LV Life

Weekend getaways ease busy minds

by Kimberly Marshel
Staff Writer
and
Andrea Gardner
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Sometimes students feel like they just need to get away. With the end of the semester coming to a close and final exams just around the corner it would be nice to see an end in sight.

The upcoming holidays mean vacation time, but for the anxious who need a weekend away this semester, there are many getaways for considerably less than one might expect.

Where are the ideal places to get away from school and other nuisances? Pick a direction.

For those who want to travel south, following the signs toward San Diego and its numerous tourist attractions such as Seaport Village and Sea World is a place to start. San Diego is about a two-hour drive and is just above the Mexican border at Tijuana where many college students go for a party atmosphere.

A trip to San Diego can be a weekend or overnight trip, and is less expensive for renting a hotel for the night since the off-season rates are considerably low.

Another destination that can be found just two hours away is the northern trek to Santa Barbara. The average hotel rate along or around the beach is about $125 a night, so bringing a friend will cut the cost in half. The boardwalks are filled with bikeriders, in-line skaters and according to Donna Phipps of Busy-B Travel in Claremont. “There are lots of rental things in Santa Barbara,” she said.

Santa Barbara is also known for its bed and breakfast accommodations which offer relaxing quiet time for a student to contemplate life with or without a loved one.

Apart from the beach scene, Lake Arrowhead is another weekend getaway that takes hikers, mountain bikers and rock climbers to a playground. Arrowhead is also known for its bed and breakfasts, which are often set up in cabins.

“Ice Castle” offers ice skating in the same rink where Olympian Michelle Kwan trains.

There are also shops for students to spend money and even skiing on the outskirts. Lake Arrowhead is only about 45 minutes northeast from La Verne and can be reached by taking the 10 Freeway east to the 215 northbound to state Highway 18.

Heading east to Big Bear is also a good mountain environment for students, especially for skiers and snowboarders. The atmosphere is fun and there is plenty to do and see.

For golf lovers at the University of La Verne, Palm Springs offers golf courses and trendy resorts that blanket the city. The average price of a hotel in the heart of the city is a hefty $150 in season (November through February). As a more expensive alternative, many hotels of Palm Springs include health and beauty spas to cater to those with champagne tastes. Located only an hour away from the area, Palm Springs is only one road away, by taking the 10 Freeway east.

There are not any signs that say where the city of lights, dancing and gambling is, but the city of Las Vegas comes to mind. If the desert weather is warm enough, waterslides at Wet ‘n’ Wild are an option for the summer babies and some hotels even have indoor pools.

Apart from the ever present gaming that is at every turn, students can enjoy shows and fine dining.

The life of a college student is not always fortunate in the way of funds, especially at ULV but if a mini-vacation is what students want, these are a few ideas.

Day trips also offer a compromise to those with full schedules and the beach is an obvious choice with Huntington, Venice and Santa Monica as just a few sandy places to venture.

Theme parks can also take students to a fantasy land with Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios as the popular amusements.

Students deserve a chance to get away now and again, even if they just turn off the ringer and turn on a movie. Every little second means the difference between sanity and an emotional breakdown.

Kimberly Marshel
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Andrea Gardner, Managing Editor
Andrea Gardner
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