California self drive holidays

With 39 million residents, California is far and away the most populous state in America, and that’s before we mention the crowds of tourists who arrive every year irresistibly attracted by golden sunshine, theme parks and sandy beaches. But California is also one of the largest American states, and I can say from personal experience that it’s perfectly possible to find some lovely, out-of-the-way places just by escaping the cities and following your instincts.

Or, by following the tips of an expert like Monty Bampfield, senior USA specialist at our partner Audley Travel. He visits California on a regular basis to ensure his recommendations are accurate. “We try to visit as many hotels, excursions, and restaurants as possible so that we can have these conversations with confidence – I do think we’re the only UK-based tour operator that goes into this level of detail.”

California self drive holidays typically fly into Los Angeles and out of San Francisco, or vice versa. Eleven to fourteen days is enough to comfortably cover about 600km at a relaxed pace, allowing for plenty of sightseeing, activities, and basking in that famous California sunshine. Typically you’ll have a few days in each city to take in the landmarks. There’s nothing to say you can’t collect your rental car and head off straightaway, although it does make sense to have at least a day to get over any jetlag.

“If you ask me what’s over-rated on USA road trips, it’s a tricky one,” says Monty. “But I’d probably say some of the more well-known cities like Los Angeles. A lot of people want to see them but find them not as they expected – they’re dirty, there’s a lot of traffic. Conversely, northern California is a really cool underrated area that’s almost forgotten because of how well-known the cities are further south. Further up the coast, too, you have the Pacific Northwest, which is stunningly beautiful.”

Although California is made up of twelve regions, most travellers naturally stick to the immensely scenic coastline – and with 1,350km of it, there’s plenty to enjoy. Southern California boasts the legendary beaches of Santa Monica, Malibu and Venice, while further north there are idyllic stretches of sand along the Central Coast, such as in Monterey Bay and Carmel-by-the-Sea. As the Pacific Coast Highway wends its way south from San Francisco to San Diego, it encompasses the awe-inspiring Big Sur, with its twisty-turny roads, misty beaches, and seemingly endless viewpoints. Honestly – with scenery like this, who needs the traffic and noise of California’s cities? Hit the road.