This year, pilot season has been insane for me as I am sure it has been for a lot of you. I feel like I have been non-stop driving from place to place and working on my career. I love the business of these past weeks, but I also feel like I need a break! When all of the excitement from having so many new auditions wears off, I feel the exhausting feeling of overwhelm take over. It’s pretty funny because I love acting, but I never realize how much work it is to be working until I am done. If you have felt the same way this pilot season, I think it is also time for you to take a break. I’m not saying to take a long break (of COURSE not!) but a Friday, Saturday, Sunday break? Absolutely. So here is my advice for some fun and fast trips to take all around Los Angeles!
1) Mammoth Mountain: If you are looking for snow this season, Mammoth is the place to BE. It is about 5 hours away from Los Angeles and if you are wondering if you should go here or to Big Bear, just know that ultimately it is your choice, but Mammoth is the better choice. With more snow, more runs, and fewer people, there’s no way to go wrong here. It is worth the extra hours of driving. Not to mention the hot springs that you can get to pretty easily any night.
2) Palm Springs: If you are someone who would rather be toasty warm during the day than freezing your behind off, Palm Springs is the place for you. With beautiful, warm, extremely sunny days, it is the perfect place to lay back, relax, and get your tan on. Palm Springs is about 3 hours away from Los Angeles and is an easy drive where you can hit up the outlet malls on your way there! (Woohoo!) There are also some super hip photo ops here in Palm Springs that will make your friends super jealous of your fun weekend getaway.
3) San Diego: If you are more of a beach person, then this 2.5-hour drive from LA is what you are looking for. San Diego is known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California and pretty much has year round amazing weather. I would especially suggest going around the beginning of the year because it will be a little cooler whereas in the middle of summer it will be uber hot. Either way, whenever you go, there will be sun. They also have some of the best restaurants in the world so make sure you yelp around!
And there you have it! Some fun weekend trips that are close enough to LA to get back ASAP if you have an audition that is last minute! If you have had a super busy pilot season and need a weekend getaway, I get it, because I feel the same way! There’s nothing like getting a ton of hard work accomplished, and then rewarding yourself for it! So make sure you don’t forget that very important last step!