California, my beloved home in the US! Growing up on the East Coast, I always envisioned myself as a quintessential California girl, blonde hair flowing, cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway in a convertible. While the convertible is still on my wishlist, I’ve spent nearly eight years living in Los Angeles, and my affection for this state has only deepened. Now, I’m excited to share my insider knowledge with you in this California Travel Guide!
Few places in the United States offer such incredible diversity within a single state. Imagine starting your day basking on the sun-kissed beaches of Southern California, then venturing into dramatic desert landscapes, and concluding with an evening of wine tasting in world-renowned vineyards – all theoretically possible in one day, though not recommended for a relaxed pace!
Journey further north, and the iconic palm-lined beaches give way to the rugged Northern California coastline, majestic Redwood forests, and yet – even more wine country! California truly has something to captivate every traveler. However, planning a trip to the Golden State can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, you can’t see it all in one go, and that’s perfectly okay!
That’s where this California travel guide comes in.
Girl standing in a dress on the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
California, the third-largest state in the US, boasts unparalleled geographical diversity and a wealth of activities. No matter your interests or travel style, an unforgettable adventure awaits. Even after nearly a decade here, my California bucket list continues to grow!
This California travel guide is your essential starting point. It provides crucial preliminary information to help you plan that dream California escape. We’ll cover everything from the best time to visit, what to expect from the diverse California weather, my personal favorite destinations across the state, and inspiring road trip ideas to ignite your wanderlust. Keep reading for all my top California travel tips!
Table Of Contents
- The Best Time to Visit California
- What to Expect From Weather in California
- The Best Way to Get Around
- Packing For Your Trip
- Budgeting For a Trip to California
- Tips For Planning Your Itinerary
- Where to Find the Best Accommodation in California
- California Travel Dos and Don’ts
- Where to Visit in California Depending on Your Travel Style
- Top Activities to Check Off Your California Bucket List
- My Personal Favorite Areas of California
- 5 Epic California Road Trip Ideas
- Planning a trip right now? Make your life easier with this checklist of my favorite travel resources.
The Best Time to Visit California
One of the joys of planning a California travel adventure is that there’s truly no bad time to visit. While some periods are more ideal than others, California is blessed with fantastic weather year-round.
However, the “best” time really depends on your chosen destinations and activities within California, a crucial point to consider when using this California travel guide. Skiing or snowboarding? Winter is your season.
Many instinctively think summer is the prime time for California’s famed sunshine. And while Southern California beaches are glorious then, desert destinations like Death Valley and Palm Springs become intensely hot. Northern California summers are also notorious for unpredictable weather and coastal fog.
Personally, I believe Fall (late September/October) is the goldilocks season for a comprehensive California road trip. The desert heat begins to subside, and Southern California retains its beach-perfect weather. San Francisco also experiences its “Indian Summers,” offering clearer skies and pleasant beach days in Northern California. Bonus: fewer crowds and potentially better accommodation deals.
Ultimately, for the most tailored advice, research the specific California locations you plan to explore, as weather conditions vary significantly across the state.
Read More: California in Fall
Read More: California in Summer
Read More: California in Spring
What to Expect From Weather in California
Sign at Paradise Cove
California is renowned for its Mediterranean climate, characterized by dry, warm summers and mild, wetter winters. This is a general overview, and understanding regional nuances is vital for any California travel guide.
Northern California mornings often start with fog, particularly along the coast, but it typically dissipates by midday.
Southern California coastal areas enjoy consistently mild temperatures year-round, with July and August being the warmest months and winter being cooler but still pleasant.
Inland California experiences the most extreme temperature variations. Deserts become scorching in summer (Death Valley holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded), while high desert and mountain regions can plummet to freezing temperatures in winter.
SUMMER
Summer is peak tourist season in California, drawn by the hot, sunny weather along the famous beaches. Southern California temperatures can reach the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit (27-37°C), while inland areas can soar above 100°F (38°C+).
Be aware of “June Gloom” in Southern California, a coastal phenomenon where gray, overcast days are common at the start of summer. While it often burns off, be prepared for cooler, gloomier beach days. Even in summer, coastal evenings can be cool, so layering is advisable.
FALL
Fall is my personal favorite for exploring California, as the weather is broadly ideal across many regions. Southern California remains warm well into October, and inland desert areas cool down significantly, making them much more comfortable to visit.
Northern California enjoys some of its sunniest days in early autumn. Yosemite Valley, for example, often sees highs in the comfortable 70-80°F (21-27°C) range in September and October.
WINTER
California winters, while milder than many parts of the US, are the wettest season and can be surprisingly cool, especially along the coast.
In Los Angeles, from December to February, expect nighttime lows in the high 40s to low 50s Fahrenheit (4-10°C) and midday highs up to around 69°F (20°C). However, occasional warm spells can push temperatures much higher, even into the 90s°F (32°C+) in January!
Northern California winters are cooler, with lows in the high 40s°F (4-10°C) and highs around 58-60°F (14-16°C). For snow activities, plan your California travel between December and late February.
SPRING
Many consider spring the most beautiful season in California, and it’s hard to disagree. This is when the famous “Superblooms” of wildflowers occur, typically peaking in April. Expect pleasant, mild temperatures ranging from 50-70°F (10-21°C) throughout the day.
The Best Way to Get Around
California is a road trip paradise, a fact emphasized in most California travel guides. However, remember the state’s immense size! Driving from top to bottom is about a 12-hour non-stop journey (without traffic!), so covering the entire state in a week is unrealistic.
For road trips, flying into a major city like San Diego, Los Angeles, or San Francisco is ideal. These serve as excellent starting points to rent a car and begin your adventure. My preferred rental car platform is always Rentalcars.com.
Check prices on Rentalcars.com
If your California travel focuses solely on a major city, you might manage with public transport and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, avoiding car rentals. San Francisco boasts the best public transport among California cities. However, for Los Angeles or San Diego, a car is highly recommended for convenience and cost-effectiveness compared to relying heavily on Ubers.
For city-hopping in Southern California without driving, consider the scenic Pacific Surfliner Amtrak train. It connects San Diego to San Luis Obispo, stopping at Los Angeles and Santa Barbara along the coast.
Read More California Posts
My Perfect 1-Day Venice Beach Itinerary
Weekend Guide to the Best Things to do in Ojai, California
23 Best Boutique Hotels in California for Design Lovers
Packing For Your Trip
Essential clothing items for packing for a California trip, as suggested by a California travel guide.
The key to packing for a California travel experience is layers and a relaxed style. Think versatile pieces that transition from day to night. Pack both shorts and longer pants, light jackets, and sweaters alongside t-shirts and tank tops. Sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen are essential!
Californian culture is famously laid-back. Unless you have specific formal events planned, overly dressy attire is unnecessary. Even in upscale Los Angeles restaurants, jeans are widely acceptable.
Before packing, consider your planned activities. California offers countless outdoor adventures: surfing, snowboarding, paddleboarding, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, camping, even scuba diving! Determine any specialized gear needed for your chosen activities (rentals are usually available locally).
Warm Weather California Packing List:
- 2-3 t-shirts and/or tank tops
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- A couple of light jackets/sweaters (a denim jacket is perfect for summer evenings)
- Sunglasses
- Hat (this is my all-time favorite hat brand – very Californian!)
- Denim shorts (shop denim shorts here)
- 1 pair of jeans
- Flip flops (these are my go-to)
- Stylish flat sandals suitable for day and evening
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimsuit (find some of my favorite brands here, here and here)
- Beach Coverup
- Casual dresses like sundresses
- 1-2 nicer outfits for evenings or dressier occasions
- Crossbody bag or daytime tote for essentials
- Day backpack for hands-free exploring (currently loving this one)
- Small evening bag
- SPF (This reef-safe option is great)
- Insulated water bottle to keep drinks cold in the heat (my favorite water bottle)
- Beach towel or blanket (round towels like these round towels are trendy!)
- A good book (Need recommendations? Here are 10 books that changed my life)
- Hiking shoes (best cute and functional hiking boots)
- Yoga pants or athleisure wear (my favorite brand is here)
- Makeup/toiletries
- Body lotion (California air can be dry!)
- Socks
- Underwear/bras
- Hair ties
- Pajamas (this brand makes the softest pjs ever)
- Your camera!
For boating or camping, pack warmer jackets/sweaters, beanies, and scarves.
Winter California Packing List:
- 2-3 t-shirts and/or tank tops (for layering)
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- Warmer jackets (leather or light peacoats/shearling coats work well in California winter)
- A couple of cozy sweaters
- Sunglasses
- Hat (again, my all-time favorite hat brand – very Californian!)
- Winter hat (might not be needed by the coast, but essential in mountains/high desert)
- 1-2 pairs of jeans/pants
- Stylish boots like these are a winter California staple
- Heavy-duty winter boots (if mountain trips are planned)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- 1-2 nicer outfits for evenings or dressier occasions
- Crossbody bag or daytime tote
- Day backpack (still obsessed with this one)
- Small evening bag
- SPF (reef safe option here)
- Insulated water bottle (my go-to water bottle)
- A good book (10 life-changing books here)
- Hiking shoes (best cute hiking boots)
- Yoga pants or athleisure wear (favorite brand here)
- Makeup/toiletries
- Body lotion (California air is drying!)
- Socks (include wool socks for mountain trips)
- Underwear/bras
- Hair ties
- Pajamas (softest pjs ever from this brand)
- Mittens (for mountain or high desert time)
- Your camera!
Additional Items: Remember to pack specialized gear for activities like snowboarding, scuba diving, etc.
Budgeting For a Trip to California
Budgeting for California travel – dining out
California travel isn’t budget-friendly, especially if you plan on hotels, trendy restaurants, and activities (which is likely why you’re visiting!). However, budgets vary greatly depending on your travel style.
For example, a recent Death Valley road trip involved budget cabin stays, self-catering (limited food options near the park), and free nature-based activities. Gas was the main expense.
Contrast that with Napa or San Francisco trips, with daily restaurant meals, upscale lodging, wine tastings, and fine dining – significantly pricier!
How Much to Budget Per Day
Accommodation costs start around $100/night, unless you opt for hostels, campsites, or Airbnb private rooms. Even desirable glamping sites in California often exceed $100 (some closer to $300) due to high demand. Design-focused hotels or high-end resorts will easily be $300+/night.
Food costs can quickly add up. A nice Los Angeles restaurant can easily be $60+ per person for dinner with drinks. Lunch and breakfast can range from $20-$30.
Overall, expect a minimum of $200/day, plus more for higher-end accommodations and dining, and any paid activities.
Fortunately, many of California’s best experiences are nature-based and free!
Here Are Some Estimated Prices on Top California Attractions
- Entrance Fee to Yosemite National Park: $35 per vehicle
- Day passes to Disneyland start at around $139/person
- Alcatraz tour cost: Approx $78/person
- Hearst Castle tours: Starting at $25/person
- Wine tastings in Napa: Average cost is about $20 per tasting/person
- Skyspace Los Angeles tickets: Start at $28/person
- Entrance Fee to Sequoia National Park: $35 per vehicle
- Entrance Fee to Joshua Tree National Park: $30 per vehicle
*please note prices may change
Tips For Planning Your Itinerary
When itinerary planning, I start with fixed details, a crucial step for efficient California travel planning.
Consider what’s already set: confirmed vacation dates? Flights booked to a specific city? Trip duration? Note these down to build your plan around them.
Next, research and list your California bucket list destinations – the fun part! I use Google Maps as a trip planner to visualize my trip and understand distances and proximity of attractions.
Using Google Maps for California trip planning
Glamping at Blue Sky Center in California
Once you’ve mapped your dream California travel destinations, create an itinerary based on your trip duration. Use Google Maps to estimate driving times if you’re renting a car (almost essential for California exploration).
You’ll likely need to trim your wishlist – it’s easy to get carried away with California’s abundance of attractions!
Given California’s vast distances, I recommend at least 2 nights per location to avoid driving fatigue and properly explore each destination.
Driving times between popular destinations to give you an idea of what to expect:
- Los Angeles to San Diego: 120 miles (about 2.5 hours)
- Los Angeles to Palm Springs: 105 miles (about 2 hours)
- Los Angeles to Big Sur: 297 miles (5.5 hours)
- Los Angeles to Santa Barbara: 95 miles (about 2 hours)
- Los Angeles to San Francisco: 387 miles (about 5 hours, 40 minutes)
- San Francisco to Napa: 50 miles (1 hour)
- San Francisco to Yosemite: 200 miles (3.5 hours)
- San Francisco to Big Sur: 146 miles (2.5 hours)
- San Francisco to the Mendocino Coast: 163 miles (about 3 hours)
- San Francisco to Lake Tahoe: 272 miles (4 hours, 20 minutes)
- San Diego to Joshua Tree: 166 miles (2.5 hours)
Where to Find the Best Accommodation in California
California offers every accommodation style imaginable, as any good California travel guide will tell you. Big cities have vast hotel and home rental choices. Smaller towns offer charming motels and local B&Bs.
Sprawling resorts? California has them. Rustic cabins? Plenty of those too. Some California destinations are synonymous with unique lodging – Joshua Tree, for example, has become a haven for trendy Airbnb rentals with distinctive architecture and desert flair.
Nature-focused destinations offer rustic lodges, traditional camping, and cool glamping options like yurts and airstreams. I even wrote a detailed post on the best glamping in California.
California truly caters to every traveler’s accommodation preferences.
Here are some posts I’ve written on a variety of accommodations in California to get you inspired!
Tiny Cabin Getaway for a Romantic Weekend from Los Angeles
Where to Stay in Ojai for Every Budget
23 Best Boutique Hotels in California for Design Lovers
Where to Stay in Yosemite
22 Most Unique Places to Stay in California
Unique cabin accommodation in California
My Favorite Sites For Booking Accommodation in California:
Unsure where to book? Here are my go-to sites for hotels and home rentals in California:
Booking.com
Booking.com offers the widest range of accommodations with extensive filters to find your ideal stay!
Booking.com Find hotels at Booking.com
Airbnb
Airbnb for laid-back home rentals, from treehouses and yurts to luxury villas and condos.
Hotel Tonight
Hotel Tonight for last-minute deals on top-rated hotels.
Plum Guide
For a curated selection of stunning vacation rentals, Plum Guide is the place. Surprisingly affordable options are available!
California Travel Dos and Don’ts
Death Valley elevation sign – travel tips
The Dos
- Factor in traffic when estimating driving times (especially around Los Angeles). Waze app is great for quicker routes!
- Pack layers.
- Allow for spontaneity in your itinerary.
- Plan your itinerary using Google Maps – simplifies everything. See my guide on Google Maps trip planner.
- Purchase an America the Beautiful annual parks pass ($80) if visiting 3+ National Parks in California or elsewhere. It’s cost-effective.
- Budget generously – California isn’t cheap. Experiencing the best restaurants and local experiences comes at a price.
- Tip appropriately. 20% is standard for service staff, taxis, etc. $1-2 per drink at bars.
- Embrace California’s healthy lifestyle. Visit farmers’ markets for local produce, try farm-to-table restaurants (many options!), and take a local yoga class!
The Don’ts
- Try to see everything. It takes years! Prioritize your must-do experiences.
- Forget about snow in California mountains. Higher elevation passes close seasonally.
- Fall for tourist traps. The Hollywood Walk of Fame and sign are iconic, but explore beyond the obvious for a real taste of California life.
- Overpack your days. California cities, especially LA, are congested. Focus on exploring one neighborhood per day to avoid traffic frustration.
Where to Visit in California Depending on Your Travel Style
| Best Winter Destinations | Big Bear, Mammoth Mountain, and Lake Tahoe
