The Golden State

California

USA

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Trip code: 18948

From the rolling Pacific surf, verdant vineyards, vibrant coastal cities and magnificent redwoods of the north to southern California’s dreamy desert resorts, golden beaches and cosmopolitan cities, there’s so much to discover in California at any time of year. In fact, there’s so much to experience that you can’t see it all in one visit so be prepared for a need to return, time and time again.

There’s something magnetic about California — a place where palm-lined boulevards, redwood forests, and snow-capped peaks all exist within a single, sun-drenched state. It’s not just a destination. It’s a feeling, a dream, a cultural icon. A holiday here is less about ticking boxes, and more about soaking in contrasts that somehow make perfect sense.
Start in Los Angeles, where movie magic meets everyday madness. Visitors are drawn to the glitz of Hollywood, the star-lined sidewalks of the Walk of Fame, and the possibility of spotting a celebrity at a Melrose café. But L.A. is also full of surprises — from Griffith Park hikes with skyline views to the vibrant murals of the Arts District.
Drive an hour west and you’re in Santa Monica, watching the sun dip into the Pacific as surfers catch the last waves of the day. Continue north along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the world, and you’ll encounter California’s quieter soul — in the cliffs of Big Sur, the charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and the historic boardwalk of Santa Cruz.
Yosemite National Park is a cathedral of granite and waterfalls — a place where nature whispers its grandeur at every turn. Equally stunning is Lake Tahoe, straddling the Nevada border, offering crystal waters in summer and snow sports in winter.
For something completely different, head inland to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree — where mid-century modern meets Martian landscapes. The high desert draws artists, hikers, and dreamers, especially during sunrise when the landscape glows in gold and pink.

Here’s what our team says:

Escape to a place where every imaginable adventure waits: welcome to California, the Golden State. Imagine your mornings beginning with the cool mist of the Pacific on a pristine Southern California beach and your afternoons ending among the towering, sun-drenched granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Here, you can sip world-class wine in Napa Valley, chase the ghost of the Gold Rush, or feel the pulse of innovation in its vibrant cities—California offers a lifetime of contrasting experiences packed into one breathtaking, unforgettable destination.

Brendan Macdonagh
Sales Agency Manager

Weather & Climate

California’s weather is a dramatic performance of climatic contradiction, a place where meteorological extremes exist in startling proximity. Along the Pacific Coast, a moderate, Mediterranean climate prevails, characterized by the legendary "June Gloom" fog that cools the golden, dry summers, and mild, wet winters where all the year's rain must fall. Only a short drive inland, however, the Coast Ranges create a rain shadow, giving way to the scorching, semi-arid Central Valley, which roasts under clear skies with some of the hottest summer temperatures on Earth. Further east, the towering Sierra Nevada imposes an Alpine climate, hoarding massive winter snowpacks and high-elevation chill, while just beyond its eastern slopes, the land plunges into the oven-like Mojave and Colorado Deserts, an arid hellscape that routinely records the highest temperatures in the nation, proving that in California, you can ski a snowy peak and stand in furnace-like heat on the same day.

Location

Cradled between the mighty Pacific Ocean to the west and the towering rampart of the Sierra Nevada to the east, California is a geological masterpiece of extremes and transitions. Its spine is the great Central Valley, a long, fertile trough of agricultural plenty, walled off by the jagged, fog-kissed Coast Ranges. To the south, the landscape dissolves into the searing, low-lying basins of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, home to Death Valley—the lowest point in North America. Yet, just a short distance west, the alpine majesty of peaks like Mount Whitney scrape the sky, a land of ancient giant sequoias and snow-fed torrents, where the plate tectonics of a restless Earth still shape the land along the infamous San Andreas Fault.

Featured Itineraries

California itineraries

Explore curated Californian getaways, from sweeping Pacific Coast Highway road trips and wine-tasting tours in the Northern California vineyards to thrilling family fun at the Southern California theme parks.
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California Destinations

Carlsbad
Death Valley
Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz & San Martin
Laguna Beach & Dana Point
Lake Tahoe, California
Los Angeles
Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur & Pebble Beach
Napa & Sonoma Wine Regions
Newport Beach, Newport Coast & Huntington Beach
Palm Springs Desert Resorts
Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay & San Simeon
Redondo Beach, Long Beach & Palos Verdes
Sacramento
San Diego & Carlsbad
San Francisco
Santa Barbara
Santa Monica
Sequoia & Yosemite National Parks

Cosmopolitan Cities & Quaint Towns

San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the 1,000 acres of surrounding Golden Gate Park lead you into the cultural capital of California.
Must-sees include Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square and you won't want to miss a cable-car ride up and down the city's roller-coaster hills. Head south for historic Monterey, home to an outstanding aquarium. before taking the famed 17-Mile Drive and reaching charming Carmel, with its quaint antique stores, galleries and boutiques.

Ocean front Santa Barbara will enchant you with its tiled terracotta roofs and white stucco buildings whilst the altogether more hip San Diego, home to Sea World, has a hint of Mexican flavour. Greater Los Angeles ticks all the boxes with some of the best beaches from Malibu and Santa Monica to Long Beach as well as glamorous Hollywood. Beverly Hills and the entertainment centre of Anaheim. where the original Disney theme park awaits.

Wine Tasting & Natural Wonders

The climate of Napa Valley, Sonoma and Mendocino is the secret of California’s great wines. Discover your favourite vintage, as you taste your way around charming vineyards, staying in equally charming inns and hotels. Head for Lake Tahoe, the vast plains of Death Valley National Park or the Sierra Nevada Mountains for a generous slice of fresh air and solitude. Wonder at the sheer beauty of Yosemite, 1,165 square miles of untamed wilderness. We can’t think of a place with a more spectacular coastline than California. Take to the road or relax on an escorted tour.

Resort Living

Cushioned between Joshua Tree National Park and the San Jacinto Mountains are the prestigious desert resorts of Palm Springs, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and Palm Desert. Quite apart from the year-round sunshine, there’s a wealth of recreational activities on the doorstep of these outstanding luxury retreats.

Back on the coast, the typically Californian towns of Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point and Newport Beach are home to spectacular beachfront resorts, the perfect base from which to explore or simply soak up the sun in the lap of luxury.

North Coast Grandeur

Just a few hours drive North of the San Francisco Bay Area is one of America’s most alluring localities, the North Coast Region of California. You can’t fake the natural features of the North Coast. There’s no imitation for a towering and ancient Giant Redwood, a locally produced wine, fresh caught Dungeness crab or the thrill of a river rafting trip down a wild and scenic river. Approximately the size of Massachusetts, this region comprises 10,922 sq. miles/17,577 sq. km of rugged beaches, old growth forests, vineyards and farmland. Rugged cliff-side beaches are backed by forests of some of the most ancient trees in the world, opportunities for outdoor adventure exist around every bend and between the local restaurants, farms, breweries, and wineries there is a coastal taste experience to satisfy everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, California can be an expensive destination for visitors, particularly due to strong tourism in major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, but costs vary significantly by location and travel style. Travelers can manage expenses by staying in hostels or budget motels, utilizing public transport, eating at street food markets and farmers' markets, and focusing on a specific region rather than trying to see too much of the large state.

Thriving economy and top industries

California is a global economic powerhouse, excelling in industries such as technology, entertainment, agriculture, and renewable energy. Silicon Valley, the heart of technological innovation, is home to leading tech companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook

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Trip code: 18948
Call us today 0333 323 9099
 
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