Safe spring break ideas

How to enjoy the time off in a COVID-friendly way

Anna Valaik / Asst.A&C Editor / The USD Vista

When it eventually rolls around in the semester, spring break feels like the greatest, most-needed gift from Earth. The cherished one-week break from tests, essays, and homework gives students the opportunity to reset and turn their attention to anything and everything but school. Nowadays, with online classes and Zoom fatigue, spring break feels more necessary than ever. However, these unprecedented times have made it a bit more difficult to plan a trip or a weekend getaway with friends. 

Even though COVID-19 doesn’t necessarily allow for extravagant travel plans, it does allow for some outside-the-box staycation and road trip ideas. Here are some ways to make a vacation out of almost any activity. 

Roadtrip

Road trips are incredibly COVID-friendly because the roadtrippers get to control who they are with, where they go, and for how long they want to stay. Whether it be a day trip to a landmark or an adventure to a fun Airbnb, road trips are the best way to enjoy the company of those around you while seeing a new environment. 

If San Diego is the starting point, consider making a trip to the following places:

The beautiful lake views are seen while hiking up to Potato Chip  Rock. Photo courtesy of Anna Valaik.

  • Potato Chip Rock – 1 hour from San Diego
  • Idyllwild – 2 hours from San Diego
  • Lake Arrowhead – 2 hours and 30 minutes from San Diego
  • Temecula – 1 hour from San Diego
  • Palm Springs – 2 hours and 30 minutes from San Diego

Go Camping

San Diego is incredibly close to some beautiful, exotic desert landscapes. Joshua Tree National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park both serve up some gorgeous views and are perfect if someone wants a nature-focused getaway. Go bouldering at Joshua Tree, where they have climbs for every skill level.

A colorful sunset in Joshua Tree. Photo courtesy of Kate Moriarty. 

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is most well known for its hiking. Here are a few trails to check out:

  • Borrego Palm Canyon Trail – 2.9 mile hike, moderate difficulty
  • Culp Valley Overlook Trail – 3.6 mile hike, beginner difficulty
  • Wind Caves Trail – 1 mile hike, moderate difficulty

Getting out in nature and appreciating its beauty is the perfect way to turn off from school, and these two parks make for an unforgettable place in which to enjoy the break. 

Rent an Airbnb

Airbnbs are an incredibly easy way to get out of the house while still being safe during COVID. It’s not as crowded or crazy as hotels, and it makes the vacation feel much more homey. There are Airbnbs across the United States, so whether someone is at home doing online school or out in San Diego, an Airbnb can be found practically anywhere. One cool feature on Airbnb is that, when searching for a rental, you can filter them out depending on what you are looking for. Try looking under the “Unique Stays” section to find something a bit out of the ordinary, like a tiny house, dome house, or farm stay. Consider renting an Airbnb near San Diego so as to not be traveling far or needing to fly anywhere.  

The Pacific Ocean seen from an Airbnb in Encinitas. Photo courtesy of Anna Valaik. 

Just enjoy the break

With COVID-19, travel has been made that much harder. Even if home is the only place available, it can still feel like a vacation. Have a movie marathon, turn your bathroom into a spa, or even build a fort just like you did when you were ten. Spring break, at the end of the day, is about taking a much needed breather from the daily stresses of life. Just because it may not be an  elaborate trip somewhere, does not mean that spring break can’t be appreciated. This past year, the world has endured such chaos that we must take any time we get to recharge. Just remember that spring break is a beautiful time to appreciate everything in life, even the little things like taking a drive around the street or simply watching the sunset. 

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