California Holidays

There is so much to see and do in California. It would take several trips to tick everything off, from the weird and the wonderful, to the incredibly spectacular.

Los Angeles is a good place to start. Home to film stars, musicians, artists and entrepreneurs, the home of Hollywood needs no introduction. Browse the glistening shops on Rodeo Drive, take a stroll along the boardwalk at Venice Beach, and hike up to the Griffith Observatory and the iconic Hollywood sign.

But, when it comes to must-see attractions, San Francisco certainly gives LA a run for its money. You can cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge, see the famous ‘Painted Ladies’ row of houses, and drive down zigzagging Lombard Street. A trip to world-famous Alcatraz Prison is a must, too.  

If you’re looking for a foodie adventure, Napa Valley should be at the top of your list. In this famous wine region, you’ll find a lavish selection of award-winning vineyards, Michelin-starred restaurants and generous tasting tours. 

Gushing waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, dramatic valleys – California’s national parks are home to some astonishing natural wonders. From blistering hot desert landscapes to granite wonderlands, the diversity is simply amazing.

Yosemite National Park is popular among outdoor enthusiasts, with its wide selection of activities, including hiking, rafting, rock climbing and fishing. You can also expect to see all kinds of wildlife, ancient sequoia trees and famous rock formations, like Half Dome.

All the national parks are beautiful, but nature lovers should definitely set some time aside for Redwood National Park, home to some of the tallest trees in the world. Meanwhile, Joshua Tree National Park is peppered with unusually large yucca trees and glistening rocks.

But if you’re looking for otherworldly landscapes, there’s nowhere quite like Death Valley. A timeless expanse of Californian desert, this barren place truly looks like another planet. It’s one of the hottest places on Earth, too, with temperatures often reaching 50°C in summer.

California caters to families of all shapes and sizes, with a range of activities, attractions and entertainment. Movie buffs will be in their element in Los Angeles, where Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood provided hours of fun for both parents and kids. And the whole family can stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and look out for your favourite stars’ names.

San Diego is also a great choice for families. This city has no fewer than 17 museums, as well as the famous San Diego Zoo. Birch Aquarium is also worth visiting, as kids will love the fascinating array of marine life.

Another popular option is to rent a car and embark on a road trip. Set off from Los Angeles and head along Route 66, or drive the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to San Diego. You can explore at your own pace, as you stop off at Santa Cruz, Monterey and Santa Barbara, and admire California’s fantastic coastline.  

Due to the sheer size of California, there’s no single time of the year that can be declared best for a visit. Los Angeles is very much a year-round destination with plenty of sunshine, blue skies and pleasant temperatures. Even in winter, it rarely drops below 20°C.

National parks like Yosemite and Redwood are at their most spectacular in April and May, when the melted winter snows reveals hiking trails and cascading waterfalls. Southern California’s beaches and theme parks also start to benefit from longer, warmer days in spring – and you can make the most of them before the summer crowds arrive.

If you’d like to explore the Napa Valley wine region, September to October is the best time to visit, as temperatures are mild and the grape harvest – known as ‘the crush’ – is in full swing. At the same time, there’s also a two-week foodie festival in Sacramento that’s well worth visiting.