4 SoCal vacation spots you can get to with single tank of gas or one electric vehicle charge

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Summertime travel doesn't need to involve a flight or a large vacation budget.

With gas prices remaining high, AAA is highlighting several Southern California destinations that can be reached with a single tank of gas or one electric vehicle charge, offering affordable options for families looking to get away.

Among the suggested destinations is Ralph B. Clark Regional Park in Buena Park. While the city is best known as the home of Knott's Berry Farm, the 104-acre park features walking trails, sandstone cliffs and educational exhibits.

"There's also an interpretive center displaying marine fossils and some of them date back to as far as 80 million years," AAA spokesperson Doug Shupe said.

For travelers willing to venture farther from home, Joshua Tree National Park offers another option. Visitors can stop at the visitor center in downtown Twentynine Palms to pick up maps, park passes and souvenirs while learning about the area's Indigenous history through exhibits. AAA recommends entering through the park's north entrance to avoid crowds that often form at the west entrance.

Those looking to escape the summer heat can head to Encinitas, known for its meditation opportunities, surfing and electric bike rentals.

Santa Cruz Island also offers a day-trip or overnight getaway. Visitors can depart from Ventura Harbor aboard an Island Packers boat and may spot dolphins and whales during the journey.

AAA also shared tips for improving comfort and efficiency while traveling.

"The impact of using that A/C versus rolling down the windows, it's not wasting that much more gas and so you're comfort and your safety should be the priority," Shupe said.

The organization advises travelers to avoid overhead luggage racks, which can create drag and reduce fuel efficiency, and to leave in the morning to avoid heavy traffic.

AAA also offers a free online gas calculator that estimates fuel costs based on a vehicle's information and current gas prices.

"Put in the year, make, and model of your vehicle, where you're starting from and where you're heading to, and you're going to get a round-trip estimate of your fuel costs based on real-time gas prices," Shupe said.