With surf weather and rising temperatures approaching, the highly-anticipated summer vacation is only days away. Students dream of sandy beaches and tropical retreats, but many don’t have the money to make it possible.

Road Trips

For those looking for a sweet escape, why not go with the timeless and classic road trip? For a quick getaway, driving out to any nearby city is a simple and an inexpensive solution. Pack your bags, grab some friends and set a playlist long enough to last the whole trip.  

• Northern CA (SF, Carmel, Monterey, Solvang)
• Napa Valley
• Four Corners (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah)
• Las Vegas
• Santa Barbara
• Newport Beach

Camping and Parks

Many envision vacation as a time for relaxation. And, for some, this is best done through escaping in nature.

With plenty of national parks and cool locations to camp out in, taking in some scenery along with a breath of fresh air is easily accessible, costs little money and is a great way to kick back this summer.

• Malibu (campground/beach)- Leo Carrillo
• Lake Cachuma  
• Catalina
• Yosemite National Park
• Sequoia National Park

Day Trips

Of course, the City of Angels has some heavenly tourist spots itself, so luckily we don’t have to travel far to find some divine attractions. Perfect for those who have other commitments and no time to go out of town, there are tons of popular and hidden places to check out throughout the city. From perusing the aesthetic museums to taking an Instagram-worthy hike through Runyon Canyon, the ideas are endless.

• The Broad
• LACMA
• MOCA
• Annenberg Space for Photography
• Hammer
• The Getty
• Griffith Observatory
• Downtown Los Angeles
• Grand Central Market
• Levitt Pavilion
• Max Karaoke Studio
• Sawtelle Boulevard