Planning a weekend getaway can be exciting, but too often we make these common travel mistakes and find ourselves wasting time and money we should be spending having fun.

Here are five top travel mistakes to avoid on your next weekend trip.

1. Don't waste time getting there!  Weekends are short, don't spend all of your time getting to and from your destination.  Map out the distance and take traffic in to consideration.  It might make sense to wait until the morning or afternoon traffic has subsided or leave a day earlier or later!

2. Overspending!  Yes, it is your mini-vacation, time to splurge, but with a little bit of planning you can save a great deal of money.  Just think you can use it toward your NEXT weekend getaway from your Culver City apartment.  Check out deals on groupon.com or yipit.com.  Ask the hotel if they have discounts at area businesses and restaurants, and pick up a local paper, they often have deals at area attractions.

3. Hotel Options!  It might seem like a great bargain to get that hotel at the outskirts of town, but if it isn't convenient or you need to take taxis to get around, it might not be such a bargain.  On the other hand, if you aren't going to be spending time gazing out your window at the sky line or the ocean, why  not rent a hotel, just a bit off the beaten path.  Choosing a hotel that matches your itinerary can make all the difference in your trip.

4. Over packing.  Before you pack, look at the weather, coordinate a plan of activities and pack accordingly.  Pack mix and match clothing, a light jacket, a pair of dark jeans, and a comfortable pair of shoes.  Select neutral colors such as black, navy, tan, and white.

5. New shoes.  We just had to add this because it happens so often.  You buy the perfect sandals or sneakers for the trip, but you don't give yourself time to wear them in.  Blisters and sore feet are not on your weekend agenda, we hope.

With some careful planning, your next weekend getaway