Weekend Adventure Road Trip from Los Angeles

3 Days of Play and Cool-Down Between World Cup 2026 Matches

Three days. One RV. Just enough distance to feel gone—without losing touch with the action. This sporty weekend road trip from Los Angeles is the perfect side match for World Cup 2026 visitors: surf at sunrise, climb into alpine air by afternoon, and stretch out desert evenings under wide skies. It’s packed with movement, but also built to cool you down—whether from the summer heat or the buzz of the stadium. Pick up at RV rental Los Angeles, load the boards and bikes, and roll straight toward the ocean—Malibu and Santa Monica are your first warm-up.

Route

Los Angeles ➤ Malibu & Santa Monica ➤ Big Bear Lake ➤ Palm Springs ➤ Los Angeles

Distance

Approx. 360 miles (round trip)

Travel Duration

3 days

Highlights

First Point (Malibu), Santa Monica Pier, Temescal/Los Liones views, Big Bear Lake shoreline, Skyline & Cougar Crest, Indian Canyons, Mt. San Jacinto (Aerial Tram)

Best Time to Travel

Year-round. Jun–Aug: early/late windows (cooler at Big Bear; Tram for high country). Sep–May: milder; winter at Big Bear may need chains.

Tolls & Fees

Optional LA express lanes. Some Big Bear trailheads need an Adventure Pass. Indian Canyons day-use fee; Aerial Tram fare.

Stop 1: Malibu & Santa Monica

Recommended stay: 1 day

Pick up your camper van in LA, then point it toward Malibu for a salty reset. Surf at sunrise, drop into a beach volleyball game by mid-morning, and cap it with a coastal ridge walk. Easy parking and quick transitions keep you moving; when the sun dips, steer east on the 10 to set up cool mountain air by morning.

Match-week tip

    • Pre-game reset: Use this coastal day to shake out the legs, then keep the RV packed so you can roll inland early tomorrow.
    • Hotel-price hedge: Skip last-minute city rates—your bed and gear are already with you.
Two girls with surfboards walking from their white RV, parked on the beach, towards the sea.
Colorful sunset over Santa Monica Pier with Ferris wheel lights reflecting on the ocean

Things to do

  • Surf session: Catch the morning light at First Point at Surfrider, where long, friendly waves roll in. Zuma’s punchier sets wait once you’re ready for the next step.
  • Beach volleyball: Courts line the Santa Monica sand, always buzzing with casual games and open skies—it’s easy to wander up and join the rhythm.
  • Ridge hike: Trails like Temescal Ridge or Los Liones climb quickly into sweeping ocean views, rewarding each step with a bigger horizon.

Good to know

  • Highlight: Easy surf mornings and quick ridge hikes for big coastal views.
  • Recommended campground: Leo Carrillo State Park — beachside setting with RV sites; close to Zuma and First Point.
  • Tip: Arrive at sunrise for parking and cleaner surf; evenings are best for ridge walks.

Medium

Activity level

Lively coastal

Setting

Sunrise + Sunset

Best time

Stop 2: Big Bear Lake

Recommended stay: 1 day

Pine air, cold water, and easy elevation make Big Bear the perfect overnight reset. Spend the day paddling glassy coves, riding Skyline for flow, or hiking up to a summit view. As evening falls, settle in at your campground by the lake and enjoy the quiet mountain air before rolling down toward Palm Springs the next morning.

Match-week tip

  • Active cool-down: Big Bear keeps the pace high—paddle, hike, or ride—but spares you from the desert heat that can drain game-day energy.
  • Why it works: It’s the action-packed middle stop, balancing fun with altitude relief so you roll into Palm Springs energized instead of overheated.
Hiker at a rocky overlook watching sunrise above Big Bear Lake, part of a weekend getaway from Los Angeles
View of Big Bear Lake framed by pine trees, a classic weekend getaway from Los Angeles
Paddle boarding on Big Bear Lake during a weekend getaway from Los Angeles

Things to do

  • Paddle workout: Mornings on Big Bear’s north shore bring glassy coves, where a kayak or SUP glides smooth and steady across the water.
  • Skyline pedal: The Skyline trail rolls along ridgelines with wide lake vistas, a flowy ride that feels both playful and rewarding.
  • Summit stroll: Short climbs like Castle Rock or Cougar Crest open quickly into big panoramas, where alpine air and open views stretch in every direction.

Good to know

  • Highlight: Quiet coves for morning paddles and quick access to the Skyline Trail.
  • Recommended campground: Serrano (Fawnskin) — lakeside loops with RV hookups, easy SUP put-ins, and fast access to Cougar Crest.
  • Tip: Paddle in the morning when the lake is calm, then save hikes or rides for late afternoon when the breeze cools the trails.

Medium

Activity level

Alpine & breezy

Setting

Morning + Late afternoon

Best time

Stop 3: Palm Springs

Recommended stay: 1 day

Shake out the legs on a morning ride, tuck into a palm-lined canyon for a hike, then recover by the pool before the easy return to LA. It’s recovery with a pulse—sunny, simple, and flexible if plans shift. Pack up, grab one last coffee, and you’re home before the week starts.

Match-week tip

  • Strong finish: Palm Springs closes the loop — ride early, Tram to cooler trails at midday, and wind down poolside.
  • Why it works: A calm final night puts you within an easy morning drive of LA, back in time for kickoff without feeling rushed.
Morning coffee with mountain views and wind turbines outside Palm Springs, the kind of reset people take on a weekend away from LA
Desert sunset over Palm Springs with mountains and city lights, the perfect close to a weekend getaway from LA
Palm Springs sunset desert landscape

Things to do

  • Morning ride: Early light stretches across the desert as you spin the CV Link or climb toward the Tram, legs burning with every rise.
  • Canyon hike: Palm Canyon winds through towering palms and flowing water, a shaded trail where desert heat gives way to calm miles.
  • High-altitude reset: The Aerial Tram lifts you into cool alpine air, where Mount San Jacinto’s trails open into a different world above the valley floor.

Good to know

  • Highlight: Day 3 moves slow—minimal driving, easy time by the pool, and cooler trails just a short hop away.
  • Recommended campground: Happy Traveler RV Park — a central spot with hookups, close enough that the Tram and Indian Canyons feel like extensions of camp.
  • Tip: Catch the cool of the morning, then rise with the Tram when the valley heats up, trading desert sun for alpine air.

Easy → Active (recovery-friendly)

Activity level

Relaxed resort

Setting

Morning (beat the heat)

Best time

Return to Los Angeles

With the desert sun fading and your RV packed, it’s a straight shot west on the 10 back into LA. Three days of ocean mornings, alpine air, and desert evenings make for a full but manageable weekend loop, and the drive home is easy.

Craving more miles? You can stretch the adventure with our 9-day California itinerary, a loop that runs from Joshua Tree and the Alabama Hills all the way up to Lake Tahoe, the Avenue of the Giants, and back through Big Sur and Sequoia National Park. Or, for a shorter classic, try our Los Angeles to San Francisco road trip, a 4-day Highway 1 drive with stops in Cambria, Big Sur, and Sonoma County.

Golden hour view of the Los Angeles skyline and Hollywood Hills, perfect for a camper van rental Los Angeles road trip through California.

Travel Tips for Your Weekend Getaway Road Trip from Los Angeles

  • Driving Times: Malibu traffic can double weekend drive times—roll out before sunrise. Mountain roads to Big Bear are winding; in winter, check for snow or chain controls.
  • Campground Reservations: Book early: Leo Carrillo State Park, Serrano Campground, and Happy Traveler RV Park fill fast on summer weekends.
  • Permits & Passes: Some San Bernardino National Forest trailheads/parking areas use the Adventure Pass; Indian Canyons is day-use with paid entry; the Aerial Tram has separate tickets.
  • Weather Shifts: Pack for cool coastal mornings, crisp mountain nights, and desert heat—layers win.

  • Pack for Variety: Surf gear, hiking shoes, and swimwear all earn their spot; a wide-brim hat and SPF work from beach to desert.
  • RV Essentials: Leveling blocks, extra water, and power adapters. Serrano offers some full-hookup loops; not every site at every stop does.
  • Navigation: Cell service dips in the mountains—download offline maps before heading up 330/38.
  • Heat Prep: In Palm Springs, go early; use the Tram to reach cooler high-country trails midday.
  • Food & Supplies: Stock up before leaving LA; options thin out at odd hours in the mountains and desert.

  • Campsite Etiquette: Quiet hours are common (often 10 p.m.–6 a.m.); keep noise low in tight loops.
  • Wildlife Awareness: Raccoons on the coast; deer and squirrels in Big Bear; coyotes in the desert—store food securely.
  • Parking Rules: Malibu beach areas have night restrictions—always check posted signs before walking off.
  • Hydration: Big Bear sits around 6,700 ft and the desert air is dry—drink more than you think.
  • Leave No Trace: Pack out trash and respect fire rules on coastal, alpine, and desert trails.

Inspiration for your Los Angeles Road Trip:

Two women stand with surboards

Your RV, Your Route, Your Memories

Ready to Explore Los Angeles Your Way?

Forget the ordinary. Start your Los Angeles road trip with a fully equipped RV—coastlines, deserts, and national parks are all within reach. It’s freedom, fun, and the perfect crew—just add you.

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