California
Twinkling cities, misty redwood forests, sun-kissed beaches, a creative local food scene and an adventurous attitude: California is instantly captivating.
Ibrahim20A/Shutterstock
Latest Stories
- Sarah Kuta | Oct 22, 202610 Best Places to Travel Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve
- Margot Bigg | Sep 20, 2026A Guide to the Redwoods, California
- Lonely Planet Editors | Jun 12, 2026A Practical Guide to Hiking California’s John Muir Trail
- Margot Seeto | Apr 3, 2026Beyond the Match: Santa Clara Sets the Table for the World
Book
Trip 
11 days / 10 nights
United States: 11 Days in the American West: California, Nevada and Utah National Parks
App
Trusted Partner
Dreaming of California? Protect your trip
Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.
We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Book your United States trip with Lonely Planet Journeys
See United States how it's meant to be seen
Accommodations, activities and ground transportation all taken care of, so you can focus on the fun part. Tell us what your dream trip to United States looks like, and our local experts will build it from scratch. Or start with one of our itineraries and make it your own.
Top places to visit in California
Discover the best attractions in California from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.
- Attraction in Los AngelesLACMA
- Attraction in The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero HillBalmy Alley
- Attraction in CaliforniaPalm Springs Art Museum
- Attraction in Los AngelesGriffith Observatory
- Attraction in CaliforniaJoshua Tree National Park
- Attraction in CaliforniaJulia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Attraction in CaliforniaThe Lost Coast Trail
- Attraction in MontereyMonterey Bay Aquarium
California Travel Information
Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.
in partnership with getyourguide
Book popular activities in California
Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.
California and beyond
- destinationNorthern California
- destinationSouthern California
- destinationLos Angeles
- destinationSan Francisco
- destinationYosemite & the Sierra Nevada
-
destinationThe Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill - destinationThe Haight & Hayes Valley
- destinationThe Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
