13 Affordable Summer Vacation Spots In Southern California

It is summer again and there are several things you want to do all at once. You just want to go somewhere, for instance, and swing in a hammock by a turquoise sea — while hearing the waves sing and crash. You want to sink your ankles in some warm, powder-soft sand as well — and feel the spiral of sensation cascade through your body. Then again, you can’t wait to take a refreshing plunge in a brook, hike beautiful trails, and inhale panoramic eye candies. Better still, you want to just hide in a resort with a special other in settings that are peaceful and romantic. But there is one problem, however. You cannot afford to splash money. Well, there might just be a sliver of hope. Discover the 13 affordable summer vacation spots in Southern California.

Lucky D’s Hostel

If you want to explore Southern California, you will have to include San Diego in your itinerary. Known as “America’s Finest City,” San Diego features several mindblowing attractions worth checking out — and which you can have to yourself at little or nothing. Yet finding affordable accommodation options in Califonia’s second-largest city is no stroll in the park. It does not help matters that San Diego also maintains a Transit Occupancy Tax of 10.5% on its hotel rooms. However, at Lucky D’s Hostel, conveniently located just 5 minutes from the Gaslamp Quarter, the heart and soul of downtown San Diego, you can enjoy a night’s rest for as little as $45. That is the estimated price for shared rooms. If you want to opt for a private room, however, you can plan for around $150. And wait for the icing:  The San Diego International Airport is only about 2.5 miles away.

Joshua Tree

When we think of Southern California, we dream of sparkling sand, palm trees, and a rugged coastline. Yet there is a huge part of Southern California that lies hundreds of miles away from the Pacific coast. Lake Havasu, for instance, which lies on the border between California and Arizona, is approximately a mind-blogging 300 miles east of Los Angeles.  Joshua Tree, situated about 127 miles east of the City of Angels, is much closer. This Southern California attraction, a vast whimsical expanse where the Mojave and the Colorado Deserts meet, features several budget-friendly outdoor adventurers you might not get enough of. And this is the sweetener. You can camp at Joshua Tree National Park for as slow as $15 per night, especially on the park’s many First-Come, First-Served campsites. 

Imperial Beach

If you are looking for a cheap spot from which to explore the San Diego area, you may want to check out Imperial Beach. This California secret is located about 157 miles south of Los Angeles. On the other hand, it is only about 14 miles from downtown San Diego. This town is often among the most affordable beach areas in San Diego County. And as if that is not enough, its beach is among the least crowded as well. Therefore, if you are looking for enough elbow room in an area which is quiet, Imperial Beach can be a decent option. If you have a car for moving around (which is advisable) — and would like to save on accommodation — your pockets will arrive back home almost unscathed. As a heads-up, however, while there have been concerns about water pollution at Imperial Beach, it is not much different from any other Southern California beach. 

Anaheim

Anaheim is located a convenient 30 miles south of the City of Angels. It will take you just about half an hour to drive down to this California stunner which is widely known as the home of the Disneyland Resort. Of course, while Disneyland itself, a world-famous theme park and the town’s star attraction, can set you back up to $179 a day, Anaheim is still home to several adventures you can enjoy on the cheap. After satisfying your Mediterranean food cravings at the Sahara Falafel, there are scenic trails you can hike or bike through that are located not far from the Puente hills. And at the Oak Canyon Nature Center, about 12 miles east of downtown Anaheim, large oak trees cover the spectacular landscape while several trails provide excellent hiking and biking options.

Griffith Park

Griffith Park is such a mind-bending stunner that a first-time visitor to Southern California will not want to miss out on it. Nestled in the eastern Santa Monica Mountain range, Griffith Park is among the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in North America. Visitors to this California gem can indulge in several thrilling summer activities. For instance, you can visit the Los Angeles Zoo and have a close-up encounter with elephants, wend your way to the open-air Greek Theatre for an electrifying musical performance, or enjoy the turbulent thrill of horseback riding and hiking. Then again, you can steal a view of the cosmos at the Griffith Observatory or enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles at the same spot. The good part is that Griffith Park is completely free of charge.

Long Beach

Long Beach is another budget-friendly option a vacationer to Southern California should consider. Conveniently located about 24 miles south of Los Angeles, Long Beach plays host to an impressive number of dirt-cheap summer vacation activities. You might argue that the $44.5 admission fee at the Aquarium of the Pacific, one of Long Beach’s star attractions, is expensive, but many will confess that the experience is worth its cost in gold. Still, if you want to part with even less money, the Long Beach Waterfront will come in handy. You can climb the lighthouse, for instance, and watch the world go by, stroll through the quiet streets and inhale the heartwarming vistas, or pay something small for the dolphin and whale-watching tours this town is famous for.  

Santa Monica Pier

While Southern California is vast and you cannot exhaust all its budget-friendly attractions, missing out on the Santa Monica Pier may be a lifetime regret. This is one of the most photographed spots in California and a consistent crowd-puller, especially during summer. Santa Monica Pier is about 17 miles from Los Angeles; a distance that should take you no more than 20 minutes. The pier is a non-gated attraction. This means you will not have to pay a dime to access it. You can keep your wallet in your pocket — and just stroll this vibrant space for the views and the ambience. Alternatively, you can part with something small and enjoy many more on-site attractions. These include the amusement park rides and the aquarium.

San Juan Capistrano

Of course, not as famous as Hollywood, but San Juan Capistrano is another California destination that will tickle your heart. San Juan Capistrano lies halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles and within about an hour’s drive away from either. Among the town’s star attractions is the Mission San Juan Capistrano which was founded in 1776, the same year the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence penned by Thomas Jefferson. Known as “the Jewel of the California Missions,” this historic treasure is beautiful and welcomes more than 350,000 visitors annually. This church is also famous for the Swallows which consistently fly off on St. John’s Day (October 23) and for some strange reason, return to their mission nests on St. Joseph’s Day (March 19). To see this famous gem, you will need to part with a paltry $18. Don’t forget to check out the adjacent free-to-visit Los Rios Historic District, the oldest continually occupied neighborhood in California.

Venice

Forget about the world-famous European dream vacation hot cake known as “the City of Canals.” Right here in the Golden State, you can experience a dash of Europe’s Venice on a much lighter budget. Venice is just about 17 miles from Los Angeles and can make for a quick getaway for someone based in California’s largest city. Modelled after its more famous European namesake, Venice boasts several attractions including a world-famous beach, a skatepark, canals, and a vibrant boardwalk. Of course, the town’s award-winning beach is free to visit as is the town’s charming boardwalk. Also, Abbott Kinney Boulevard, located minutes from the beach, is more of an experience than a street. Once named “America's coolest street,” this mile-long strip will leave you confused, excited, and completely blown away — all at the same time.

Palisades Park

Palisades Park is in Santa Monica, a picturesque town on California’s curvaceous coastline located about 17 miles west of Los Angeles. Home to luxurious beachfront hotels, classy restaurants, and first-class boutiques, Santa Monica may strike a first-time visitor as a venue only fit for celebrity jet-setters. However, even if your wallet is thin — or getting thin, Santa Monica boasts several attractions an adventurer can enjoy on the cheap. One of these is Palisades Park, a heart-ravishing greenspace gem which spans about 25 acres and provides breathtaking views of the Santa Monica Bay area. This park is home to scenic walking areas, separate for bikes and pedestrians, in an environment which is green, clean, and calm. You will enjoy the lovely views of the ocean on a trip that will see your camera become quite engaged. And do not be concerned about the cost. Palisades Park is free.

Idyllwild

If you want a break from Los Angeles, and from its mind-wracking traffic nightmares, Idyllwild is likely to be what the doctor will recommend. Nestled in the San Jacinto mountains about a two-hour drive east of L.A., Idyllwild boats a storybook setting that features whimsical rock formations, tall pines, and sweet-smelling cedars. Away from all the glass and glitter you are tired of, you will encounter a cool, rustic atmosphere ideal for rest and relaxation. A perfect spot for first-time travelers wishing to enjoy the best that Idyllwild has to offer is the Middle Ridge Winery — where you can sit down to a glass of delicious wine — while tapping your feet to the beats of live music shows. Idyllwild also plays host to free outdoor opportunities including hiking and mountain biking.  

Oxnard

Oxnard is curled up in California’s Ventura County at the western edge of the fertile Oxnard Plain. You will need to drive for about an hour to cover the approximately 61 miles that separate Oxnard and the City of Angels. Since Oxnard is primarily a beach destination, a first-time visitor should consider such first-class beaches as Silver Strand Beach, Oxnard’s southernmost beach — as well as Bass Rock Beach — one of Oxnard’s well-kept secrets. There is also the Mandalay State Beach where the glorious cascades of dunes will make for a thrilling sand-filled adventure. And do not worry about your shrinking wallet. For instance, all you will need to roll on the dunes at Mandalay State Beach is a parking fee of $1 per hour.

Dana Point

Lastly, your visit to Southern California should not be complete without a detour to Dana Point, the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World. Even if you don’t have cash to splash, watching the biggest animal in the world — especially up and close — for as low as $16, sounds like a massive giveaway. You will also want to spend some time at the Dana Point Harbor where more than 2,500 boats often moor. Besides these, 62 acres of pleasure will be waiting for you at the Doheny State Park, a famous surf spot at San Juan Creek's mouth. If you are sold out, Dana Point is located approximately 72 miles south of Los Angeles about mid-way between Los Angeles and San Diego.

The Takeaway

Many travel publications often rank California as the most beautiful state in the country — or in the top three positions. While this beauty is fairly spread out, Southern California boasts a good slice of it. The pretty beaches that line its coasts, for instance, are among the most sought-after in the country. The good news is that you can enjoy all these without the need to break the bank. The options you can toy with, if hamstrung with cash, include Dana Point, Oxnard, Santa Monica, and Joshua Tree — among several others we have highlighted.