Mini Vacations That Won't Break the Bank

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Summer is coming to a close soon. For some of us that means the end of a long season of vacations and weekend trips and fun! But for the rest of us who didn’t have the chance to go anywhere it means opportunities lost. So for those who didn’t get out of Corona this summer you can still take a last minute day trip somewhere nearby without breaking the bank.

Crystal Cove State Park is a gorgeous expanse of land located off of the Pacific Coast Highway. The collection of beaches, trails and canyons is yours to explore and even camp out at. The waters offshore are considered an underwater park and are open for scuba diving. The beach is great for surfing, swimming and boogie boarding. For camping, they offer primitive campsites as well as sites for RV’s and trailers. To reserve your campsite head here. All of the trails are open not only for hiking and biking but for horseback riding as well. Crystal Cove State Park is located about an hour away from Montecito at Dos Lagos Apartments.

Laguna Beach known for its pristine and sprawling beaches and amazing shopping and dining. The hidden coves and tidepools of the beach are beautiful to explore. Some of the beaches have volleyball and basketball courts open to anyone who wants them and you can usually find a game in progress to join in on. If you’ve brought your furry companion along with you for the trip, they are only allowed on city beaches before 9 AM and after 6 PM during summer months. But if your pup wants to romp around freely, there is a dog park available for them to play in sans leash. You can relax by signing up for a beach yoga class or talk to an expert who is available for beach tours and educating you on the tidepool ecosystem. You might catch a movie out on the beach or if you’re lucky attend a concert! There is so much to do at Laguna Beach that you won’t want to spend only one day here! Laguna Beach is located an hour away from Montecito at Dos Lagos.

Aquarium of the Pacific, located an hour and a half away from Dos Lagos Apartments in Long Beach, is so big that you’ll need a full day to get through the whole building! The two floors of the aquarium are filled with everything from jellyfish and but penguins and sea otters too. Admission packages are available with scouting trips to search for blue whales, a harbor tour of the on of the most active ports in the world and Los Angeles zoo admission! The aquarium is home to a theater showing 3D movies about some of the creatures who call the aquarium and the Pacific home. To learn more about the exciting exhibits and events at the Aquarium of the Pacific, check here.

While summer might be winding down, that doesn’t mean you don’t have time for a trip. You don’t have to spend a week away to have a relaxing time and you definitely don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars to have fun. These day trips are far enough away to feel like you’re taking a trip but close enough that it’s still inexpensive.