Brunch in Los Cabos? A nightcap in Vegas? Some history in Mexico City? The world is truly your oyster when you live in Los Angeles, with nonstop flights to dozens of vacation destinations. So…where will you go this weekend? We’ve got a few ideas. Here are five nonstop flights from L.A. that’ll have you transported to a swoon-worthy destination by happy hour.
5 Nonstop Flights from L.A. for the Ultimate Weekend Getaway
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1. San José del Cabo, Mexico
- Flight time from L.A.: 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Why We Recommend It: It’s Cabo San Lucas’s chic, lower-key sister; amazing food, relaxing vibes
- Where to Stay: Grand Velas Los Cabos (from $1,309); Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos (from $604);Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort (from $729)
When most people hear “Cabo,” they think of the lively party town Cabo San Lucas. But it’s time to shout out the laid-back San José del Cabo, a much more chill alternative. Just 30 minutes north of the spring break hotspot, this quaint destination is home to a vibrant arts district (check out Art Walk on Thursdays), beautiful five-star resorts on the beach and truly incredible seafood. Hop on a flight in the morning and you’ll be sampling almejas chocolatas (aka chocolate clams) by happy hour.
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
- Flight time from L.A.: 1 hour
- Why We Recommend It: amazing food, lots of entertainment options, quick flight
- Where to Stay: Nobu Hotel at Caesar’s Palace (from $159); The Venetian Resort Las Vegas (from $397); Bellagio (from $412)
Sure, you could easily drive to Vegas from L.A...If you like speeding through the desert in a straight line for a mind-numbing four hours. (And don’t even get us started on the traffic trying to get home on Sunday night.) We’d much rather pop over to LAX after work, stream an episode of And Just Like That… and arrive just in time to hit the buffet at the Bellagio and play roulette. Not a gambler? No problem. Spend the weekend by the pool, shopping (hello, Wynn Plaza) and seeing your choice of not one but six Cirque du Soleil productions.
3. Mexico City, Mexico
- Flight Time from L.A.: 3 hours, 35 minutes
- Why We Recommend It: rich history, cultural offerings, amazing food
- Where to Stay: Casa Polanco (from $692); Hotel Carlota (from $131); Brick Hotel (from $940)
If you like your vacation with a side of history, take a weekend trip to Mexico City. Don’t miss the vibrant Museo Frida Kahlo and the nearby Museo Casa De Leon Trotsky (did you know the artist and the revolutionary had an affair?) in Mexico City’s Coyoacán neighborhood, then stroll through the lush Jardín Centenario park and grab lunch at a picturesque sidewalk cafe.
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Flight Time from L.A.: 5 hours, 30 minutes
- Why We Recommend It: perfect weather, white-sand beaches, tropical paradise
- Where to Stay: Halekuleni Hotel (from $740); Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach (from $740); Kahala Hotel & Resort (from $452)
While traveling from almost anywhere in the continental U.S. makes getting to Hawaii an all-day affair, West Coasters can be standing on the sandy shores of Waikiki Beach in just a few hours. If you get sick of sun and swimming (haha, right), check out Pearl Harbor, then head downtown to the hidden speakeasy Bar Leather Apron for a tasty (and visually stunning) nightcap.
5. Aspen, Colorado
- Flight Time from L.A.: 2 hours, 7 minutes
- Why We Recommend It: luxury skiing, outdoor adventure
- Where to Stay: Mountain Chalet Aspen (from $402); The Little Nell (from $1,713); Viceroy Snowmass (from $367)
If you’re an outdoorsy type who also likes to treat yourself, Aspen is an extremely doable weekend trip. While you’ll probably want to spend most of your time on the slopes, there’s also hiking and biking on the Rio Grande Trail, dog sled rides in Snowmass and the sprawling spa at the St. Regis Hotel.