8 Epic Trips to Take This Summer

Nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego, Murrieta Hot Springs has long been a distinguished spot for celebs to retreat to since it first opened in 1902. After three decades of private seclusion and a recent restoration, it just reopened. And it is glorious. Soak away your woes, or stop in mid-road trip by using one of the resort’s day passes.

After the devastating wildfires that ravaged the island of Maui, the island is welcoming guests again. If you’re planning a trip this season, it’s even more important to do so with purpose and intention. Through booking the Return to Maui Package at the Grand Wailea (pictured above), you’ll donate $100 directly to survivors of the tragedy through the Hawai’i Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund. The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has established the Aloha for Sheraton Maui Relief Fund.

This year, solar activity is at its highest point in its 11-year cycle, providing the ideal conditions for spectacular aurora borealis viewing. Fairbanks is known for being the best spot to witness the phenomenon. The ultra-modern Borealis Basecamp is a great basecamp to start. Situated on 100 acres of pristine boreal forest, you can sleep in a modern geodesic igloo and explore the rugged allure of the far north. 

Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel has all the hallmarks of a hotspot in the making. Honky-tonk nights at the in-house dive bar? Check. Rejuvenating mineral-rich pools? Check. Mezcal-fueled high dessert vibes and fantastic food? Check and check. Though it hasn’t quite hit the critical mass like Joshua Tree, this hotel is the tentpole for a quirky destination that’s definitely on the rise when it comes to weekend retreats. 

There’s no shortage of surf-themed hotels that dot the Southern California coastline, but The Pierside Hotel in Santa Monica sets itself apart: it’s got a breezy, easy come, easy go vibe, close proximity to some of the city’s best beaches, and a restaurant called The Surfing Fox that features Cali fare. Further south, El Caminante Bar & Bungalows opened in San Juan Capistrano, offering 30 gorgeous boutique Spanish-style bungalows that boast panoramic ocean views that immediately evoke sun-soaked serenity. Plus it’s right near famed beaches like Doheny, Salt Creek, and Laguna. 

From its Aspen tree-inspired architecture to the elevator recordings of Colorado bird songs that vary based on time of day and seasonality, Populus, the country’s first carbon positive hotel, is a full-sensory immersion. The Denver property has already planted over 70,000 trees in Gunnison County, and it houses many unique furnishings that embrace biophilic design: wood-shingled walls are repurposed from beetle-kill trees—an ongoing issue in the forests of Colorado—and sculptural works are made from reishi mushrooms.

This hippie little surf town has really come into its own, with the crown jewel being Todos Santos Boutique Hotel, a masterfully renovated historic estate originally constructed in 1890. The 10-key property has been preserved, still showcasing grand brick hallways with arches and fresco murals that narrate diverse tales of Todos Santos’s history. 

While Portland is known for its independent spirit, the Pacific Northwest city has been getting gussied up as of late between the spring opening of the Soho House and the newly minted Ritz-Carlton. Both make for a swanky home base to explore some of the city’s renowned restaurants like Kann and Phuket Cafe.