Ultimate Guide to California Essentials

Figure out when to go, how much you’ll spend on that iconic road trip, and how to get around the massive state.

rock formation at Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz, California during a pink, purple, and orange sunset
rock formation at Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz, California during a pink, purple, and orange sunset
Huntington Beach pier
Huntington Beach pier
Santa Barbara Marina shoreline breakwater with recreational boats, CA
Santa Barbara Marina shoreline breakwater with recreational boats, CA

Weather in Santa Barbara: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

Aerial view of waves washing up on rocky beach
Aerial view of waves washing up on rocky beach

The Best Time to Visit California’s Central Coast

Beach and Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, California
Beach and Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, California

Weather on California’s Central Coast: Climate, Seasons, and Average Temperature

Freeway into San Francisco
Freeway into San Francisco

How to Travel from San Jose to San Francisco by Train, Bus, and Car

Vineyards and windmill near Sonoma, CA.
Vineyards and windmill near Sonoma, CA.

The Weather and Climate in California’s Wine Country

Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, California USA
Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, California USA

The Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park

Poppies in Antelope Valley
Poppies in Antelope Valley

March in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

October is whale-watching season: A humpback whale lunge feeds in clear view of a whale watching boat out in Monterey Bay, California.
October is whale-watching season: A humpback whale lunge feeds in clear view of a whale watching boat out in Monterey Bay, California.

California in October: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Time for New Olive Oil at Kiler Ridge Near Paso Robles
Time for New Olive Oil at Kiler Ridge Near Paso Robles

November in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

The Point Reyes Lighthouse
The Point Reyes Lighthouse

August in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Foggy Morning at Santa Monica Beach
Foggy Morning at Santa Monica Beach

June Gloom: What California Beaches Are Really Like in the Summer

Aerial view (direction of view is from the northwest to the southeast) of San Andreas Fault, Near Taft, California, USA
Aerial view (direction of view is from the northwest to the southeast) of San Andreas Fault, Near Taft, California, USA

Visitor’s Guide to the San Andreas Fault in California

Crowded Santa Monica Beach in Southern California
Crowded Santa Monica Beach in Southern California

Best Places to Go for Labor Day in California

A surfer walks along a southern California beach during high surf
A surfer walks along a southern California beach during high surf

Winter in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Woman looking at map on side of road
Woman looking at map on side of road

15 Places to Visit in Southern California

Map of California Places to Visit
Map of California Places to Visit

California State Maps: Attractions and Sights

Card Placeholder Image
California Road Map
Map of the California Coast
Map of the California Coast
The Brady Bunch House
The Brady Bunch House
Southern California CityPASS
Southern California CityPASS
A trio of humpback whales feeding in Monterey Bay, California
A trio of humpback whales feeding in Monterey Bay, California

February in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

The view from the cliffs above Blacks Beach
The view from the cliffs above Blacks Beach

Spring in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See May in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See April in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

California Missions Map

Yosemite national park
Yosemite national park

Fall in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

New Year's Eve Firework at San Francisco
New Year’s Eve Firework at San Francisco

New Year’s Eve in California Visiting Yosemite National Park in Summer

Imperial Sand Dunes
Imperial Sand Dunes

Star Wars Sites in California

Kayaks on Lake Tahoe
Kayaks on Lake Tahoe

Summer in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Mono Lake in the Fall
Mono Lake in the Fall

Reasons to Visit Odd and Interesting Mono Lake June in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

July in California: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Father and Daughter at La Jolla Cove
Father and Daughter at La Jolla Cove

Father’s Day in California

California Regions Map
California Regions Map

A Map of the Best California Regions Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve: Planning Your Trip

Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon
Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon

Thanksgiving in California

Route 66, Amboy, California, USA
Route 66, Amboy, California, USA

Route 66 in California

Yosemite Valley in Fall
Yosemite Valley in Fall

Fall in Yosemite: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See 5 of the Best RV Parks in Baja California

Camping in Yosemite Woods
Camping in Yosemite Woods

Yosemite Campgrounds: What You Need to Know

Grey Whale at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Grey Whale at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Whales and Dolphins of the California Coast

Bear Warning at Yosemite National Park
Bear Warning at Yosemite National Park

How to be Safe from Bears at Yosemite and Sequoia California Mission Facts and Answers to Frequent Questions

Calfornia Mileage Marker
Calfornia Mileage Marker

California Mileage Markers

People hikers hiking in Yosemite National Park on sunny day
People hikers hiking in Yosemite National Park on sunny day

Best Apps for Visiting Yosemite National Park

Camping at Sunset State Beach
Camping at Sunset State Beach

How to Make Reservations at California State Parks Plan Your California Vacation

Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, America, USA
Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, America, USA

Weather in Yosemite: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

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