Here Are the Best Places for a Staycation Around LA

A pop-up glamping resort on an eight-acre (3ha) ranch just 2mi (3.2km) from the Coachella grounds, this is the perfect place to stay for festival attendees. Choose one of the furnished or unfurnished tents, or simply pitch your own. Facilities include a beauty bar, flushable toilets, charging stations, a pool and a shuttle service, and the site is even visited by local food trucks – basically everything you could want from your festival crash pad.

Bluegreen Vacations Big Bear Village may only be a two-hour drive from LA, but once you reach the leafy San Bernardino National Forest, you’ll feel a world away. Each of the units in this suite-only hotel comes with a fully equipped kitchen, BBQ and deep-soak tub. The rustic abode has plenty to keep you entertained, too. Visit the game room – with a pool table and video games – before the heated outdoor pool and hot tub.

What’s better than falling asleep to the sound of lapping waves? At the Pavilion Hotel on Catalina Island, you can do just that. The beachfront property is a mere 14 steps from pillowy soft sand, while palm trees line the tropical garden and communal fire pit. The restaurant – with an outdoor terrace – is reserved exclusively for guest use and rooms have calming blue palettes. Some come with balconies, too – take in a lungful of fresh sea air.

Overlooking Catalina Island’s yacht harbor, Hotel Metropole feels like its own mini-town within picturesque Avalon. It has its own marketplace full of shops and cafes, and there’s an on-site spa for your indulgence. While every room is sleek, an extra dash of luxury can be had in the two-bedroom, two-bathroom beach house – complete with panoramic sea views, sprawling kitchen and built-in library.

Plonked on 102 acres (41ha) of the Palos Verdes Peninsula – with views across to Catalina Island – Terranea is a no-brainer for a chic staycation, LA-style. Choose between the resort’s spacious bungalows, casitas and villas, dine at one of the many on-site restaurants – a sunset dinner booking at mar’sel is a must – and take some me-time in the spa or with a round of golf at the nine-hole course.

Want to jet off to Europe but don’t have time? Enter: Casa Del Mar. This elegant beachfront hotel has the feel of a Mediterranean villa, but is in fact perched by Santa Monica pier. Many of the rooms have lovely sea views, some have private terraces, and all are decorated with calming blue hues. When you can pull yourself away from your plush lodgings, there’s a spa to explore and a seafood restaurant in which to dine.

One of the best things about living in LA – besides the endless sunshine and warm weather – is your proximity to the ocean. Make the most of it with a stay at Viceroy Santa Monica. Just steps from the water, this is the perfect hotel for sitting back and taking a breather. Rooms are bright and airy, and there’s a pool with cabanas to laze in along with cocktails from the hotel’s breezy bar. What more could you want from your LA staycay?

With its eclectic decor, uber-friendly staff and fun vibe, Hotel Erwin is the personification of Venice Beach. Set next to the world-famous boardwalk, rooms are modern and minimalist, and some have balconies – perfect for people-watching come sunset. A visit to the rooftop bar is a must, especially during the weekday happy hours of 3pm to 5pm.