California is one of my favourite places in the world.
It’s a big statement to make, but for more than 20 years I have visited the Golden State again and again. Some years I’ve visited once, other years more than once, and my love for California is well documented on this blog.
California is the third-largest state in the United States and roughly the same size as France. Most people wouldn’t dream of trying to ‘do France’ in two weeks, yet many visitors try to cram San Francisco, Los Angeles, Napa Valley, Palm Springs and San Diego into a single trip.
My biggest piece of advice? Slow down.
California lends itself beautifully to road trips, but it’s much more rewarding when you choose a region and enjoy it properly. Spend a few days in wine country. Drive part of the Pacific Coast Highway rather than all of it. Book the beach hotel you’ve been dreaming about and actually spend time by the pool.
Below you’ll find some of my favourite places to visit in California after more than two decades of returning again and again.
Some are wine regions. Some are beach towns. Some are luxury hotels worth building an itinerary around.
All of them are places I would happily return to tomorrow.
At a Glance: My Top California Destinations
| Destination | Key Highlight | Where to Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Sonoma | Pinot Noirs & relaxed plazas | Farmhouse Inn, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Kenwood Inn |
| Napa Valley | Vineyard tours & long lunches | Auberge du Soleil, Alila Napa Valley |
| Lake Tahoe | Multi-resort skiing & alpine scenery | The PlumpJack, The Ritz-Carlton at Northstar |
| Big Sur | Highway 1 views & dramatic coastline | Ventana Big Sur, Post Ranch Inn |
| Santa Barbara | Urban Wine Trail & coastal atmosphere | El Encanto, Rosewood Miramar Beach |
| Malibu | Secluded beaches & oceanfront stays | Malibu Beach Inn |
| Beverly Hills | Central LA location & world-class shopping | Four Seasons Hotel at Beverly Hills |
| Santa Monica | Montana Avenue local boutiques & beach vibe | Santa Monica Proper Hotel |
| Palm Springs | Golf courses & private rental villas | The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage |
| Newport Beach | Luxury marina & waterfront sunset cocktails | Balboa Bay Resort |
| Dana Point | Monarch Beach coastal walks & marina | Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach |
Northern California & The Wine Country
Sonoma, California
Sonoma has a special place in my heart.
Perhaps it’s because Williams Sonoma was founded here, perhaps it’s the excellent Pinot Noirs, or perhaps it’s because Sonoma somehow manages to do understated luxury better than almost anywhere else in California.
Less polished than neighbouring Napa and a little more relaxed, Sonoma is somewhere I find myself recommending again and again.
Where I’d stay: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Kenwood Inn or the wonderful Farmhouse Inn (and if you don’t stay there, at least book dinner).
👉 Check rates and availability in Sonoma
Napa Valley, California
Napa Valley is probably one of the best-marketed destinations in the world and, after many visits, I can confirm it lives up to the hype.
The scenery is beautiful, the wineries are excellent and there is something wonderfully indulgent about spending a few days moving between vineyards and long lunches.
We’ve enjoyed everything from the Napa Valley Wine Train to private tastings, and every visit leaves us planning the next one.
Where I’d stay: Auberge du Soleil or Alila Napa Valley.
👉 Check rates and availability in Napa Valley
Lake Tahoe, California
We’ve only visited Lake Tahoe once and, perhaps surprisingly, it was for a ski trip.
Coming from Europe, it took us a while to get our heads around the idea that you could ski multiple resorts during one holiday, but that’s part of the appeal. The scenery is spectacular and the lake itself is stunning.
Next time I’d love to visit during the summer months when the lake becomes the star of the show.
Where I’d stay: The PlumpJack in Olympic Valley or The Ritz-Carlton at Northstar.
👉 Check rates and availability in Lake Tahoe
Central Coast & Southern California Beach Towns
Big Sur, California
Big Sur is one of those places that appears on almost every California itinerary for good reason.
The drive along Highway 1 is spectacular, the coastline is dramatic and on a clear day it’s every bit as beautiful as the photographs suggest.
This isn’t somewhere to rush through. Book a hotel, enjoy the views and stay at least one night.
On our last visit we stayed at Ventana Big Sur and enjoyed lunch across the road at Post Ranch Inn.
Where I’d stay: Ventana Big Sur or Post Ranch Inn.
👉 Check rates and availability in Big Sur
Santa Barbara, California
The more we visit Santa Barbara, the more we want to buy a house there.
Whether it’s the fabulous views, the Urban Wine Trail or the laid-back atmosphere, it’s a destination that somehow gets better every time we visit.
The Restoration Hardware store somehow perfectly sums up Santa Barbara and, yes, perhaps the Goop boutique does too.
Where I’d stay: El Encanto or Rosewood Miramar Beach.
👉 Check rates and availability in Santa Barbara
Malibu, California
We finally stayed in Malibu a few years ago and immediately wondered why we had waited so long.
Staying there rather than simply driving through helped us understand Malibu properly. The beaches, the relaxed atmosphere and the feeling of being away from the rest of the world make it a very special place.
Where I’d stay: Malibu Beach Inn.
👉 Check rates and availability in Malibu
Greater Los Angeles Luxury
Beverly Hills, California
When we’re in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills is usually where we base ourselves.
Its central location makes it easy to explore West Hollywood, Hollywood and other parts of LA, while still enjoying some of the best hotels in California.
Of course, there’s the shopping and Pretty Woman connections, but Beverly Hills remains one of the most convenient luxury bases in Southern California.
Where I’d stay: Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
👉 Check rates and availability in Beverly Hills
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is one of California’s best-known beach towns and one that has evolved significantly over the years.
While visitors naturally gravitate towards the pier and Third Street Promenade, I always recommend spending time around Montana Avenue where you’ll find a more local side of Santa Monica.
A beach house rental can work particularly well here, although the hotel scene continues to improve.
Where I’d stay: Santa Monica Proper Hotel.
👉 Check rates and availability in Santa Monica
Desert Oasis & The Riviera
Greater Palm Springs, California
I first visited Palm Springs almost by accident and have been returning ever since.
In fact, apart from one year, I have visited every single year since.
Made up of several different cities and communities, Greater Palm Springs continues to surprise us. Mr O loves the golf, I love renting a villa and not sharing a swimming pool with anyone else, and there is always somewhere new to discover.
Where I’d stay: The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage.
👉 Check rates and availability in Palm Springs
Newport Beach, California
Often described as Beverly Hills on the water, Newport Beach is a world of beautiful boats, luxury homes and excellent shopping.
It’s undeniably affluent, but also undeniably Californian.
We usually stay at Balboa Bay Resort, which offers a fantastic waterfront location and one of my favourite spots for sunset cocktails.
Where I’d stay: Balboa Bay Resort.
👉 Check rates and availability in Newport Beach
Dana Point, California
If I had to choose one beach resort in California to return to tomorrow, Dana Point would be very high on the list.
It remains one of my favourite places in Southern California and somewhere we’ve returned to several times over the years.
The marina is charming, the coastal walks are beautiful and Monarch Beach remains one of the best stretches of coastline in California.
It’s also perfectly positioned for exploring nearby Laguna Beach and Newport Beach.
Where I’d stay: Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach.
👉 Check rates and availability at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach
Planning Your California Road Trip?
California is one of the few destinations we continue to return to year after year. Every trip uncovers somewhere new, whether that’s a hotel, restaurant, beach town or wine region.
If you’re planning your own California road trip, I hope this list helps you decide where to start.
Planning your trip?
| Planning your trip? | Easiest way to book |
|---|---|
| Flights to California | Book Flights to California |
| Hotels in California | Book Luxury Hotels |
| Car Hire in California | Book Car Hire |
| Experiences in California | Book Attractions & Experiences |
Happy planning, and don’t be surprised if one trip turns into twenty.
Mrs. O
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Check out my other Places to Visit in California posts below:
Check out my other California Guides below:
- California Travel Guide
- Best Things to Do in California
- Best Places to Stay in California
- When to Visit California