8 Affordable Summer Vacation Spots In California
When you are low on money by the end of summer, but the sun-drenched California state calls with sun-kissed beaches, you've got to get running to the Pacific. This list of inexpensive destinations in the Golden State is as diverse as it is scenically classic when it comes to getting a feel of some of the US's best nature and towns with downtime and activities as the summer winds to an end. From down-to-earth American towns with gold rush history to strolls in the sea breeze along the streets and down a pier, find tons of charming "only in California" experiences. The stunning state's parks offer hundreds of miles of rugged coastline trails to hike, bike, camp, and relax in nature. California excels at a beach scene like no other, with family-friendly beaches, wild NorCal shores, and surfing waves. Choose a cheap summer vacation spot with the most luxurious feel and priceless nature to explore the endlessly beautiful state this summer.
Dana Point
This small SoCal town is a popular beach vacation and surfing destination with small-town prices and easy access halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. A favorite among water sports lovers, you can also enjoy its uncrowded scenic beaches, like Salt Creek Beach, for family-friendly pursuits and relaxation, where fun awaits everyone without breaking the bank. Stroll along the sands with an incredible view of the blue rolling waves. Take a parasail out along the Pacific Ocean coastline and explore the nearby best trails of the Bluff Top Trail, Doris Walker Overlook, and Pines Park, all popular spots to hang out.
Dana Point Harbor, the "Whale Capital of the World," is a destination in itself for nature lovers to take whale-watching excursions and find solace with a fishing rod among herons and sea lions as their only companions. Doheny State Beach, with its peaceful vibe, is adjacent to a campsite for a budget stay and the feeling of being one with nature. Choose Baby Beach or Dana Strands Beach with kid-friendly waters, and visit the Ocean Institute with accessible knowledge for the young ones to attain from various nature-focused educational programs. The 60-acre Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center features 16 rare plants and two federally listed species, while the Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel and the Best Western Plus Casablanca Inn are comfortable, budget-friendly stays.
Death Valley National Park
Visit Death Valley National Park for some of the state's best views, hikes, and camping amid top-notch scenery, with a daily budget of under $50 per person. Pick from one of the park's campsites to immerse yourself in the striking beauty all around, including wildlife and vibrantly blooming wildflowers in the spring. Check into the Inn at Death Valley if you must, and head for the Badwater Basin, the county's lowest point, with its surreal landscape. Its vast salt plain is thrilling on a stroll in solitude, as if along a white, 200-mile-long concrete boardwalk at 282 feet below sea level.
Take the sweet and short Natural Bridge hike in any season to meander amid stunning rock formations and visit the Ubehebe Crater, the largest of the maar volcano clusters formed from a volcano's belch about 300 years ago. You are now primed with various trails and different viewpoints, like along the southwest rim, to sightsee the even older craters. Bike along the short path from Furnace Creek Visitor Center to Harmony Borax Works, or explore the rugged terrain of the park's extensive dirt road network with a mountain bike.
Joshua Tree National Park
Just 40 miles east of Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is an easy, memorable getaway in the state, with a calm atmosphere balanced by thrilling adventures for any taste. Pay the $30 entrance fee per vehicle, $15 per person on foot or bike, or get the annual park pass for just $55 to enter the world of hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding anytime. With only nature's hum and wildlife, you can sight desert tortoises, kangaroo rats, and bighorn sheep. Choose the affordable Plus by Best Western, Twentynine Palms, or High Desert Motel, a lodge stay, or set up at one of the nine campgrounds throughout the park with the outdoors at your doorstep.
The park's many natural gaps are what climbers dream of, including over 8,000 all-level climbing routes and 2000 boulders, like the striking Split Rock and Skull Rock. Find hiking trails with varying scenery, like the popular Cottonwood Spring, Barker Dam Trail, Ryan Mountain, and Arch Rock Nature Trail. Seek solace along the Cove Natural Trail, Palms Canyon Trail, Cap Rock Trail, Hidden Valley, and the highest Key View over Palm Springs and Coachella Valley. Visit the Cholla Cactus Garden for an easy stroll and relaxation among some human-sized cacti, or the Keys Ranch historical site for a fun dive into the past with your family.
June Lake
Outdoor lovers and water enthusiasts rejoice in June Lake, a small, serene Mono County town in the mountains, on an affordable vacation in California. This mountain hideaway in a paradise setting along the lake offers some of the state's best nature and a wide range of outdoor pursuits to take part in while having fun. Explore the four lakes with hiking, swimming, boating, and bird watching, and take a scenic leisurely drive while the anglers catch some trout for a family dinner, including rainbow, cutthroat, and Alper's.
Choose the budget- and family-friendly Heidelberg Inn with laundry facilities, and come back in the spring for the most picturesque carpets of flowers with trails for hiking. The Parker Lake Trail is a real beauty with lupine, scarlet gilia, and Indian paintbrush wildflowers, along with bird watching for osprey, golden eagles, and blackbirds.
Oxnard
Oxnard, a delightful little town, is among the top affordable beach destinations in the state, blessed with a pristine sand stretch and a beautiful downtown area for strolls. Bask in the warm sun and glow from the historic architecture while savoring morning java at one of the cozy cafes with your crew. The charming town induces a peaceful state of mind sans the tourist crowds along the must-see Heritage Square downtown with the unobscured splendor of its Victorian buildings. Take the 5.7-mile Harbor Island trail for a hike with breathtaking harbor views and a cooling dip from Mandalay State Beach—one of the best spots to lounge and watch surfers master the waves in their favorite spot in California.
The Channel Islands Harbor is all entertainment, strewn with shops and restaurants, as well as kayaking opportunities and gondola rides. Enjoy easy access to this slice of paradise just 28 miles north of Malibu on a surprisingly affordable getaway along this stretch of the Pacific coast. Fill your vacation days with biking and scenic strolls along palm trees and waterside trails, relaxing picnics, and some chill time at Silver Strand Beach and Oxnard Beach Park. Fly kites at Mandalay Beach or check out the local Downtown Oxnard Farmers Market for local culture and the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Markets for seaside shopping, perfectly near the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, for a well-rounded trip.
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is a widely sought-after destination beach town for budget trippers and for riding the Oceano Dunes. The only public beach in California where you can drive your vehicle is perfect for RVing families on a getaway to see and do a lot without breaking the bank along one of the state's most pristine beachscapes. Find tons of free activities like swimming, tanning, and revitalizing strolls in the breeze along the 1,200-foot-long Pismo Beach Pier and Promenade overlooking the Pacific with stunning scenery to relax, take snaps, and watch the sunset. Rent a buggy or ATV once for a fun dune ride and visit Central Coast Wine County for a vineyard stroll, tasting, and a bottle of wine from Edna Valley Vineyard Tolosa before you depart with all your saved money.
The Dinosaur Caves Park is an affordable place to play and learn for the kids while you stroll through the laid-back atmosphere of the park's 11-acre property with friends and views of the magnificent sea caves below. This real San Luis Obispo gem is a delight on plain strolls along the streets, smelling of sea salt and seafood. The relaxed vibe will cleanse your worries away and revitalize you with a wholesome small-town spirit. With something for everyone, you can bring your surfboard for the perfect waves or visit the Monarch Butterfly Grove, an essential stop on the north side of town where the annual monarch butterfly migration takes place.
Redding
The charming NorCal city is a must for anyone in this part of the state, which makes it easy to extend a getaway for a whole vacation with countless affordable attractions. From rich cultural sights to vibrant nature, you can immerse yourself in a small-town atmosphere with sights all around. The expansive natural world of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area spreads just 15 minutes away from Redding, with trails to explore for all levels via scenic hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Dig through some intriguing California Gold Rush vestiges at the Shasta State Historical Park, with buildings from the 1800s like a blacksmith's shop, a brewery, and a barn with tools, all with a ghost town-like feel.
Choose Comfort Suites Redding with all the amenities and views of Shasta Lake to step outdoors into nature and take morning strolls along the pristine shoreline. The town is near Turtle Bay Exploration Park with its Sundial Bridge over the Sacramento River, a museum, gardens, galleries, animal shows, and interactive exhibits like underwater fish viewings. Sightsee 64 different animals, including the Grey Fox, American Badger, Bobcat, Laughing Kookaburra, Turkey Vulture, and Ornate Box Turtle, and check out Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp for kids.
Ventura
This laid-back coastal city just north of Los Angeles is home to many budget accommodations and fun for all, including an art and history museum. The small, affordable town with many natural beaches and countless ways to stay active for free in the outdoors offers a varied summer vacation spot with landmarks and lodging. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere along the waterside on a stroll or take a boat trip to the Channel Islands National Park with no entrance fee, camping, hiking, and the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center. From San Buenaventura State Beach to Marina Park, Surfers Point Park, and Emma Wood State Beach, Ventura's family-friendly beaches are amazing places to hang out with views and no crowds.
Search for sea glass and sight birds along the shore, and venture out to the tip of the Ventura Pier and Promenade at sunset, with a running and biking path overlooking the beach. The 30-mile Ventura to Ojai paved bike path is great for a workout, with beautiful scenery the whole way to another town worthy of a day trip. Sightsee the Instagrammable Mission San Buenaventura Chapel, a real piece of history, and Ventura City Hall. There are also the spectacular Ventura Harbor Village and the Ventura Botanical Gardens, both open for visits at no charge.
These destinations, all around the Golden State, beckon visitors with more than just a low cost. From world-famous parks with camping, an array of activities, and shore access with hundreds of miles of hiking trails and views, you will come across wildlife in unobscured scenery throughout for unforgettable times with those who matter.
Enjoy easy access from San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento to these hotspot destinations for an easy escape into the breezy summer of the beautiful Golden State. Keep the expenses low when you rent an RV and choose a campsite or a lodging option in nature, spending as little as $50 a night.
