Sacramento, the Bay Area, Fresno, the Los Angeles area and the Inland Empire. The Bay Area is about two and a quarter hours from Sacramento, the Inland Empire is a little over an hour from Los Angeles, and Fresno sits in the middle, about three and a quarter hours from the Bay Area and four from LA. Stockton–Modesto is about an hour south of Sacramento, Ventura County is about an hour up the coast from Los Angeles, and Reno is about two hours east of Sacramento over the Sierra. Bakersfield is a little over two hours north of Los Angeles and about two hours south of Fresno on Highway 99. Here's the best weekend trip in the region for each of the next 6 weekends, and what to do once you get there.
6 weekends
9 cities
1 of 6 pickedLast checked against official pages. How we choose
Nothing we could verify in the region this weekend is worth a drive on its own. The weekly lists for Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Fresno, Inland Empire, Stockton–Modesto, Ventura County, Reno, Bakersfield are a better bet, and we'll check again on Thursday.
Nothing we could verify in the region this weekend is worth a drive on its own. The weekly lists for Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Fresno, Inland Empire, Stockton–Modesto, Ventura County, Reno, Bakersfield are a better bet, and we'll check again on Thursday.
Nothing we could verify in the region this weekend is worth a drive on its own. The weekly lists for Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Fresno, Inland Empire, Stockton–Modesto, Ventura County, Reno, Bakersfield are a better bet, and we'll check again on Thursday.
Nothing we could verify in the region this weekend is worth a drive on its own. The weekly lists for Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Fresno, Inland Empire, Stockton–Modesto, Ventura County, Reno, Bakersfield are a better bet, and we'll check again on Thursday.
Nothing we could verify in the region this weekend is worth a drive on its own. The weekly lists for Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Fresno, Inland Empire, Stockton–Modesto, Ventura County, Reno, Bakersfield are a better bet, and we'll check again on Thursday.
L.A. Zoo Lights is open all three nights, and kids under 2 are free.
Drive: about 1 hr 15 min from Inland Empire · about 1 hr 15 min from Ventura County · about 2 hr 15 min from Bakersfield · about 4 hr from Fresno · about 6 hr 15 min from Stockton–Modesto
Opens 11/20; runs through 01/10. Santa photos cost extra on select nights, and the ice rink is ticketed separately. Dec 8 is a sensory-inclusive night. Parking is free. Closed Nov 26, Nov 30, Dec 1, 7, 14–16, 24, 25, 31 and Jan 4–7.
Fri Dec 4, Sat Dec 5, Sun Dec 6 · Box office 5:45–8:45pmLos Angeles Zoo
Adults $29–$35, kids 2–12 $19–$25; under 2 free
Car snacksPack more than you think you’ll need.
StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.
Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.
Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.
Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.
Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.It changes every weekend. Over the next 6 weekends our picks are Los Angeles, chosen for what's on: zoo events, holiday lights and shows with dates we checked on the official pages.
Sacramento, the Bay Area, Fresno, the Los Angeles area and the Inland Empire. The Bay Area is about two and a quarter hours from Sacramento, the Inland Empire is a little over an hour from Los Angeles, and Fresno sits in the middle, about three and a quarter hours from the Bay Area and four from LA. Stockton–Modesto is about an hour south of Sacramento, Ventura County is about an hour up the coast from Los Angeles, and Reno is about two hours east of Sacramento over the Sierra. Bakersfield is a little over two hours north of Los Angeles and about two hours south of Fresno on Highway 99. Drive times on this page are normal driving times without traffic.
It means we couldn't confirm anything worth the drive. We'd rather leave the slot empty than fill it with filler. Check back after the Thursday refresh.
They're what each official page showed on Oct 29, 2026. Tap the official link before you buy, since venues change hours and prices.