{"id":1306436,"date":"2026-10-12T11:17:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306436"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:57:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:57:19","slug":"california","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/california\/","title":{"rendered":"California"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-state","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country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guide","hw_hub_state_hero_h1":"Things to do in California","hw_hub_state_hero_intro":"San Francisco's hills and Golden Gate, Los Angeles' beaches and studios, San Diego's surf, the Highway 1 road trip down the Big Sur coast, and the granite valley of Yosemite.","hw_hub_state_hero_image":"1307996","hw_hub_state_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_state_hero_cta":"See the main cities | #cities\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_state_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_state_stats":"2 | Weeks for the highlights","hw_hub_state_intro_title":"The Golden State","hw_hub_state_intro_body":"California is the most populous state in the USA and one of the most varied places on earth. In a single trip you can go from foggy San Francisco to the sunny beaches of Los Angeles and San Diego, from the redwood forests of the north to the deserts of Joshua Tree and Death Valley, and from the Pacific coast to the granite cliffs and waterfalls of Yosemite in the Sierra Nevada.\r\n\r\nSan Francisco is compact, hilly and full of character, with the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and distinctive neighbourhoods. Los Angeles is huge and spread out, built for driving, with Hollywood, Venice Beach, world-class museums and the best Mexican food in the country. San Diego has a relaxed beach culture and great weather all year. Between them, Highway 1 follows the Big Sur coast, one of the most famous road trips in the world, and it reopened through Big Sur in January 2026 after landslide repairs.\r\n\r\nGive California two weeks to see the highlights: a few days each in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the coast road between them, and Yosemite. It is good all year, with spring and autumn the best for most of the state and summer ideal for the mountains.","hw_hub_state_facts":"Main airports | San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego\r\nTime zone | Pacific Time\r\nSales tax | From 7.25%, over 9% in big cities\r\nTipping | 18\u201322% in restaurants\r\nGetting around | A car, or trains on the coast\r\nEmergency | 911\r\nTap water | Safe to drink\r\nHighway 1 | Open through Big Sur since January 2026\r\nHow long to stay | Two weeks\r\nBest months | April to June, September and October","hw_hub_state_areas_title":"Regions of California","hw_hub_state_areas_intro":"A long state with coast, mountains and desert. Most trips link San Francisco and Los Angeles, with a detour inland to Yosemite.","hw_hub_state_areas_zoom":"5","hw_hub_state_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_state_areas":"San Francisco Bay Area | City, culture, food | San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and the wine country to the north. | 37.7749 | -122.4194 | \nThe Central Coast | Big Sur, road trip | Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur and Highway 1. | 36.2700 | -121.8000 | \nLos Angeles | Beaches, film, nightlife | A huge city of beaches, studios and neighbourhoods. | 34.0522 | -118.2437 | \nSan Diego | Surf, beaches, sunshine | A relaxed beach city near the Mexican border. | 32.7157 | -117.1611 | \nThe Sierra Nevada | Yosemite, Tahoe, hiking | Mountains with Yosemite, Sequoia and Lake Tahoe. | 37.8651 | -119.5383 | \nThe Deserts | Joshua Tree, Death Valley | Palm Springs, Joshua Tree and Death Valley. | 34.1000 | -116.0000 | \nNorthern California | Redwoods, wild coast | Redwood forests, Mount Shasta and a wild, empty coast. | 41.2000 | -124.0000 | ","hw_hub_state_itin_title":"","hw_hub_state_itin_intro":"","hw_hub_state_itin":"","hw_hub_state_do_title":"Things to do in California","hw_hub_state_do_body":"In San Francisco, walk or cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, ride a cable car up Nob Hill, take a ferry to Alcatraz (book well ahead), and explore the Mission, Chinatown and Haight-Ashbury. In Los Angeles, see the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory, walk the boardwalk from Santa Monica to Venice Beach, and visit the free Getty Center. San Diego has Balboa Park, the beaches of La Jolla, with sea lions, and good surfing.\r\n\r\nDrive Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles, stopping in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur, with Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls, and the elephant seals near San Simeon.\r\n\r\nInland, Yosemite has Half Dome, El Capitan and some of the highest waterfalls in North America, best in spring. Sequoia National Park has the largest trees on earth, Lake Tahoe has hiking in summer and skiing in winter, and Joshua Tree and Death Valley are spectacular desert parks, best from autumn to spring.","hw_hub_state_do_points":"Golden Gate Bridge | Walk or cycle across\r\nHighway 1 | Big Sur's coast road, open again\r\nYosemite | Granite cliffs and waterfalls\r\nGriffith Observatory | Views of LA and the Hollywood Sign","hw_hub_state_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_state_do_more":"All things to do in California","hw_hub_state_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_state_free_body":"The Getty Center in Los Angeles is free, apart from parking, and Griffith Observatory and its grounds are free. Walking the Golden Gate Bridge, Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier and San Diego's beaches costs nothing.\r\n\r\nSan Francisco's neighbourhoods, Golden Gate Park and the views from Twin Peaks are free. Balboa Park in San Diego is free to wander, and some museums there have free days.\r\n\r\nThe national parks charge entry, and from 2026 international visitors pay an extra $100 per person at Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon.","hw_hub_state_free_points":"Getty Center | Free, pay for parking\r\nGriffith Observatory | Free\r\nGolden Gate Bridge | Free to walk\r\nBeaches | All free","hw_hub_state_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_state_free_more":"All free things to do in California","hw_hub_state_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_state_food_body":"California's food is fresh, health-conscious and heavily influenced by Mexico and Asia. Eat tacos from street stands and taco trucks in Los Angeles and San Diego, fish tacos by the beach, and a Mission-style burrito in San Francisco. In-N-Out Burger is a California institution.\r\n\r\nSan Francisco has sourdough bread, Dungeness crab and some of the best restaurants in the country, and Los Angeles' Koreatown and San Gabriel Valley have excellent Korean and Chinese food. Farmers' markets are everywhere.\r\n\r\nNapa and Sonoma, north of San Francisco, are famous wine regions. Remember tipping and sales tax.","hw_hub_state_food_points":"Tacos | From street stands and trucks\r\nMission burrito | A San Francisco classic\r\nIn-N-Out | A California institution\r\nNapa and Sonoma | Wine country","hw_hub_state_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_state_food_more":"All food guides for California","hw_hub_state_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_state_nightlife_body":"Los Angeles has big clubs in Hollywood, bars in Silver Lake and Echo Park, and live music on the Sunset Strip. San Francisco's Mission and SoMa districts have bars and clubs, and the Castro is a historic centre of LGBTQ+ nightlife. San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter and Pacific Beach are lively at weekends.\r\n\r\nBars close at 2am across the state. Drinks are expensive, and tipping applies to every round.\r\n\r\nIn Los Angeles, plan how to get home: distances are long and rideshares are the easiest option.","hw_hub_state_nightlife_points":"Hollywood | Big clubs\r\nMission, San Francisco | Bars and clubs\r\nGaslamp Quarter | San Diego's nightlife\r\nClosing time | 2am","hw_hub_state_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_state_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for California","hw_hub_state_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_state_transport_body":"California is big and built for cars, and a hire car is the best way to see the coast and national parks. San Francisco has good public transport: Muni buses, streetcars and cable cars, and BART trains to the airport and Oakland. Los Angeles has a metro, but distances are huge and most people drive or use rideshares.\r\n\r\nThe main airports are San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. Amtrak's Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner run along the coast, and buses link the main cities.\r\n\r\nYosemite is reached by car or by YARTS buses from towns around the park.","hw_hub_state_transport_points":"Car hire | Best for the coast and parks\r\nSan Francisco | Muni, cable cars and BART\r\nLos Angeles | Huge. Drive or use rideshares\r\nAmtrak | Along the coast","hw_hub_state_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_state_transport_more":"All transport guides for California","hw_hub_state_money_title":"What California costs","hw_hub_state_money_body":"California is expensive, especially San Francisco and Los Angeles. Dorm beds start around $35 to $60, and much more in summer. Food from taco stands and markets is cheap; restaurants are not.\r\n\r\nSales tax starts at 7.25 per cent and is over 9 per cent in many cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants. Petrol is more expensive than in most of the USA.\r\n\r\nNational parks charge entry, plus $100 per person for international visitors at Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon from 2026. The $250 annual pass for international visitors covers them.","hw_hub_state_money_points":"Dorm bed | From around $35\u201360\r\nSales tax | 7.25%, over 9% in big cities\r\nPetrol | Pricier than most states\r\nPark surcharge | $100 for international visitors at Yosemite","hw_hub_state_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_state_money_more":"All budget guides for California","hw_hub_state_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_state_safety_body":"California's tourist areas are generally safe. In San Francisco, car break-ins are very common: never leave anything visible in a parked car. Parts of the Tenderloin and Skid Row in Los Angeles have visible homelessness and drug use; walk around rather than through at night.\r\n\r\nIn the outdoors, the Pacific is cold with strong currents, so swim with lifeguards. Desert parks are dangerously hot in summer. Wildfires can close roads and parks, especially from late summer to autumn, and earthquakes are possible.\r\n\r\nHealth insurance is essential in the USA. In an emergency, call 911.","hw_hub_state_safety_points":"Emergency | 911\r\nCar break-ins | Leave nothing visible\r\nWildfires | Check closures in summer and autumn\r\nDesert heat | Avoid in midsummer","hw_hub_state_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_state_safety_more":"All safety guides for California","hw_hub_state_layout":"cities","hw_hub_state_cities_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_state_cities_intro":"San Francisco and Los Angeles for most of the trip, with nights on the coast and in the parks.","hw_hub_state_cities_live":"1","hw_hub_state_cities":"San Francisco |  | A compact, hilly city with the Golden Gate Bridge and distinctive neighbourhoods. | Golden Gate Bridge; Alcatraz; Cable cars; The Mission; Golden Gate Park | 1306550\nLos Angeles |  | A huge city of beaches, Hollywood and great food. | Griffith Observatory; Santa Monica; Venice Beach; Getty Center; Hollywood | 1306548\nSan Diego |  | A sunny beach city with a relaxed surf culture. | Balboa Park; La Jolla; Gaslamp Quarter; Old Town | 1306549\nYosemite |  | Gateway lodging for the national park in the Sierra Nevada. | Yosemite Valley; Half Dome; El Capitan; Yosemite Falls | 1306552\nSouth Lake Tahoe |  | A mountain town on a huge alpine lake. | Emerald Bay; Hiking; Skiing; Lake beaches | 1306551","hw_hub_state_cities_tag":"","hw_hub_state_cities_more":"","hw_hub_state_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_state_season_intro":"California is good all year. Spring and autumn are best for most of the state. Summer is ideal for Yosemite and Tahoe but foggy in San Francisco. Winter is mild in the south, with skiing in the mountains and the deserts at their best.","hw_hub_state_season_note":"Average highs for Los Angeles, rounded. San Francisco is cooler, the deserts much hotter.","hw_hub_state_season_rows":"January | 20 | 3 | Mild, deserts at their best\r\nFebruary | 20 | 3 | Mild\r\nMarch | 21 | 3 | Spring flowers in the desert\r\nApril | 23 | 4 | Spring, waterfalls in Yosemite\r\nMay | 24 | 4 | Pleasant, waterfalls peak\r\nJune | 26 | 4 | Morning fog on the coast\r\nJuly | 29 | 5 | Hot inland, busy\r\nAugust | 29 | 5 | Hot, wildfire risk\r\nSeptember | 28 | 4 | Warm, fewer crowds\r\nOctober | 26 | 3 | Warm and clear\r\nNovember | 23 | 3 | Mild\r\nDecember | 20 | 3 | Mild, skiing in the mountains","hw_hub_state_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_state_events_intro":"Festivals, film premieres and Pride.","hw_hub_state_events_source":"api","hw_hub_state_events_count":"8","hw_hub_state_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_state_events_cta_label":"All events in Los Angeles","hw_hub_state_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/north-america\/usa\/los-angeles\/","hw_hub_state_events":"Coachella | April | Indio | One of the biggest music festivals in the world. |  | \nSan Francisco Pride | Late June | San Francisco | One of the largest Pride celebrations in the world. |  | \nComic-Con | July | San Diego | The giant pop culture convention. |  | \nRose Parade | 1 January | Pasadena | Floats covered in flowers, on New Year's Day. |  | ","hw_hub_state_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_state_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on San Francisco and Los Angeles prices.","hw_hub_state_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Car hire and park fees cost extra.","hw_hub_state_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 50 | 30 | 15 | 15\r\nMiddle of the road | 90 | 65 | 40 | 40\r\nComfortable | 200 | 120 | 70 | 80","hw_hub_state_budget_currency":"$","hw_hub_state_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_state_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels across California's main cities, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Los Angeles","hw_hub_state_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/los-angeles\/","hw_hub_state_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_state_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_state_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_state_picks":"","hw_hub_state_hostels":"","hw_hub_state_faq_title":"California questions","hw_hub_state_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_state_faqs":"How many days do you need in California? | Around two weeks for San Francisco, the coast road, Los Angeles and Yosemite.\r\nIs Highway 1 open through Big Sur? | Yes. The section at Regent's Slide reopened in January 2026. Check Caltrans for any new closures before you go.\r\nDo I need a car in California? | For the coast and national parks, yes. San Francisco can be done without one.\r\nDo I need a reservation for Yosemite? | Not for entry in 2026, but international visitors pay an extra $100 per person on top of the entrance fee. Campsites still need booking.\r\nIs San Francisco or Los Angeles better? | San Francisco is walkable and compact. Los Angeles has beaches and sunshine. Most people do both.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit California? | April to June and September to October for most of the state.\r\nIs California expensive? | Yes, especially the big cities. Taco stands, hostels and free museums help.","hw_hub_state_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_state_cta_body":"Compare hostels across California: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_state_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Los Angeles | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/los-angeles\/\r\nFind hostels in San Francisco | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/usa\/san-francisco\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_state_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_state_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. No filler.","hw_hub_state_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_state_hub_term":"california","hw_hub_state_country_slug":"usa","hw_hub_state_parent_hub":"north-america\/usa","hw_hub_state_currency":"USD","hw_hub_state_scope_rows":"1"},"class_list":["post-1306436","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>California Travel Guide: LA, San Francisco and Hostels<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Plan a trip to California: San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Highway 1 through Big Sur, Yosemite fees, costs and the top hostels.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/usa\/california\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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