California holidays

California holidays

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Holidays to California are packed full of adventures. Not only is it USA’s third-largest state, but it’s home to famous cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose. Its landscape is pretty diverse too, from the snow-capped peaks of Lake Tahoe in the north to the vast deserts of Southern California.
 
And of course you can’t come all this way without sampling its laid-back beach scene. You’ll find family-friendly stretches complete with bustling boardwalks alongside surfing hotspots perfect for watersports fans. While nature lovers can hike to serene sands backed by stunning sea cliffs.

Things to do

Set on a peninsula on California’s northwest coast, the famously hilly San Francisco has some steep streets but there’s plenty of public transport options to save your legs. More like a small town than a big city with its Victorian-style houses and old-fashioned streetcars, you’ll feel at home in no time. Take in those iconic views of Golden Gate Bridge, dive into San Fran’s theatre scene, or escape to Alcatraz Island - this place has quite the list of attractions! Have you come to California to indulge? Then you shouldn’t miss the wineries of Sonoma and Napa Valley. 

For a taste of glamour head to Los Angeles, the home of red carpets and golden sands – think Laguna Beach and the iconic Malibu Beach (which inspired Baywatch). And if that wasn’t enough excitement, wait until we tell you there’s a Disneyland Resort here!

Further south of LA is sunny San Diego, which borders Mexico. Bringing the kids? They’ll love its nature theme parks such as San Diego Zoo, as well as the cultural hub of Balboa Park with its shows, museums and amazing events.

California’s cities can get pretty crowded, so if you’re looking for something more relaxing, there’s plenty of spots where you can enjoy a lazy beach day. With mile upon mile of stunning coastline, tall rocky cliffs make way for stretches of soft sand, perfect for families who wish to unwind by the sparkling sea. From San Francisco’s romantic Ocean Beach to LA’s chilled-out Laguna, you’re bound to find a shore that suits you.

If you like to get a culture fix on holiday, you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re exploring the museums and theatres of San Francisco, visiting Balboa Park or looking at the night sky from the Griffith Observatory, California is a treasure-trove of fascinating sights.

Foodies are also in luck here with everything from wineries to bubble tea stands and seafood stalls to breakfast pancakes on offer. Of course, your visit to Los Angeles wouldn’t be complete without sipping a frappuccino on Sunset Boulevard, watching the glitzy world of Hollywood go by.

California isn’t the easiest place to get around but if you’re prepared to hire a car, its landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful. Outdoor lovers will be in their element with trips to Yosemite Valley and Lassen Volcanic National Park. But nothing beats a sunrise hike through Death Valley, a must when it comes to exploring the beautiful east coast in all its jaw-dropping glory.
 

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Map of California

world_map
32 ℃

Expect soaring highs in summer and mild daytime temperatures all year.

12 hours

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and San Diego International Airport (SAN).

California is best for...

Movie fans: Rub shoulders with off-duty A-listers when you head for glamorous Hollywood. Don’t miss the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard and Universal Studios Hollywood

Families: Make those childhood dreams come true in California’s epic theme parks. How about a trip to Disneyland Resort? Or do as the locals do and head for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Road trippers: Hire a car and bring that all-American road trip to life. Drive along the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway and see where you end up.
 

Fast facts for California

Language: The language spoken here is English.

Currency: The currency used is US Dollars ($).

Local time: California is 8 hours behind GMT/UK time.

Fly to: LAX or San Francisco International Airport. Transfer times can vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the transport option you choose.

Flight time from UK: The flight time to California is around 11–12 hours.

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Getting around California

By bus/metro: It’s a cheap and efficient way to travel around San Francisco and Los Angeles.
 
By tram: You’ll find charming streetcars in San Francisco, or you can always explore downtown San Diego on its bright red trolley.

By taxi: San Diego and San Francisco run metered taxis, but you can try asking for an estimate before you get in. You’ll also be expected to pay a 15% to 20% tip.

By hire car: A car will give you the freedom to fully explore this vast, spread out state. So if you’re planning on a road trip, this is the way to do it properly.

By horse-drawn carriage: Carriages and pedicabs are a quirky way to take a trip down San Diego’s charming seafront.

Events in California

Film festivals: On the must-see list are the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, and September’s SoCal Independent Film Festival in Huntington Beach, Orange County.

Music and arts: The ultra-cool Coachella music and arts festival takes place in April. And look out for the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach from July to August, where clever performers and artists recreate artworks with staging, makeup and costumes.

Sports: Petrol heads come to Fontana from all over the US and beyond to see the NASCAR Sprint Cup races in September. If you love your winter sports, head to Lake Tahoe for the US Freestyle Championships at the end of March every year.
 

California weather

Temperature: 13 to 32°C.

Best time of year to visit: If you like it hot, visit in summer when temperatures can reach a toasty 32 °C.

Spring is a beautiful time of year for California holidays, with mild daytime temperatures which are ideal for exploring everything the Golden State has to offer. California summers can get uncomfortably hot (32°C) but don’t worry there’s plenty of places to cool off along the coast. Looking for a more laid-back experience? Choose holidays to California in the autumn; this time of year is grape harvest season. If you’re planning some skiing, head for the mountains in winter and you’ll find plenty of snow. Temperatures vary from 8°C in San Francisco to 15°C in LA and San Diego.
 

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