If January sometimes feels like it lasts for five months, here’s a ray of hope: January 28 is National Plan for Vacation Day. It’s the perfect excuse to think about a California getaway for spring or summer—or hey, even next week. Here are five fun ways to kick-start your vacation brainstorming.
Order the (free!) 2020 California Visitor’s Guide.
This year’s guide features tips on visiting California’s ski resorts this year, as well as an A-to-Z guide to surfing, 150-plus restaurant recommendations, and hacks for making the most of the state's bucket-list theme parks, including Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. We’ll send it right to your door, or you can browse it online. And did we mention it’s free?
Subscribe to the California Now Podcast.
Hosted by hosted by NPR veteran Soterios Johnson, each podcast features travel experts and other insiders who share tips about the best experiences around the Golden State. Recent episodes feature celebrity chef Curtis Stone, who shares favorite spots in Sonoma and Mendocino; the editor of Travel+Leisure, who talks about a hidden gem mountain town she recently visited; and a distiller who offers tips on tasting California’s emerging craft-spirits scene.
Base your trip on a hot deal.
This beginning of the year is a good time to find specials, both for winter and upcoming seasons. Our 23 Winter Deals has great current offers on places to stay and things to do—like spa discounts in Greater Palm Springs, winter’s Cabernet Season in Napa Valley, and lodges near Lake Tahoe.
Find your dream road trip.
Our new Road Trip Republic hub is where to find more than 50 hit-the-road adventures for every taste or interest. Want a scenery-loaded trip along the coast or through the mountains? We’ve got you covered. And we’ve also got trips designed for taco lovers, movie buffs, or anyone who loves to quirky sights in the desert.
Get inspired by an upcoming event or new hotel.
Browse 20 Reasons to Visit California in 2020, which details some cool upcoming events—like the 2020 PGA Championship in May, Hearst Castle’s centennial, or a new Great Wolf Lodge opening this summer. Or, be one of the first guests at the newest fabulous hotels, such as the upcoming Montage in Sonoma County’s Healdsburg, a Hotel Indigo in Coachella, and San Diego’s Mission Bay Resort.
