//
U.S. state
Photo: Christian Mehlführer, User:Chmehl, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
One of the most diverse states in the Union, California has a culture ranging from the easygoing surf spots on the beaches of Southern California to the glamor of Hollywood, and the counterculture and thriving businesses of the Bay Area. The state, which is on the west coast of the U.S., also varies greatly in natural beauty, from redwood forests on the North Coast to the ski resorts of the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains and the harsh desert of Death Valley. The largest state in the U.S. by population and the third largest by area, California boasts world-famous attractions and sights: Disneyland, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Napa Valley wine country, and the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney. Granted statehood in 1850 following the California Gold Rush, it bears the nickname "the Golden State", and the sites of the former goldfields are known as the Gold Country.
Home to the world's tallest trees, the coast redwoods, as well as rugged coastlines and remote nature adventures.
Lakes and mountains off the beaten path in the state's northeast corner.
Home of Sacramento, the state capital, and the urban areas around the city.
Historic foothills leading east to the Sierras; the 1848 discovery of gold in this region brought many Americans to California and helped California become a state less than five years after the territory had been acquired.
California's alpine and skiing region, including Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe.
Home to the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, as well as the technology-centered Silicon Valley and sophisticated Wine Country.
Breadbasket of California and home to a large percentage of America's fruit and vegetable supply.
An isolated stretch of land that features cool mountains and a rugged coastline.
Home to the metropolis of Los Angeles, as well as San Diego, Disneyland, Hollywood, and miles of famous beaches.
Palm trees, Joshua trees, blazing sun, ghost towns and quirky resorts. Miles of Route 66. Home of Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks.
Casual sandwich joint with more than 50 locations, mostly in California though a few are in Nevada. The menu varies by location, but in general about half the menu has meat and half is vegetarian; many vegetarian options can be made vegan. The sandwiches are filling and flavorful but not excessively heavy.
A farm-to-table restaurant chain featuring a burger shack menu that is freshly cooked from local produce. Hamburgers, sandwiches, and salads, plus diner-style breakfast options served all day.
By plane
S.S. and foreign flag carriers. To a lesser extent there are also direct flights from the Middle East (Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates) to Los Angeles.
By train
Amtrak serves several routes into and out of California.
By bus
Many bus companies operate services to California. Service is most frequent along the interstates from large cities in neighboring states.
By car
S.
By car
In addition to interstates and US highways, California has one of the most expansive state highway systems in the United States.
By plane
Flying may be a more reasonable option for crossing large expanses of the state.
By train
The state's various rail services provide a cheap and reasonably comfortable way to see and get around much of the state without a car.
By bus
The bus is not the most glamorous way to get around the state, but it can be the cheapest.
By foot
By boat
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Fresno · International · FAT
Loading places around the airport…
former logging town with charming Victorian city center, waterfront trails, and Redwood Sky Walk featuring the world's tallest tree species.
Sundial Bridge and gateway to a plethora of outdoor adventures ranging from underground caverns to some of the highest volcanic peaks in the United States.
the laid-back state capital with historic Gold Rush-era quarter of the city, Old Sacramento.
Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, America's largest Chinatown, cable cars, and Victorian houses.
south of San Francisco, this city is the center of Silicon Valley, and is home to many technology companies and the (in)famous Winchester Mystery House.
city on a south-facing coast which styles itself, with some justification, as "the American Riviera."
the state's largest city, and 2nd-largest in the nation. L.A. is home to Hollywood, Venice, The Getty Center, and Griffith Park.
desert recreation with golf, spas, resorts, casinos, and the famous aerial tramway.
Balboa Park, Old Town, SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, and nearby Tijuana, Mexico.
Big Sur is a region on the Central Coast of California. It contains vast wildernesses and breathtaking views as it stretches 72 miles along the rugged Pacific Ocean.
a place of legend and a place of trial.
this world-famous amusement park opened its doors in 1955 and today draws around 16 million yearly visitors. The California Adventure theme park was added in 2001 and provides attractions inspired by the state's scenery and movie industry.
combines two different desert ecosystems anchored by the peculiar-looking namesake tree species.
a deep blue mountain lake, popular for water sports in the summer and skiing in the winter.
the premier wine region of the United States, with spas, wine tasting and wine tours; the historic heart of California Wine Country.
these twin parks hold monuments to nature's size, beauty, and diversity, including the largest tree on Earth, the General Sherman Tree.
one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, the site of natural wonders such as Half Dome, El Capitan, and numerous waterfalls.
Articles and travel topics about California and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
9 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
7 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.