Destinations

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California

California Travel Guides

California is full of so much natural diversity! From major cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, to incredible national parks like Yosemite, California truly has a bit of everything. In fact, California even has the most national parks in the country at nine.

It’s hard to decide where to begin when it comes to California travel, there is SO much to see and do. A few of the best things to do in California include driving Route 1 and seeing Big Sur, taking a tour of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, exploring the remote Death Valley, hiking in Yosemite, and much more.

So far, I’ve written about several of the California National Parks - I hope these guides help you plan an epic California road trip.

What do I need to know about traveling to California?

  • Gas tends to be really expensive in California (averaging the most expensive in the US). Make sure to budget accordingly.

  • In cities like Los Angeles, the traffic really is as bad as they say. Allow extra time in getting around.

  • California is stunningly beautiful! In most areas I’ve visited, everything is so lush and green. It’s such a treat to explore the various regions around the state, especially along the coast.

California National Parks

Did you know that California has more US national parks than any other state? EAch California national park is unique in it's own way! Read my guides to plan visits to some of the most beautiful parts of California.

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The Perfect Channel Islands Itinerary: 2 Days on Santa Cruz

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The Perfect Joshua Tree Itinerary (2 Days)

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The Perfect Death Valley Itinerary (2 Days)

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The Perfect One Day Redwood National Park Itinerary

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The Perfect Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Itinerary (3 Days)

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More Western US Travel Guides

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California

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Nevada

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Utah

Washington

Wyoming

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The Perfect Death Valley Itinerary (2 Days)

Discover the best things to do in Death Valley with this 2-day itinerary! Learn about the best hiking trails and viewpoints, along with tips for visiting.

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The Perfect Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Itinerary (3 Days)

Learn about the best things to do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks! This itinerary includes epic hikes and views in these California national parks.

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The Perfect Joshua Tree Itinerary (2 Days)

Learn how to spend two days in Joshua Tree National Park with this guide! Discover the best hikes in Joshua Tree and plan a perfect weekend in Joshua Tree.

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The Perfect One Day Redwood National Park Itinerary

Discover the best things to do in Redwood National Park in this itinerary! This magical park has incredible trails and should be on your national park bucket list.

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A Channel Islands Camping Packing List (+ Tips!)

Learn exactly what to pack for camping on the Channel Islands! Plus, making planning easy with helpful Channel Islands camping tips.

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The Perfect Channel Islands Itinerary: 2 Days on Santa Cruz

Learn about the best things to do in the Channel Islands! This Channel Islands 2 day itinerary breaks down exactly how to visit Santa Cruz.

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