1. Palm Springs
Palm Springs has been a popular wintertime destination for decades. This oasis of fashionable vacationing sprung up in the middle of the Sonoran Desert in the 1920s, when stylish resorts began catering to Hollywood celebrities.
Just a two-hour drive (about 100 miles away) from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is still one of the best places to visit in California. Anyone seeking a sunny getaway will appreciate the beautiful scenery and relaxing ambience.
The spectacular setting features swaying palm trees against a dramatic backdrop of the soaring San Jacinto Mountains. Bright cerulean skies and daytime winter temperatures in the low 70s Fahrenheit make Palm Springs the perfect vacation spot during the months of December, January, and February. Thanks to the desert climate, the sun shines nearly every day of the year (the average is 350 days of sunshine).
2. Mammoth Lakes
If you love spectacular mountain scenery and downhill skiing, definitely add Mammoth Lakes to your list of places to visit in the winter. Rated high on the list of off-the-beaten-path destinations in California, the Mammoth Lakes area dazzles visitors with its dramatic High Sierra landscapes.
Because of the high elevation, snow arrives early at Mammoth Lakes. The ski season usually begins at the end of November. With its peak at an altitude of 11,000 feet, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area gets around 400 inches of snowfall a year.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is one of the best ski resorts in California, thanks to its expansive terrain of over 3,500 acres with 150 trails for alpine skiing. Visitors will also appreciate the wide choice of lodging options and restaurants in the Mammoth Lakes area.
Mammoth Lakes is also famous for its hot springs, which draw many visitors during the wintertime. The Travertine Hot Springs in Bridgeport are natural geothermal pools on Bureau of Land Management property. This recreational hot springs site is open to the public for free. The town of Bishop also has hot springs.
