California Holidays

Enjoy our lowest-priced travel months!

California holidays are the ultimate bucket-list flex: Hollywood glamour, Pacific Coast road trips, world-class theme parks, and beaches so good you'll want to cancel your return flight. #SorryNotSorry

✨ Highlights of your Holiday to California 2026 / 2027

Golden Gate glory - Walk or cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, then grab a chowder at Fisherman's Wharf
Hollywood dreams - Spot the Hollywood Sign, stroll the Walk of Fame, and pretend you're famous for a day in Los Angeles
Theme park heaven - Disneyland, Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, the list is genuinely ridiculous
Beach life - From Santa Monica to Malibu to La Jolla, the Pacific coastline delivers sun, surf, and sunsets on repeat
Epic road trips - Drive the Pacific Coast Highway from LA to San Francisco and try not to pull over every five minutes for photos
Wine country - Napa Valley and Sonoma are right there, and yes, the tastings are as good as everyone says

✨ Good to Know

☀️ Weather - Southern California is sunny and warm pretty much all year round, with summer highs of 24-29°C. Northern California (looking at you, San Francisco) is cooler and foggier, especially June to August, so pack a hoodie even in summer
💶 Money - A sit-down lunch runs about £12 to £18 / €14 to €21, a beer is £6 to £9 / €7 to €10, and a coffee is around £4 to £6 / €5 to €7. Tipping is non-negotiable in the US, expect to add eighteen to twenty per cent at restaurants as a baseline, not a bonus
🎬 Fun Fact - California's economy is bigger than most countries. If it were its own nation, it would be the fifth-largest economy in the world, ahead of India and the entire United Kingdom & Ireland combined

California is perfect for you if...

You want the kind of holiday where you wake up at a theme park, road-trip to the beach after lunch, and finish the day wine-tasting at sunset
You're a family who needs Disneyland ticked off the list before the kiddos are too cool for it (spoiler: nobody is too cool for Disneyland)
You've always fancied a proper Pacific Coast Highway road trip with the windows down and the playlist cranked up
You want beaches, cities, national parks, and wine country all in one trip without needing four different flights
You like a holiday that looks incredible on the group chat (California is basically a content factory)

🗣️ Local Lingo - Talk Like a Local

English is spoken everywhere, but California definitely has its own vibe (it's a lot friendlier than the UK & Ireland - the sunshine isn't just in the air, it's in the people too). Also with nearly 30% of the population speaking Spanish, you'll hear it daily, on street signs, in restaurants, and from locals chatting around you. A few Spanish basics go a long way, and some Cali slang...

Hola, OH-lah, Hello
Gracias, GRAH-see-as, Thank you
Por favor, por fah-VOR, Please
La cuenta, por favor, lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR, The bill, please
Una cerveza, por favor, OO-nah ser-VEH-sah por fah-VOR, A beer, please
Dude, DOOD, Can mean literally anything depending on tone (greeting, surprise, disbelief, affection, you name it)
Hella, HELL-ah, Northern California slang for "very" or "a lot of" (say this in LA and they'll know you've been up north)

🏨 Where to Stay on your Holidays to California 2026/2027

Los Angeles

Big, bold, and spread out. Beaches, Hollywood, and nightlife all rolled into one.

San Francisco

Compact, cultural, and packed with iconic sights and food spots.

San Diego

Laid-back coastal city with amazing beaches and family-friendly attractions.

Napa Valley

Perfect for wine lovers and relaxed countryside stays.

🇺🇸 Best Hotels in California by Area

🌴 What are the best hotels in Los Angeles?

Beverly Hilton. The one with the pool terrace you've seen at every Golden Globes after-party. Palm-lined, properly glamorous, and the kind of hotel where you feel like you've made it the moment you walk in.
Hollywood Roosevelt. Old Hollywood charm on the Walk of Fame itself. The Tropicana pool has David Hockney's original painting on the bottom, which is the kind of detail that makes a trip feel special.
Kimpton Everly Hotel. Rooftop bar with Hollywood Sign views, a pool that catches the sunset perfectly, and that Kimpton boutique feel where nothing is too much trouble.
L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. Boutique, discreet, and the sort of place where the staff remember your name by the second morning. Rooftop pool with city views and a spa that justifies the splurge.
Freehand Los Angeles. Part hotel, part hostel-chic social hub in Downtown LA. The rooftop pool is the gathering spot, the lobby bar is lively, and the shared spaces are designed for exactly the kind of holiday where everyone meets in the corridor at 7pm saying "right, where are we going?"

🏰 What are the best hotels in Anaheim? (Disney & Family Area)

Hilton Anaheim. Right next to Disneyland with a big pool, on-site restaurants, and the kind of room setup that means you're not tripping over suitcases. Walking distance to the parks, which saves the "are we there yet?" car journey.
Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort. Another cracking Disneyland-adjacent pick with a heated outdoor pool, spacious family rooms, and a shuttle to the parks if tiny legs have given up for the day.
Anaheim Marriott Suites. All-suite setup that gives families the extra breathing room you actually need on a two-week holiday. Separate living area, proper kitchen space, and a pool the kids won't want to leave.
Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort. Budget-friendly base with a shuttle to Disneyland, outdoor pool, and free breakfast. Does exactly what you need it to do without any fuss, and the saving compared to the walk-to-the-gates hotels is noticeable.

🏖️ What are the best beach hotels in California? (Santa Monica & Huntington Beach)

Hampton Inn and Suites Santa Monica. Beach-adjacent in Santa Monica with complimentary breakfast (which saves a fortune with kids), and the pier is a five-minute walk for that sunset Ferris wheel moment.
Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel. Right on Huntington Beach with fire pits, multiple pools, and the kind of beachfront setup where you genuinely don't need to leave the property if you don't want to.

🌉 What are the best hotels in San Francisco?

Grand Hyatt San Francisco. Union Square location, floor-to-ceiling city views, and you're walking distance to Chinatown, North Beach, and the cable cars. San Francisco at its most convenient and romantic.
Nikko Hotel San Francisco. Sleek, modern, and right on the edge of Union Square with an indoor pool and proper fitness centre. The rooms are calm and unfussy after a day of walking steep hills, and the Japanesque touches throughout give it a feel you won't find at the big chains.
Hilton San Francisco Financial District. Solid mid-range pick in the Financial District with easy access to the Embarcadero waterfront and the Ferry Building. Clean rooms, reliable service, and a good base if you want to be slightly away from the Union Square bustle.
Comfort Inn By The Bay. Russian Hill location with Golden Gate Bridge views from some rooms, complimentary breakfast, and free parking (which in SF is practically a luxury amenity). Does the job brilliantly without the Union Square price tag.

🏖️ What are the best beaches in California?

California has over 1,300 kilometres of coastline, and the beaches range from wide, golden, lifeguard-patrolled strips to dramatic cliff-backed coves where the Pacific crashes in properly.

Santa Monica Beach, LA, is the classic, the one you've seen in films. The pier has a Ferris wheel and a rollercoaster, the beach is wide and sandy, and the sunset views are the reason "golden hour" became a phrase. It gets busy, but that's part of the energy.
Venice Beach, LA, is Santa Monica's louder, weirder neighbour (in the best way). Skateboarders, street performers, Muscle Beach bodybuilders, and an ocean-front boardwalk that feels like nowhere else. Bring a camera.
Malibu, just north of LA, is where the coastline gets properly cinematic. Zuma Beach is the big family-friendly stretch, while El Matador Beach has sea caves and rock formations that look like they were designed for an engagement photoshoot.
La Jolla, San Diego, is the one the locals rave about. Crystal-clear water, sea lions lounging on the rocks, and some of the best snorkelling in California. La Jolla Cove is tiny but the water is special.
Laguna Beach, Orange County (about halfway between LA and San Diego), has an arty, upscale feel with clear water, hidden coves, and tide pools the kids will love exploring.
Baker Beach, San Francisco, has one of the most iconic views in California, the Golden Gate Bridge filling the background while you sit on the sand. The water is freezing (this is the Pacific up north), but the scenery more than makes up for it. Great for a walk and photos, less so for a swim.

Cheap holidays to California

California has a reputation for being pricey, and parts of it are (we're looking at you, Beverly Hills), but a properly good California holiday doesn't need a Hollywood budget. The trick is knowing where the value sits and when to book.

Flights are the biggest cost, so book as early as you can. Direct flights from the UK & Ireland to LA or San Francisco are the most comfortable option, but connecting flights via New York or a European hub can knock hundreds off the fare. January to March and November (outside Thanksgiving week) tend to have the cheapest flights and hotel rates, with Southern California still warm enough for beach days and outdoor exploring.

Location makes a big difference to your daily spend. Hollywood and Beverly Hills hotels charge a premium for the postcode, but areas like Anaheim, Downtown LA, and the neighbourhoods around Union Square in San Francisco offer much better value without being far from the action. Eating out is cheaper than you'd expect if you lean into California's food truck and casual dining culture. Tacos, burritos, and In-N-Out Burger keep lunch costs low, and many of the best things to do (beaches, hiking, the Hollywood Sign viewpoint, Santa Monica Pier, Golden Gate Park) are completely free.

California Holidays 2026/2027 - Travel Guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What are the best things to do on a California family holiday?

Disneyland Park, Anaheim - The original Disneyland is a non-negotiable for families. Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Pixar Pier at the adjacent California Adventure are worth a full day each.
Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Studio Tour, and Super Nintendo World make this a full-day minimum. Book the Express Pass if the group's patience has limits.
San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park - Regularly ranked among the best zoos in the world, with over 12,000 animals across 40 hectares. The guided bus tour is worth doing early before the crowds build.
Santa Monica Pier - Rides, an aquarium, street performers, and the endpoint of Route 66. The kids get the fun, the parents get the sunset, everyone wins.
LEGOLAND, Carlsbad - Perfect for under-12s who are deep in their LEGO era. Miniland USA is genuinely impressive even if you're not six years old.

💑 What are the best things to do for couples on a California holiday?

Pacific Coast Highway drive - Rent a car and drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco (or the other way round). Big Sur, Monterey, and Carmel-by-the-Sea are the headline stops. One of the best road trips in the world, no exaggeration.
Napa Valley wine tasting - Over 400 wineries in one valley. Book a few tastings, hire a driver (or take the Napa Valley Wine Train), and spend a day doing absolutely nothing productive.
Griffith Observatory at sunset, Los Angeles - Free entry, panoramic views of the city, the Hollywood Sign lit up, and some of the best sunset-watching in LA. Bring a jacket, it gets breezy up there.
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco - Bigger than Central Park, with botanical gardens, the de Young Museum, bison paddocks (yes, really), and enough peaceful walking trails to fill an entire lazy afternoon.

🎉 What are the top things to do for groups on a California holiday?

Rooftop bars in Downtown LA - The rooftop scene in Los Angeles is properly good. Perch, Spire 73, and The Highlight Room all deliver views, cocktails, and the kind of vibe that makes the group chat jealous.
Universal Studios Hollywood - Works brilliantly for groups. The rides are great, the food options are varied, and the CityWalk entertainment district right outside is perfect for post-park drinks.
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco - Book well ahead (it sells out weeks in advance) and take the ferry across the Bay. The audio tour is genuinely gripping, and the views back to San Francisco from the island are class.
Venice Beach boardwalk - Start at Venice, walk or cycle to Santa Monica, stop for tacos, watch the skateboarders, and end up at the pier for sunset. A proper group day out that costs next to nothing.

🌍 Places to go in California

Los Angeles
San Francisco
San Diego

🌎 Other Places to Explore in the USA

Las Vegas
New York City
Florida

Popular California hotels

More California hotels

FAQs

Direct flights from London to California typically take around 10–11 hours, depending on whether you’re flying into Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most common arrival point, with non-stop services from London Heathrow offered by airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

If you fly with a connection (often via New York, Dallas, or a European hub), total journey times usually range from 13–16 hours.

Route	Flight time	Airlines
London Heathrow to Los Angeles (direct)	approx. 10h 30m–11h 15m	British Airways, Virgin Atlantic
London Heathrow to San Francisco (direct)	approx. 10h 30m–11h 30m	British Airways, United Airlines
Via New York	approx. 13–15h total	American Airlines, Delta
Via Dallas	approx. 14–16h total	American Airlines
Via Doha or Dubai	approx. 16–18h total	Qatar Airways, Emirates

Good to know: US immigration is completed on arrival in California, so expect queues at passport control before you collect your luggage.

California is 8 hours behind the UK & Ireland for most of the year. During the brief clock-change transition periods in spring and autumn (when the UK & Ireland and the US switch to/from daylight saving on different dates), the difference drops to 7 hours for a couple of weeks. Jet lag is real on this route, but most people adjust within two or three days. The upside: you'll wake up early and get gorgeous, quiet mornings on the beach before anyone else turns up.

California uses the US Dollar (USD / $), the same currency used across the United States.

Notes: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
Coins: cents (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters)

Cards are widely accepted everywhere, hotels, restaurants, attractions, and even small cafés. Contactless payments and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are also very common in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Cash is still useful for:

Tips (very important in the US service industry)
Small purchases
Some food trucks and local vendors

ATMs are widely available, but may charge withdrawal fees unless you use a travel-friendly bank card.

California works year-round, which is part of its appeal.

Summer (June to September) is peak season with the fullest energy, the warmest ocean, and every theme park and attraction running at full tilt. It's busy, but that's the California experience at its loudest.

September and October are gorgeous, wine country harvest, San Francisco's warmest weather, and the coast at its clearest.

Winter (November to March) is Southern California's quieter, warmer-than-you'd-expect season, perfect for beach walks, outdoor dining, and seeing a different side of the state.

Incredible, and more varied than you might expect. California basically invented the farm-to-table movement, so fresh, seasonal produce is everywhere.

LA's food truck scene is legendary (the tacos alone are worth the flight), San Francisco does seafood brilliantly (clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Fisherman's Wharf is a rite of passage), and Napa Valley pairs world-class wine with food that matches it.

For casual eating, In-N-Out Burger is a California institution, order the Double-Double and thank us later.

International cuisine is everywhere too, LA has some of the best Mexican, Korean, Japanese, and Thai food outside of those countries.

The best money-saving move is timing. January to March and November have the cheapest flights and hotel rates, and Southern California is still warm. For accommodation, Anaheim (near Disneyland), Downtown LA, and areas around Union Square in San Francisco all offer much better value than Beverly Hills or Santa Monica. Eating cheap is easy if you go casual, food trucks, In-N-Out Burger, taco stands, and the amazing Asian food in LA's Koreatown and San Francisco's Chinatown are all brilliant and affordable. Many of the best experiences are free, beaches, hiking in the Hollywood Hills, walking the Golden Gate Bridge, exploring Golden Gate Park, and people-watching on Venice Beach.

California isn't a traditional all-inclusive destination in the way the Caribbean or Mediterranean resorts are. You won't find many hotels offering the eat-and-drink-everything-included packages. But that's actually part of the appeal: the food scene is so good (and so varied) that locking yourself into one hotel restaurant would mean missing out on the taco trucks, the farm-to-table spots, and the beachside seafood shacks that make California special. If budget certainty is the priority, look for hotels with complimentary breakfast and plan meals at affordable spots like food trucks and fast-casual restaurants. You'll eat better, spend less, and experience more of what California is actually about.

Absurdly so. Between Disneyland, Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, and beaches that go on for days, California might be the single best family holiday destination on the planet. The distances between attractions mean you'll want a hire car (which is straightforward and surprisingly affordable in the US), and most hotels in the main tourist areas are set up for families with pools, kids' menus, and extra beds. San Diego is the most naturally family-friendly city (calmer, warmer water, zoo, LEGOLAND nearby), while Anaheim is the theme park base. School-holiday families make up a huge part of California's tourism, so everything from restaurants to attractions is geared up for it.