- Direct flights from London to Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego
- A fly-drive along Highway 1 is the classic way to see the coast
- Yosemite gets very busy in summer, so check reservation rules before you go
- Coastal summers can be cool and foggy, especially around San Francisco
- Airports
- Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and San Diego (SAN), direct from Heathrow in about 11 hours
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October; summer for the mountains
- Type
- State
California could fill several holidays on its own. It has two of America's great cities in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the laid-back beaches of San Diego, the cliffs and redwoods of Big Sur, the granite walls of Yosemite and the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma. It is also the state that made the American road trip famous, and a fortnight's fly-drive barely scratches the surface.
Direct flights from London land in three of its cities, so it's easy to fly into one and out of another. For the wider picture, see our USA guide.
Things to do
- Los Angeles – Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice beaches, the Getty Center and Griffith Observatory. See our Los Angeles guide.
- San Francisco – cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and distinct neighbourhoods. See our San Francisco guide.
- San Diego – beaches, Balboa Park and the famous zoo, with a mild climate all year. See our San Diego guide.
- Highway 1 and Big Sur – the coastal road between Monterey and San Luis Obispo is one of the world's great drives. Landslides sometimes close sections, so check before you set off.
- Yosemite National Park – waterfalls, giant sequoias and El Capitan. See our Yosemite guide.
- Napa and Sonoma – wine tasting, food and hot-air balloon rides an hour or so from San Francisco. See our Napa Valley guide.
- Death Valley and Joshua Tree – desert national parks best visited in the cooler months.
- Redwoods and Lake Tahoe – the tallest trees on earth in the far north, and a mountain lake for skiing in winter and swimming in summer.
Where to stay
- Santa Monica or West Hollywood – convenient bases in Los Angeles, with beach or nightlife.
- Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf – central and practical for first-timers in San Francisco.
- Carmel and Monterey – charming bases at the northern end of Big Sur.
- Yosemite Valley or gateway towns – stay inside the park for convenience, or in Mariposa, Oakhurst or Groveland for value.
- Napa or Healdsburg – for wine country, from boutique inns to luxury resorts.
Getting there
There are direct flights from Heathrow to Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) with several airlines, and to San Diego (SAN) with British Airways, all around 11 hours. Some routes also run from Gatwick and Manchester. Many visitors fly into one city and out of another, picking up a one-way hire car; expect a drop-off fee. UK passport holders need an ESTA.
Best time to visit
California is a year-round destination, but spring and autumn are best for touring. September and October are often the sunniest months on the coast, while San Francisco's summers can be surprisingly cool and foggy. The mountains are best from June to October, when the high passes into Yosemite open; winter brings snow and skiing. Desert parks are best between November and April.
Wildfire season usually peaks from late summer into autumn; check park and road status before you drive.
Top attractions in California
NatureCentral Park
Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…
LandmarkStatue of Liberty
The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.
California on the map
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need for a California road trip?
Two weeks lets you link San Francisco, Yosemite, the coast and Los Angeles comfortably. With one week, focus on either the north or the south.
Is it better to drive Highway 1 north or south?
Driving south puts you on the ocean side of the road, with better views and easier pull-outs.
Do you need to book Yosemite in advance?
In recent years Yosemite has used peak-season reservation systems. Check the National Park Service website before you travel.
Can you combine California with Las Vegas?
Yes. Las Vegas is around four hours' drive from Los Angeles and makes a popular addition, often with Death Valley or the Grand Canyon.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasWe research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.
