Holidays in California

The best time to visit California is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to early November). The weather is warm without being too hot, coastal areas are beautifully bright (without the midsummer crowds), and it’s a sweet spot for everything from city breaks in Los Angeles and San Francisco to wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma. It’s also ideal for road trips, hiking, and generally seeing the Golden State at its most effortlessly gorgeous.

If you’re chasing that classic sunny, beachy California energy, summer (June to August) brings long days, vibrant events, and peak conditions for the coast, from Santa Monica to San Diego. Just know it’s also the busiest time, with higher prices and more crowds at the big-name hotspots, especially around beaches and family attractions. Pack light layers though, because coastal evenings can still feel surprisingly cool.

For a different kind of California magic, winter (late November to February) can be brilliant too. While it’s cooler and some regions get rain, you’ll often find better-value stays and fewer queues in the cities, plus you can mix mountain snow (hello, Tahoe) with desert sunshine (Palm Springs, we see you). It’s a great season for food, culture, and that smug feeling of escaping the worst of the UK chill.

So whether you want blooming spring scenery, peak-summer beach vibes, or a winter combo of skis-and-sun, there’s no bad time to visit California, just different flavours of unforgettable.

California is basically 10 holidays in one state: beaches, deserts, cities, and mountains.

Pack layers because temperatures swing a lot between the coast and inland, and day-to-night can flip fast (especially in San Francisco and the desert). If you’re doing hikes or visiting national parks, add proper shoes and sun protection.

For classic California road-trip energy, hiring a car is king (think LA to Palm Springs, Highway 1, Napa, national parks). Cities have rideshares and public transport, but it can be patchy outside the big hubs.

If you’re driving, check whether you should carry an International Driving Permit alongside your licence, especially if your licence isn’t in English

Because sales tax is added at checkout (it varies by location across California). So the sticker price isn’t the final price, especially in shops, supermarkets, and even some attractions.

Tipping is part of the culture (and wages) in the US. A common restaurant tip is 15 to 20%, depending on service, and you’ll often see prompts on card machines. Als,o watch for “service charges” already added to the bill in some places.

Sometimes, yes, especially at peak times. Rules can change year to year, so always check the specific park before you go. Yosemite, in particular, updates its entry reservation approach and posts the latest guidance on its official NPS page.

Wildfires can affect travel plans, air quality, and road closures in parts of the state, so it’s smart to keep an eye on official updates and have a Plan B route.

And yes, US healthcare can be eye-wateringly expensive, so travel insurance is a very sensible “pack.”