Whether it’s your first visit to the States or you’ve been around a bit, there’s always something new to discover in California.
California is one of the hottest states around, from vibrant cities to the lush forest of the inner reaches of the state, you might just love the Golden State so much, you won’t want to leave!
Get the low down on visiting California, from where to go, what to do and how to save money.
Popular Cities
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• San Diego
• Santa Barbara
• Santa Monica
• Santa Cruz
Nature and Outdoors
• Yosemite National Park
• Laguna Beach
• Death Valley
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Lake Tahoe
• Big Sur
• Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley
• Redwood National Park
• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Top Rated Tourist Attractions
• Anaheim-Disneyland
• Channel Islands
• Carmel-by-the-Sea
Getting Around California
Public transportation in California is, quite lacking. When travelers wonder how to get from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, or from San Diego to Hollywood, the options are limited.
Amtrak and Greyhound will take you most places, but how about having more schedule flexibility and being able to choose who you’ll ride with? That’s the idea behind companies like Uber, that uses pair up drivers and passengers, making ridesharing in California a simple and affordable way to travel around the Golden State.
Let’s say you’re looking to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Go on the Uber app, enter your location, destination and desired date of travel. The list of available rides includes photos of the drivers, as well as the price.
When you’ve made your choice, just click “Book it”. Uber holds your payment and sends a request to the driver, who has 24 hours to respond. If accepted, you’re all good to go to plan a meet-up location. If for any reason your driver flakes on you, Uber has got you covered and will refund your payment. So no stress there!
If you’re the one with the car and you want some company to travel from one place to another, not to mention making extra money to pay for gas, go ahead and post your ad!
If you are 18 – 35 and want to see the highlights of California I recommend group tours with G Adventures or Contiki. Both companies have lots of trips with amazing itineraries, you’ll have lot of fun and discover the best locations with an experienced guide.
Top Things to See and Do in California
Here are some unmissable places to add to your itinerary.
Los Angeles
Come in search of Hollywood glamour, and you might just leave a little star-struck. Los Angeles is the movie-star dream, and there’s plenty to explore within the sprawling city limits.
For a true celebrity-style shopping experience, take a walk through the infamous Beverly Hills neighbourhood. If your budget won’t quite stretch to a pair of Gucci shades, pick up a bag of treats from Instagram-friendly sweet emporium Sugarfina instead.
Hollywood Boulevard is a must, and a visit is included on most of our Western USA tours that begin and end in Los Angeles. Take a walk along the star-studded pavements, and get that selfie with the Hollywood sign in the background!
If you’ve got some time to spare in the area, Venice Beach is packed with locals soaking up the sun, as well as artists, street performers and muscle-bound types in their swimwear. Perfect for people-watching! For an extra taste of beach life, take a trip to Santa Monica and play some retro arcade games along the pier.
Santa Barbara
Referred to as the ‘California Riviera’, Santa Barbara is all about sunshine, sand and shoreline. Taking inspiration from the Mediterranean, Downtown Santa Barbara teems with quaint buildings, reflecting the city’s Spanish colonial influence. Expand your cultural horizons with a visit to Santa Barbara Art Museum, home to over 27,000 works of art.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is the lush, leafy crown on top of any California road trip. Granite peaks stretch even higher than the towering sequoias, and if you squint up at Half Dome, you might just see some tiny ant-like humans making their way up this humungous rock.
If you’ve not got the time or…y’know, available effort to do something QUITE so major, don’t worry – there are still plenty of awesome views to be found in Yosemite. The Mist Trail hike takes you up some of the park’s most stunning water features – first Vernal Fall, then Nevada Fall. It’s one of the most popular short hikes in the park.
Staying on flat ground more your style? Take a hike or bike along to Mirror Lake if it’s the right time of year, and catch the reflections of the peaks above mirrored perfectly in its waters. If you’re lucky, you might spot a herd of deer crossing your path too…
San Francisco
If you’re keen on spending some time in San Fran, I’d definitely recommend a visit to the infamous Alcatraz prison. Top tip – book in advance!
Once you’ve made your prison break back to shore, Pier 39 is packed with tasty seafood restaurants, quirky seaside attractions and of course, the playful seals that often make an appearance.
Further away from the ocean shore, the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood is a must visit for all things, vintage, bohemian and quirky. Fly the flag for LGBT pride in the Castro district, with its welcoming and colourful vibes.
For sports fans, check out a baseball game at ATT Park.
Getting hungry again? Grab dinner at one of the many eateries in Little Italy – serving up some of the best pizza and pasta dishes in the city.
The California Coast
With miles of pristine coastline ahead of you, there’s few better road trips in the USA than the Cali coast. Spend a night under the stars at San Luis Obispo, and take a dip in the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean. To make the trip extra special check out my amazing California playlist.
San Diego
If you’re feeling a bit exhausted from your California road trip adventures, San Diego is the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Mission Beach is the city’s best known sandy spot, with two miles of coastline. Take a stroll or a relaxed bike ride along the boardwalk, take part in some beach volleyball or get your thrills on the Giant Dipper rollercoaster.
If you’re more into greenery than sand, the sprawling expanse of Balboa Park is teeming with green spaces, urban forest and beautiful buildings to take in. And from the Cabrillo National Monument, you can soak in views that stretch all the way to Mexico. For nightlife? The Gaslamp Quarter is THE place to be.
View more of my United States travel tips.