From NYC to L.A.—Fashion People Are Escaping the City for These 6 Weekend Trips
Sometimes, the best trips happen right in your backyard just a short drive or train ride away. Fashion people may love city life, but when the weekend arrives, they're often the first to trade crowded streets for coastal escapes, vineyard views, and small-town charm. Whether based in New York or Los Angeles, the most stylish travelers know that the best getaways are close enough for a quick trip yet feel worlds away from everyday routines.
From East Coast island retreats to laid-back California enclaves, these six destinations have become go-to escapes for those seeking great hotels, beautiful scenery, and a slower pace. Here, we're uncovering where insiders are heading on their long weekends, from the underrated alt to Montauk to the hotel that's bringing renewed buzz to Ojai.
The Weekend Trips From NYC
Shelter Island is the Hamptons’ unpretentious, quietly luxurious cousin. Tucked neatly between Long Island's North and South Forks, this low-key slice of paradise is where to go when you want to entirely bypass the sceney-ness of Montauk and the rest of the Hamptons. With charming waterfront hotels, scenic beaches, and a distinctly low-key atmosphere, it's become a favorite for those looking to unplug by the beach without going completely off-grid. It’s secluded, just upscale enough to be chic, and crowd-free (well, for now).
Where to stay: Book a room at The Pridwin, the grand and historic 1927-era landmark that's just been refreshed after a multimillion-dollar renovation, for a classic New England feel. Whether or not you stay at Sunset Beach, the modernist outpost by the same hotelier as Chateau Marmont and Chiltern Firehouse, it's unquestionably the spot to see and be seen—the move is to grab a spritz on its patio right at golden hour before moving downstairs for dinner. If you're weekending on a budget, I suggest the cozy Shelter Island House, a bed and breakfast right around the corner from all the action.
What to Pack
With its cedar-shingled cottages, hydrangea-lined streets, and timeless coastal appeal, Nantucket will never not be one the East Coast's most coveted summer destinations. It is the capital of coastal-prep, after all. The island's blend New England charm and undeniably luxurious shopping scene—from Polo Ralph Lauren to TWP—keeps visitors and regulars coming back summer after summer. Packing here is an art form centered on timelessness: crisp white poplin shirts, tailored shorts, and a chic cable-knit sweater draped over your shoulders is basically the uniform here. It's the perfect backdrop for a wardrobe that leans heavily into heritage luxury.
Where to stay: For classic waterfront views, book a room at the legendary landmark White Elephant Resort. For something more high-design, beeline to the Roman and Williams–designed Greydon House with its moody, sea-captain-meets-bohemian aesthetic. Whether or not you stay at Faraway Nantucket, its vibrant, jewel-toned courtyard is unquestionably the spot to be on the island.
What to Pack
Just a few hours north of Manhattan is the Hudson Valley, where New Yorkers head when they want a design-centric mountain escape rather than a beach vacation. This sprawling region has become a hotbed for chic boutique hotels, farm-to-table dining, and incredible antiquing not just in the town of Hudson but throughout the entire area from Cold Spring all the way up. Of course, the packing vibe here is decidedly outdoorsy-chic, so use it as an excuse to pack all your best barn jackets, windbreakers, and Salomon sneakers—whether you use the trail runners for a hike or just a walk to the nearest vintage store.
Where to stay: The Hudson Valley is experiencing an explosion of buzzy new hotel openings, so the choices are kind of endless right now. Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Resort, is the talked-about farmstay that Gwyneth Paltrow and Timothée Chalamet both adore. Pocketbook Hudson is the industrial-chic newcomer. A stay at Audrey Gelman's The Six Bells is a storybook fantasy.
What to Pack
The Weekend Trips From L.A.
When L.A. creatives need to decompress without going too far away, they head straight to the Ojai Valley. Just under two hours by car from the city, the area has long attracted artists, wellness enthusiasts, and Angelenos in search of a reset with its uniquely bohemian spirit and orange grove–dotted scenery that make it one of Southern California's most beloved escapes. Of course, it's all about slow living in Ojai—come here for the wellness spas, farmers markets, and boutiques filled with handmade collectibles. As far as the wardrobe goes, it leans as effortless as possible, with boho style basically a requirement.
Where to stay: Ojai is a small town, and there are really only a handful of hotels. But the arrival of The Roblar has brought a renewed focus on Ojai. Its stunningly curated boutique ranch grounds are unquestionably the main draw. Of course, the historic Ojai Valley Inn is a longtime favorite with its award-winning spa and sprawling, Mediterranean-style space.
What to Pack
San Diego is having a bit of renaissance at the moment, and for good reason. It's the perfect blend of beach and city, and now with buzzy spots like The Lafayette, a refresh of the iconic Hotel del Coronado, and a thriving food scene, there are plenty of reasons to head south for the weekend. The fashion crowd is skipping the standard tourist traps and heading straight to the design-forward pockets of La Jolla and North Park. The aesthetic here is a mix of athleisure and casual-cool outfits, so think retro sneakers, oversize sunglasses, and matching linen sets that look just as good at an upscale brunch as they do during a coastal stroll.
Where to stay: The legendary Hotel del Coronado, the Victorian landmark right on the beach, has hosted plenty of Old Hollywood royalty including Marilyn Monroe and has recently done an impressive renovation. For something far more modern, though, The Lafayette is soaking up all the buzz with its maximalist interiors; retro, palm-fringed pool; and in-house jazz lounge.
What to Pack
Move over, Napa—the fashion set is charting a course for Central California’s Paso Robles for a much more laid-back take on wine-country luxury. Often described as California wine country's best-kept secret, Paso Robles pairs world-class vineyards with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Between wine tastings, scenic drives, and charming downtown streets, it's easy to see why travelers continue to flock here. Tap into an equestrian mood with cowboy boots, utility jackets, and vintage denim for everything from daytime horseback rides to and sunny vineyard tastings to an outdoor firepit dinner.
Where to stay: The Inn at Paradiso is a rustic yet modern hideaway where fashion people including designer Mara Hoffman like to stay. The alternative is to check into one of the area's vineyard estates to be mere steps away from the sprawling tasting rooms.
What to Pack
