Home

Big Sur coastline and California Highway One overlooking the Pacific Ocean
WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA FOR YOU

Discover California, one great trip at a time.

From beautiful coastlines and national parks to unforgettable cities and road trips, find inspiration and practical advice for your next California adventure.

Explore destinations Plan your trip
START HERE

Everything starts with a good plan

Visiting California for the first time? Start with these helpful guides.

Your First Trip

California Travel Guide

Decide where to go, how long to stay and how to travel between regions.

Read the guide
The Right Season

Best Time to Visit

Compare coastal, mountain and desert weather before choosing your dates.

Read the guide
A Ready-Made Route

10-Day Road Trip

Follow a realistic first-trip itinerary through major California highlights.

Read the guide
EXPLORE CALIFORNIA

Where would you like to go?

Begin with an iconic city, a national park, a quiet coast or a mountain lake.

Golden Gate Bridge in San FranciscoSan Francisco Downtown Los Angeles skylineLos Angeles Coronado Beach in San DiegoSan Diego Yosemite Valley and granite cliffsYosemite Bixby Creek Bridge along Big SurBig Sur Emerald Bay in Lake TahoeLake Tahoe
See all places to visit
FIND YOUR CALIFORNIA

Explore by travel style

Whether you love the outdoors or prefer city breaks, find the right kind of adventure.

CitiesNeighborhoods, culture and great places to stayRoad TripsThe scenic way to explore CaliforniaNational ParksMountains, forests and desert landscapesBeaches & CoastOcean views and laid-back coastal townsFamily TravelFun, flexible trips for all agesTheme ParksPark days, rides and practical tips
ROAD TRIPS

The journey is part of the adventure

Three beautiful routes with realistic daily planning and plenty of time to explore.

See all road trips
MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Find a route that fits your trip

Select your travel time and interests. We’ll point you toward one of our existing California guides — a useful starting point you can adapt.

A small planning tip

California is big. A slower itinerary usually means a better vacation, especially when traveling with children.

How much time do you have?
What kind of trip sounds best?
YOUR SUGGESTED STARTING POINT

Ten-day California highlights

A balanced first-time route through San Francisco, Yosemite, the coast and Los Angeles.

Read this itinerary

This tool recommends published guides; it does not calculate driving times, availability or reservations.

Illustrated map of California highlighting roads and travel regionsExplore California by region
CALIFORNIA REGIONS

From the coast to the mountains

Pick a region and discover where to begin.

Northern CaliforniaRedwoods, rugged shoreline and wine countrySan Francisco Bay AreaNeighborhoods, views and day tripsCentral CoastMonterey, Big Sur and seaside townsLos Angeles & Orange CountyCity highlights, beaches and family stopsSan Diego & the SouthBeach neighborhoods and easy days outsideSierra Nevada & DesertsAlpine lakes, granite peaks and wide-open spaces
TRIP PLANNING MADE EASIER

Practical tips for a smoother California trip

Choose where to sleep, how much to budget, when to visit and how to keep the journey comfortable.

Browse planning guides
When to goCompare California seasons by regionTrip budgetPlan for transport, accommodation and daily expensesWhere to stayPick the right neighborhood for your visitTravel with kidsEasy-going days for every age
FRESH INSPIRATION

Latest travel guides

New ideas, destinations and ways to discover the Golden State.

Visit the blog
YOUR CALIFORNIA, YOUR WAY

A little inspiration. A better planned adventure.

Explore the places you love, choose a realistic route and make the most of your days in California.

Find places to visit
California for YouTravel guides · Road trips · Local inspiration · Practical planning tips