Discover

California Coast

A trip to the Californian coast offers a rewarding holiday experience for those wanting to avoid the big city life and explore the abundant gems which lie between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

A road-trip down the Coast Highway 1, offers spectacular scenery with sheer cliffs dropping into deserted beaches, whilst verdant hills, hot springs, sprawling vineyards and vast forests thick with giant redwoods lie just a little further afield.

The hippyish Santa Cruz and historic Monterey offer delightful stopovers between San Francisco and Big Sur, the stretch of rugged shoreline that offers hiking and camping opportunities amongst the breathtaking views. Meanwhile, the century-old Hearst Castle is a fascinating stop to explore the opulent complex of mansions built by newspaper-magnate William Randolph Hurst which both bewitches and bemuses visitors with its extravagance and ambition.

Further south, drive through endless acres of wineries and citrus groves as you enter California’s agricultural heartland, the King’s Highway (El Camino Real), passing beside quaint Colonial missions dating back to the time when Spanish explorers and Franciscan clergy ruled the roost. The college town of San Luis Obispo is flanked by stunning volcanic mountains and yet more of California’s delightful golden sands.

Where to Book

  • Julia Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California

  • Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

  • California's Laguna Beach

  • Bixby Bridge on Highway 1, California

  • Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park - Visit California/Myles McGuinness

  • Malibu Beach, California at sunset

  • La Jolla Sunset, Southern California

  • Santa Barbara in California

  • Heisler Park, Laguna Beach in California

Average temperature

Information below is based on average highest temperature for each month.

  • 13℃
  • 15℃
  • 16℃
  • 17℃
  • 17℃
  • 19℃
  • 23℃
  • 22℃
  • 21℃
  • 20℃
  • 17℃
  • 13℃
  • 11
  • 11
  • 10
  • 6
  • 4
  • 2
  • 0
  • 0
  • 2
  • 4
  • 7
  • 10

Information above is based on the average number of days which experience some form of rainfall for each month.

Rainfall

When to Visit

Below gives you information and a rating of the best time of year to visit.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Our Ratings

  • Most Recommended
  • Recommended
  • Highly Recommended
  • Not Recommended

Where to book


American Sky offers luxury tailor-made tours and holidays specialising in providing expert travel advice and exceptional unhurried customer service. With a wealth of experience we will find the perfect trip for you.

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Contiki is social travel exclusively for 18-35 year olds. To travel with Contiki is to travel confident. Confident you’ll have the best experiences, seamless transport and sweetest stays. Confident you’ll be introduced to incredible new destinations and flavours. And confident you’ll make best friends for life.

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Costsaver gives you the power to travel how you choose. Amazing travel memories shouldn’t cost the earth, so Costsaver value trips cover all the essentials whilst providing you the building blocks to tailor your dream trip. It’s the ultimate unpackaged holiday – an experience that you can make your own. 70+ trips. 50+ countries. 5 continents. All waiting to be explored, your way.

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Discover North America, doesn’t do ‘one size fits all’ holiday packages. Their experienced travel specialists take great pride in curating individually tailored itineraries designed to your interests, time, and budget. So, sit back, relax, and let them help you discover North America.

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At Freedom Destinations, we take the trouble out of travel. We offer everything you need in one place; a great range of hotels, tours and activities, coupled with first-class service from dedicated specialists who work with you to create your perfect itinerary. With FREEDOM you can….

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For over 30 years Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the globe, creating positive change through the joy of travel. That’s over 30 years of adventures, of changing the way people see the world, on small group tours with like-minded Intrepid people.

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Would you like to travel in a uniquely local way? Put your mark on the road less travelled and enjoy a bespoke holiday through Canada and the United States. At Little America, your travel specialist will design your dream holiday with first-hand local knowledge.

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Riviera Travel is the UK’s leading luxury river cruise & tour company with over 38 years’ experience in crafting worldwide tours, luxury river cruises, rail holidays and UK tours. Their commitment to quality & thoughtfulness has earned them a coveted Which? recommendation.

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Hotels

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Top Holiday Offers

We’ve hand-picked a range of enticing offers to incredible destinations. If you want value for money on your next trip, start by reviewing our dedicated Top Holiday Offers page.

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