California
Twinkling cities, misty redwood forests, sun-kissed beaches, a creative local food scene and an adventurous attitude: California is instantly captivating.
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Latest Stories
- Margot Bigg | Sep 20, 2026A Guide to the Redwoods, California
- Margot Seeto | Apr 3, 2026Beyond the Match: Santa Clara Sets the Table for the World
- Clifton Wilkinson | Mar 19, 2026Why You Should Drive California's Scenic Highway 395
- Alexis Averbuck | Feb 5, 202612 Best Places to Visit in California
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11 days / 10 nights
United States: 11 Days in the American West: California, Nevada and Utah National Parks
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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
Travel Guides
California travel tips from Lonely Planet experts
Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.
Best Things to Do
California has a reputation for sunshine, beaches and palm trees, but there's much more to see in the Golden State. Here are California's top things to do.
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Things to Know
California's sun-drenched parks, beaches and cities are a huge draw for tourists but where to begin? Here's what you need to know before you go.
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Transportation
California may be besotted with cars but that's not the only way to see the Golden State. Here's everything to know about getting around California.
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Best Road Trips
California's unforgettable scenery tugs at your heart and soul. See the best of it with these road trips.
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Best Places to Visit
From cosmopolitan cities to epic natural wonders, California has it all, and the state's best places appeal to travelers of all sorts.
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California and beyond
- destinationNorthern California
- destinationSouthern California
- destinationLos Angeles
- destinationSan Francisco
- destinationYosemite & the Sierra Nevada
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destinationThe Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill - destinationThe Haight & Hayes Valley
- destinationThe Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
