7 Secrets To Planning The Ultimate California Vacation Without The Stress

The Golden State is a dream vacation destination all the year round. From the breathtaking Pacific Ocean, to the Sierra Nevada mountains, California offers some of nature’s most beautiful scenery. Add in the history of the state and the fascinating cities that call California home and you really can make the bold claim that California offers something for everyone!

How do I plan a vacation to California?

There’s a lot to do in California and the driving distances between some of the big cities is substantial. We recommend making a list of the kind of things you want to do on vacation, and then researching the must-see destinations and attractions based on your wish list. If you want to move around without the expense of hotels, consider renting an RV.

What destinations should I choose for winter sunshine?

For warm sunshine in the winter months focus your vacation research on Southern California. Los Angeles, Anaheim, Long Beach, Palm Springs and San Diego all offer over 250 days of sunshine each year.

What destinations are good for couples?

Napa, a major wine producer, has to be one of the top destinations. If you’re an active couple then Yosemite National Park is a must, and you can choose between camping or staying in a cabin. Another favourite destination is Carmel. It’s a quaint town on the Pacific Coast and has in our opinion one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Carmel is full of interesting shops, terrific restaurants and charming bed and breakfast properties. You can drive The Big Sur from Carmel and Hearst’s Castle is well worth a stop along the way.

What destinations are good for golfers?

The top destination in our opinion are Pebble Beach (play the championship course!), Palm Springs, Palm Desert and San Diego.

What destinations are good for kids?

San Francisco is a great city destination with kids because there’s so much to do. Some of our recommendations are:

• Riding the cable cars
• A visit to Alcatraz
• Segway tour across the Golden Gate Bridge
• Exploratorium Museum
• Fisherman’s Wharf
• A drive down Lombard Street

If you are looking for something a little less hectic you could consider combining some time at the beach with visits to some of Southern California’s famous theme parks. Some of the beach destinations to consider are Balboa Island, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. From this kind of beach location you’ll be in easy driving distance of:

• Disneyland (around a 30 minute drive)
• Universal Studios Hollywood (depending on traffic around a 90 minute drive)
• Legoland California Resort (just over an hour’s drive)
• Knott’s Berry Farm (just 15 minutes away)

Finally some of California’s other top vacation destinations for families are Lake Tahoe and the San Diego area