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From catching a cotton-candy sunrise in Joshua Tree to enjoying sundowners in Malibu, California is a state of rare beauty. Boasting more national parks than anywhere else in America, you'll find craggy coastlines, flat deserts, and ancient forests dotted all over the “Golden State”. So, stop California dreaming and start planning your Californian adventure with the help of our travel guide.
To find the tallest and some of the oldest trees on earth head to Redwood National Park. While best known for preserving the world's most beautiful coast redwoods, the park also has inspiring views, remote beaches, and fern-filled canyons.
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, lies the clear blue Lake Tahoe. In winter, fresh powder and bustling ski resorts, like Squaw Valley, turn Tahoe into one of the Golden State’s rare snowy playgrounds. In summer the area is a popular spot for hiking and biking.
Discover more Lake Tahoe activitiesNapa Valley is a boozy requirement to any West Coast trip. Home to some of California's most famed vineyards, it is a wine lover’s paradise. The region offers everything from rustic to luxury experiences. There are also Michelin-star restaurants, craft breweries and mountain hikes available.
Top Napa Valley wineriesYosemite National Park is an explorer’s dream. Hike beneath the shadows of ancient sequoias and mammoth granite domes. Chase the rainbows of Vernal Falls or the Firefall at Horsetail Fall. Bring your binoculars to spot wildlife or watch climbers ascend the dizzying heights on El Capitan.
Things to do in YosemiteDriving along the Pacific Coast Highway is quintessentially Californian. Stretching from San Francisco to San Diego, the scenic drive hugs the rocky coast, dipping in and out of charming towns and big cities. Take it slow by stopping in at retro restaurants, hidden beaches and world-class wineries along the way. Passing through Big Sur, where the redwoods meet the waves, is a truly unforgettable part of any trip.
Explore more classic road tripsScattered along the North Cali coast are a bunch of cool cities worth visiting. Surrounded by Silicon Valley, San Jose is California’s oldest Spanish civilian settlement. While the surfy town of Santa Cruz has big waves and bigger trees.
Read our San Francisco travel guideIn Joshua Tree National Park, two diverse ecosystems collide, creating one of California's most epic landscapes. The Mojave and the Colorado deserts are home to fascinating plants, challenging hikes, surreal rock formations and stunning vistas.
Start your next sunny getaway along the shores of Southern California. Nicknamed "Surf City", Huntington Beach is a sweet spot to roll out your towel. Dive into the Hollywood hideout, Malibu, where killer hikes and cool restaurants come with ocean views. Or eat your way through San Diego’s famous Baja-med scene.
Discover top dining spots in MalibuLoaded with mid-century eye candy, old-school restaurants and stylish stays, Palm Springs is a glamorous desert oasis. As a playground for Hollywood types, past and present, the VIP treatment is always on offer here. Coachella music festival, art-filled hotels and antique shops have also made the city one of Southern California's cultural hot spots.
