Best Places For A Fall Getaway Near Los Angeles

The Daily Meal Staff|Oct. 11, 2014 7:00 am EST

(credit: istockphoto)

Before the flurry of the busy holiday season arrives, check in to some of the best Southern California-area towns for a fall getaway. The weather is typically still warm in the day and So Cal even gets some change of colors, giving travelers the opportunity to take advantage of outside play time including golf, hiking, wine tasting, tennis and pool time, of course. Two-hour travel time to the beach, desert and the mountains is motivating enough to book a quick get-out-of-L.A. trip checking in to these five destinations.

(credit: Rancho Las Palmas)

Rancho Las Palmas
41-000 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(866) 423-1195
www.rancholaspalmas.com

High of 80 and low of 60 sounds pretty darn perfect. The desert is quite the place to visit during the fall months in Southern California. At Rancho Las Palmas, where Los Angelenos visit to chill out, guests are invited to check out of their daily routines and check in to this boutique hotel for golf, spa, cocktails, world-class cuisine and relaxation. Rancho Las Palmas is offering fall specials including the "Door by Four" (starts at $249) that includes room, two welcome-to-the-desert cocktails, one 50-minute spa treatment daily and a 4 p.m. late check-out. Golfers can take advantage of the $99 No Hassle Golf package which includes TaylorMade rental clubs and all-you-can-play golf. Spa lovers will be offered a seasonal treatment menu of services which includes a pumpkin agave scrub and a mani-pedi with a glass of cranberry hibiscus sparkler cocktail in hand.

(credit: Alice S./Yelp)

The Oaks at Ojai
122 E. Ojai Ave.
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-5573
www.oaksspa.com

You don't need to pack very much when you get away to The Oaks at Ojai. The all-inclusive spa retreat offers a healthy and peaceful vacay from the hustle and bustle of L.A. What makes this getaway special is that you get to focus on yourself before the holiday season. Pamper yourself with the spa's healing and relaxing spa services, restorative yoga program, guided hikes in the local mountains, low-cal (1,000 calories a day) food plan consisting of three meals, snacks and beverages, signature aquatic workout program and a beautiful sunset. The fall months are packed with interesting packages including a hiking week, meditation and cycling.

(credit: Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa)

Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa
27984 Highway 189
Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352
(909) 336-1511
www.lakearrowheadresort.com

Bask in the beautiful and scenic Southern California fall colors when you drive up and spend the weekend in Lake Arrowhead. Only about an hour and a half outside of L.A., Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa is an easy-to-get-to local destination. There are lots of outdoor activities in this quaint village including a guided lakeside Sunday morning walking tour of Lake Arrowhead's shoreline and an educational guided nature hike, both led by the San Bernardino National Forest Association (tours leave from hotel), and tour boat rides on the Arrowhead Queen (buy tickets in The Village). Visitors also like to visit The Village's restaurants and stores, wine taste at the resort's signature restaurant BIN189 and luxuriate at the resort's spa for seasonal services.

(credit: Christa K./Yelp)

Santa Ynez Inn
3627 Sagunto St.
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
(805) 688-5588
www.santaynezinn.com

A visit to Santa Ynez feels like you are more than only two hours away from home. From wine tasting and hiking to horseback riding and cycling, guests find it easy to get into the slower lane in the Santa Ynez Valley. Bed and breakfast boutique hotels like Santa Ynez Inn offer a quiet and intimate getaway in wine country. Full breakfast is offered daily before heading out to visit several of the wineries (note there are more than 120 in the area) and at the end of the day, the inn welcomes the evening with nightly hors d'oeuvres fireside with samplings of wine from local Santa Barbara County wineries. Rooms are deluxe, outfitted with private balconies and fireplaces.

(credit: Hotel Metropole)

Hotel Metropole
205 Crescent Ave.
Avalon, CA 90704
(310) 510-1884
www.hotel-metropole.com

Catalina Island is a quick jaunt by ferry and in no time you'll be relaxing amidst the beauty of California's favorite island getaway. Hotel Metropole is located in the heart of Avalon and is an excellent pathway to the beach. In addition to the beautiful accommodations and intimate setting, the hotel's concierge is knowledgeable and happy to help guests set up adventurous activities such as kayaking, zip lining, fly fishing, sailing and whale watching. For those who seek serene and quiet time, Hotel Metropole's day spa offers massage services, hand and foot reflexology and facials. Definitely check the website for seasonal specials and packages.

Sheryl Craig is a writer with a passion for interesting finds and treasures in Los Angeles. She has a background in journalism and public relations. A mother of two daughters, Sheryl integrates her healthy lifestyle into raising her children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.