Spring Break: Four Easy Escapes
From a long weekend on the California coast to five blissful days in Hawaii, four easy escapes when you want a spring break that actually feels like a break.
Spring break always seems to arrive at exactly the right moment.
After months of routine, I’m ready for sunshine, a change of scenery and a few days where nobody needs to be anywhere at a particular time.
And while I love a big trip, spring break isn’t necessarily when I want complicated travel.
Some of my favorite escapes are places that are relatively easy to reach from California—and where the vacation begins almost as soon as you arrive.
So rather than another enormous list of “best spring break destinations,” these are four places I’ve actually visited and would happily return to.
The deciding factor? How much time do you have?
If You Have 4–5 Nights: The Big Island, Hawaii
Of all the Hawaiian islands, the Big Island may still be my favorite.
There’s something about the contrast of black volcanic rock, impossibly blue ocean and tropical greenery that feels completely different from home.
This is an island of extremes—volcanoes, rainforest, beaches and the extraordinary landscape around Mauna Kea—and you could easily build an adventure-filled itinerary.
But there’s also something to be said for doing almost nothing.
Where I’d Stay
Four Seasons Resort Hualālai
Big Island, Hawaii
We once spent five nights here and barely felt the need to leave the property.
And that, to me, is the sign of a very good spring break.
Hualālai remains particularly good for families because everyone can find their own version of a vacation. There are multiple pools, ocean activities, golf, spa time and King’s Pond, the resort’s 1.8-million-gallon swimmable aquarium. The resort also continues to offer dedicated spring-break programming for families.
MY FAVORITE MOMENT
An evening cocktail by the beach as the sun disappeared into the Pacific. Sometimes that’s all the itinerary you need.
BEST FOR: A proper five-day escape · Families · Resort lovers · Sunshine
If You Have 3–4 Nights: Los Cabos, Mexico
Sometimes ease wins.
That’s one of the reasons I’ve always loved Cabo.
It’s close enough to California to make a shorter trip worthwhile, yet the moment you arrive—the desert landscape, the Sea of Cortez, the heat—you unmistakably feel like you’ve gone somewhere.
Where I’d Stay
One&Only Palmilla
I’ve stayed here both with my children and without them, and it worked beautifully both ways.
What stayed with me most wasn’t one particular amenity. It was the service.
Palmilla has that wonderful ability to make you feel looked after without making the experience feel overly formal.
The resort remains on one of the area’s swimmable beaches and today combines family accommodations and activities with excellent restaurants, wellness and that spectacular oceanfront setting.
MY FAVORITE THING
The service. This is somewhere I go when I genuinely want to be taken care of.
BEST FOR: Couples · Families · Long weekends · Maximum relaxation with minimum travel
Poolside at One & Only Palmilla
If You Have 2–3 Nights: Healdsburg, California
If Hawaii and Mexico feel like too much of a commitment, head north.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Healdsburg.
The town has evolved enormously since I first wrote about it, but the appeal remains: wine country surrounded by beautiful countryside, with a charming town square at its center.
It’s just enough of an escape without requiring an airport.
Spend the afternoon wine tasting, wander the shops around the plaza, have a wonderful dinner and walk back to your hotel.
That sounds like a pretty perfect weekend to me.
Where I’d Stay
Hotel Healdsburg
The reason I originally loved this hotel is still the reason I’d choose it: location.
You’re right on the historic town plaza, which means once you’ve finished wine tasting for the day, you can leave the car behind and enjoy Healdsburg on foot.
BEST FOR: Wine lovers · Couples · Girlfriend getaways · A quick reset
Hotel Healdsburg
If You Have 2 Nights: Carmel
And then there’s Carmel.
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it.
The coastline is spectacular, downtown Carmel is wonderfully walkable, and there is enough to do—beach walks, restaurants, galleries, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey and Carmel Valley—without ever feeling as though you need an itinerary.
Where I’d Stay
Carmel Valley Ranch
If I want to be in the middle of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I’ll stay in town.
But for a family spring break, I love the idea of Carmel Valley Ranch because the property itself becomes part of the trip.
Set across 500 acres, it currently offers everything from golf and pools to hiking, garden experiences, beekeeping and visits with the ranch’s goats.
And one of my favorite memories from our stay?
We could bring our pug.
It made it feel like a true family getaway.
DON’T MISS
Leave the resort for at least one afternoon. Walk Carmel Beach, wander through town and take the scenic route along the coast.
BEST FOR: Families · Dogs · Nature · A two-night escape
How I’d Choose
If I had five nights, I’d choose the Big Island.
If I wanted sunshine and pampering without a long flight, Cabo.
For a grown-up wine weekend, Healdsburg.
And when I simply needed to get away for a couple of nights?
Carmel. Every time.
The older I get, the more I realize that a great trip doesn’t necessarily depend on how far you travel.
Sometimes the luxury is simply getting away.
If You Go
5 NIGHTS
Big Island, Hawaii
Stay: Four Seasons Resort Hualālai
3–4 NIGHTS
Los Cabos, Mexico
Stay: One&Only Palmilla
2–3 NIGHTS
Healdsburg, California
Stay: Hotel Healdsburg
2 NIGHTS
Carmel, California
Stay: Carmel Valley Ranch
BEST TIME
March and April are natural spring-break months, but weather varies significantly among these four destinations.
MBELLISHED TIP
Match the destination to the amount of time you actually have. A two-night getaway shouldn’t require a full day of travel in each direction.
Hotel offerings and seasonal programming change, so always confirm current details directly before booking.