• Horseback ridinghorseback riding image by Cindy Haggerty from Fotolia.com
  
  Southern California is not known for its inexpensive getaways--mostly because its many, many getaways are usually relatively costly. Still, California is a state full of outdoor loving people, and nature isn't usually as expensive as say, staying a few days in a Los Angeles-area hotel. Still, there are a number of fun So-Cal weekend getaways that don't cost an arm and a leg.
  
  

Joshua Tree

• Joshua Tree National Park, a desert environment with rock climbing, hiking and sight-seeing, is located near Palm Springs, approximately 3 hours east of Los Angeles. Camping is available, but the climate can be extreme. For a slightly less intense experience, inexpensive hotel deals are available in nearby Twentynine Palms. Smart shoppers may even be able to find a good hotel deal in Palm Springs at online travel sites, but be aware that nearly everything else in Palm Springs can be quite pricey--especially shopping and restaurants.
  
  Joshua Tree National Park
  74485 National Park Drive
  Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
  (760) 367-5500
  nps.gov/Jotr/index.htm
  
  

Lake Casitas

• Lake Casitas Recreation Area is a camping getaway with such amenities as a water park, bike rental, hiking, fishing, a cafe and boat rentals. Standard camping sites cost $30 on weekends and $25 during the week. Ojai is also worth mentioning, because visitors can peruse the selection at the the largest outdoor book store in the United States for pizza, or even hit the farmer's market (Sundays only).
  
  Lake Casitas Recreation Area
  11311 Santa Ana Road
  Ventura, CA 93001
  (805) 649-2233
  lakecasitas.info/index.html
  
  Bart's Books of Ojai
  302 W. Matlija St.
  Ojai, CA 93023
  (805) 646-3755
  bartsbooksojai.com/index.html
  
  Ojai Certified Farmers' Market
  300 E. Matlija St.
  Ojai, CA 93023
  (805) 698-5555
  ojaicertifiedfarmersmarket.com/
  
  

Rancho Oso

• This ranch located 30 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara has a hot tub, hiking, basketball courts, Wi-Fi, a heated pool, playground, miniature golfing, tennis courts, a game room and horseshoe pits. For an additional fee, visitors can go horseback riding. The real novelty of this family-friendly ranch is the sleeping accommodations: stationary covered wagons around a fire ring, available starting from $59 per night.
  
  Rancho Oso Guest Ranch & Stables
  3750 Paradise Road
  Santa Barbara, CA 93105
  (805) 683-5686
  ranchooso.net/