Do you have plans this Spring Break? If you’re like me, you’re probably daydreaming about grand adventures and destinations to explore. But if you live in SoCal, you don’t have to travel far to have an amazing Spring Break day trip. Never fear- the Grace Belle Team and I have some awesome ideas for unique, and budget-conscious Spring Break getaways right here in Southern California that cater to the inner Adventurer in you all!

A Day in the Beach: Laguna

By far my favorite beach in SoCal is Laguna. It’s nestled amongst gorgeous green hills that are perfect for hiking. My suggestion is to go on a Saturday morning and start off the day by hiking the Big Bend Laguna Coast Trail, which is right off the road on the 133. It’s a steep climb at first, but the views at the top are to die for. You see the ocean on one side, and the seemingly endless cluster of hills on the other. After your hike, be sure to catch the Farmer’s Market from 8-12 AM. There’s a myriad of booths offering tasty fruits, nuts, breads, and flowers. Be sure to check it out here: 521 Forest Avenue Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Then be sure to check out Laguna Beach in all of its glory.

My personal favorite beach in the area is Crescent Bay Beach. Neighborhood parking is free and the view over the sea cliffs is breathtaking. It’s my personal favorite because every time I’ve been there, there’s not too many people there- so it’s pretty remote. After you’ve had some fun on the beach, the best treat to end the day with is to head on over to Urth Caffe for a tea latte because their tea lattes are the best thing ever. They also have yummy food, too! And that’s it- a simple day at Laguna. I assure you it’ll be a blast!

 

A Day in the City: Los Angeles

LA is a city full of hidden possibilities. When I first moved to LA from the Pacific Northwest, I was intimidated. It’s such a huge city, that’s vast and spread out. It wasn’t until recently that I learned of its hidden gems or not-so-hidden gems. One of my favorite experiences in LA has definitely been the hike to the ever-famous Hollywood sign. I suggest starting your day here at this landmark. It’s a bit of a rigorous hike, so for those of you less inclined to hike for two hours up a steep hill, you might want to sit this one out. Personally, I suggest doing the Hollyridge Trail. It’s 3.5 miles, and the least strenuous of the bunch.

Next, grab yourself a bite to eat at Grand Central Market, located in Downtown LA. There’s so much to choose from here. Or, my absolute favorite restaurant I’ve been to in LA is a small, adorable taco restaurant- Chica’s Tacos. It’s probably the most visually pleasing restaurant, and it has the most delicious meals I’ve ever encountered. And also- gotta check out the Last Bookstore, which is just a few blocks away from Grand Central Market. It’s the coolest bookstore that boasts of eclectic atmosphere and a plethora of books to curl up with and read.

 

A Day in the Country: Joshua Tree

The last idea for Spring Break is to spend a day, or multiple days, in Joshua Tree National Park. It’s beautiful place to take some epic photos. There’s all sorts of things you can do- hiking, “bouldering” which is basically hopping from one rock to the other, camping, photography, star gazing, etc.

Be sure to see the Lost Palms Oasis Hike, or at least hike part of it since it is a seven mile hike. For a shorter hike, I suggest Hidden Valley Nature Trail, which is a more readily accessible trail. It’s super easy to find and walk around in. My suggestion is to bring warm blankets and pillows so you can watch the stars at night.

So that’s it! Our team’s three ideas for Spring Break day trips- filled with lots of yummy food and lovely landscapes. We’d love to see your Spring Break adventures! Be sure to caption your photos #GraceBelleAdventures and #IAmTheAdventurer.