The best places to visit in California, with practical advice on which destinations fit different trips.
Discover 20 of the best places to visit in California, what each destination is best for, how long to stay and which stops combine well on a realistic trip.
Plan 2 or 3 days in Napa Valley with the right town to stay in, realistic winery pacing, transport choices, reservations, non-wine activities and budget tips.
A realistic 3-day Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur itinerary with the aquarium, coast, Point Lobos, Highway 1 stops, parking advice and current road-planning tips.
Plan a first Lake Tahoe trip with North vs South Shore advice, the best seasons, a 3-day itinerary, beaches, scenic drives, winter conditions and altitude tips.
Plan a first Mammoth Lakes trip with separate summer and winter strategies, a practical 3-day itinerary, altitude advice, road conditions and Eastern Sierra day trips.
Plan a first Mendocino Coast trip with a realistic 3-day itinerary for Mendocino village, Fort Bragg, headlands, redwoods, beaches and Highway 1 driving.
A realistic 4-day Orange County itinerary combining Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point without turning the trip into constant driving.
Plan a first Paso Robles trip with a realistic 2-day itinerary, downtown and wine-country ideas, designated-driver advice, family options, seasons and Central Coast combinations.
Plan a relaxed first visit to Sonoma with a 2-day itinerary around the plaza, history, wine-country scenery, designated-driver planning, families, accessibility and nearby stops.
Plan a first trip to Morro Bay with a relaxed 2-day itinerary for the Embarcadero, Morro Rock, estuary and nearby coast, plus family, mobility, parking and lodging advice.