Now more than ever, it’s become much more affordable to fly domestic in the continental U.S. Why? Airlines are competing for your business. Thanks to these “airfare wars” you can fly to cities like Los Angeles or Las Vegas, one way for the price of a dinner in the city!

Speaking of Los Angeles, spring is just around the corner, and with mild conditions most all year round, why not take advantage of these low-cost airlines.

Find yourself with some extra cash, why not book a weekend trip to LA? Here are some of my favorite must sees:

Santa Monica

Rent a bike by the hour and cruise down Santa Monica Pier. Enjoy the views of the ocean and stop by the famous Santa Monica Pier boardwalk. Next, cruise down to 3rd St. Promenade.  Third St. is full of restaurants and shops. You may even find yourself wandering at the Santa Monica Farmer’s market.

Venice

No stop to Los Angeles is complete without a trip to the Venice Beach Boardwalk(1715 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA). It is a 10 min walk from Santa Monica and there’s much to be done here. Besides the typical beach day, Venice might be better known for its eclectic vibes. Grab a bite to eat and head over to the skate park and watch the skaters. On Sunday, there is a drum circle which is equally impressive to attend or join in!

Abbot Kinney is your haven for really great food and small boutique shops. A lot of artists sell their art and homemade jewelry. I am obsessed with Salt & Straw ice cream (try the classic Sea Salt & Caramel Ribbons). Not to mention you also have the Venice Canals you can check out while you are there.

Malibu

Just about an hour West of Los Angeles, is the stunning sea town of Malibu. Rent a car and cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway, and get a great view of the Santa Monica Mountains, and the ocean. Zuma beach is favorite among the locals, but for more incredible views and more secluded beach visit, you must visit Matador State Beach (32100 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA). You have gorgeous cliff side views overlooking the blue-green ocean and unique rock formations.

Los Angeles

There are so many things to see here, how to decide whether to drive down to Melrose Ave. or Beverly Hills? I will challenge you to skip that and try something unique and new! If you aren’t afraid to take risks, head over to the OUE Skyslide. It’s located on the 70th floor of the US Bank Tower ( 633 West Fifth St. Los Angeles, CA) , the tallest building in Los Angeles. You will go down a glass slide, screaming ( maybe just me) and witness incredible views of Los Angeles! Again, not for the faint of heart but the views are worth it.

I may be biased as a Southern California native and say Los Angeles is one my favorite US cities, but there is so much more to see!