BEST OF CALIFORNIA TRAVEL GUIDE (2024)

The best time to visit California largely depends on what you want to do: 

• For beach activities, summer (June to August) is ideal.
• If you're looking to avoid crowds and enjoy mild weather, consider spring (March to May) or fall (September to November). 
• Winter (December to February) is perfect for skiing in the mountains like we did near Lake Tahoe. 
• For those who love scenic views, we recommend skipping California in the summer and opting for a winter or spring visit (December to April) instead. During these months, increased rainfall transforms the state into a vibrant landscape of lush greenery & blossoms galore (see what I mean HERE).

That's a tough question & truly depends on not only the specific area you are visiting, but also on the things you want to see & explore. While public transportation options are available in major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, we personally suggest renting a car. Especially for exploring more remote areas and scenic drives, such as the Pacific Coast Highway, exploring the Redwood State Park, or even the incredible Yosemite National Park. If you are not planning to travel far from your 'final destination', you could get away without needing a car and of course can opt to grab a quick Uber or Taxi. For us, it's the freedom factor & being able to come & go as we please.

California boasts diverse attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Disneyland in Anaheim, the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles,  to wine country in Napa Valley & Sonoma Valley, to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. 

If you're looking to visit some of Californias best beaches, take a look at these few locations (from north to south); Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, Russian Gulch Bridge & Viewpoint in Mendocino, Arched Rock Beach in Bodega Bay, Ocean Beach Fire Pits in San Francisco, China Cove in Carmel-by-the-sea, Garrapata Beach in Monterey, Santa Monica Pier & Venice Beach, and Laguna Beach. 

To thoroughly enjoy California's varied landscapes, from busy cities and majestic national parks to its scenic coast, allocating two to three weeks is ideal. However, dedicating even just a week allows for a rich experience, particularly if you concentrate on select attractions. For efficiency, research and prioritize a few key spots to visit first. Remember, weekends at popular sites and attractions can get crowded, and it's wise to plan around peak freeway travel times to avoid traffic delays, which are common in California. Our regular visits have taught us that traffic can significantly impact your schedule, turning a short drive into a lengthy ordeal and potentially affecting your California adventure.

To thoroughly enjoy California's varied landscapes, from busy cities and majestic national parks to its scenic coast, allocating two to three weeks is ideal. However, dedicating even just a week allows for a rich experience, particularly if you concentrate on select attractions. For efficiency, research and prioritize a few key spots to visit first. Remember, weekends at popular sites and attractions can get crowded, and it's wise to plan around peak freeway travel times to avoid traffic delays, which are common in California. Our regular visits have taught us that traffic can significantly impact your schedule, turning a short drive into a lengthy ordeal and potentially affecting your California adventure.

• Traffic - Check traffic and weather updates before driving in big cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco or visiting the mountains. Traffic can delay your plans, especially on short trips. For mountain visits in winter (November - April), it may be mandatory for you to carry chains or use a 4-wheel drive. Check here for winter updates from the California Department Of Transportation.

• Book accommodations and popular attractions in advance, especially during peak seasons (June - August). California is a very popular destination & if you are looking to stay in a specific area, we suggest booking as soon as you firgure out your plans - the sooner the better! **For a quick savings hack, check out the GoCity Explore Pass - it's an absolute game changer & travel savings for multiple attractions!

• Plan for the California climate! California's weather can vary quite a bit becuase of the differerent terrains. Pack a few long sleeves & pants (especially from October - April), even if you are visiting during the summer months. Depending where you visit, you may find the evenings (even in the summer months) tend to get cooler. Typically you can plan for lighter wear for the inland heat druing the months of May to September, but if you find yourself in the mountian ranges, typically these temperatures are much cooler, so pack according to the temperatures & seasons.

•  Explore outside the major cities - Make sure to go beyond the metropolitan areas of California! We think the real beauty of California can be found in its national parks, vineyards & beaches! If you look at the answer listed above (must-see places in California), it's hard to only choose a few favorites. If we had to choose just 1 of each, we would choose Yosemite National Park, Viansa Winery in Sonoma Valley, & Laguna Beach. It's hard to choose just one, but we understand what it's like to explore a new destnation with limited time!

• Last but not least, be prepared for inflatted prices in the major metropolitian areas, especially regarding parking fees, daily hotel fees, & an 'included tip' on your meals! I'm sure you are already aware of this, but 99% of the time, you will find these additional fee's while traveling to the larger metropolitian areas in California!