5 California Destinations to Visit This Spring
With wildflowers in bloom, fewer crowds, and warm, sunny days, spring might be California’s best-kept secret. It’s when everything opens up—hillsides turn vibrant shades of green, deserts soften, and wine country hums back to life—offering that rare balance of beauty and breathing room before summer crowds arrive. From misty headlands to sun-drenched deserts, alpine lakes, and vineyard-lined valleys, these five destinations show California at its most inviting.
Mendocino
In spring, Mendocino’s rugged coastline softens with color as wildflowers blanket coastal bluffs and gardens come into bloom. Crisp ocean air and lingering mist create a moody backdrop for exploration. Start with a morning walk along the Mendocino Headlands or Point Cabrillo Light Station, where lupine and poppies scatter color along the cliffs. Just offshore, catch the gray whale migration as they slip north in their annual procession. Linger at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens as the rhododendrons and camellias reach their peak bloom.
Inland, the hush of the ancient redwoods at Montgomery Woods or Hendy Woods feels especially profound in spring’s filtered light. Take a ride aboard the Skunk Train to discover a tucked-away bar deep in the redwoods, or hike the forested trail at Russian Gulch State Park to a 36-foot waterfall gushing with winter rains. Back in town, the Victorian village of Mendocino feels delightfully uncrowded. Stroll the village to discover cozy cafés, art galleries, and quiet corners with stunning views.
WHERE TO STAY
The Inns of Mendocino collection brings together three distinctive stays, each with its own take on modern coastal style. The historic Seagull Inn Bed & Breakfast and Headlands Inn both charm with garden settings and indulgent gourmet breakfasts delivered right to your room. One of Mendocino’s finest Victorian landmarks, the MacCallum House Inn offers romantic rooms with farm-to-table dining and a lively bar, while Alegria Oceanfront Inn & Cottages offers secluded ocean views and a private path to the beach.
Lake Tahoe
Lower-than-average snowfall in Lake Tahoe this year offers a unique chance to embrace a range of outdoor adventures this spring. Snow still clings to the peaks, but down by the lake, the season is shifting quickly. In the morning, hit the slopes at Heavenly or Palisades Tahoe to get some runs in on spring corn conditions with shorter lift lines. Both resorts plan to stay open through mid-to-late April, with DJ sets and pond skims adding free-spirited fun.
By afternoon, trade the ski boots for hiking shoes and head toward Emerald Bay or Maggie’s Peak, where early-opening trails reveal rushing waterfalls and panoramic views. On warmer days, get out on the lake with a paddleboard or a kayak to glide across the crystal-clear waters. As the temperature drops in the evening, enjoy lakeside dining and cozy drinks by the fire. Lake Tahoe’s dual season moment is fleeting, and that’s part of the appeal. With lower rates and fewer crowds, you’ll discover Tahoe at its best between chapters.
Where to Stay
Just a mile from Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe, the cabins and guest rooms at Black Bear Lodge offer a curated blend of modern and rustic-chic design. On Lake Tahoe’s quiet western shore, The Cottage Inn offers enchanting cottages tucked beneath the pines with access to a private beach. Near Truckee, the welcoming, family-friendly Donner Lake Inn is nestled under the pines just steps from Donner Lake.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz in spring is a playful paradise. On the path along West Cliff Drive, wildflowers bloom in a kaleidoscope of colors while surfers catch waves in the waters below and shorebirds wheel overhead. This is prime time for spotting wildlife: humpback whales pass offshore, migrating birds gather along the coast, and tide pools at Natural Bridges reveal starfish and anemones in quiet detail. Take to the water with a surf lesson, a kayak, or a sailboat. April marks the return of the Wednesday Night Sailboat Races, a local tradition with sails illuminated by the setting sun.
Inland, the ancient redwoods of Henry Cowell tower above the trails. In another redwood grove, a host of experiences defy gravity at the delightfully off-kilter Mystery Spot. Back at the coast, the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk hums with nostalgic energy, but without the full tilt of summer crowds. The amusement rides and games are open daily through late April for spring break.
Where to Stay
Across from Main Beach and the Boardwalk, Marea Sol is an intimate boutique stay with a rooftop deck and coastal-inspired rooms. Next door, La Bahia Hotel & Spa offers refined oceanfront luxury with elevated design and a full-service spa. Also on Main Beach, the family-friendly Beach Street Inn & Suites offers a colorful, contemporary beach vibe with free snow cones and a swimming pool. Perched along West Cliff Drive, the West Cliff Inn pairs Victorian elegance with modern coastal interiors and seaside views. Above Cowell’s Beach, the Sea & Sand Inn offers a cliffside escape with sweeping ocean views from every room.
Palm Springs
If Palm Springs has a golden hour, it’s spring. Basking in warm desert sun, spring hits the sweet spot with temperatures hovering in the 70s and 80s before the summer heat rolls in. It’s prime season for rounds of golf and poolside lounging with rounds of cocktails. In Indian Canyons, fan palms shade enchanting trails that weave through streams and dramatic rock formations. The otherworldly landscapes at Joshua Tree National Park soften with desert blooms and ideal temperatures for hiking and rock climbing.
Spring also carries a hum of energy: midcentury architecture tours, art shows, and the unmistakable rhythm of festival season. Each April, Coachella and Stagecoach turn the desert into a vibrant hub of music and culture. For a quieter counterpoint, slip into the soothing mineral waters of Desert Hot Springs or spend time at The Living Desert, where native plants and wildlife tell a deeper story of the landscape.
Where to Stay
Sands Hotel & Spa stands out for its bold, design-forward aesthetic and lively poolside scene. Los Arboles Hotel charms with its intimate hacienda-style setting and tranquil courtyard atmosphere, just steps from downtown Palm Springs. Sensei Porcupine Creek offers a deeply personalized wellness retreat set against the serene backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
Santa Ynez Valley
Spring in the Santa Ynez Valley is all golden light and luminous green hills, as vineyards awaken and wildflowers weave color through the countryside. The mild, sunny days invite scenic backroad drives with the windows down, long bike rides and horseback rides into the hills, and leisurely afternoons spent drifting between tasting rooms, galleries, and outdoor cafés. The Santa Ynez Valley is home to seven American Viticultural Areas with over 100 wineries and nearly 300 tasting rooms pouring an array of premium wines.
The valley is also known for its exceptional culinary scene and distinctive small towns with their own charms. Enjoy slow mornings filled with the aroma of freshly baked Danish pastries. In the evenings, linger over alfresco dinners featuring fresh, seasonal menus paired with local wines. There’s a grounded ease to the season here with fewer crowds and wine country at its most relaxed.
Where to Stay
Alisal Ranch shines in spring with its Boots & Blooms series, featuring horseback rides through wildflower-covered hills and seasonal dining. Skyview Los Alamos brings a playful energy to wine country with stargazing experiences and full-moon pool parties. Hotel Ynez is a serene retreat with garden yoga, sound baths, and new spa experiences beneath the oaks. Fess Parker Wine Country Inn delivers wine country elegance with spacious suites just steps from celebrated tasting rooms. Set amid lush gardens with fire pits, The Genevieve offers elegant rooms alongside thoughtful culinary touches.