Ideas

California Holidays

Few places offer as much variety as California. In a single trip you can explore world-famous cities, drive one of the most beautiful coastlines on earth and stand beneath granite cliffs in a national park, all with near-guaranteed sunshine.

Most holidays start in one of two great cities. San Francisco is compact and full of character, with cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge and the ferry to Alcatraz. Los Angeles is all about Hollywood, Universal Studios and the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice, with Disneyland an hour away in Anaheim.

Between the two lies Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway. It winds past Monterey, the dramatic cliffs of Big Sur and the Spanish-style charm of Santa Barbara, and it’s best enjoyed slowly over several days. Inland, Yosemite National Park offers waterfalls, giant sequoias and views of El Capitan and Half Dome.

California also combines easily with other destinations. Las Vegas is an hour’s flight from Los Angeles, and Hawaii makes a natural second stop, as there are no direct flights to it from the UK. Direct flights from London to San Francisco and Los Angeles take around 11 hours.

Spring and autumn bring the best weather and fewer crowds.

Charter Travel tailor-makes California holidays from the UK, from city breaks and family theme park trips to fly drives and twin centres.

Posted by: Charter Travel
Posted on: 21/10/2026

Plan your 2026 holiday to the USA with the Visit USA Travel Planner

Travel Planner

Providing inspiration for your next visit to the USA!

Request NOW

VIEW ALL IDEAS >>

Be inspired by Charter Travel...

IDEAS

Disneyland California

Disneyland California, The Original Disney Magic with 2 theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

IDEAS

California Holidays

Why California Should Be Your Next Big Holiday; from theme parks to beaches and incredible road trips.

IDEAS

Planning a Florida Holiday Around the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Why not turn your Florida Holiday into a twin centre adventure that blends exciting Miami Fan Zones with theme park visits, beach time, and sightseeing.

IDEAS

Comparing Universal Orlando’s Premier Hotels

Comparing Universal Orlando’s Premier Hotels: Your Guide to Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Universal Helios Grand Hotel.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ...

Visit USA | E-Newsletter Sign-up

By providing your email address and clicking “sign-up” you consent to be contacted by Visit USA with offers and updates which we feel may be of interest to you. To opt out, use the unsubscribe link or email info@visitusa.org.uk. Find out how Visit USA safeguards user information by reading our Privacy Statement.