California’s beauty is its variety. You can road-trip from Big Sur’s cliffs to Laguna Beach’s coves, Napa’s vineyards, and Joshua Tree’s desert sunsets—all in the same state. My personal favorites? Orange County in Southern California, and Napa Valley in Northern California. Each captures a different side of California’s charm.

Because California is so big, it’s often better to treat it as multiple destinations rather than one. Plan your trip by region—like a week in Southern California, then another time up north—so you can really soak in each part without rushing.

It really depends on which part of the state you’re visiting (and what kind of trip you’re planning). California is massive (the third-largest state in the U.S.!), and its climates differ wildly from region to region. Coastal areas like Orange County, San Diego, and Santa Barbara have sunshine nearly year-round, while Napa Valley and Northern California shine in late spring through fall. Winter brings cozy wine country escapes and snow-covered mountains up north.

Northern and Southern California each have their own distinct personality. Northern California (San Francisco, Big Sur, Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe) is known for redwoods, rugged coastlines, and wine country charm. Southern California (Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Palm Springs) brings sunshine, surf, and a laid-back coastal lifestyle. They feel like two different worlds within one state—each worth exploring in its own trip.

Northern California covers a wide range of landscapes—from wine country and forests to the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, so the best airport depends on your itinerary.

• For San Francisco/Bay Area trips, San Francisco International (SFO) is the main hub and ideal for exploring San Francisco, Silicon Valley, or coastal Highway 1 towns like Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz.

• Heading to the East Bay? Oakland International (OAK) is smaller and often less crowded than SFO, with easy access to the East Bay and even Napa Valley. This is often where we fly into when we visit my in-laws!

• For Napa Valley,  Sonoma, and other wine country trips, Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa is the most convenient, though SFO and OAK are just 1.5–2 hours away.

• If heading to the Sacramento and Lake Tahoe areas, Sacramento International (SMF) works best.

• For Central Coast destinations like Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel: Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is the easiest option.

If you’re planning a Northern California road trip, you can even fly into one airport and out of another—for example, arrive in San Francisco and depart from Sacramento or Monterey to make the most of your route.

It depends on where in Southern California you’re headed—this region covers a large stretch of the state, from Santa Barbara down to the U.S.–Mexico border.

• For Orange County or coastal destinations like Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the most convenient and stress-free.
• If you’re staying in Los Angeles or the Malibu/Santa Monica area, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will have the most flight options, but expect more traffic.
• Headed to Palm Springs? Fly into Palm Springs International Airport (PSP).
• For the southern coast, like San Diego, La Jolla, or even day trips into Mexico, San Diego International (SAN) is your best bet.

It depends on your route and how much ground you want to cover. If you’re traveling across multiple regions (say, LA to Napa), then yes, absolutely—California’s huge, and a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Even within one region, like Orange County, Palm Springs, or Napa Valley, having a car makes getting around far easier. For shorter trips to major cities like San Francisco or Los Angeles, Uber, Lyft and public transit can work, but road-tripping is part of the California magic if you’re planning to really explore different areas!

It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. California offers both luxury stays and affordable, local experiences. Boutique hotels in Orange County, Joshua Tree Airbnbs, or off-season trips to wine country can help stretch your budget. You’ll spend more in places like Los Angeles or San Francisco, but smaller towns and beachside stays often offer better value.