Unseen USA

Golden State

California travel guide

Beaches, redwoods, deserts and big cities, all in one road trip.

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Capital
Sacramento
Best time to go
Apr–Oct (coast is good all year)
Daily budget
$$$$ $280+ a day
Fly into
LAX Los Angeles
SFO San Francisco
SAN San Diego

BeachesMountainsBig citiesNational parksDesert

Top places to visit in California

  1. Yosemite National Park

    Granite cliffs, giant sequoias and huge waterfalls.

  2. San Francisco

    Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and Alcatraz.

  3. Big Sur & Highway 1

    The most famous coastal drive in America.

  4. Los Angeles

    Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier and Griffith Observatory.

  5. Joshua Tree National Park

    Strange trees, giant boulders and dark night skies.

  6. San Diego

    Easy beaches, Balboa Park and perfect weather.

What to eat in California

  • Fish tacos
  • California burrito
  • Sourdough & Dungeness crab
  • In-N-Out burger

When is the best time to visit California?

Apr–Oct is usually the best time to visit California (coast is good all year). Expensive: $280+ a day for one person, including a shared hotel room and meals.

More of the West

AlaskaArizonaColoradoHawaiiIdahoMontanaNevadaNew MexicoOregonUtahWashingtonWyoming

Budgets are rough mid-range costs per person, including a shared hotel room and meals. Always check opening times and prices before you go.