The Girls' Trip Ideas That'll Help You Plan An Ideal Getaway

Girls just want to have fun and spend time together. You don’t need a special occasion to spend a girls’ weekend in California’s best getaway spots, so reconnect and catch up with your friends while pampering yourselves on an exciting adventure.

The versatile Golden State offers the finest locations for your girls’ getaway. Beach vibes? You got it. Nature retreat? Done. Bond with the ladies on an unforgettable vacation together and leave refreshed. With countless options to choose from, these fun girls’ trip ideas will help you narrow down your choices. 

The best girls' trip destinations

The Marley Palm Springs

Location: 598 South Grenfall Road, Palm Springs

When thinking about spending a girls’ weekend away, Palm Springs is the first place that comes to mind. The ultimate ladies’ getaway starts with checking in at The Marley Palm Springs. This hotel is unlike any other—instead of booking a room, unwind in an entire villa with your favorite girlfriends.

Offering nine bedrooms and nine full baths, the villa provides sleeping accommodations for up to 22 guests. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the hotel; the elegant villa features a commercial-size outdoor pool, a full catering kitchen, and a firepit for cozy evenings.

Whether you’re hosting a birthday party with your girlfriends or just taking a break from your everyday routine, The Marley Palm Springs offers a beautiful desert setting that’ll make you forget summer is over. 

The Surfrider

Location: 23033 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

You can’t go wrong with a weekend in Malibu, especially if you’re staying at The Surfrider Hotel, Malibu. The exclusive, 20-room modern beach house is right across from the famous Malibu Surfrider Beach. Capturing the authenticity of the town’s surf culture, the hotel is the perfect spot for a girls’ weekend getaway.

As soon as you’ve settled in, head out on a coastal adventure and ride the famous SoCal waves. If you don’t know how to surf, the receptionist will set up a lesson so you don’t miss out on the fun. When you start getting hungry, have a bite to eat at the chic rooftop restaurant. With spa rain showers and an outdoor terrace with loungers, The Surfrider is one of the best girls’ trip destinations in California. 

Socially distant girls' trip ideas

Modoc National Forest

Location: Modoc, Lassen, and Siskiyou Counties

Another fun girls’ trip idea is an excursion to Modoc National Forest. Get in touch with nature and indulge in the distinctive geology and views of the timeless landscape. Although the scenic destination is remote, it is worth the drive. Modoc National Forest is where solitude, entertainment, and nature come together to create the perfect environment for a girls’ weekend.

Set up your tents at Ash Creek Campground and head over to Bear Camp Flat Trailhead for a beautiful hike among lush meadows. Later, shift your direction towards the Blue Lake Boating Site for an afternoon full of activities. With abundant opportunities for swimming, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing, Modoc National Forest is the ideal girls’ trip idea for ladies looking for seclusion in the heart of Mother Earth. 

Glen Oaks Big Sur

Location: 47080 CA-1, Big Sur

Plan a charming girls’ getaway in Big Sur, and book overnight stays in Glen Oaks Big Sur’s retro-chic cottages. Surrounded by towering trees and rustic landscapes, this charming motel offers 16 Adobe Motor Lodge rooms, each equipped with a quaint fireplace. The natural adobe walls of the eco-friendly rooms keep the warm sun out but let the warmth in, while walk-in showers are evocative of showering in the forest. Accommodations also include 12 cottage-style rooms with breathtaking coastal views.

The awe-inspiring spot is just the place to escape the city and recharge with your girlfriends. Enjoy a girls’ weekend here while beautiful grounds and lovely redwoods envelop you. Revisit your childhood memories and start a fire to roast s’mores.  

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park 

Location: 52801 California State Route 1, Big Sur

You can never go wrong with a ladies’ weekend getaway at California’s best coastal destination. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is 3,762 acres of pure natural beauty. Take a well-deserved break from the city and surround yourselves with gorgeous redwoods, tanoaks, and sweeping views of the ocean.

As a flock of jays greets you at the state park, pitch a tent at one of the campsites and get ready for some of the most breathtaking sights you’ll ever see. Reward yourselves with a hike that leads to a one-of-a-kind vista: McWay Falls. The stunning 80-foot-tall waterfall drops from granite cliffs onto the sands below; this incredible view is nature at its finest. Explore the trails of the park and spend the night stargazing and bonding with your girlfriends. 

Girls' spa weekend

Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa

Location: 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe

Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa is a 45-acre oasis nestled in the hills of Rancho Santa Fe. The reason why a weekend getaway here is an awesome girls’ trip idea is its reputation—it’s one of the most sought-after resorts in Southern California.

Pamper yourselves at this Mediterranean-style sanctuary; relax and listen to the sound of soothing waterfalls at the spa, then lounge by the pool for a refreshment after a rejuvenating morning. Soak up the San Diego sunshine while you sample the delicious poolside dining menu. Take up a new hobby and enjoy a friendly match at the resort’s renowned tennis facility. As your girls’ weekend comes to its end, you’ll see why Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa is the ultimate ladies’ getaway destination. 

Avila Hot Springs

Location: 250 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo

Prepare to spend a weekend full of fun at Avila Hot Springs. Beat the San Luis Obispo heat and relax under palm trees next to the enticing pool. (Make sure to glide down the double waterslide, too.) Gather your ladies for a relaxing massage, and soak in the soothing, hot mineral pool for a refreshing experience.

In the mood to camp for the night? Either pitch a tent on-site or take it up a notch and stay in the wood-sided cabins. Kick back with your girlfriends and rent bikes to explore the nearby Bob Jones Trail. 

Ojai Valley Inn

Location: 905 Country Club Rd, Ojai

Ojai Valley Inn is one of California’s best-kept secrets and is among the top destinations near Los Angeles for a girls’ weekend. The ultimate Ojai experience awaits; the resort attracts vacationing guests seeking tranquil pleasures. Here, your girls’ trip ideas are actualized.

Soak up the sun at the sparkling Indigo Pool, where over-sized cabanas and daybeds complement the refreshing drink in your hand. Once you’re done sunbathing, gather the ladies for an afternoon of relaxation at the spa. With freshly-harvested oil blends being massaged into your skin, you’ll immediately feel rejuvenated on your girls’ spa weekend. Make long-lasting memories with your girl-gang as sweeping valley views take your breath away.