Family holiday escapes worth putting on the calendar — all inclusive at Lake Arrowhead Lodge

People are spending more time at home, families are carving out less shared time than ever, and many parents say they feel it. With school schedules, work demands and digital distractions contributing to this shift in behavior, UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge’s all‑inclusive Family Holidays provide an alternative by offering long weekends built around ease, intention and time together in the mountains.

Lake Arrowhead Lodge, located less than 90 miles from Los Angeles and Orange County, hosts five all-inclusive holiday programs each year — Thanksgiving, Winter Break, New Year’s, President’s Day and Spring Vacation — drawing families from across Southern California and beyond. Each holiday event runs three to four nights and includes a rotating lineup of seasonal activities, from mountain bike tours, crafting, wellness sessions, silent discos, family games and faculty lectures that start early in the morning and run into the night.

“These are mini versions of our popular six-day Bruin Woods Family Camp and are open to all guests, regardless of UCLA or University of California affiliation,” said Anna Turner, guest experience manager at Lake Arrowhead Lodge, adding that program counselors are hired, trained and managed by professional staff from UCLA Recreation, which oversees all UCLA youth programs.

Guests say the appeal is the balance: enough structure to keep kids engaged, enough freedom for families to move at their own pace. Meals are a central part of the experience, with menus tailored to each holiday and designed to accommodate a wide range of tastes (see a recent sample menu or two).

Many families, like Cheryl and Troy Martin and their children, return often, citing the chance to reset and reconnect away from daily routines. Lodge staff say bookings often fill months in advance, and families are encouraged to choose their preferred holiday early to secure their space.