Need an escape after a hectic work week?  We’ve got you covered with our favorite destinations via Time Out Magazine. Pack your bags and leave the office in the dust.  You’ll be off the grid and enjoying the weekend in a matter of hours.  Mark your calendars and make plans to hit the road.  Don’t worry, we’ll even help you pack.

Joshua Tree

Miles from L.A.: ~130

Suggested round trip time: 2-3 days min.

Joshua Tree is one of the most magical places in California (and the country, we think). The National Park's varied and alien landscapes—due mostly to gnarled, ancient Joshua Trees and giant boulders strewn willy nilly—make for impressive scenery during leisurely drives. The stargazing is choice here, and wild coyotes may howl you to sleep if you plan an overnight camping trip. Stop at Pappy & Harriet's for lunch on the way, and stick around for live music and a ghost-town stroll. Pick up a new houseplant at the Cactus Mart, or visit the Integratron for a new-age sound bath and a shady hammock nap. The town of Joshua Tree itself also offers some fun stops, such as the World Famous Crochet Museum, filled with the kind of quirky public art that only exists in tiny, warm-weather communities.

Need help planning your trip?  Check out the Official Guide to Joshua Tree Here

What to Pack:

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Miles from L.A.: ~235

Suggested round trip time: 3 days min.

If you're a tree lover, you must go see the giant redwoods of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Driving through and under such gentle giants is an experience that can only be had on the way to and within these parks. Sequoia is slightly more drive-and-look friendly, with cool attractions like the General Sherman Tree, the tallest in the world; Tunnel Log, a fallen, hollowed out Sequoia that you can drive your car through; and Tharp's log, a home built in a fallen tree. Meanwhile, the winding roads and backcountry trails in Kings Canyon are on every hiker's bucket list. Just make sure to check conditions before you go: some roads close after the summer season, and there's always a risk of wildfires in the area.

Need help planning your trip?  Check out the Official Guide to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks from Roots Rated Here

What to Pack:

Big Sur

Miles from L.A.: ~350

Suggested round trip time: 3 days min.

Arguably one of the most iconic stretches of coastline in the world, the Big Sur area is a road tripper's paradise. It's where redwood-covered mountainsides plunge into the surging ocean, with a narrow road carved into the cliffside, offering up incredible views and a bit of vertigo. Before you get too far north, stop off at Morro Bay or Pismo Beach in San Luis Obispo for a dip or a sunbathe and later, look for the sign alerting you of the elephant seals, who crowd along the shoreline. Then steel yourself for a few hours of curves—every one is worth it for the next view around the corner. One of the best ways to see Big Sur is simply by driving along Highway 1, parking your car wherever it looks cool (read: basically everywhere), and following a probably unmarked trail—though be careful of poison oak—down in the direction of the ocean. For more mappable destinations, check out the Esalen Institute (their hot spring baths open to the public from 1-3am), or the touristy-but-still-totally-worth-it McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach for even more stunning vistas. Dying to get off the beaten path? Head up Nacimiento Road to the remote valley setting of Mission San Antonio de Padua—one spot in Big Sur that you just might have to yourself.

Need help planning your trip?  Check out the Official Guide to Big Sure from Travel and Leisure Here

What to Pack:

Mammoth Lakes

Miles from L.A.: ~310

Suggested round trip time: 3 days min.

Take the scenic Route 395 and you'll have a view of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range for most of this gorgeous drive. When you hit Big Pine, stop for a bite at Copper Top BBQ, a bright red smoke shack that serves piping-hot ribs and tri-tips. You may end up befriending some hungry alpine climbers headed to or from Mount Whitney (the highest point in the contiguous U.S. at 14,505 feet!). Take a small detour east to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to the oldest trees in the world; some of these beauties have been around for more than 4,000 years. Farther north, stop in Bishop for some fresh-baked loaves or pastries at Erik Schat's Bakery. Drive up the road to Mahogany Smoked Meats and choose some road snacks from a huge selection of gourmet beef, turkey, elk, buffalo, boar and fish jerkies. Though there's no formal address, if you're determined (or willing to ask a local), you can find a group of easily-accessible hot springs right off the 395, just south of Mammoth Yosemite airport.

Need help planning your trip?  Check out the Official Guide to Mammoth Lakes  Here

What to Pack:

Lake Tahoe

Miles from L.A.: ~465

Suggested round trip time: 4-5 days min.

The scenic Route 395 is one of the loveliest roads in California. Wind your way along the Eastern Sierras, stopping in the small towns of Lone Pine, Big Pine and Bishop for quaint strolls and delicious detours (try Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine and the famous Schat's Bakery in Bishop). The area is perfect for exploration by car; take any westward road to head up into the mountains, where you'll find pine forests, crystal clear snowmelt lakes and tiny towns. Ask the locals where to find one of many natural hot springs to soak tight muscles from a long day's drive, or pull off at the Happys, Sads, or Owens River Gorge, all world-class bouldering and climbing sites, for some rock scrambling. For otherworldly waterscapes, check out Mono Lake's "tufas," spindly towers of limestone buildup reflecting across the saline waters. If you have time, a stop in Yosemite National Park is a must, as is a hike or stroll (or ski day) in Mammoth. Another worthwhile (if far) detour is Bodie, one of the most legitimate and well-preserved ghost towns in America.

Need help planning your trip?  Check out the Official Guide to Lake Tahoe from Lonely Planet Here