Mother Daughter Getaways in California – 15 Memorable Trips

Mothers and daughters love a trip together. Here’s your sign to enjoy a mother daughter getaway in California.

I remember thinking that if I travelled with my daughters when they were babies that it would teach them to be good travelers when they grew up. I wasn’t wrong! As Californians, we’ve been able to take tons of mother daughter trips up and down our beautiful state and we continue the tradition still as they are grown women.

California has so many excellent choices for easy getaways from coastal towns to mountain spots and plenty of fabulous cities too. My girls and I love the quick trips to pack in some hiking, spa time, outdoor adventures, and good food. We also really love a city trip filled with museums, shopping, and did I mention the good food? 

Mother Daughter Travel Tip: Find nice accommodations because treating yourself to a special place to stay is always part of the fun!

Keep reading for my tips on 15 of our favorite mother daughter trips in California.

Click on the map below to see locations for great Mother Daughter Getaways in California

Here are the 15 Perfect Mother Daughter Getaways in California

These are listed in alphabetical order. Get inspired and be a California girl and start planning!

#1 Calistoga

Calistoga is my favorite hidden gem in Northern California. It’s a charming little town tucked into wine country known for its hot springs and volcanic mud baths. Calistoga has great inns, fun boutique shopping, and excellent restaurants.

Closest Airports – 75 miles north of San Francisco, CA. 80 miles west of Sacramento, CA.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – Very festive at the holidays, Foggy in the winter, Ideal in the Spring & summer. Summer can get hot.
Budget – $$$ – $$$$

Eat Here – Evangeline – French & Creole bistro.

Calistoga Mother Daughter Things to Do

• The Indian Springs – These luxurious spa treatments are what you should plan your getaway around. Enjoy mud baths together, mineral baths, massages, and more. Stay in the cute cottages, use the swimming pool, and relax. 
• Shopping and dining – all within walking distance. 
• Hike in the Petrified Forest – see petrified redwood trees from the Pliocene Epoch, 3.4 million years ago! 
• Wine Tasting at nearby vineyards.
• Visit the Old Faithful Geyser Farm & Museum to see the geyser erupt.
• Oat Hill Mine Trail – an epic 8.3 mile hike to panoramic views.

Where to Stay in Calistoga, California

#2 Carmel

The girls and I have been visiting Carmel since they were little because we love the beach and the fairytale European vibe of the village. Carmel Beach is gorgeous with its white sand and Cypress trees. The one mile square town has more shops, restaurants and charming inns than you can count – perfect for a girls’ getaway.You’ll love the lovely architecture and the upscale scene combined with the barefoot beach town culture. Carmel feels like a tiny European village on the coast.

Closest Airports – 120 miles south of San Francisco, CA. 79 miles south of San Jose, CA.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – Very festive, and foggy at the holidays, lovely in the Spring & Summer & Fall.
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Carmel Mission Ranch – American coastal cuisine with amazing views and service.

Carmel Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Walk, swim, & nap on Carmel Beach.
• Shopping and dining all within walking distance. 
• Take in the views on the 17 Mile Drive. 
• Hike in Point Lobos State Park to see sea lions. 
• DIY Tour of the Comstock fairy tale cottages. Tour maps are available everywhere!

Where to Stay in Carmel, California

#3 Coronado

While the beautiful city of San Diego is a very popular destination for a Southern California getaway, the sweet island of Coronado across the bridge is a bit of a secret. Coronado is an adorable beach community known for its beautiful, white sand beach and the famous Hotel Del Coronado on the beach. Coronado is guaranteed to deliver a relaxing mother daughter getaway.

Closest Airports – 17 miles west of San Diego Airport via the Coronado Bridge.
Will you need a car – Only if you plan on leaving the island for greater San Diego activities.
Best Time of Year – All year.
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Peohe’s – Seafood overlooking the water.

Coronado Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Full spa treatments at historic The Hotel Del Coronado.
• Spend a day at the soft, white sand Coronado Beach.
• Rent bikes for a bike ride along the Silver Strand by the beach.
• Visit the iconic San Diego Zoo.
• Shop and dine on Orange Avenue and at the Coronado Ferry Landing.
• See the sea lions in La Jolla.
• Take a hike in Torrey Pines State Park. 
• Kayaking or paddle boarding on the bay.
• Optional day trips back to San Diego for attractions, such as San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, or a whale-watching outing with San Diego Whale Watch.

Where to Stay in Coronado, California

#4 Death Valley National Park

National Parks are some of our top choices for mother daughter getaways because we all love hiking and beautiful places. Who doesn’t, right? Death Valley NP is the lowest and hottest place in North America and has wildly diverse landscapes throughout the park. All colors of the rainbow are seen as you explore different trails. Death Valley NP is also unique in that  the accommodations are quite luxurious for a national park, so you’ll feel more pampered than usual.

Closest Airports – 125 miles west of Las Vegas, Nevada. 225 miles north of Los Angeles, CA.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – Spring & Fall only.
Budget – $$ – $$$

Eat Here – Inn at Death Valley Dining Room – Excellent American cuisine.

Death Valley Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Stay at the Ranch in Death Valley and the Inn in Death Valley  – Cute cottages, luxury rooms, and spa facilities and golf are available.
• Dine at the different restaurants at the Inn and the Ranch
• Hike and explore so many different parts of the park that each look like a different planet.
• Take a nighttime ranger walk.

Insider Tip: Some of the trail heads and overlooks are about 20 – 30 minutes away from the Inn and Ranch. Plan accordingly.

Where to Stay in Death Valley, California

#5 Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is an idyllic Southern California coastal town with great beaches, a thriving arts scene, and tons of cute cafés, boutique shops, and beach side restaurants for sunset dining.

Closest Airports – John Wayne Airport is 20 minutes from Laguna Beach. Los Angeles International Airport is about 50 miles north.
Will you need a car – No (Free local transit, the Laguna Trolley, circulates the town if you want to roam without driving.
Best Time of Year – All Year
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Alessa – Excellent Italian cuisine.

Laguna Beach Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Swim, walk and sleep on the beach.
• Explore the tide pools.
• Visit the Laguna Art Museum.
• Take the trolley to the Victoria Beach Pirate Tower.
• Shop and dine on Forest Avenue.
• See the Pageant of the Masters, the Art Festival, and Sawdust Festival if in season.
• Walk through Heisler Park for views.

Where to Stay in Laguna, California

#6 Lassen Volcanic National Park

We discovered Lassen recently and are so glad we did! This is a perfect Mother Daughter Getaway because the accommodations are excellent, the restaurant at the lodge is amazing, and the park itself has every kind of adventure you want. Choose an easy, low key hike, or an epic all day trek. You’ll be blown away at the  geothermal activity, the volcano, the waterfalls, and views – all in one park!

Closest Airports – Redding, California 50 miles west. Sacramento, California 150 miles south. Reno, Nevada 150 miles southeast. San Francisco 250 miles south.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – Spring, Summer, Fall
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Highlands Ranch Resort – Surprisingly excellent food and service.

Lassen Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Visit the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center to learn park basics,
• Walk at Sulphur Works to see steaming thermal features, and boiling mud pots.
• Drive along the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway for scenic views, and explore.
• Hike boardwalk path on the Bumpass Hell Trail.
• Explore Kings Creek Falls Trail, and stop at viewpoints
• Visit the small alpine lakes like Lake Helen and Emerald Lake for photos and relaxing.

Where to Stay in Lassen National Park, California

#7 Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a massive city in Southern California but if you know where to go, it can feel like a perfect girls’ getaway. L.A. has plenty of  free and inexpensive activities, so you don’t have to feel like you’re spending a ton of money and driving on the freeways the whole trip. The only problem with L.A. is there is so much to see and do, a quick getaway might not feel like enough!

Closest Airports – Los Angeles, CA.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – All Year
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Gracias Madre – Excellent Mexican cuisine.

Los Angeles Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Stay in West Hollywood – best restaurants nearby on Sunset & Melrose
• Hike in Runyon Canyon.
• Window shop in Beverly Hills.
• Hike to the Hollywood Sign
• Walk the Venice Beach Canals & Boardwalk.
• Shop on Abbot Kinney Drive.
• Santa Monica Beach and Boardwalk.
• Flea marketing at the Melrose Trading Post on a Sunday morning.
• FREE Broad Art Museum & The Getty Museum. 

Where to Stay in Los Angeles, California

#8 Monterey

Monterey is one of Northern California’s most historic and popular places to visit. We will often combine a Monterey getaway with a Carmel visit because they are so close to each other. It’s a coastal town known for being one of the earliest colonial settlements in the state. It’s such a fun place for a mother daughter trip because of the big variety of touristy things to do, excellent hotels, spas, and amazing sea food!

Closest Airports – Monterey Airport 10 minutes from downtown Monterey. San Jose International Airport 75 miles north. San Francisco International Airport 105 miles north.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Cella Restaurant & Bar – Historic setting with amazing seasonal dishes.

Monterey Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Monterey Bay Aquarium – an amazing place where you could spend all day if you wanted to!
• Old Fisherman’s Wharf is touristy wharf with fun shops, sea lions, chowder & its where you’ll pick up a whale watching tour.
• Monterey Bay Coastal Trail is a lovely biking or walking path along the water.
• Cannery Row is another touristy waterfront area full of food, shops and lots of history.
• Monarch Grove Sanctuary is a seasonal butterfly watching area. (October through March).
• Historic Old Monterey State Park is where the significant historic houses and buildings of the town are located.

Where to Stay in Monterey, California

#9 Palm Springs

Palm Springs is one of Southern California’s most famous towns. An oasis in the desert with hot springs, Palm Springs is most known as a home to the rich and famous, a mid century design haven surrounded by stunning vistas. It is packed with exclusive spa resorts and fabulous VRBO rentals.

Closest Airports -Palm Springs International Airport 110 miles is west of Los Angeles International Airport.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – All Year
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Farm – “Country-chic,” farm-to-table, Provençal fare in an outdoor setting.

Palm Springs Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Have spa treatments and lounge by the pool.
• Shop and dine on Palm Canyon Drive.
• Take a guided tour of the Golden Age of Hollywood homes.
• Take a tour of famous mid century architecture homes.
• Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to catch some incredible views of the surrounding desert scape and Coachella Valley and then have lunch up top at the Peaks Restaurant.
• Drive to Joshua Tree National Park for a hike and photo shoot with the incredible cacti and Joshua trees.

See the Views! Get Tix Here for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway!

Where to Stay in Palm Springs, California

#10 Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles was one of our most fun Mother Daughter National Park getaways. By far, Pinnacles is a truly underrated National Park. It has so much unique beauty – rocky spires, caves, water, California condors, and wildflowers. Not sure why its not more popular, but that’s OK because you’re likely to get parking and have quiet trails! Especially if you go in the Spring or Fall. This is a getaway that I combine Carmel with. After a day of hiking, then head to Carmel for some pampering.

Closest Airports -San Jose International Airport 1.5–2 hours north.Fresno Yosemite International Airport 2 hours east. Monterey Regional Airport 2–2.5 hours west.
Getting to Pinnacles always involves some driving, so plan accordingly.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – Spring, Summer, Fall
Budget – $$

Eat Here – La Bicyclette Restaurant – French Italian cuisine in a very cozy atmosphere.

Pinnacles Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Bear Gulch to Condor Gulch to High Peaks Loop 6.1 miles with dramatic views, caves, lakes, and rocky landscapes. 
• Talus Caves & Wildlife Hike into talus caves and watch for peregrine falcons or California condors overhead. 
• Shorter Trails Plenty of easier paths if you want a lighter hike option.
• Drive 1 hour to Carmel By The Sea for a luxurious hotel, spa treatment, and meal.

Where to Stay near Pinnacles National Park
I can’t recommend staying in any of the towns near Pinnacles NP. Apparently, nearby towns like Soledad, Hollister, or King City have modest hotels and motels. For a terrific mother daughter getaway in the area, I recommend driving to Carmel-By-The-Sea after your day hiking in Pinnacles. Here are some more Carmel Hotel choices.

#11 Point Reyes

If you and the girls are looking for a quiet getaway close to San Francisco, then I highly recommend Point Reyes. Go for the day, or an overnight – you’ll have some quiet time together. We know that California has a lot of breathtaking coastlines, but this is by far a true gem. My girls and I love a visit to Point Reyes because you can spend most of the time enjoying the stunning National Seashore with hikes, beaches, and a quaint town. 

Closest Airports -San Francisco Airport is 78 miles south.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$

Eat Here – Station House Cafe – Locally sourced, organic American cuisine.

Point Reyes Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Climb down and up the 313 stairs to the lighthouse and see the views of the whole Bay Area.
• Hike 1.75 miles to Chimney Rock.
• Hike the 6 mile Laguna Trail Loop.
• Look for the elephant seals on the beach.
• If its the Fall and Elk mating season, you might see some Elk!
• Shop in town at cute boutiques.
• Grab some wine and cheese for a picnic overlooking the beach.
• Consider the epic Alamere Falls hike nearby on the Point Reyes Seashore.

Where to Stay in Point Reyes, California

#12 San Francisco

San Francisco is a must! We love this city that we call home because of its beauty, culture, weather, and history. From the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean, and all the hills in between, SF is California’s most beautiful city. The colors, architecture, and attractions will keep everyone happy. Use this mother daughter trip for a luxury getaway or a low-key casual time together. Everything is possible in San Francisco!

Closest Airports – San Francisco
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Flores – Traditional and sophisticated Mexican cuisine.

San Francisco Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Come hungry and ready to walk!
• Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, 
• Visit the museums in Golden Gate Park, 
• Hike to the beach at Fort Funston
  Shop on Haight Street, 
• Walk the steps up to Pacific Heights,
  Grab some chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf, 
• Take a cable car through Chinatown. 
• Eat Italian food in North Beach.
  Walk from the Marina Green to the Golden Gate Bridge and get hot cocoa at the Warming Hut along the way.

Where to Stay in San Francisco, California

#13 Santa Cruz

If you want this mother daughter getaway  to be about beach, surfing, and amusement park, then you should check out Santa Cruz. When the girls were little, it was fun to bring them to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk for cotton candy and the bumper cars. Now, its more about rollercoasters and hanging out on the beach. Santa Cruz is known for its easy going culture, so choose this if you want a very laid back trip.

Closest Airports – San Francisco is 61 miles from Santa Cruz. San Jose is 32 miles from Santa Cruz.
Will you need a car – yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Laili Restaurant – Lovely Mediterranean cuisine.

Santa Cruz Mother Daughter Things to Do

Where to Stay in Santa Cruz, California

• Stroll the Boardwalk, grab some junk food, and hop on some rides!
• Visit the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary at Bridges State Park beach during the Fall migration season.
• Shop in town at the boutiques,and dine at the great restaurants
• Visit the bizarre Mystery Spot. It’s a tilted, optical illusion in the hills, that is truly a mystery!
• Hike in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

#14 Sonoma

We fell in love with the town of Sonoma when we visited during the holidays. Sonoma is in the center of Northern California’s glorious wine country. The village itself is charming and filled with great restaurants, shops, and inns. Sonoma is perfect for a 1 or 2 night getaway. But, honestly, if you don’t have enough time, make it a day trip!

Closest Airports – Oakland Airport is 55 miles from Sonoma, 60 miles from San Francisco, 28 miles from Sonoma Airport.
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – All year
Budget – $$

Eat Here – The Girl & The Fig – French country cuisine in a lively bistro.

Sonoma Mother Daughter Things to Do

Where to Stay in Sonoma, California

#15 Truckee

We love the Sierra Mountains because they are magnificent and such a contrast from the California coast. Truckee is perfect for a getaway because it has all the charm of an old western town with access to all the outdoor adventures you might want. I recommend Truckee rather than Tahoe because it is more low key, has Donner Lake, ski resorts, and cute shops and restaurants. You can easily drive into Tahoe, visit the casinos and Lake Tahoe as well. 

Closest Airports – 108 miles from Sacramento Airport
Will you need a car – Yes
Best Time of Year – Spring, Summer, Fall for lake and hiking activities, Winter for skiing and snow adventures.
Budget – $$$

Eat Here – Pianeta – Northern Italian cuisine in a cozy setting.

Truckee Mother Daughter Things to Do

• Historic Downtown Truckee & Visitor Center Old-brick buildings lined with cafés and galleries. 
• Donner Memorial State Park Museums and trails tied to the historic Donner Party.
• Old Truckee Jail Museum – A quirky, small history stop for a fun 30-minute dive into old frontier life. 
• Historic Summit Tunnel & Donner Pass Railroad Tunnel Hike – Hike or walk these abandoned railroad tunnels and tracks with big views and a sense of adventure. 
• Truckee River Regional Park – Great for biking, picnics, river strolls, and mellow hanging-out days. 
• China Cove Beach – A quieter spot on Donner Lake for paddling or sunset watching. 
• Northstar California Resort – Classic skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and après scenes just minutes from town. 
• Cold stream Adventures – Snowmobile tours and groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoe tours at Royal Gorge and Tahoe Donner. 
• Paddleboard or kayak Donner Lake (rentals around town). 
• Elevation Escape Tahoe – Challenging and fun local escape room experience in town.

Where to Stay in Truckee, California

What Mother Daughter Getaway in California are you going on next?

In a nutshell…

California is one of the best places for a mother-daughter getaway because there are so many places to choose from. Every destination offers something a little different depending on what everyone is in the mood for.

Think about spending a weekend relaxing at spas and vineyards, strolling on beaches, whale watching, hiking in National Parks, or having big girl city time. With lots of time for good food and laughing.

The best part is that you have time together with nothing on the agenda but fun! Start the group text now and get planning!

xx,
Carrie