weekender.
Weekend trips from Pepperdine
Hidden spots near Malibu, day trips and weekend road trips from Pepperdine in November, scored 1–10 on price, timing and what's happening, with gas, park fees, a campsite or room and food included.
Plan your own trip from Pepperdine →Local finds near campus
Will Rogers State Beach
A beach near campus, found in OpenStreetMap.
Sandstone Peak
The highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, with Channel Islands views.
Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory over the lights, Koreatown at midnight and the Broad's mirror rooms.
Malibu Creek State Park
The M*A*S*H set, a volcanic rock pool for swimming and Century Lake, in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Malibu (El Matador & Point Dume)
Sea stacks and caves at El Matador, and whale-watching from Point Dume's bluff.
Venice & Santa Monica
The skatepark, the canals and a bike ride along the boardwalk to the pier.
Day trips
Palm Springs
Midcentury pool motels, palm oases in Indian Canyons and a rotating tram up the mountain.
Vasquez Rocks
Tilted sandstone slabs where Captain Kirk fought the Gorn, and a hundred other westerns and sci-fi films. Free.
Eaton Canyon Falls
A creek-hopping walk to a waterfall, 15 minutes from Pasadena.
Ojai
An artsy valley known for its 'pink moment' sunset and an outdoor bookstore.
Palos Verdes
Tide pools, a sea arch and the Portuguese Bend coves on LA's quiet peninsula.
Santa Barbara
Spanish-revival streets, the Funk Zone's tasting rooms and Inspiration Point above it all.
Weekend trips
Pismo Beach & Oceano Dunes
Drive or sandboard on the only beach dunes you can camp on, then clam chowder in Pismo.
Anza-Borrego & Borrego Springs
Giant metal dinosaur sculptures in the desert, wildflowers in spring and a dark-sky town.
Salvation Mountain & Salton Sea
A hand-painted hill, Slab City's off-grid art town and the eerie shores of the Salton Sea.
Joshua Tree
Twisted trees, boulder scrambles and some of the darkest skies near LA.
Palm Springs
Midcentury pool motels, palm oases in Indian Canyons and a rotating tram up the mountain.
Kern River (Kernville)
Whitewater rafting through a granite canyon, a few hours from LA.
Long weekends
Pismo Beach & Oceano Dunes
Drive or sandboard on the only beach dunes you can camp on, then clam chowder in Pismo.
Anza-Borrego & Borrego Springs
Giant metal dinosaur sculptures in the desert, wildflowers in spring and a dark-sky town.
Salvation Mountain & Salton Sea
A hand-painted hill, Slab City's off-grid art town and the eerie shores of the Salton Sea.
Mojave Preserve & Kelso Dunes
Booming sand dunes that hum when you slide down, and free camping under the stars.
Joshua Tree
Twisted trees, boulder scrambles and some of the darkest skies near LA.
Death Valley
Salt flats below sea level, rainbow-colored hills and the darkest night sky in California.
Personalize it
Set your budget, how many friends are coming, your car (or no car: train and bus), and what you're into (hiking, beaches, camping, stargazing, food and more), and Weekender re-ranks every trip for you, with a day-by-day plan, directions and campsites.
Find my trips from Pepperdine →