Weekend Trips and Getaways From Los Angeles

Explore the Indian Canyons that surround Palm Springs on this guided half-day tour. You’ll cover the 17km loop on bike and foot, on a route that takes you through dramatic desert scapes and lush oases. Along the way, you’ll be provided with extensive information about the region’s history, including an insight into the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, whose ancestral home is in the region. The terrain can be challenging in parts, but you’ll be rewarded at the end with an ice cream stop at a boutique creamery.

Experience the upbeat and intriguing uptown Mojo area of San Luis Obispo by tasting your way through five unique restaurants. You’ll get to feast on home-made lasagna, local fish tacos, mimosas, Mexican elote off the cob, local beer, chocolate shakes and cocktails – to name just a few. The tour includes the costs of all food and alcoholic drinks, so you won’t be hit with any surprise expenses and can instead focus on enjoying this incredible culinary adventure. Wear comfortable shoes (and roomy clothes).

Enjoy the sublime coastal scenery and spot abundant marine life during this kayaking trip in La Jolla’s sea caves and ecological reserve. Paddle along with your expert guide and observe the numerous species of birds, dolphins, sea lions and even orcas that inhabit the area. You’ll be able to drift among the reserve’s sprawling kelp forests and, if conditions permit, venture inside the sea caves that dot the rocky coastline. Perfect for both experienced kayakers and beginners, this is a delightful few hours on the ocean.

Inspired by the work of Ansel Adams, this small-group tour takes you on a photography trip through Yosemite. Your guide – a professional photographer at Yosemite National Park’s The Ansel Adams Gallery – will lead a hands-on workshop that helps participants to improve their skills with digital cameras. You’ll also learn about the life and work of Ansel Adams, who is celebrated for his magnificent black-and-white photographs, many of which were captured in Yosemite. Your guide will also help you get to grips with setting ISO, aperture and shutter speed levels while taking you to a number of famous sites within the park, where you can put what you’ve learned into practice.

This electric bike tour allows you to cover more ground than on a pushbike, taking you along the scenic 17-Mile Drive that runs through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove. Taking it slow so that riders can get used to the bikes, there will be plenty of educational stops and photo opportunities, including at Lovers Point Park, The Kissing Rock and the John Denver Memorial. Your guide will fill you in on the history of both the area and the notable points that you stop at, as well as talk you through the topography of the area and any wildlife you encounter along the way.