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Weekend Road Trip Ideas in SoCal

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Weekends in the summer are the perfect opportunity for a quick getaway. Whether you’re looking to find some epic waves, explore the desert, or find your new favorite trail, StorQuest has the best quick road trips in SoCal to make this weekend an awesome one.

The Coast Cruise – Surf Seeker

Stop by your self storage unit, grab your board, and hit the Pacific Coast Highway. This road trip is on the longer side, but the waves and views totally make it worth the drive. Your first stop is 1,000 Steps Beach, located right off the highway in Laguna Beach. When you get to the top, you’ll find incredible views of the ocean, as well as cliffs, caves, and tide pools. If your board made the trek with you, hit the waves and soak in the sun at your new favorite surf spot. Your next destination is El Matador. One of the three beaches that make up Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, it’s known for stunning sunsets and rock formations. This sparsely populated spot is great for an afternoon surf sesh or a few rounds of beach volleyball with friends. We saved the best for last – the final stop on our surf seeker tour will take you to Rincon Point – 47 miles up the California Coast on the outskirts of Carpinteria. You won’t find touristy restaurants or souvenir shops here. Instead, you’ll enjoy one of the best surfing spots in SoCal, with well-formed waves and long, smooth rides.

The Quick Trip – Desert Explorer

If you’re feeling a quick adventure back dropped by epic desert landscape, this one’s for you. From Escondido, CA, head 72 miles north to Cottonwood Spring in Joshua Tree National Park. Some say this oasis is one of the best-kept secrets in the entire park, offering scenic hiking trails with opportunities to see wildlife up close and take in soaring views from Mastodon Peak. Continuing on, hop into your car and go farther north by 88 miles to the Kelso Dunes. This gem looks like a computer screen saver with epic rolling hills of sand as far as you can see. If you have a 4x4 vehicle, let some air out of your tires and mob around until the sun sets. Missing your winter sports? This is also a great place to take your sand board and shred a few hills.

The Big Sights – Hiking Obsessed

Whether you brought your mountain bike or hiking boots, head to Big Bear Lake for some of the best trails in SoCal. Surrounded by pine forests and colorful wildflowers, Big Bear trails are great for all skill levels, with options ranging from very easy to expert level. Take the 1.5-mile Woodland Interpretive Trail for an incredible self-guided tour at Big Bear or hit the nearly 15-mile John Bull Loop Bike Trail on your mountain bike. Located just a bit farther north is the Angeles National Forest. Here, you’ll find 557 miles of hiking and equestrian trails that will take you through the San Gabriel and Sierra Pelona Mountains. One of our favorite hikes is the Bridge to Nowhere-East Fork Trail. This nearly 10-mile trip takes you along the wooded banks of the East Fork and San Gabriel River and leads to a ton of cool swimming holes. If you want a shorter hike, the trip to Sturtevant Falls is 3.4 miles out and back, passes through wooded forests, and leads to a flowing falls. We recommend heading to this trail a bit early since it can get crowded during the summer.

Your Weekend Begins with StorQuest

To learn more about how StorQuest can help conquer your summer bucket list, contact us or stop by our Escondido location today.

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