Discover California
I'm Scott — an American traveler obsessed with California. These are the destinations I keep coming back to, the food I actually eat, and the prices I actually paid.
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Plan Your Route
Click any city to explore. Use our AI trip planner to build a custom itinerary with real prices, transport options, and local tips.
Plan Your Trip with AI ➝Sun-drenched beaches, world-class surfing, Hollywood glamour, and the best tacos north of the border.
The Golden Gate, Napa wine trails, Monterey's aquarium, and Big Sur's dramatic coastline.
Surf-town vibes, world-class wine regions, and laid-back college-town charm between LA and SF.
Ancient redwood forests, crystal-clear Lake Tahoe, and Mendocino's rugged coastal beauty.
Yosemite's granite walls, Mammoth's ski slopes, and the world's largest trees in Sequoia.
Joshua Tree's alien landscapes and Death Valley's extreme beauty — California's wild frontier.
In-Depth Guides
Every price verified. Every restaurant visited. Every tip from personal experience.
Los Angeles
Where dreams meet the Pacific
From $100/day
San Diego
Sun, surf, and the perfect fish taco
From $80/day
Santa Barbara
The American Riviera, golden and unhurried
From $90/day
Palm Springs
Desert glamour under an endless sky
From $70/day
Laguna Beach
Where California art meets the tide
From $80/day
San Francisco
Where fog meets wonder on the bay
From $100/day
Napa Valley
California wine country at its finest
From $80/day
Monterey
Where the Pacific puts on its greatest show
From $70/day
Big Sur
Where mountains plunge into the Pacific
From $50/day
Santa Cruz
Where redwoods meet the Pacific
From $60/day
Paso Robles
California wine country without the crowds
From $60/day
San Luis Obispo
The happiest city in America
From $55/day
Redwood National Park
Standing among the tallest living things on Earth
From $40/day
Lake Tahoe
Crystal-clear alpine paradise in the Sierra Nevada
From $70/day
Mendocino
Where Victorian charm meets the wild Pacific coast
From $50/day
Yosemite
Nature grandeur at its absolute finest
From $50/day
Mammoth Lakes
Epic mountain playground in the Eastern Sierra
From $60/day
Sequoia National Park
Home to the largest living things on Earth
From $40/day
Joshua Tree
Where two deserts collide in surreal beauty
From $35/day
Death Valley
The most extreme and surreal landscape in America
From $30/day
Latest from the Blog
Stories, tips, and travel memories from years of exploring California.
Best Time to Visit California: A Month-by-Month Breakdown
Plan your California trip with this seasonal guide covering SoCal, NorCal, and the Sierra. Learn when to visit for beaches, skiing, wine country, and national parks.
California Food Guide: What to Eat and Where to Find It
Explore California regional cuisine from San Diego fish tacos to SF dim sum to Napa farm-to-table. Includes must-try restaurants, iconic dishes, and price ranges.
California National Parks: A Complete Guide to All 9 Parks
Plan visits to all 9 California national parks with entry fees, best times, reservation tips, camping info, and guidance on which parks to prioritize.
What Makes This Different
No press trips. No sponsored stays. Just years of personal experience.
Real Prices
"Every price is one I paid"
$15 fish tacos in San Diego. $250/night boutique hotel in Santa Barbara. I verify every number on-site.
Repeat Visitor
"I keep going back"
Multiple trips across all seasons — wine harvest in Napa, surf season in SoCal, ski weekends at Mammoth, and year-round road trips along the PCH.
No Sponsored Content
"I don't take press trips"
No hotel comps, no tourism board deals. I pay full price and tell you what I actually think.
Your Guide
An American traveler with a deep love for California — multiple trips, every season, from San Diego to the Redwoods.
Most California travel advice comes from bloggers who visited for a week. I've been returning for years — road-tripping the PCH, eating my way through every taco shop and wine room, and figuring out the logistics so you don't have to.
Explore by Interest
Beach guides, festival calendars, California cuisine tours, outdoor adventures, and road trip planning.
Start Planning
Get our free California travel checklist — road trip tips, packing lists, and budget advice I wish I'd had on trip one.