California Beaches holidays

Sun, sea and celebrity

Kick back on the chilled out California coast and feel the sand between your toes and the cool splash of the surf beneath sunny skies. Try your hand at riding the waves and join the surfers off shore, take a stroll along one of the many piers, or try your hand at a bit of celebrity spotting on some of the more popular beaches.

This is the place to see and be seen, whether it’s soaking up the sun, driving along the coastal roads with the wind in your hair or taking a tour along the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, Cannery Row and the pretty coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Choose from a wide selection of
California Beach hotels

California Beaches Holiday Highlights

•   Situated two hours south of
San Francisco, Monterey boasts a world-famous aquarium and popular seafood restaurants which are located in historic Cannery Row.
•   Carmel is a quaint and charming town with a slow pace of life. Ocean Avenue the main centre of Carmel has many interesting art galleries, quaint shops and also leads to a pristine white sandy beach.
•   Visit Hearst Castle, it is California’s most famous monument to wealth and ambition. The Castle covers over 127 acres of lushly landscape gardens, shimmering pools and statues from ancient Greece and Moorish Spain.
•   Santa Barbara just north of
Los Angeles has a real Mexican charm with a relaxed pace of life.

California Beach Honeymoons

All of our
California Beach Hotels are sublime. The ideal destination for romantic strolls down the beach, sunsets, fruity cocktails and fabulous hotels, the perfect setting for your dream honeymoon in the USA.

USA Multi-Centre holidays

A vast nation with a limitless domestic airline network, the USA is the perfect multi-centre destination itself. Look beyond its borders and you can combine the US easily with the Caribbean, Bermuda and Mexico. The USA is also the perfect destination to build your own
multi-centre itinerary.

USA Tailor Made
Tailor make your ideal USA holiday from our vast array of product by combining destinations, hotels, tours and excursions to create your perfect bespoke holiday.

To tailor make your own Kuoni USA holiday or multi-centre itinerary simply:
•   View our online portfolio or download our
America & Canada brochure.
•   Then, call our USA sales team on
01306 747002 who will guide you through all of your options and prepare a detailed customised holiday quotation especially for you.
•    Request a
quote

USA Facts
For further information, inspiration and holiday ideas:
•   See our comprehensive list of USA
facts and information.
•   Read our i-travel articles for
USA Holidays

Population

California has a population of more than 35 million.

Time difference / local time

GMT -8 hours

Language

English is the official language, although many other languages are widely spoken in certain cities and communities. America has its own written US English spellings.

Currency

US Dollar ($)

Passports and Visas

•  Brits must have a full 10-year British Passport that's valid for six months after you return to the UK.
•  You will also need a USA visa or waiver form/ESTA. Apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before travelling (http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov).

Flying time to destination

11½ hours

Electricity

The domestic electrical supply is 110V, 60 cycles AC. Sockets are for plugs with two flat pins.

Health Care

• No vaccinations are compulsory but it's recommended you have one for tetanus. • For more information, contact your GP or a specialist vaccination centre.

Tipping

Tipping is an established and accepted custom in America. For good service, waiters and taxi drivers expect 15-20%, and counter and bar staff 10-15%. Porters can expect from $3-$5 per case, while tour guides can be given the equivalent of £2-£3 per day.

Climate data for this region

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  • Private Monterey and Carmel Tour:

    Discover California’s spectacular coastline on this private full day tour from San Francisco with your own car and guide. You’ll see the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, Cannery Row and the pretty coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, known for its scenery and artistic history. You’ll have plenty of time to stop and explore...


    More information...