I grew up in Southern California, near the coast in San Diego. The best months to visit are April through June and again in September and October, when the weather is comfortable and the crowds are smaller.
California is a big state with every kind of landscape. You can drive from the ocean to the desert in half a day, or go from palm trees to pine forests before sunset. Los Angeles moves fast, while the Central Coast is slower and quieter. Northern California still feels wild, where cliffs drop to the sea and small towns sit between the hills.
Places to Visit in California
Many visitors start with San Francisco or Los Angeles, but there’s more to see between them. Big Sur’s coastline is steep and beautiful. Yosemite’s granite walls rise high and make you feel small. Farther south, Joshua Tree and Death Valley show the dry side of the state with open space and silence.
If you’re planning a Southern California trip around Disneyland, it’s worth spending a little time getting familiar with Anaheim itself, since the city has more going on than just the parks and can shape where you stay, eat, and explore nearby.
If your Southern California trip includes more than just Disneyland, San Diego is one of the easiest add-ons, with beaches, coastal neighborhoods, wildlife spots, and a slower pace that makes it feel very different from Anaheim.
California is best explored slowly. Drive the back roads, stop when something catches your eye, and stay long enough to take it in.
You can find more guides to other destinations around the world.
