The Delicate Dance: Big City Folks Want to Go, But Small Town Folks May Not Want Them

The summer road trip is about to begin, and odds are that those of us in big cities -- I live in LA -- will want to head somewhere small. Open spaces and remote destinations appeal a lot to us right now. And the affordability and the ease with which we can plan a small town escape makes them extra appealing.

But here's a fact: while you're aching to go there, the folks who live there may not want you there, at least not in large numbers and perhaps even not right away. Data just published by San Francisco-based Destination Analysts show 57% of Americans don't want travelers coming to their town, while only 16% do. I call it the delicate dance: reconciling this dichotomy as we yearn to see the restart of regional travel and balancing our desire to visit off-the-beaten-path places with respect for those who live in those attractive destinations.

With this in mind, I put together my top 5 drivable destinations from LA for the 4th of July weekend. COVID-19 numbers are still popping upward in many locations, so be sure to travel with care, and with respect!
Check out Gabe's "4th of July Road Trips from LA" segment on the KTLA 5 Morning News!
Visiting LEGOLAND California
  • San Diego: keep an eye on the news, since coronavirus numbers are reemerging as a concern throughout San Diego County. But, for families and for lovers of the outdoors, the appeal is undeniable here. VRBO, in fact, points to San Diego as one of their top 10 spots to visit over 4th of July weekend. The San Diego Zoo and their Safari Park are open, though they're operating at less than 50% capacity, and though the LEGOLAND California theme park is closed, their Sea Life Aquarium is open, with tickets at $9.99. For both locations, reserve your entry times online. And though the city of San Diego has canceled its fireworks plans for the 4th, fireworks shows are still in effect in other San Diego County cities, like Poway, El Cajon and Vista. sandiego.org.
  • Joshua Tree: with close to 800,000 acres of open space, this national park just 2-1/2 hours from LA is a dream for anyone hoping to go off the grid. Cell service is not dependable, which can be a plus for many of us. And the camping options are great, with nine campgrounds in the park that are all first come, first served. If you want to camp with more dependability, check out the many private campgrounds just north or south of Joshua Tree. And if you're a backpacker, there are 13 different staging areas here that'll get you on your way. This is one of the few national parks in California that are fully open. No drones allowed here, by the way. nps.gov/JOTR.
Visiting Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley
  • The Santa Ynez Valley: just 2-1/2 hours north of LA, and only 40 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, this bucolic valley is perfect for a quick escape. Six quaint, historic town to choose from: Solvang, Ballard, Los Olivos, Buellton, Santa Ynez and Los Alamos. World-class wine tasting -- try to make a reservation at your favorite tasting rooms in advance, like Brander and Sunstone -- and world-class dining: nosh at Bob's Well Bread, the Ballard Inn, Alisal Guest Ranch and, for what may be the best pizza in Santa Barbara County, Cecco Ristorante. The ranches here, and the acres and acres of open ag space, offer many scenic drives. visitsyv.com.
  • Paso Robles: about 3-1/2 hours north of LA, this rustic yet sophisticated spot is already a fave for many city slickers. Sweeping vineyards and accommodations that range from luxury resorts to cozy inns make this an easy-to-budget option. Westbound Highway 46 also grants easy access to coastal gems like San Simeon and Cambria. Paso has also become a haven for RVers, with sprawling properties like Cava Robles, Wine County and Vines, which are operated by Sun RV resorts. Signs point to a 1000% year-over-year jump in RV rentals this summer, with 30% of those reservations made by newbies. travelpaso.com.
  • Mendocino: this one is for fellow road warriors for whom the journey is as important as the destination: it's 8 hours from LA and two hours north of the Bay Area. But the trek rewards with gorgeous open space, 80-plus miles of rugged coastlines and more than 20 state and national forests. The wellness movement known as "forest bathing" is gaining steam here, the wine scene is laid back and the drives are dreamy. Cannabis tourism is booming here, too, with several tour companies ready to showcase this new but diverse industry. visitmendocino.com.
For more info, follow me on Twitter and Instagram! Safe travels!


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