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Introduction to California

Northern California

Far removed from the well known image of California (cities, celebrities and theme parks), the northern part of the state is a quieter, rural region known for its vineyards, giant forests and national parks. You can find small town America here, get away from the crowds, and enjoy some of the world’s best wines and scenery.

History of California

Similarly, visiting California’s mountainous eastern areas like Yosemite National Park is possible in a day trip from San Francisco, but you’ll enjoy it much more if you spend at least one night there in a mountain lodge or resort, giving you time to explore the trails, valleys and views.

Lake Tahoe straddles the California and Nevada border in the north east of the state. Popular with outdoors enthusiasts, it’s also a ski region during the winter with many resorts in the region to enjoy.

If your visit to California takes in a road trip, like the rest of America there are many roadside motels, B&Bs and country resorts to break up your journey in or near the scenic towns on the way. A trip along Highway 1 passes towns like San Luis Obispo, Monterey, the Big Sur and Carmel which offer small-town charm, amazing beaches and California’s beautiful sunshine.

Northern California is less on the tourist trail, but offers amazing forests, countryside and resorts in and around towns like Santa Rosa, Redding, Eureka and the state capital Sacramento.

If you’re out in the wilderness, you could stay under the stars in a tent, or hire a motorhome (known as a RV in America) to explore and take your bed with you.

For the best luxury hotels, look no further than downtown San Francisco, San Diego or parts of Los Angeles like Beverly Hills, Hollywood or Santa Monica.

Then there are the resort hotels. These can be found all over California, including the mountain resorts and ski areas, the deserts, the wine regions, the coastal towns and on the edges of big cities. Most offer pools, spas, golf courses and elegant restaurants and can arrange extras to make your stay special. Some to try include the Pismo Lighthouse Suites, Fairmont Miramar Hotel, The Landing Resort & Spa, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa and Kimpton the Rowan Palm Springs.

California has thousands of square miles of great outdoors to explore. The deserts of the old west are only a short distance from Los Angeles and at places like Joshua Tree National Park you can explore the geological formations and go hiking or camping among the trees and canyons.

Nearby is Calico Ghost Town – a reminder of the frontier times with many of its buildings from the 1800s preserved as a living museum.

One of the most popular places to explore the majestic outdoors is at Yosemite National Park in eastern California. Having inspired artists and outdoors enthusiasts for years this is one of America’s most spectacular landscapes, full of hiking trails, waterfalls and wildlife.

In the north of the state there are the great trees of Redwood National Park, or Shasta Lake near Redding. At Lassen Volcanic National Park you can witness bubbling mud pools and lake views.

Many of California’s smaller towns are less visited, but no less interesting. From San Francisco heading south along the coast – passing San Jose and Silicon Valley – drive along the wild surfing coves and beaches and towns like Monterey, Carmel, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Each offers great restaurants, quaint B&Bs, boutique shopping and fun attractions to visit.

Lake Tahoe in north eastern California is firmly established as one of America’s greatest ski regions in winter (and a scenic, outdoors region in the summer). Its resorts at Squaw Valley, Sode Springs, Homewood Mountain Resort and Heavenly Mountain have great hotels, chalets, nightlife and, of course, all kinds of ski runs.

Not far from here is the Hollywood Sign on the hills overlooking the town. You can hike to it from the Canyon Drive Trail, but there are also great views of this and Los Angeles itself from Griffith Park, which has a famous observatory and is the site of Los Angeles Zoo.

Santa Monica in western Los Angeles is the city’s beach resort. Often people choose to stay here because of the fine hotels, great shopping and restaurants, and more relaxed way of life. The beach is wonderful, with a pier and amusement park, and heading south you will reach Venice Beach, popular with skaters and surfers.

San Diego is a smaller city two hours drive south of Los Angeles which is often bathed in sunshine. Fairly compact, the downtown Gaslamp Quarter is known for its lively nightlife, restaurants and shopping. Other well known San Diego attractions include its Zoo, Balboa Park, SeaWorld and the USS Midway Museum.

San Francisco is the other main city attraction of California. This beautiful city occupies a peninsula at the entrance to San Francisco Bay, which is a region surrounded by attractive cities and countryside. Most famous attractions are the Golden Gate Bridge at the entrance to the Bay, the former high security penitentiary of Alcatraz on and island in the Bay, Fisherman’s Wharf where you can enjoy fine restaurants and views, plus the undulating hills on which the city is built – and what better way to get around than on one of its traditional cable cars?

Inland California has many attractions, from the ski resorts around Lake Tahoe, to the majestic splendour of Yosemite National Park and its central valley full of walks, climbs or simply amazing views.

But the natural beauty is not just about Yosemite. California is home to over 300 National and state parks which can be explored. Others include the Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park and the Redwood National Park.

Wine fans may choose to visit America’s top producing region around Napa Valley. There are all kinds of tasting experiences, enchanting drives to explore the wineries and small towns, like the Silverado Trail.

Opportunities for outdoor pursuits are everywhere in California. Golf courses can be found all over the state. Some of the best include Pebble Beach, Cypress Point and Monterey Peninsula. Then there’s the surfing at beaches all along the coast, and inland there are hiking trails and watersports on the many lakes and rivers, particularly in the national parks.

Great seafood also comes from California. Coastal towns produce succulent Dungeness Crab, and the influence of Asian residents has led sushi to become commonplace, with the California Roll an indigenous upside-down sushi fusion, combining fish, rice, avocado and cucumber. Try it at the authentic California Roll Factory in Santa Monica. Or for the best seafood in San Francisco try Farallon on Union Square.

The influence of Mexico and California’s Spanish ancestry has led to a strong influence of Mexican food. San Diego in particular is famous for this cuisine and offers some of the best eateries, like Las Cuatro Milpas, or La Playa Taco Shop where you can try the California burrito, or fish tacos which are so popular among Californians.

California is often claimed to be the place where other famous foods were invented. From the cheeseburger to ranch dressing, French dip and even the humble Chinese fortune cookie.

Wine is naturally important to California. The wineries of Napa Valley produce some of the world’s best wines which are enjoyed in restaurants and bars throughout the state.

California is, unsurprisingly, very well connected by road. Interstate 5 is the main north-south artery, but many visitors take the slow way along Highway 1 as it meanders along the coast through sleepy beach towns. Roads inland are more sparse, where there are deserts and mountains to deal with, and in the winter the passes near Yosemite can be closed by the weather.

Taxis (including Uber), local buses and private shuttles are commonplace in all main cities, and private cars can easily be arranged. Hiring a car is also an easy option, giving you better flexibility over your travel.

The high season for tourism in California is June to August, and you should expect attractions to be busy, hotels overbooked and prices to be higher. If you can visit at other times, like Spring or September, you’ll find the temperatures pleasant, the attractions and hotels less crowded and the landscapes lush with flowers and greenery. Even the deserts bloom in Spring, and the Autumn foliage is a treat of colour.

Events and conferences throughout the year often bring extra visitors to Los Angeles and San Francisco in particular, so check ahead when booking your trip.

For the best luxury experience in Los Angeles, why not try a suite at the Four Seasons with views over downtown, go shopping along Rodeo Drive, and enjoy dinner at Wolfgang Puck. During the day you could charter a yacht from Marina del Ray or race a world class sports car at Exotics Racing School.

In San Francisco shopping for fashion is the thing to do, followed by dinner at exquisite Acquerello and drinks at the Cityscape Bar & Lounge with its panoramic vistas. If your legs are up to it, hire a cycle and cross the Golden Gate Bridge, or at the very least hire a limo to take you across and enjoy lunch in the small harbour town of Sausalito, then take a ferry back across the Bay to Fisherman’s Wharf and ride the cable car back to your hotel.

Heading inland, the Californian deserts have many oases of calm and luxury to relax in. Most will pamper their guests in their spas, pools, golf courses and fine dining restaurants. Some are styled on cowboy ranches, some like millionaire’s retreats and some like gardens of colour among the sand. The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage has it all, with spectacular mountain views to match.

Weather in California

Visiting California soon? See below for the latest weather forecast for California.

CALIFORNIA WEATHER