Updated · On BootsnAll since 1999 · History
Overview and Things to Consider
California is genuinely continent-sized within a single state. San Francisco Bay Area emphasizes tech culture and hills. Los Angeles sprawls with entertainment industry focus. San Diego offers temperate beaches. The Central Coast (Big Sur) showcases dramatic coastlines. Yosemite and national parks offer mountain experiences. Death Valley and deserts provide extreme landscapes. Wine country (Napa, Sonoma) appeals to enthusiasts. English is primary language. No passport required for US citizens. California is expensive - prices rival East Coast major cities. The state genuinely rewards multiple weeks of exploration rather than brief visits.
Getting There and Around
Major airports: Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), San Diego (SAN), Oakland (OAK). Flights abundant nationwide. Car rental is truly essential ($40-70 daily). Distances between major attractions are substantial - Pacific Coast Highway drives are iconic. Public transit exists in major cities (BART in Bay Area, Amtrak trains) but car dominates regional exploration. Bus services connect cities affordably. Most visitors rent cars.
What's Changed Since 2016
Prices increased dramatically across all sectors. Homelessness and visible poverty expanded significantly in major cities. Tech industry dominance strengthened in Bay Area. Wildfire risk increased with smoke affecting summers (particularly 2018-2023). National park reservations became mandatory for popular sites. Drought and water concerns persisted. Housing costs reached levels that affected visitor-focused industries. Environmental consciousness increased affecting park management. The state really became pricier and more crowded while maintaining natural appeal.
Ideas to Consider for Your Visit
San Francisco: Bay, neighborhoods, culture. Los Angeles: Beaches, entertainment, sprawl. San Diego: Temperate beaches, Mexican culture. Central Coast: Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Monterey. Yosemite: Mountain scenery, hiking. Wine country: Napa, Sonoma. Death Valley: Desert extremes. Redwoods: Northern forests. Most visitors spend 1-2 weeks. Pacific Coast Highway drive is remarkably iconic. Road trips combining cities with national parks work well. California's size means choosing regions rather than comprehensive coverage. Many travelers base in 2-3 major cities then explore surroundings.
Realities to Be Aware Of
California is expensive. Hotels: $150-300+ nightly (mid-range). Restaurants: $20-50 per meal. Car rental: $40-70 daily. Daily budget: $250-400+ mid-range. Wine country and coastal areas particularly pricey. Homelessness is notably visible in major cities, particularly San Francisco and Los Angeles. Crime varies by neighborhood - research before visiting. Wildfire smoke affects summers (August-September particularly). Earthquakes are possible but seriously rare for visitors. Coastal driving can be hazardous - Big Sur roads require attention. Water quality and pollution concerns exist in some areas.
If California Is Part of a Longer Trip
California works as West Coast anchor for longer USA trips. Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland) connects north. Southwest (Arizona, Utah) connects south/east. Many travelers combine California with nearby regions. Time allocation: 1 week for city focus (San Francisco or Los Angeles). 2-3 weeks allows cities plus some regional exploration. 4+ weeks supports comprehensive coast-to-coast California driving. Most travelers spend 2-3 weeks in California as part of larger West Coast trips.
Yearly Things to Consider
Spring (March-May): Wildflowers, warming, optimal conditions for hiking and driving. Summer (June-August): Warm throughout, wildfire smoke possible (particularly August), peak tourism. Fall (September-November): Cooling, fewer crowds, less smoke. Winter (December-February): Rainy in some regions, snow in mountains. Coastal areas mild year-round.
Ideas for Itineraries
7-Day California Cities
San Francisco (3 days): Bay views, neighborhoods, culture. Los Angeles (3 days): Beaches, entertainment, sprawl. Fly between cities. This captures two major cities without driving demands.
10-Day Pacific Coast Road Trip
San Francisco (2 days). Pacific Coast Highway south: Santa Barbara, Big Sur (2-3 days). Los Angeles (2 days). San Diego (2 days). Rental car throughout. This is distinctly iconic California driving.
2-Week California Mountains and Coast
San Francisco (2 days). Yosemite National Park (3 days): Mountain scenery, hiking. Wine country (2 days): Napa or Sonoma. Pacific Coast (3 days): Big Sur, coastal driving. Los Angeles (2 days). Return San Francisco (1 day). Rental car throughout. This mixes mountains and coast.
3-Week California Comprehensive Journey
San Francisco (3 days). Yosemite and mountains (3 days). Wine country (2 days). Santa Barbara and Central Coast (2 days). Los Angeles (3 days). San Diego (2 days). Desert or inland exploration (2 days). This covers California's major attractions across its length comprehensively.
Nearby on BootsnAll
- Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara in 2026 is a train town most visitors still drive to, a car-free main street the city is fighting over, and an expensive weekend escape where the best meals come from taco counters on Milpas Street and the harbor docks.
From the BootsnAll archive
12 stories and articles about California, 2004 to 2020
- Checking out the Coachella Valley - Palm Springs, California
Article · Jennifer Green
- Oxnard: More than Strawberry Fields Forever! - Oxnard, California
Article · Roy A. Barnes
- A Weekend at California’s Bullfighting School - USA
Article · Tiffany Owens
- California By Rail - Los Angeles to Oakland
Article · Delara Adams
- California Wine Country: Planning a Cheap Trip Yourself
Article · Katie Hammel
- Drums and Dragons: California’s Festivals for the Gods
Article · Ruth Newell
- Seaside Secrets Along Sonoma’s Coastal Highway
Article · Ruth Newell
- Cycling the Pacific Coast
Article · 2020 · Hilary Thomson
Show all 12
- Traveler Postcard - Katie in Monterey, California
Article · 2011 · Katie Hammel
- California Condor Encounters at Pinnacles & Big Sur
Article · 2010 · Linda Kincaid
- The Rugged Palm Springs - California, USA
Article · 2009 · Rick Stanley
- Adventure Love Fest - San Mateo, California
Article · 2004 · Donovan Pacholl
FAQ
Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November) are especially ideal - pleasant temperatures, good weather, fewer crowds. Summer (June-August): Warm, crowded, wildfire smoke possible (August particularly). Winter (December-February): Mild on coast, snow in mountains, rainy in some areas. Avoid August-September for wildfire concerns.
For exploring beyond major cities, yes. Public transit works in San Francisco and Los Angeles but is limited elsewhere. Road trips require cars. Pacific Coast Highway drives demand cars. Rental cars ($40-70 daily) are essential for regional exploration. Some visitors skip cars for city-only visits.
1 week for single city visit. 2 weeks allows city plus regional exploration (Yosemite or coast). 3 weeks supports coast-to-coast driving with stops. California's size means choosing regions - comprehensive coverage requires weeks.
Wildfire smoke affects summers, particularly August-September. Air quality can become unhealthy with poor visibility. Fires occasionally close parks and roads. Check conditions before visiting summer months. Spring and fall offer clearer air. Winter-spring ideal for avoiding smoke concerns.
Hotels: $150-300+ nightly (mid-range). Restaurants: $20-50 per meal. Car rental: $40-70 daily. Attractions: $10-30+ each. Daily budget: $250-400+ mid-range. Wine country and coastal areas particularly expensive. Inland areas slightly cheaper.
Homelessness is truly visible in downtown San Francisco and Los Angeles. It doesn't prevent tourism but affects experience in some neighborhoods. Avoid Downtown Tenderloin at night. Tourist areas are manageable. Use normal urban awareness. Conditions have deteriorated since 2016.
Iconic drive: San Francisco > Santa Barbara > Los Angeles > San Diego (800+ km). Big Sur section is really spectacular. Monterey and Santa Barbara offer stops. Los Angeles to San Diego coastal drive is scenic. Takes 3-5 days driving comfortably. This is quintessential California experience.
San Francisco to Yosemite Valley: 314 km (4-5 hours driving). Los Angeles to Yosemite Valley: 504 km (6 hours). Both are feasible day trips or overnight stays. Yosemite dropped its summer reservation system for 2026, so no entry reservation is needed. Winter access can be limited due to snow.
Update history (26)▸
· Links
Added "Nearby on BootsnAll" links to the new city guides split out of this one: Santa Barbara
· Fact-check
Fact-checked against current sources: 1 correction
- Both distances are too short. NPS gives 314 km (4-5 h) from San Francisco and 504 km from Los Angeles. Yosemite also dropped its timed reservation system for 2026. (source)
· Rewrite
Updated for modern frameworks, with content updates and changes
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
1 article, by Katie Hammel, plus 1 member blog post from 1 blogger
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
1 article, by Linda Kincaid, plus 1 member blog post from 1 blogger
· Archive
Travel guide on BootsnAll, at a new address
Archived copy of /North-America-USA-California· Contributors
1 article, by Rick Stanley, plus 5 member blog posts from 2 bloggers
· Contributors
1 article, by Delara Adams, plus 2 member blog posts from 1 blogger
· Contributors
7 member blog posts from 4 bloggers
- 2007: 7 posts from 4 travelers on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
· Contributors
7 member blog posts from 4 bloggers
- 2006: 7 posts from 4 travelers on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
· Contributors
1 member blog post from 1 blogger
- 2005: 1 post from 1 traveler on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
· Contributors
1 article, by Donovan Pacholl, plus 7 member blog posts from 1 blogger
· Contributors
6 Insider dispatches, by Elizabeth Werhane, Jay Cooke and Scott Churchill
- January 2003: Riviera Village, Redondo Beach - Los Angeles, California Travel Guide - Elizabeth Werhane (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- January 2003: San Francisco, California - January 2003 - Jay Cooke (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- February 2003: San Francisco, California - February 2003 - Jay Cooke (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- March 2003: San Francisco, California - March 2003 - Jay Cooke (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- April 2003: Intro: Welcome to Southern Oregon - Ashland - Southern Oregon Travel Guide - Scott Churchill (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- April 2003: San Francisco, California - April 2003 - Jay Cooke (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
· Contributors
5 Insider dispatches, by Sarah Greenbaum and Jay Cooke
- February 2002: Grants Pass, Wolf Creek, Sunny Valley, Jacksonville - Josephine County - Rural Oregon Travel Guide - Sarah Greenbaum (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- September 2002: San Francisco, California - September 2002 - Jay Cooke (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- October 2002: San Francisco, California - October 2002 - Jay Cooke (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- November 2002: San Francisco, California - November 2002 - Jay Cooke (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- December 2002: San Francisco, California - December 2002 - Jay Cooke (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
· Contributors
6 Insider dispatches, by Kimberly McMullan and Carolyn Branson
- January 2001: San Francisco, California - January 2001 - Kimberly McMullan (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- January 2001: San Francisco, California - Thoth - Kimberly McMullan (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- January 2001: Santa Monica vs. the Valley - Carolyn Branson (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- February 2001: Quake City - Carolyn Branson (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- February 2001: San Francisco, California - February 2001 - Kimberly McMullan (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- March 2001: Ski Los Angeles! - Los Angeles, California Travel Guide - Carolyn Branson (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
· Contributors
11 Insider dispatches, 2 articles, by K.T. Drasky, Sarah P. Morgan, Elaine Knighton and 4 others
- January 2000: San Francisco, California - January 2000 - K.T. Drasky (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- February 2000: Death Valley, California - Sarah P. Morgan (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- February 2000: San Francisco, California - February 2000 - K.T. Drasky (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- June 2000: A California Mom Lands in India - Elaine Knighton (article) (source)
- August 2000: San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico - Patti Redd (Insider dispatch) (source)
- September 2000: Los Angeles, California - Accommodation - Glenn Kaufmann (Insider dispatch) (source)
- September 2000: Los Angeles, California - Eating Out - Glenn Kaufmann (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- September 2000: Los Angeles, California - September 2000 - Glenn Kaufmann (Insider dispatch) (source)
- September 2000: Los Angeles, California - Eats - Glenn Kaufmann (article) (source)
- November 2000: Palm Springs, California - Elva Lee (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- November 2000: Palm Springs, California - Elva Lee (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- November 2000: Palm Springs, California - Elva Lee (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- December 2000: San Francisco, California - December 2000 - Kimberly McMullan (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
· Contributors
5 Insider dispatches, 1 article, by Seth Gamba, Nick O'Neill and Emma Beyn
- June 1999: Redwoods National Park, California - June 1999 - Seth Gamba (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- July 1999: Sequoia/King's Canyon Nat'l Parks, California - July 1999 - Seth Gamba (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- October 1999: Eating Out in Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, California, USA - Nick O'Neill (article) (source)
- October 1999: Santa Barbara, California - October 1999 - Nick O'Neill (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- November 1999: Camping at Yosemite National Park - Emma Beyn (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- November 1999: Yosemite National Park, California - Emma Beyn (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
· Contributors
Chris Heidrich, BootsnAll co-founder, has contributed to this guide since 1999, including dispatches from BootsnAll and AirTreks travelers