Plan your trip to California, North America
Guide Hotels Attractions Restaurants Shops
Regional Population: 36,354,327
Elevation: 469 meters
Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
Latitude: 37.2502247
Longitude: -119.7512643
California’s rich geography provides a wide variety of scenery—from its beaches at the edge of the Pacific Ocean to the snow-capped Sierra Nevada to the vast Central Valley—the list is inexhaustible.
Los Angeles is most popular with folks with stars in their eyes, while San Francisco offers a small-city European charm. Beach bums can check out the wild shores of the Lost Coast or the surfable waves of Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Ventura or Huntington Beach.
Napa’s wine country brings oenophiles from all around. Skiiers and snowboarders pack it up for the powder near Lake Tahoe and Mammoth. Rafters and kayakers thrill for the inland rivers, like the American and Tuolumne. Rock climbers and sightseers alike enjoy Yosemite National Park.
The Golden State also boasts the lowest point in North America (Death Valley), and the highest point in the contiguous 48 states (Mount Whitney). It’s no wonder that California has something for everyone.
Top Trips: road trips to California
Weather: road conditions around California
How Far Is It: distance to California
Cost to Drive: how much is it to drive to California
For families on a budget, amusement and water parks offer low-cost thrills and new attractions, often close to home.
On a biking vacation, the journey really is the destination. Here are tips for planning the best getaways on two wheels.
After decades of exile, blue whales, the largest animals on earth, return to the coast of California.
Tahoe’s plethora of accommodations can fit any family’s budget or style, from luxury resorts to classic campgrounds.
From dog-sledding to kite-boarding to the new Heavenly Flyer, there are adrenaline rush experiences in Tahoe to sate any adventure lover.
One of the best ways to appreciate Lake Tahoe is to get out on the water.
Save money on your Lake Tahoe family vacation with these tips on special deals and discounts.
A local highlights what’s best in the region for a Lake Tahoe vacation in any season.
Use this camping guide to help plan your outdoor adventure whether you’re a first-time or seasoned camper.
This week’s news includes a pet package for a Lake Tahoe resort, guided tours of India, free stays for kids in Colorado Springs and a new South Carolina family resort.
Read our review of two guidebooks to see whether a summer or winter Tahoe family vacation is right for you.
This cool lake resort community offers some hot deals for families.
