The complete travel guide for California: Attractions, travel and points of interest

California, also known as the Golden State, is a place that attracts tourists from all over the world for its beauty, diversity and extraordinary attractions. Are you planning a trip to this sunny state? In this comprehensive article about California, we’ve compiled the most important information you should know before you set out on your trip, along with the most interesting attractions, tours and interesting facts about California.

Thestate of California (State of California) is often the first choice when it comes to traveling to the U.S., and certainly if you plan to travel in the Western States. Not surprisingly, when it comes to the West Coast it is California that is the easiest to fly to from Poland and is the most recognized state of the region (remember that the West Coast also includes Oregon, Washington, and sometimes Alaska and Hawaii, and even Nevada or Arizona due to economic dependencies). During our travels in the U.S., we also often chose this state as the beginning or end of a trip, mainly because of the ease of getting there from Poland and the many interesting places in California itself.

In today’s post, we’ve compiled a lot of practical information, from how to plan your California trip, how to fly in, to a list of places to see in California once you manage to fly there.

So what, are we going to California?

State of California: worth knowing

The State of California is one of the most famous states in the US, attracting tourists from all over the world. Not surprisingly, California’s most interesting cities have a lot to offer, the national parks impress with their unique nature, and after all, let’s not forget the vast sandy beaches that await on the coast.

California is characterized by geographic diversity, an interesting yet not so long history, and multiculturalism. It is bordered by three American states: Nevada, Arizona and Oregon, and to the south with Mexico (with the state of Lower California, Spanish. BajaCalifornia). Many people arriving in California head further east, toward Nevada and Arizona, but trips to Hawaii are also becoming increasingly popular, and travel agencies often offer California and Hawaii combination tours.

We could write and write about California, but instead of presenting history, we have prepared for you a handful of interesting facts that may surprise you.

Most interesting information about the state of California

Here are the top 15 interesting facts about California that will give you an insight into the state from a slightly different angle:

1. California is the most populous state in the US with a population of more than 39 million.
2. The state is the third-largest in the US, after Alaska and Texas.
3. California was once part of Mexico, and was annexed to the United States in 1848.
4. The Golden State is where the gold rush began in 1848, attracting thousands of adventurers and wealth seekers.
5. California is one of the largest producers of fruits, vegetables and wines in the US.
6. The state is famous for its cultural diversity, being home to many immigrants from different parts of the world.
7. California is the cradle of the American film industry, with Hollywood as its heart.
8. California is home to the oldest tree in the world, the Bristlecone pine, which is even estimated to be over 5,000 years old (located in the White Mountains).
9. The state is famous for the highest mountain in the U.S. outside Alaska, Mount Whitney, which is 4,421 meters high.
10. California is also home to the lowest point in North America: it is Bad Water in Death Valley, which lies more than 86 meters below sea level.
11. California is home to the largest number of national parks in the US, including the famous Yosemite National Park.
12. The state is also home to many world-renowned universities, such as Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley.
13. California is a leader in technology, with Silicon Valley as a center of innovation.
14. The state is famous for its beautiful beaches, such as Venice Beach and Malibu, which attract tourists from all over the world.
15. California is also where the environmental movement originated, with the first state park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, established in 1902.

California’s largest cities

Large metropolitan areas and smaller towns are places to visit when traveling in the state. It is one of the major cities that you will reach by flying from Poland or other corners of the world. Although they are not cities full of monuments, but you will find interesting museums, amusement parks, beaches or recreational areas.

California’s largest cities are:

• Los Angeles – the City of Angels, the heart of the American film industry, famous for Hollywood, Beverly Hills and beautiful beaches. It is when entering this city that you will hear the famous song California Dreamin’ in your head.
• San Diego – the second largest city in California.
• San Jose – the capital of Silicon Valley, home to the headquarters of many of the world’s technology giants.
• San Francisco – a city in the hills, known for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz prison and distinctive streetcars.
• Fresno – which is famous for its vineyards and raisin production
• Sacramento – the capital of California, a city with a rich history associated with the gold rush and railroads.

California weather: When is the best time to go here?

California’s weather varies due to the state’s vastness and geographic diversity. When temperatures are high on the coast, snow may fall in the mountains and roads will be impassable. The answer to this question also depends on what you want to do and see locally, as not all places will be available and accessible year-round.

Therefore, it is useful to know what the climate is like there, what kind of weather you may find, and when is the best time to go there to fully enjoy the attractions of California.

California is considered a sunny state year-round, but the best time in our opinion to travel is spring (March-May) or autumn (September-November), when temperatures are pleasant and tourist crowds are smaller. During the summer (June-August) it can be very hot, especially in Los Angeles or at least Death Valley, and it is during this time that California has the most tourists. Winter (December-February) is mild, but it may snow in the mountains, and thus some places will be inaccessible (on the other hand, it is a good time to visit mountain ski resorts).

A trip to California: preparation and planning

A trip to the West Coast requires proper preparation and good planning. We know that there are quite a few people who prefer spontaneous trips, flexibility and planning a few days ahead, but in our opinion, such further and yet longer trips are good to plan in advance. How much earlier? Actually, the earlier the better ;)

What is the reason for this? If only from prices, seasonality or the popularity of many attractions. Some places limit the number of people and advance reservations are required; this is the case, for example, at Yosemite National Park, where in high season you need a reservation to enter the park at all. Also similar is the case when it comes to, for example, popular accommodations in national parks, especially camping. These, too, need to be booked early.

Below we have prepared some tips on how to plan a trip to California, from packing to reservations.

How to plan a west coast tour

When planning a trip on the west coast, there are several important considerations to take into account:

1. Determine the purpose of your trip: Are you mainly interested in sightseeing in Los Angeles or San Francisco, or maybe more interested in nature and beautiful national parks like Death Valley or Yosemite National Park? Or perhaps you want to explore California’s lesser-known attractions or visit former gold rush towns (such as ghost towns)? California has a lot to offer and there is something for everyone! Northern California or Southern California? Most people get as far north as San Francisco, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing of interest further north. We cover a few attractions in California later in this post, but you’ll find even more in this post, in our map, and in our book on the American West!
2. How long do you want/can you fly for? Plan your route: Write down the places you want to visit and how much time you want to spend in them. Also factor in time for commuting between cities or attractions. California is a long distance: it might seem that San Francisco and Los Angeles are not far from each other, but the cities are separated by almost 650 kilometers and you have to count a whole day just to drive between them.

   Ready-to-use interactive map with more than 700 points in the Western US. You can find it in our store in the category of travel planners »

   How many days are worth spending on California alone? To really see a lot locally, in our opinion, it is worth staying here for 2 weeks, but of course a week’s stay is also possible and it is possible to see a lot of interesting places. Many people stay in California for only a few days and head east toward Nevada, Arizona and Utah. If you’re looking for a ready-made California itinerary then be sure to check out our ready-made 7-day itinerary.
3. Set a budget: California can be an expensive place, so it’s a good idea to determine how much you want to spend on travel, lodging, food and attractions. Aside from the flight, the biggest expenses will be accommodation and car rental, alternatively renting an RV. How much do you have to count on accommodation? During the trip we, on average, spent about 800-1000 zlotys per night, with the fact that we traveled with three children and tended not to choose the lowest standard, but we did not sleep in luxuries either :)
4. Choose the right time: California’s weather varies, so choose the right time of year to enjoy your trip to the fullest. We recommend going in spring or autumn, so that the weather is as favorable as possible.
5. Buy airline tickets: the most popular airports in California are Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). There are many others, but these two are the easiest to fly to from Poland, Germany, Austria or Europe in general.
   You can fly to California from Poland with several airlines, including. LOT, Lufthansa or KLM, but only LOT offers direct flights to Los Angeles (at one time the carrier’s network also included direct flights to San Francisco).
   Ticket prices vary depending on the date of travel and the airline, but you can find deals as low as $2,000 round-trip from Poland.
6. Book Accommodations: California offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget roadside motels. Prices can vary widely, you can find cheap motels starting at $40 a night, and you can find better hotels, full of amenities for several hundred dollars. Sky is the limit ;) From experience, we can advise you against the cheapest motels – supposedly it is said that, after all, it is only for one night, but you will have many such “one nights” in California. Especially if you plan to spend the night in national parks or other popular places, we recommend booking accommodations in advance.
7. Rent a car or RV: California is a huge state, so renting a car will be essential to move freely between cities and attractions. Like the entire U.S., California is a place geared for getting around by car – without it, not a move. It’s worth considering renting an RV – it won’t necessarily be the cheapest accommodation option (especially if you plan to spend the night at campsites), but it gives you a lot of flexibility during your trip.
8. Insurance: Don’t forget travel insurance, which can be essential in an emergency. Keep in mind that health care in the U.S. is fee-based, and bills for a doctor’s consultation or hospital visit can be really high.

 

What to bring on the trip?

As you prepare for your trip, you should consider what items and accessories to take to California. Here’s a short list of what to keep in mind:

• Documents – without documents, not a move. It is imperative that you have a passport along with an ESTA document or visa. On top of that, remember to get insurance (it can be electronic) and a driver’s license (a Polish one is fully acceptable in the US).
• Weather-appropriate clothing: California has a diverse climate, so it’s a good idea to bring clothes for different weather conditions. We brought both summer dresses and warm jackets with us, as there are times when the temperature differences were as high as 30 degrees as we moved between national parks in one day.
• Comfortable footwear: Visiting California can involve a lot of walking, so invest in comfortable shoes. If you plan to go on hiking trails it is worth taking trekking shoes.
• First Aid Kit: Don’t forget basic medicines and first aid supplies. If you are taking any permanent medications take them with you along with a certificate from your doctor.
• Sun protection measures: California is famous for its abundance of sunshine, so it’s a good idea to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
• Travel Guide and Offline Maps: A guide to California can prove to be an invaluable source of information on attractions, restaurants and accommodations. This can be in electronic form such as a ready-made Google map. However, it is important that they are available offline, because when traveling in California it is very likely that you will not have coverage.
• Adapter for electrical outlets: The U.S. uses different outlets than Europe, so it’s a good idea to bring a dedicated adapter.

Airports in California

California has many airports that handle both domestic and international flights. Some of the most important are Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco Airport (SFO). Other major airports include San Diego International Airport (SAN), Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and Oakland International Airport (OAK).

From Poland and Europe, it is by far the easiest to get to LAX, as direct flights are only offered to this airport. Flying to any other city involves an additional connecting flight, which does not always mean that the connection will be more expensive. It is worth looking at connections especially from Berlin, Prague, London or Vienna, because it may turn out that the flight will be so cheap that it will offset the cost of getting to these cities and there will still be a lot left in your pocket.

Before traveling, it’s a good idea to check information on how to get to and from the airport, as well as any delays or schedule changes.

California attractions: what to see and visit?

California is a state full of a variety of attractions to see during your trip. There are fantastic national parks, amusement parks, beautiful beaches, cities with interesting history or luxury cities where you can meet famous celebrities.

Below we will present the most important places to see in California, but very briefly to give an overview of what places to look out for when planning a trip. We could write about each of these places, but it would take up too much space and probably few people would make it to the end of the entire entry.

California beaches: the most beautiful places to relax

Southern California is famous for its beautiful beaches, which are ideal for relaxation and recreation. Some of them are:

• Malibu: Known for its luxury homes and beautiful scenery, Malibu beach is one of the most exclusive places on the California coast.
• Venice Beach: Famous for its colorful walls and artistic atmosphere, Venice Beach is where you can feel the true vibe of California.
• Long Beach: there is a fairly long and wide beach in this village. Long Beach is a town located close to Los Angeles.
• Santa Cruz beaches: south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz has several beaches that surfers are particularly fond of.
• La Jolla Cove – a bay in San Diego, a smaller beach with sea caves.

California Coast: From San Diego to San Francisco

The California coast is primarily about California’s famous cities, but also about driving the Pacific Coast Highway, whose most scenic stretch stretches between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

However, it should be noted that there are 800 kilometers to drive, so it is worth planning more time for this trip (it is faster and shorter to cover this section by highway, but there are not very nice views there).

Ready-to-use interactive map with more than 700 points in the Western US. You can find it in our store in the category of travel planners »

Setting out from San Diego, it is worth seeing such places as:

• San Diego: A sunny city with beautiful beaches, Balboa Park, the famous zoo and the Coronado Bridge.
• La Jolla Cove: A picturesque cove with beautiful beaches and opportunities to observe seals and sea lions. La Jolla is a neighborhood of San Diego.
• Santa Monica: A famous city with an iconic pier that is home to the Pacific Park amusement park.
• Santa Barbara: A charming city with Spanish architecture and beautiful beaches.
• California Coastal National Monument, Big Sur: A protected area that encompasses California’s scenic coastline and offers spectacular views of the boundless ocean. Of particular note are two points of interest: McWay Falls, a waterfall that falls right onto the beach, and the bridge over Bixby Creek(Bixby Creek Bridge).
• Monterey: A picturesque city with a beautiful aquarium and historic center.
• San Francisco: at the end of your California coastal trip, you should plan a few days to explore San Francisco.

San Francisco tour: Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies and other attractions

It is worth planning a few days in San Francisco. It is possible to see a lot in one day, but it will be a rather quick and cursory tour of the city. You can see the famous Golden Gate Bridge, sail to Alcatraz Island in one day, but we encourage you to stay here a while longer.

A tour of San Francisco should include such attractions as:

• Golden Gate Bridge: A San Francisco icon, this impressive bridge connects the city to Marin County and offers spectacular views of the bay. It is worth seeing from several vantage points from both banks.
• Painted Ladies in San Francisco: colorful Victorian houses are one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. It is worth mentioning that it is not only a number of houses of theSeven Sisters (the Seven Sisters), but also a number of other houses of a certain style that can be found in the area. The Painted Ladies in San Francisco gained popularity when the colorful houses appeared in the lead of the series Full House.
• Alcatraz: The island on which the notorious prison is located offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the place and even the opportunity to tour it.
• Cable streetcars and a museum: What would a city tour be without riding the famous streetcars and learning about their history at a dedicated museum?

City of Angels – Los Angeles: Hollywood Boulevard, downtown Los Angeles and other places to see

The City of Angels, or Los Angeles, is also a city where you should spend more than one day. At this point we must emphasize one thing: we did not like this city. We did not feel very safe here, there is no center or monuments as such. Why do we write all the more to stay here longer? Because there are places that deserve to be visited!

Visiting Los Angeles is worth considering not only as the city itself, but the entire metropolitan area:

• Avenue of the Stars, Hollywood Boulevard: a famous street with stars on the sidewalk, where you can feel the atmosphere of fame and the film industry. According to many overrated, according to us too, but you will still want to go there ;)
• Griffith Observatory: an observatory offering great views of the city and the Hollywood sign, as well as the opportunity to observe the sky through telescopes.
• Santa Monica: this has already been mentioned, but it is worth adding that this is where the symbolic end of Route 66 is located.
• Universal Studios Hollywood: this is not a park just for kids! It is one of the most important and recognizable entertainment venues in the world. The park is part of a larger complex that also includes a real film studio, where movies and TV shows are made.
• Disneyland Resort: or Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. These two parks guarantee a day or two full of entertainment for big and small.

Sacramento: the state capital

Few people know that Sacramento is the administrative capital of California, and few tourists get here either. As a rule, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego or even San Jose are considered the most interesting cities in California, while Sacramento is somehow overlooked. We made it here and managed to see some interesting places:

• Old Sacramento: a historic district of the city, listed as a National Historic Landmark and is a State Historic Park.
• California State Railroad Museum: a great museum showing the history of the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Silicon Valley: The heart of technological innovation

Silicon Valley will be an interesting choice for those who are planning optional tours in California. It is the place where major technology companies such as Google, Apple and Facebook were founded. Unfortunately, it’s not like you can walk into these headquarters without a problem, so many people may be disappointed standing under the large complexes:

• Googleplex: Google’s headquarters, where you can see the Google Visitor Experience, the campus, Android figures and the famous colorful bicycles.
• Apple Park: Apple’s state-of-the-art headquarters, with a futuristic building and Apple Park Visitor Center.
• The Intel Museum: a museum showcasing the history of computers and technology, with exhibits such as the first computers and video games. The museum was created by the Intel brand.

National Parks in California

National Parks are a must have for California in our opinion! There are as many as nine national parks in the state, the largest of which is Death Valley National Park. Below we have prepared a brief description of several of them:

Yosemite National Park: A Wonder of Nature

Yosemite National Park is one of the most scenic places in California, offering spectacular views of the valley, waterfalls and granite walls. Especially worth seeing in this park are such places as:

• Yosemite Falls: the tallest waterfall in North America.
• El Capitan: An impressive granite wall that is a popular destination for climbers.
• Numerous viewpoints like Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Yosemite Valley View and Big Oak Flat Rd Vista Point (that’s not all of them, of course!).

Death Valley National Park: Raw and wild landscapes

A large part of the state of California is the Mojave Desert, and it is in this desert that the hottest place in the world is located. We are talking about Death Valley, a place full of extraordinary landscapes, but also extreme temperatures. Here we especially recommend:

• Zabriskie Point: an easily accessible viewpoint in Death Valley National Park.
• Badwater Basin: the lowest point in North America, with a unique landscape of salt flats.
• Dante’s View: The highest viewpoint in the park.
• Artist’s Palette: multicolored rocks that look most beautiful at sunrise and sunset.

You can read more about Death Valley National Park in a dedicated post: Death Valley National Park » 

Joshua Tree National Park: desert landscapes and Joshua trees

Joshua TreeNational Park is home to the distinctiveJoshua trees, which look like a combination of trees and cacti, and rock formations. This park is very popular because it is close to Los Angeles and takes about 2 hours to reach by car.

Places worth noting are:

• Keys View: a vantage point overlooking the southern part of the park and the San Andreas Fault.
• Hidden Valley: a walking trail leads along interesting rock formations.
• Rock formations: Skull Rock, Elephant Rock, Split Rock, Arch Rock or Heart Rock.

Sequoia National Park: forest giants

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are two separate parks, but managed together under the name Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. They are contiguous parks located on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

This park was created to protect some of the largest and oldest trees in the world: giant sequoias. Some of the specimens are as old as 3,000 years and more than 80 meters tall.

In Sequoia National Park, especially worth noting:

• General Sherman: it is considered the largest tree in the world (but not the tallest).
• Forest of Giants: as the name suggests, a forest full of impressive trees.
• Tunnel Log: a slow-moving sequoia with a hollow tunnel that can be driven through by car.

Route 66: Dear Mother

Not to be left out, it is in California, in Santa Monica, that the famous Route 66 has its end. The first time we drove a section of it was just traveling from California to the east, but we also managed to drive the entire route in an RV.

There are several towns in California where you can feel the atmosphere of the road:

• Barstow: Harvey House, the Route 66 Museum, is here.
• Calico Ghost Town: This is an open-air museum, so to speak, of an old mine town (it is not directly on Route 66, but you don’t have to go far down). If you are interested in such atmospheres, you can find more, less commercialized ghost towns in California ;)
• Santa Monica: sign of the end of the road.

TOP 5 Attractions in California

Among the numerous attractions that California has to offer, we have selected TOP 5 places that we believe are quintessential to this state. This is our original and subjective short list of the most interesting places in our opinion:

1. Death Valley,
2. Yosemite National Park,
3. San Francisco,
4. Universal Studios Hollywood/Disneyland Resort,
5. Big Sur.

California vacations for the whole family

Planning a vacation in California with children can be extremely exciting, but also challenging. In the course of our travels in the US we were with children every time, and in California always with three ;) It is worthwhile to prepare well for the trip, so that there is something for each member of the family and that the trip passes pleasantly and peacefully.

In our view, the States is a good destination for traveling with children. Many places are geared up for families, even those with tiny children, national parks offer special programs for children, and children’s attractions themselves are plentiful, especially in larger cities.

Ready-to-use interactive map with more than 700 points in the Western US. You can find it in our store in the category of travel planners »

Admittedly, our travels were quite poor in children’s attractions, as it turned out that children were perfectly at ease in “normal” places, but we managed to see a few of the typical children’s places as well.

Vacationing with children in California: the best attractions for the little ones

A vacation with children in California can be full of adventure and unforgettable memories. Here are some suggestions for attractions to visit with the little ones:

• National Parks: we won’t write out the parks again, but be sure to take the kids there! Pick up a Junior Activity Book at the Visitor Center, complete tasks together, and finally take an oath in front of a park employee (Ranger) and receive a special badge.
• Children’s Museum: there are many such museums in California – they are places full of interactive and educational space for children.
• Disneyland Resort in Anaheim: An iconic theme park that will delight children and adults alike.
• Legoland California: a theme park dedicated to LEGO bricks, with plenty of activities for the whole family.
• Universal Studios Hollywood: an amusement park associated with the film industry, offering a plethora of attractions and spectacular shows.
• San Diego Zoo: One of the largest zoos in the world, with extraordinary animal species and interactive exhibits.
• Año Nuevo State Park or Piedras Blankas Elephant Seal Rookery: places where sea lions and elephants can be seen on the beach.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain: an amusement park full of rollercoasters, this is for slightly older (and taller) children :-)

Hotels in California: where to stay

Choosing the right hotel is crucial to a successful vacation in California. How to choose the best one? For us, hotel location, price and reviews are always key. It’s worth checking how long it will take to travel from a particular hotel to the places you want to see, what the rooms look like and the immediate surroundings (we simply recommend Google Street View).

Hotels in California will vary significantly in price and standard. The cheapest options will be roadside motels, outside large metropolitan areas. These will be low-cost options, although they can be accused of a lot when it comes to, for example, cleanliness in the rooms (of course, this is not a rule, but when you choose the cheapest option for $30-40, there is nothing to expect luxuries).

Higher standards are held by hotels of well-known chains, for example. Marriott, Hillton, Wyndham, Best Western or Hyatt.

Here are some hotel suggestions to consider, taking into account different budgets:

• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in Anaheim: A luxury hotel with direct access to Disneyland park, ideal for families with children.
• Hotel del Coronado in San Diego: A historic hotel located on a beautiful beach, offering many amenities for families.
• Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa: A comfortable hotel with a pool and proximity to the beach, ideal for family vacations.
• Embassy Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport: An affordable hotel with spacious rooms and complimentary breakfast, conveniently located near the airport.
• Best Western Hollywood Plaza Inn: An affordable hotel located in the heart of Hollywood, with easy access to Los Angeles attractions.

Holidays in California: how to spend unforgettable moments?

Spending a vacation in California can be full of unconventional attractions and activities. Here are some suggestions on what else to do in California and how to enjoy unforgettable moments:

• Rent bicycles and take a ride along the coast, such as in Santa Monica or Venice Beach.
• Take a wine tour in Napa Valley and discover the flavors of California wines.
• Take advantage of surf lessons at one of California’s picturesque beaches, such as Malibu or Huntington Beach.
• Rent an RV and spend the night in national parks, waking up to exceptional views

No matter which attractions you choose, a vacation in California is sure to be full of unforgettable memories for the whole family.

Our opinion: California, a state full of opportunities and attractions

Phew, it came out quite a long post, but we hope you made it to the end.

A trip to California is an unforgettable experience, full of diverse attractions and opportunities. Whether you’re there for a family vacation, a west coast tour or a visit to the major cities, you’re sure to find something to your liking. Remember to prepare and plan your trip properly to enjoy unforgettable moments in Golden State.

Then what? Turn on California Dreamin’ and start planning a trip to California? ;)