California

California

California is the most populated and diverse state in America and a true vacation wonderland if you can just get around all the people. Southern California offers San Diego beaches and the pop-culture mecca of Los Angeles along with more romantic getaways than you could imagine. Northern California has San Francisco, Napa Valley, and redwood forests. In between, you’ll find towering mountain peaks, crashing surf, and desert skies that stretch on forever.

Table of Contents

$$-$$$$
Language(s)

English

Currency

US Dollar

Exercise Increased Caution
Summer Winter
San Francisco 72 45
Palm Springs 106 45
Los Angeles 85 48
Outlets
Type-A
Type-B

Best Time to Visit

California is the longest state south of Alaska, with radically different environmental regions. Each region has its own best time to visit:

SoCal Beaches – Beach season starts late in Southern California because May Gray and June Gloom are things. July has perfect Mediterranean weather, and August occasionally gets downright hot if the Santa Ana winds kick up. September and early October are the best time to come because the water is warm (relatively), the weather is perfect, and the summer crowds are gone. Springtime is also pleasant with spring flowers (especially a ‘super bloom’) and all kinds of baby animals, but the water will be shockingly cold, but you can escape the gray by heading inland.

NorCal Coast – It takes a hearty soul (or a thick wetsuit) to brave NorCal beaches, especially north of Santa Cruz, but they are visually exquisite. Also, the rainy season begins shortly after Labor Day. The Northern California coast is more a natural playground than a beach vacation, and in that, it excels. You will not be disappointed with mountains coming down to reach the sea, towering redwood forests, and picture-perfect beaches.

Mountains – The summer and winter are the best times to head to the mountains, but it’s two completely different trips. In the summer, you’ll find camping, hiking, and mountain sports with towering waterfalls and massive sequoias. Fall is short-lived, with many campgrounds closed after Labor Day, and the mountain roads are snowed-in come November. This sets the stage for a winter wonderland of skiing and Nordic adventures. Springtime is mud season as the snow melts, and the cycle begins anew.

Deserts – Summer in the desert is oppressively hot, but mornings and evenings are more than pleasant in the spring and fall, especially during the spring flower season. Winter is the high season for desert activities, from Palm Spring resorts to tramping around Joshua Tree.

Fun Facts

  • Fallbrook is the Avocado Capital of the World
  • UCLA is the birthplace of the internet. The first message was supposed to say “Login”, but the system crashed at “Lo”
  • The state motto is ‘Eureka’, in honor of the California Gold Rush
  • It’s illegal for men with mustaches to kiss women in Eureka (the city)
  • California experiences over 100 earthquakes a day, but only one big one a year (on average 😉)
  • California has the world’s largest tree (General Sherman), the world’s tallest tree (Hyperion), and the world’s oldest tree (Methuselah)
  • Death Valley is the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park
  • Mt Whitney is the highest peak in the Continental United States (14,494′)
  • California would be tied with Russia for the third most billionaires if it was its own country
  • The anarchist community at Slab City is known as the ‘Last Free Place in America’
  • San Diego has more than 1,715 miles of bikeways
  • UC Santa Cruz’s mascot is the Banana Slug

Bucket-List Activities

  • PCH road trip on the Big Sur Coast (between Carmel and San Simeon)
  • Hiking the John Muir Trail (Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks)
  • Scuba diving with baby sea lions (Channel Islands National Park)
  • Seeing the Super Bloom (Southern California)
  • Watch a sunset at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park (San Diego)
  • Climbing Mt Whitney (Bishop)
  • Big wave surfing at Mavericks (Half Moon Bay)
  • Wine tasting bicycle tour in Napa Valley (Napa)
  • Cage diving with great white sharks (San Diego)
  • Kayaking with otters in Monterey Bay (Monterey)

Natural Wonders

  • Yosemite Falls (Sierra Nevada)
  • Joshua Tree National Park (Twenty-nine Palms)
  • Sequoia National Forest (Kernville)
  • Channel Islands National Park & National Marine Sanctuary (Ventura)
  • Big Sur Coastline (between Carmel and San Simeon)
  • Lake Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe)
  • Death Valley (Lone Pine)
  • Redwood National Forest (NorCal)

Major Attractions

Native Foods

  • California Pizza (featuring non-traditional pizza ingredients, such as fresh produce and barbecued meats)
  • Cobb Salad (created by Bob Cobb in 1937 at the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, California)
  • French Dip Sandwich (Created in Los Angeles in 1908)
  • Street Tacos (bonus points if they’re from a taco truck)
  • Sea Urchins (a delicate blend of sweet and briny)
  • Sourdough Bread (a staple in San Francisco since the Gold Rush)
  • Avocado Toast (bonus points you use SF sourdough bread and Fallbrook avocados)
  • Craft IPA (if you have to ask, you’re not worthy)

General Travel Tips

Common Phrases

  • The 10 (or any other road) – Californians love to identify their web of highways by the road number.
  • It takes xxx minutes, depending on traffic – Every driving estimate has to be prefaced with a traffic report.
  • June Gloom – It follows May Gray and means you shouldn’t expect sunny beaches until the 4th of July.
  • It’s pretty gnarly out, bro – master the nuance between bro and brah, and you’ll be shredding surf culture in no time.
  • Hella – It’s how to say “very” with an Oakland accent
  • Double – Double, animal style – The perfect order from In-N-Out’s secret menu.
  • 420 – A not-so-secret code word for pot and an official holiday on April 20th.
  • Dank – The opposite of bomb, unless it’s 420 friendly.
  • SoCal / NorCal – Southern and Northern California, with a specific emphasis on the coastal regions. Big Sur is the commonly accepted split between SoCal and NorCal.
  • Los Angeles / Los Angeles International Airport (LAX ✈✈✈✈) – SoCal’s biggest metroplex home to Hollywood, Venice Beach, and 18-million people
  • San Francisco / San Francisco International Airport (SFO ✈✈✈✈) – The City By the Bay is filled with iconic architecture and a working public transit system
  • San Diego / San Diego International Airport (SAN ✈✈✈✈) – America’s Finest City is also California’s beach getaway
  • San Jose / Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC ✈✈✈✈) – Home to Silicon Valley and an alternate gateway to San Francisco
  • Oakland / Oakland International Airport (OAK ✈✈✈✈) – A multicultural city across the bay from San Francisco
  • Sacramento / Sacramento International Airport (SMF ✈✈✈✈) – California’s capital city
  • Orange County / John Wayne Airport (SNA ✈✈✈✈) – A kinder and gentler gateway to the LA metroplex
  • Burbank / Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUT ✈✈✈✈) – A kinder and gentile gateway to the LA metroplex
  • Ontario / Ontario International Airport (ONT) – The air-hub to the Inland Empire and East LA
  • Long Beach /  Long Beach Airport (LGB  ✈✈✈✈) – Yet another way into the OC, home to Aquarium of the Pacific, the Queen Mary, and the primary ferry to Catalina Island.
  • Palm Springs / Palm Springs International Airport (PSP ✈✈✈✈) – A desert resort town and gateway to Joshua Tree.
  • Fresno / Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT ✈✈✈) – The shortcut to Yosemite / Kings Canyon / Sequoia without going through the Bay Area.
  • Santa Barbara / Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA ✈✈) – Where the LA rich and famous go for their spa day
  • San Luis Obispo / San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP ✈✈) – Life in the SLO lane
  • Santa Rosa/ Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport (STS ✈✈) – North Bay is the gates to wine country
  • Monterey / Monterey Regional Airport (MRY ✈✈) – The best way to Monterey without going through the Bay
Ultimate Guide to Biking in San Diego

Ultimate Guide to Biking in San Diego

I don’t use superlatives often, but this is the ultimate guide to biking in San Diego. Having lived in Pacific Beach and cycled thousands of miles there, I know the…
21 Spectacular Romantic Getaways in Southern California for Active Couples

21 Spectacular Romantic Getaways in Southern California for Active Couples

What are the most romantic getaways in Southern California? For active couples, SoCal offers a little bit of everything from luxurious beach hotels to cozy mountain cabins. From the bright…
San Diego Beaches and Breweries: The Perfect Pairing

San Diego Beaches and Breweries: The Perfect Pairing

Looking to chill on the best beaches in San Diego? How about sipping craft beer at some of San Diego's finest breweries? Why not combine the two for a perfect…
San Francisco Walking Tours - Self Guided Routes You're Going to Love

San Francisco Walking Tours - Self Guided Routes You're Going to Love

San Francisco is considered one of America's greatest cities. We’ve designed 5 self-guided San Francisco walking tour routes that are not just easy to follow, they take you to all…
Dark Harbor Survival Guide - Escaping the Queen Mary Haunt Alive

Dark Harbor Survival Guide - Escaping the Queen Mary Haunt Alive

There are many haunted houses you can visit in California. Most of them have lite scares, but in general, they are very PG-13. Dark Harbor is not that kind of…
My Catalina Island Birthday

My Catalina Island Birthday

Catalina Island holds a special place in the heart of every Californian. A one-hour ferry ride takes you away to the magical Mediterranean town of Avalon.
Chill at the Queen Mary

Chill at the Queen Mary

It's a winter wonderland in Long Beach at the Queen Mary's new CHILL. Explore the Ice Adventure Park and experience holiday traditions from around the world.
Queen Mary’s Ghosts and Legends Tour Reincarnated

Queen Mary’s Ghosts and Legends Tour Reincarnated

What do you get when you combine a spooky ship with a haunted history and 3 million dollars in special effects? The most frightening and emersive ghost tour you will…
Our Five Favorite California Adventures (along the San Andreas Fault)

Our Five Favorite California Adventures (along the San Andreas Fault)

With our time in California coming to an end, it’s only natural to get nostalgic, so it feels fitting to explore our top five favorite California adventures.
A Dozen Cool Things To Do In Santa Cruz

A Dozen Cool Things To Do In Santa Cruz

What’s the recipe for a good time in Santa Cruz? You take a little bit of ocean, a little bit of forest, and a little bit of theme park. It’s…
Seven New Reasons to Visit Snooze AM Eatery

Seven New Reasons to Visit Snooze AM Eatery

If an energetic atmosphere, engaging service & innovative breakfast dishes/libations aren't enough to get you out of bed, Snooze just gave you 7 more reasons....
Seven Reasons to Visit Dark Harbor, Besides Being Scary AF

Seven Reasons to Visit Dark Harbor, Besides Being Scary AF

How scary is Dark Harbor? When the creative genius of Hollywood designers and makeup artists get to create a horror zone the results can be.....terrifying.
Berry Creek Falls Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park- A Hiking Guide

Berry Creek Falls Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park- A Hiking Guide

Berry Falls is the premier hike of Big Basin Redwoods State Park in California. The notoriety is in part, because it’s a difficult but manageable hike.
Ocean Beach - The Local's Guide

Ocean Beach - The Local's Guide

Ocean Beach, Ca. is a beach city outside of San Diego. It is home to golden sunsets and hippie culture. It was once known as the Haight-Ashbury of San Diego.
Tails Up, Surfs up - Surf Dogs Hanging 20

Tails Up, Surfs up - Surf Dogs Hanging 20

We saw (and photographed) the cutest thing ever last weekend - dogs surfing. Imperial Beach Surf Dog was the unofficial kickoff to the California Dog Surfing season.
An Adventurist Guide to Comic-Con

An Adventurist Guide to Comic-Con

Comic-Con is San Diego’s biggest party. Every year, hundred of thousand visitors converge on the convention center to check out the latest in pop culture. It’s so popular that the…
Finding Strange on the Shores of the Salton Sea

Finding Strange on the Shores of the Salton Sea

All we were looking for was a quiet hike through Painted Canyon for Easter. We found Jesus, took a pilgrimage to Mecca and climbed Salvation Mountain.
Photographic Tour of California's Super Bloom

Photographic Tour of California's Super Bloom

Join us on a photographic tour of California’s epic wildflower season plus tips on how to enjoy it sustainably.
Whale Watching San Diego Style

Whale Watching San Diego Style

Is whale watching in San Diego any fun? We have been asking ourselves that question every time whale watching season came around.
Taking the Plunge- Our First Solo Dive at Catalina Island

Taking the Plunge- Our First Solo Dive at Catalina Island

Casino Point Dive Park is a unique and amazing place to dive in California. First off, it’s on Catalina Island which is almost like a Mediterranean town.
Exploring the Aquarium of the Pacific

Exploring the Aquarium of the Pacific

When we visited Aquarium of the Pacific, we expected to see a lot of pretty fish (we did). What we got was so much more.
Queen Mary's Haunted Harbor

Queen Mary's Haunted Harbor

When Halloween aficionado friends suggested Dark Harbor, we listened. As they described the real horrors that occurred on the Queen Mary, we were intrigued.
Ghost Touring in Haunted San Diego

Ghost Touring in Haunted San Diego

Join us on a journey through San Diego’s haunted past. We couldn’t say if the places we visited were truly haunted, but.....
Should You Try Meetup for Scuba Diving Adventures

Should You Try Meetup for Scuba Diving Adventures

There are more Meetups than you can shake a stick at, but are any of them any good? Cheap – certainly. Fun – probably. Safe…. Safe?

WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE OUR JOURNEY WITH YOU!

JOIN THE CONCIERGE CLUB FOR BEHIND THE SCENES CONTENT, OUR LATEST POSTS, AND MORE… STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!

Newsletter Signup

Table of Contents

Travel Responsibly

Here at Coleman Concierge, we encourage everyone to travel responsibly and believe there is potential for tremendous good for the world following that ethos. There is also the potential for horrific consequences from irresponsible travel.

Before you go, please check out the latest CDC recommendations for travelers.

Even if you can’t physically explore the world, we hope that you enjoy the escape our site provides. Keep your spirits up and your hands clean. There will be a time to travel soon enough.

Meet Ed & Jenn

Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman, and together we are Coleman Concierge. It is our goal to inspire you to get out, expand your world, and to seek adventure, even in your own backyard.

We deeply believe in the transformational power of travel. Our tagline is amazing adventures for ordinary people because we believe that you don’t have to be super rich, super fit or super anything to have an amazing adventure. Expanding your comfort zone and trying new things will pay huge dividends in both health and happiness.

We advocate for sustainable and ethical travel and truly believe in the power of travel to transform both ourselves as well as the world around us.

NEVER MISS ANOTHER ADVENTURE! JOIN THE CONCIERGE CLUB!

Get our latest travel tips and posts straight to your inbox and start planning your next adventure.

Newsletter Signup

Proud Media Members of:

North American Travel Journalists Association

Adventure Travel Trade Association

International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association

Society of American Travel Writers

Impact Travel Alliance

Your Journey Begins Today

Get our latest travel tips and posts straight to your inbox and start planning your next adventure.

Newsletter Signup