Guys Trips In California
If you're planning a guys trip, you'll find California offers an unmatched blend of adventure, relaxation, and entertainment. From the sun-soaked beaches of San Diego to the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains, the Golden State serves up countless opportunities for male bonding and memorable experiences. Whether you're seeking the thrill of catching waves at Huntington Beach, testing your skills at world-class golf courses, or sampling craft beers at renowned breweries, California's diverse landscape and year-round pleasant weather create the perfect backdrop for your getaway. Let's investigate the best options for your next guys trip, including some hidden gems you won't want to miss.
What Do You Call Your "Guys Trips"?
- California offers five perfect guys trip destinations, from coastal drives to outdoor adventures, wine tasting, and sporting events.
- The Pacific Coast Highway delivers an epic road trip experience combining ocean views, local brews, and memorable dining.
- San Diego blends sports culture with outdoor recreation through baseball games, golf, and brewery exploration.
- Lake Tahoe provides year-round adventure options from skiing to fishing, plus casino entertainment.
- Yosemite and Napa Valley round out the options with outdoor thrills and wine country experiences.
Why California Makes A Great Place For A Guys Trip
California, situated along the western coast of the United States, stretches over 163,696 square miles, making it the third-largest state by area and the most populous with nearly 40 million residents. The state's diverse landscape encompasses everything from pristine beaches and rugged coastlines to snow-capped mountains and arid deserts, offering an unparalleled variety of terrain for outdoor activities. California's rich history spans from Native American settlements through Spanish colonization, the historic Gold Rush of 1849, and its eventual rise as a global entertainment and technology hub.
The state generally experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures year-round, though conditions vary dramatically by region - Death Valley can reach 130°F while the Sierra Nevada mountains receive heavy snowfall. An intriguing fact about California is that it's home to both the highest point (Mount Whitney) and lowest point (Death Valley) in the contiguous United States, with these extremes located just 85 miles apart. This geographic and cultural diversity makes California an ideal destination for guys trips throughout the year, whether planning summer coastal adventures or winter ski trips.
Top Guys Trip Ideas In California
California is called the "Golden State" and it's been that way for more than 150 years. This has always been the land for forward-thinking adventurers in search of new experiences, and that tradition continues today. No matter whether you are a group of guys on a boys trip to the Pacific Ocean for the first time with dreams of learning to surf or looking for bars clubs and celebrity glam on a bachelor party in LA ... California has got tons to offer in terms of men's travel ideas!
Epic Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Start in San Francisco and cruise down Highway 1 in convertibles, making legendary stops like the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur's rugged coastline. Take a detour inland to hit up the craft beer scene in Paso Robles, where Firestone Walker Brewing Company offers exclusive tastings and brewery tours. Pull over at Nepenthe restaurant near Big Sur for their famous Ambrosia Burger while soaking in dramatic 800-foot cliff views of the Pacific. End the expedition in Santa Barbara with fresh seafood at the Santa Barbara Harbor and a visit to the Urban Wine Trail featuring over 30 local tasting rooms.
Lake Tahoe Adventure Weekend
Base yourself in South Lake Tahoe for world-class skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort in winter or epic mountain biking at Northstar in summer. Hit the Stateline casinos like Harrah's and Hard Rock after dark for high-stakes gaming and live entertainment. Book a fishing charter on the crystal-clear waters to catch massive Mackinaw trout, or rent a pontoon boat from Zephyr Cove Marina for a day of cruising with incredible Sierra Nevada views. Finish each day at South Lake Brewing Company or The Hangar for craft beers and live sports on massive screens.
San Diego Sports & Brews Tour
Catch the Padres play at Petco Park, consistently rated one of MLB's best ballparks, then navigate the surrounding Gaslamp Quarter's legendary bar scene. Spend a day hitting world-famous golf courses like Torrey Pines, where Tiger Woods claimed his historic 2008 U.S. Open victory. Visit multiple craft breweries in the beer mecca of North Park, including Stone Brewing World Bistro, Ballast Point, and Modern Times. Round out the trip with fish tacos at Oscar's Mexican Seafood and sunset beers at Pacific Beach's oceanfront bars.
Yosemite National Park Expedition
Take on Half Dome's challenging 16-mile round-trip hike using the famous cable route to reach the 8,800-foot summit (permits required). Book a rustic cabin at Curry Village, perfectly positioned for sunrise views of El Capitan and easy access to the park's best trails. Test your climbing skills with a beginner rock climbing lesson through the Yosemite Mountaineering School, learning on the same granite walls that made climbing history. End your days at the historic Ahwahnee Bar, sharing adventure stories over craft beers and classic cocktails.
Napa Valley Wine & Food Adventure
Skip the typical wine tasting routine and book a "Baseball & Bbq" experience at Silver Oak Cellars, combining America's pastime with premium Cabernets. Visit the CIA at Copia for interactive cooking classes focused on grilling and smoking techniques with professional chefs. Take the Napa Valley Wine Train's beer train experience, featuring local craft breweries and gourmet food pairings while rolling through vineyard landscapes. Finish with dinner at Press Restaurant in St. Helena, known for its extensive wine cellar and dry-aged steaks cooked over an wood-fired grill.
More California Guys Trip Ideas
- Craft Beer Tour in San Diego - Investigate the city's thriving craft beer scene with visits to renowned breweries like Stone Brewing, Ballast Point, and Modern Times.
- Surfing in Huntington Beach - Take surfing lessons or catch waves at "Surf City USA," one of California's premier surfing destinations.
- Pebble Beach Golf Links - Play a round at one of the world's most famous golf courses while enjoying stunning Pacific Ocean views.
- Lake Tahoe Fishing - Experience world-class fishing for Mackinaw trout and Kokanee salmon in North America's largest alpine lake.
- Wine Tasting in Napa Valley - Tour prestigious wineries and enjoy private tastings at iconic establishments like Robert Mondavi and Beringer.
- Off-Roading in Oceano Dunes - Drive ATVs or 4x4 vehicles through California's most extensive coastal dunes system.
- NBA Game at Chase Center - Watch the Golden State Warriors play at their state-of-the-art arena in San Francisco.
- Taco Crawl in Los Angeles - Sample authentic street tacos at legendary spots like Leo's Taco Truck and Guisados.
- Yosemite Rock Climbing - Challenge yourself with world-class climbing routes at one of America's most iconic national parks.
- PCH Road Trip - Drive the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in convertibles, stopping at landmarks like Big Sur and Hearst Castle.
Other Destinations That You Might Also Enjoy Visiting
- Las Vegas, Nevada - Beyond the casinos, guys can enjoy world-class shows, championship golf courses, desert ATV tours, and some of the best steakhouses in the country.
- Colorado - Perfect for groups seeking outdoor adventure with epic skiing, mountain biking, craft breweries in Denver, and spectacular hiking through the Rocky Mountains.
- Austin, Texas - Features legendary barbecue joints, a vibrant live music scene, craft beer bars, outdoor activities on Lake Travis, and the excitement of University of Texas football games.
- Pacific Northwest (Oregon/Washington) - Offers incredible fishing, hiking through old-growth forests, world-class breweries in Portland and Seattle, and opportunities for whale watching along the coast.
- Arizona - Combines championship golf courses, spring training baseball, desert adventures, craft distilleries in Scottsdale, and hiking through iconic destinations like the Grand Canyon.
Are You Ready For Your California Guys Trip Adventure?
Whether you're hitting the waves at Huntington Beach, teeing off at Pebble Beach, or sampling craft beers in San Diego, California's got everything you need for an epic guys trip. You'll find endless adventures that fit every budget and interest, from wine tasting in Napa to fishing in Lake Tahoe. So grab your buddies, pick your perfect destination, and start planning your California getaway - you won't regret making these memories together.
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Point Loma Offers A Quieter Waterfront Alternative For Your Next San Diego Guys Trip
When most people come to San Diego, they probably think of one of maybe three areas to stay - Downtown / Gaslamp Quarter, La Jolla, or Coronado. However, there's an alternative that is perfect for your next guys trip that offers fewer crowds, lower prices, and easy access to the water. Point Loma is located right on San Diego Bay just west of the Airport and across the channel from North Island Naval Air Station so it is also extremely easy to get to.
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Lake Arrowhead Resort is a Great Destination for a So Cal Escape
Compared to other parts of the country, Southern California doesn't really have a lot of great places to escape to on weekends. Truthfully there's amazing terrain all around us but really very few destinations that I can see wanting to escape to vs just doing day trips. While I've been to Palm Springs several times now, there's another answer that's even closer - Lake Arrowhead. It's quite literally a world apart and while it shares a similar elevation and crisp clean mountain air as Big Bear... it's a completely different experience.
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Tips and Techniques To Help You Win A Grape Stomp
I think most of us have heard of a grape stomp - whether it is a memory from an old TV show like I Love Lucy or an email from a local winery inviting you to compete, it's a fun way to spend a late summer or fall afternoon with friends. I attended my first grape stomp as a guest of South Coast Winery in Temecula last week and it was an eye-opening experience. Not just for me - but for many of the competitors too. What seems like an easy task is actually way more complicated... if you want to win!
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Three Awesome Baseball Vacation Adventures For Home Run Guys Trip
Our culture has graduated from man caves to mancations, and many guys are tying in their bro travel to sports. But it's gone far beyond a doubleheader or a weekend snagging two NASCAR series at the same track. Now it's multiple events at multiple venues, and baseball has proven to be a perfect sport for it.
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Bear Springs Hotel - Your Gateway To A San Manuel Casino Getaway
In the past few years, it seems like virtually every casino in Southern California has transformed from a gambling hall to a full-on "Vegas-style Resort". Ironically, one of the largest casinos in the country, San Manuel Casino is among the last to embrace this trend (though they have their own hotel resort opening next year). Instead, they have what superficially seems like just another business hotel set in a commercial development. Looks can be deceiving though and Bear Springs Hotel is a fabulous property for anyone looking for a guy weekend getaway where they can do off-roading during the day and hit the tables at night.
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A One Night Romantic Escape to San Francisco
Not all travel needs to be planned and sometimes the best escapes are the ones where you fly by the seat of your pants and boldly go somewhere and then figure out what to do. That's sorta what happened last week for Heather and I when we visited San Francisco. We were invited for a quick media launch event, but decided to fly in early and leave late the next day so we could see some sights and figure out if this was a destination that we wanted to come back to and spend more time in the future.
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Rock and Roll in The City By the Bay at Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco
From the moment you walk through the doors of Hotel Zeppelin you are either going to love this place or hate the incredible hipster vibe. It's just that kind of place and frankly it works in a city that prides itself on creativity and re-imagining yesterday's cool as today's chic. I've stayed in several Hard Rock Hotels and while I've never had a bad experience - these guys have done it better with a more authentic vibe.
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Living A High Stakes Life at San Manuel Casino's "The Vault"
Casinos are an interesting place to visit. They are designed as a wonderland of fabulous experiences designed to get you to loosen up and spend as much money as you can in pursuit of riches. Increasingly though, the goal isn't just having you walk out with money... but instead feeling like you had an amazing experience. For a moment in time, you aren't a plumber or middle-management guy at a marketing agency. Tonight you are an international playboy dining on fabulous food, drinking spirits from the toppest of shelves, and maybe even dropping a chunk of change on that table you think is lucky. While most high-limit lounges are purposely segregated from the rest of the floor and guarded to keep the riff-raff out, The Vault Gaming and Provisions at San Manuel Casino brings that excitement and opens it up to anyone who might want to test their luck.
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Knott's Scary Farm Is More Frightening Than It Sounds
I'm generally not a big fan of Halloween fright fests. To be completely honest, my preferred level of scary is closer to Disney than McKamey Manor. So when my wife suggested we head up to Knott's Scary Farm I went along thinking this was simply a fun, laidback excuse to visit the park in the dark. After all, the name was "not scary"... right? What I found though was a truly awesome experience that was extremely fun on multiple levels and while an adult-only experience, didn't make me wet myself in fear.
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Let's Grab Some Grilled Wings And Steak Bites At Bub's At The Ballpark
Every great ballpark deserves an equally great place to go before, after and well... this is the San Diego Padres here, so during a game where it's better to drown your sorrows in cold pints of craft beer and smoking hot grilled wings. That's what Bub's delivers. It's probably the best sports bar in San Diego and a place we like to frequent even when the Padres aren't playing.
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Los Angeles Bachelor Party: Old Hollywood Or Modern Luxury A Stag Do Guys Trip Guide
Gentlemen, it's time to plan an extraordinary bachelor party, and there's no better destination than Los Angeles. Picture this: a stunning fusion of sun-soaked beach fun, thrilling outdoor adventures, and a glimpse into the glitzy world of Hollywood stars. Remember, the goal is to create a memorable experience for your buddy as he steps into the next phase of his life. Choose activities that reflect his interests and personality, and you're guaranteed to have a fantastic time. Cheers to an unforgettable bachelor party in the City of Angels!
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A Guys Weekend San Diego Beer Tour
San Diego is the craft beer capital of the country as far as I am concerned. While there are many towns across the country where there are fine people brewing great beer, no town has a culture of beer quite like San Diego. With more than 100 breweries in the county, there is something for everyone from large breweries like Stone, Ballast Point, and Green Flash to tiny ones like Intergalactic you are sure to find one that matches your personality. While I dream of one day having been to every brewery in San Diego, last weekend I took two friends on a whirlwind tour of five of my favorites.
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Willows Adults Only Hotel and Spa At Viejas Casino Resort
We were on hand this week for the opening of Willows Hotel & Spa, but I look forward to being able to return to fully experience the resort - especially the spa, pool deck, and restaurants on our own. However, from the brief time we did spend on property and our stay in one of their Escape Suites, this is the perfect destination for anyone in San Diego that is looking for a getaway where there will be no kids. It's the perfect distance from downtown, easy to get to, and delivers a full suite of luxury, spa, pool, food, and all the action you'd expect from a casino resort. Oh yeah, and there's also some of the best outlet shopping in San Diego.
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11 Father-Son Trip Ideas: Male Bonding Through Inter-Generational Travel
It’s important to think about some cool ideas to do together as a father and son. While some of these Father-Son Trip ideas are better for dads to take their kids. some are better for adult relationships. One thing is constant. That universal constant is that these are inter-generational trips that will provide an opportunity for a father and son to bond outside of the normal day-to-day experience. Conversations will happen, skills will be learned, hugs will be had, and at the end of the experience, both parties will have had an incredible experience that only the two of them share.
Quality time is crucial for creating memorable experiences during these trips, enhancing the bond between father and son.
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How to Plan the Ultimate Brewery Tour Bachelor Party in San Diego
Are you looking for the ultimate bachelor party destination? Look no further than San Diego! This city is home to some of the best breweries in the country, and there is something for everyone here. In this blog post, we will discuss how to plan the perfect brewery tour bachelor party in San Diego. We will cover everything from where to stay to what breweries you should visit. So read on, and start planning your dream bachelor party today!
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Awesome RV Mancation Trip Ideas
When vacationing in an RV, you don't have to worry about where you're going to stay and adding those costs into your trip. In many cases, if you plan on a mancation involving the great outdoors, you'll be able to stay closer to nature when you bring along an RV.
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Top Places In California For a Father and Son Trip
Fathers and sons do not always have the best of relationships. One way to repair or improve the relationship would be to take a father and son trip. California is an excellent place for such a trip.
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10 Ideas for an Awesome San Diego Guys Weekend
San Diego is an awesome town that is sometimes forgotten about or dismissed as simply a surf town, but what I have discovered over the past year is that there is an incredible amount of awesome things to do here beyond the beach including touring some of the almost 100 craft breweries, exploring vineyards in nearby Temecula and Romona, as well as visiting the Zoo, touring historic military ships and some of the best burgers and tacos in the country.
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Orca Encounter at SeaWorld San Diego is a Great Show that Still Inspires
Last year was a sad one for anyone who enjoyed "animal shows". Not only did we lose the Shamu shows but other similar acts such as those found in circuses shut down as well. Faced with this change in audience demands, SeaWorld - an organization that has always done great work with conservation and research - had a tough choice. On one hand, they had custody of these amazing animals that simply can not be safely returned to the wild after decades of domestication. On the other, they knew that the age of "animal entertainment shows" was over. Ultimately Orca Encounter isn't going to make the eco warriors happy, but I think it does a great job transforming the Shamu show into something more appropriate for today's audiences. Don't worry though - you still get to see jumps and if you sit in the first few rows, you will still get soaked!San Diego Road Trips Perfect for Driving in a Convertible
A convertible is something special that almost begs to be driven somewhere special. That's what we did recently when Buick dropped off their new Cascada and said "have at it!". The following are some of our favorite road trips in San Diego that are perfect for enjoying with the top down.