An Expert's Guide to California

default.jpg

2min read

Published 16 July 2018


Share


Flight Centre’s California Expert Rachel Newton has worked at Flight Centre for four years and has been to California five times. She says: ”Anything you want in a holiday, you can find in California: world-class vineyards, incredible cuisine, skiing and hiking, beautiful beaches, exceptional diving, vast national parks…”

Here she shares her top tips and advice for visiting the USA's Golden State:

rs-view-from-bixby-bridge-california-shutterstock_389893837.jpg
rs-view-from-bixby-bridge-california-shutterstock_389893837.jpg
rs-view-from-bixby-bridge-california-shutterstock_389893837.jpg

Fly direct

It’s easy to get to California from the UK, with direct flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego and San Jose.

Hire a car

Behind the wheel of your own car you can take on the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. If you’re strapped for time, from San Francisco you can day trip to Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Monterey, Big Sur and Napa; or from LA you can get to Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Joshua Tree National Park. Car rental starts at £34 per day.

rs-fish-tacos-california-shutterstock_373852585.jpg
rs-fish-tacos-california-shutterstock_373852585.jpg
rs-fish-tacos-california-shutterstock_373852585.jpg

Dine out

Californians are in to the ‘farm-to-fork’ concept, so food is usually fresh and healthy – I love fish tacos from southern California. In San Francisco, try street food from The Codmother at Fisherman’s Wharf. 

Hike the Hollywood Hills

From the Hills you'll get great views of the city and the iconic Hollywood sign. For film fans, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour gives an authentic insight into the movie industry. 

rs-hollywood-hills-california-shutterstock_663501916.jpg
rs-hollywood-hills-california-shutterstock_663501916.jpg
rs-hollywood-hills-california-shutterstock_663501916.jpg

Stay somewhere fun

My favourite place to stay is Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, a historic property where Hollywood classic Some Like it Hot was filmed. At Hotel Zephyr in San Francisco, upgrade to a bay-facing room for an unforgettable view.

Keep an eye on the weather

Check the forecast for each destination before you go, as places close to each other can have such different conditions.

rs-golden-gate-bridge-fog-san-francisco-shutterstock652806853.jpg
rs-golden-gate-bridge-fog-san-francisco-shutterstock652806853.jpg
rs-golden-gate-bridge-fog-san-francisco-shutterstock652806853.jpg

Choose when to go wisely

May and September are great times to go, but prices reflect it. Southern California in February is cheaper, less busy and still sunny.

Visit Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a must, with incredible hiking trails and alien-like scenery. It is less touristy than other national parks and yet so accessible. Day trip from Palm Springs or LA.

rs-joshua-tree-national-park-california-shutterstock_560550427.jpg
rs-joshua-tree-national-park-california-shutterstock_560550427.jpg
rs-joshua-tree-national-park-california-shutterstock_560550427.jpg

Embark on our California Coast Journey. Pass through famous cities, sample the wares at wineries, marvel at the marine life and beaches, and soak up dreamy views on this self-drive trip – 9 days' fly-drive, with hand-picked accommodation, from £1,599pp.

...loading
Flight Centre

© Flight Centre (UK) Limited, Registered in England No. 02937210.

* 0800 calls are free for landlines and mobiles. 0333 calls are included within inclusive minutes package on mobiles, otherwise standard rates apply. 0844/0845 calls are 7p/pm plus your local carrier charge. Prices are per person twin share, correct as at the date of publication, subject to change and may be higher/unavailable for certain dates. Airfares are economy on specified airlines from London, unless otherwise stated. For full booking conditions visit Booking Conditions. Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. We will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each holiday and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but not all the parts of your trip are listed on it, those parts not listed will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk.