout every room—from the rock kitchen island to the bathroom sinks to the expansive glass windows framing the view. There’s a sunken, pistachio green conversation pit in the living area (possibly in homage to the cacti outside), anchoring the home’s central gathering space. The bedrooms are in a separate structure tucked into the rock, making for a secluded sleeping sanctuary.
Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
Amenities: Infinity pool, fire pit, WiFi, free parking, EV charger, TV, hot tub
Location: Joshua Tree, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 2.5 hours
The Carter Cottage
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Swathed in beachy blue and white, this sunny San Diego cottage is built with an eye for detail that shows in every room. Starting with the expansive chef’s kitchen, which features inky-blue cabinetry, brass accents, and stone countertops, it sits somewhere between modern farmhouse and coastal California. A sunset deck off the back of the house faces the ocean; an obvious spot for morning coffee or evening drinks. In fact, the backyard is set up for a full day of entertaining, with an outdoor kitchen and bar, a gas BBQ, and seating for eight at the dining table. Three bedrooms round out the home, including a primary suite with a king bed and en-suite bath with backyard access, plus a beach shed stocked with everything needed for a day at the water.
Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Amenities: Gas fire pit, chef's kitchen, outdoor kitchen and bar, in-home washer/dryer, beach gear shed
Location: San Diego, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 2 hours
Passage
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While the name of this property has gravitas, for a spot this cinematic, it makes sense. At nearly 3,000 square feet, Passage sits atop a private desert promontory with 360-degree views stretching far beyond Joshua Tree National Park. The pièce de résistance is an 80-foot infinity pool positioned toward the horizon, with a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and pizza oven alongside it for outdoor dining, and a fire pit for evenings.
The brutalist entry sets the tone on arrival, signaling that this is a house that takes its architecture seriously. Retractable glass walls open the home to the landscape, with curated furnishings, an indoor fireplace, and a private movie room all enclosed within. Even the bedrooms are framed by glass on all sides; this is a space where indoors and outdoors blend.
Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Amenities: Infinity pool, spa (heated, included), outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, gas firepit, private movie room, outdoor shower, Starlink internet, yoga equipment
Location: Joshua Tree, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 2.5 hours
Modern Mountain A-Frame
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This sweet A-frame home is located in the historic Painted Cave area above Santa Barbara. With 180-degree views of the Pacific and the surrounding coastal mountains, it boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and wraparound decks that bring the sky and oak trees in. On the inside, high ceilings and white-washed furnishings frame a fully remodeled kitchen and an open living area wrapped in glass. A lofted primary suite with a king bed, full bath, and private deck access sits above a queen bedroom and a single bedroom, both with deck openings, plus a laundry and half bath on the lower level. The decks are built for lounging and open-air dining, with a cedar hot tub for soaking under the stars and a yard with a climbing structure and playhouse for kids.
Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
Amenities: Cedar hot tub, washer/dryer, free parking, AC, wood-burning stove
Location: Painted Cave, Santa Barbara, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 2.5 hours
Hacienda by The Joshua Tree House
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This two-bedroom, one-bath hacienda has a plunge pool and hot tub in the yard, and hiking access straight from the property. It’s the kind of place where wildlife sightings—birds, jackrabbits, desert tortoises, and coyotes—come with the territory. The west entrance to Joshua Tree National Park is 20 minutes away, and downtown Joshua Tree is about 12, reached via a five-minute stretch of dirt road that sets the mood for the whole stay.
Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Amenities: Plunge pool, hot tub, direct hiking access, park views, private yard and gardens
Location: Joshua Tree, California
Distance from L.A.: Approximately 2.5 hours