California.
I’m an east coast girl through and through, but California’s natural beauty is undeniable and at least one of its big cities is sure to charm. With so much to offer, from national parks that leave you in awe to the hilly San Francisco streets, California is a destination worth your time!
I’ve visited Los Angeles and San Francisco a couple time each, but it was the California road trip that really opened my eyes to the grandeur of this state!
Not Sure Where to Start?
California Travel FAQs
How do I get to California?
Los Angeles and San Francisco both have major international airports, so flying in is the easiest option depending on which part of the state you’re visiting first. I found a great flight deal from Orlando to LA, so it’s worth shopping around even from the East Coast. Of course, driving or train is an option within North America, but flying is the easiest
How long is the drive between destinations on a California road trip?
California is a massive state, so expect drive times to reflect that fact. On my 2 week California road trip, I did a lot of driving, but had epic stops along the way! Los Angeles to Yosemite is about 4.5 hours, Yosemite to San Francisco is about 3.5 hours, and then from San Francisco to Los Angeles is about 6 hours or longer if you take the Pacific Coast Highway.
How many days do you need in California?
It depends on how much ground you want to cover. You can spend weeks and still not see everything, but if you have two weeks, you can definitely get in the highlights. I recommend 3 days in Yosemite, and I also did 2 days in San Francisco when on my 2 week California road trip that also included Napa Valley and the Pacific Coast Highway. If you only have a week, I’d recommend picking two of these rather than rushing all three.
Is Yosemite worth visiting?
Yes, and it was one of the highlights of my entire trip. The hikes range from easy walks to genuinely strenuous climbs, so there’s something for most fitness levels. I visited in October and loved the fall colors and lighter crowds. Read my full 3 days in Yosemite itinerary for specifics.
Do I need a car in California?
Yes, especially for Los Angeles and for connecting destinations on a road trip. I drove during my 3 days in LA and can confirm its bad traffic and parking issues, so plan accordingly, or lean on rideshares strategically. San Francisco itself is more walkable, and I got around a lot of it on foot during my 2 days there, but you’ll still want a car to reach Napa Valley or continue on to Yosemite.
Is California expensive to visit?
Yes, California can add up quickly no matter how you approach it. Flights, gas (I was in utter disbelief at gas prices), accommodations, and food all trend higher than many other US destinations. That said, deals do exist and there are ways to trim the cost, but plan for larger spending!
Planning Your California Trip: Everything You Need to Know
When to Visit California
California is a big state, so the ideal time really depends on where you’re headed. Southern California has mild weather year round, but you’ll want to pay attention to weather reports for the Northern region.
Best time to visit: April, May, September, October, early November. As always, I love the shoulder months and avoiding crowds in California is ideal! Though be sure to consider wildfire season and go with healthy expectations during this time.
I did my 2 week road trip through LA, Yosemite, Napa, San Francisco, and the Pacific Coast Highway in October, and it worked out great. My 3 days in Yosemite had fall colors, no road closures, and crowds that never felt overwhelming anywhere I went.
Heading into the winter months, Southern California can still offer beautiful weather and a pleasant visit. I’ve visited Los Angeles in early November and the weather was beautiful! Cool, but not cold and overall very pleasant.
Peak season: June – August. As with most places in the United States, the summer months are peak season. Yosemite is full of crowds, beaches are packed and cities are bustling. Though school traffic is less of a factor, so that is a bonus.
My first time in San Francisco was July while my cousins did a marathon. It was shockingly cold and windy, but I found out that is normal for July in San Francisco. If you’re heading to Northern California, check the weather before your leave, regardless of the time of year!
Wildfire season caution: Wildfires are worth planning around, especially in late summer and fall if national parks or forests are on your itinerary. Wildfires forced us to skip Sequoia National Park entirely on our road trip, so it’s smart to check conditions before locking in specific stops.
Getting to California
By air: Most visitors fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or San Francisco International Airport (SFO), both with extensive nonstop domestic and international routes. If you’re focused on the Bay Area, Oakland International (OAK) is often less hectic than SFO and can sometimes run cheaper. For Southern California, Burbank’s Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is a smaller, easier alternative to LAX if your trip centers on LA itself.
By car: If you’re driving to California rather than flying, there are plenty of major routes in from cities in other states like Phoenix or Las Vegas. Driving from Phoenix to LA takes about 6 hours, and Las Vegas to LA is roughly 4 hours, making California an easy add-on if you’re already road tripping the Western USA.
From the airport: Rental cars are essential almost everywhere outside the immediate downtown cores. LA in particular has limited public transit, so plan on renting a car or budgeting for rideshares if you’re staying multiple days. San Francisco is more walkable once you’re there, but you’ll still want a car to reach Napa Valley, Yosemite, or points along the coast. I’ve used rideshares until it was time to leave the city, then I’ve rented a car.
Budget tip: Compare LAX against Burbank or Long Beach, and SFO against Oakland or San Jose. Secondary airports can have cheaper fares and far less congestion. If your trip is a one-way road trip (LA to San Francisco or vice versa), booking a one-way rental can cost more than a round trip, so it’s worth pricing both ways before booking. And try to avoid peak season, so you’re not dealing with higher prices.
Getting Around California
California as a whole: A car is essential for getting between destinations. Distances between LA, Yosemite, San Francisco, and Napa Valley are significant, and public transportation between them is limited to nonexistent. If you’re doing a multi-stop trip like my 2 week road trip, renting a car or camper van before you go is the way to go for flexibility, but you can find tours if you absolutely don’t want to drive.
Los Angeles: LA requires a car, and it comes with real downsides: notoriously bad traffic and frustrating parking are just part of the experience. Rideshares are an option, but costs add up fast if
you’re using them constantly, or exploring greater Los Angeles. Public transit exists but is limited, and walking or renting a scooter works well once you’re within a specific neighborhood. Read my 3 days in LA guide for more.
San Francisco: Once you’re in San Francisco, you don’t need a car. I found a lot of the city walkable during my time there, and a hop-on hop-off bus tour is a good option if you want to hit the major sights without worrying about parking or driving yourself. You’ll still want a car if you plan to continue on to Napa Valley or Yosemite afterward.
Where to Stay in California
Since California is such a large state, where you stay really depends on what part of the trip you’re focused on. Here’s how I’d think about a home base for each area.
Los Angeles is a great base if your trip centers on the city itself, or if you want to explore the coast from Malibu down to Laguna Beach as day trips.
San Diego is a good base for exploring the Southern California coast, with easy access to La Jolla’s beaches and sea caves, Coronado Island, and Balboa Park. It’s also close to the Mexican border, so a day trip into Tijuana is possible if that interests you.
Yosemite is best approached by staying just outside the park rather than trying to day-trip in from a major city. Lodging inside Yosemite books up fast and costs more, so basing yourself nearby gives you more flexibility. Read my 3 days in Yosemite for more on how I approached it.
San Francisco makes an excellent base for exploring the Bay Area, and it’s an easy launching pad to Napa Valley or Muir Woods for day trips without needing to relocate. I stayed near Presidio during my 2 days San Francisco, which put me close to the Golden Gate Bridge and other city attractions.
Napa Valley is a great place to stay for a quiet experience, with St. Helena worth considering as an adorable, smaller-town base within the valley, and Sonoma, Muir Woods, and San Francisco all within driving distance for day trips.
Palm Springs works well as a base for desert exploration with Joshua Tree National Park being about an hour away. It’s roughly 2 hours from Los Angeles, making it a reasonable add-on to LA or a stop on the way toward Arizona for a road trip.
Top Things to Do in California
Whether you’re chasing national park views, city exploring, or coastal drives, California offers something for every type of traveler. Here are some highlights from my own trips.
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway: One of the most scenic drives in the country, the PCH connects California’s coastline with dramatic ocean views. Be sure to enjoy Big Sur along the way. Overall, I loved this drive during my 2 week California road trip and it delivered even more than I expected.
Explore Yosemite National Park: From the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias to the hike to Vernal Falls Bridge, Yosemite is packed with unforgettable scenery. Glacier Point and Washburn Point are worth the drive for sweeping views without any hiking required. Read my 3 days in Yosemite for the full itinerary and see why it’s a top thing to do in California, and even the United States in general!
Explore a coastal city: California has great cities to explore. Whether you head to Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco, you can enjoy each of these cities and their unique vibes.
Visit the Griffith Observatory: My favorite experience in Los Angeles, offering great views over the city. Check out my 3 days in LA guide for more must-see spots.
Walk or drive across the Golden Gate Bridge: A San Francisco icon, and the surrounding area near Golden Gate Beach is a great spot for sunset. Part of my 2 days in San Francisco itinerary.
Wine taste in Napa Valley or St. Helena: A quieter, more relaxed stop on a California trip, with St. Helena in particular standing out as an adorable small-town base within the valley.
Explore Joshua Tree National Park: Known for its otherworldly desert landscape, distinctive Joshua trees, and popular rock climbing and stargazing spots, it’s about 2-3 hours from Los Angeles or San Diego.
Visit Lake Tahoe: Straddling the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is known for its striking blue water, surrounded by mountains that make it a year-round destination, popular for skiing in winter and hiking, boating, and swimming in summer.
Explore Muir Woods: Just north of San Francisco, Muir Woods is home to towering old-growth redwoods and makes for an easy half-day trip from the city, even if you’re short on time.
Visit Sequoia National Park: Home to some of the largest trees on Earth, including the General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park was actually the original first stop planned for my road trip, but wildfires forced us to reroute straight to Yosemite instead. It’s still on my list for a future trip, and it pairs well with Yosemite if you have extra time for a national parks focused itinerary.
Essential California Travel Tips
Book accommodations early: California is one of the most visited states in the country, and popular spots like Yosemite, San Francisco, and coastal LA can fill up months in advance, especially during summer and holidays. If you’re visiting Yosemite specifically, book lodging well ahead since options inside and near the park are limited.
Travel insurance: Worth considering depending on your trip length and budget, especially if you’re flying in from out of state or combining California with other stops. Also worth factoring in if wildfire season could affect your itinerary, since fires can force last-minute route changes.
What to pack:
- Layers, since temperatures can vary widely between coastal cities, LA, and higher elevations like Yosemite
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
- Sunscreen and a hat
- A light jacket or sweater, even in summer, for cooler evenings in San Francisco or higher elevations
- Reusable water bottle
- Swimsuit if your trip includes Southern California beaches or Lake Tahoe
Getting around: A car is essential for most of California, especially if your trip spans multiple regions like LA, Yosemite, and San Francisco. Public transit is limited outside of city centers, so renting a car or van, like I did for my road trip, is the most practical option.
Driving: Traffic is a real factor, especially in and around Los Angeles, where congestion and parking can eat up more time than expected. If your trip includes national parks or forest areas, check for wildfire alerts and road closures before you go, since fires forced us to skip Sequoia National Park entirely on my trip.
Tipping: Standard U.S. tipping applies. Around 18-20% is customary at restaurants, and tipping tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff is appreciated.
Credit cards & cash: Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s smart to carry some cash for smaller vendors, food trucks, or tipping in more remote areas.
Cell service & WiFi: Coverage is generally reliable in cities, but I lost service on the Pacific Coast Highway. Download offline maps or music just in case.
Wildlife: California is home to black bears, especially in Yosemite and other mountain areas. Store food properly, keep your distance, and never feed wildlife. There are sharks in the ocean of course, and my friend spotted a tarantula on the highway during our trip!
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