California Holidays

Explore the land of the rich and famous on your Kuoni holidays.

From the blue waters and rugged coastline of the pacific; to the lush vineyards of Napa Valley, California boasts a diverse range of landscapes perfect for exploring. Enjoy a self-drive, a tour or just kick back and soak up the celebrity lifestyle in Hollywood.

With Kuoni, choose from an exciting selection of
California hotels

Our wide range of California holidays includes:

•  
California Beaches
•  
Los Angeles
•  
San Diego & Palm Springs
•  
San Francisco

California Holiday Highlights

•  California, the land of sun, sea and mile upon mile of sumptuous beaches, frequented by the worlds rich and famous.
•  Explore Los Angeles, see its iconic Hollywood sign, visit Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame and shop till you drop.
•   San Francisco, a city of culture and charm, visit historic sites, hop on a tram and visit the stunning Napa Valley wine region.
•  Visit the desert city of Palm Springs or the chilled out city of San Diego on you California holidays.


California Honeymoons

All of our
California hotels make for fabulous honeymoon settings, but we have specially labelled a few of our favourite, most romantic hotels that we think make the most perfect settings for your dream honeymoon in the USA.

USA Weddings

As a weddings abroad specialist we at Kuoni are the ideal choice to help you plan your perfect wedding in America. Choose to marry besides San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge or follow in the footsteps of Marilyn Monroe at the magnificent San Francisco City Hall. For further information please see our dedicated
USA weddings pages or request a copy of our Weddings Brochure.

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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  • Celebrity Homes Tour, Los Angeles: See how the other half live

    Hop aboard an electric cart to tour the sets of hit TV shows such as 'The Mentalist' and 'Two and a Half Men'. Listen as Foley artists create movie sound effects, learn how sets are put together, explore rows of costumes and be wowed by a special effects demonstration. Sit on the iconic 'Friends' couch in Central Perk...


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  • Monterey & Carmel Tour, San Francisco: Discover beautiful coastline

    Discover California’s spectacular coastline on this fantastic tour. You’ll see the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, Cannery Row and the pretty coastal town of Carmelby-the-Sea, known for its scenery and artistic history. There’ll be plenty of time to stop and explore while travelling along 17 Mile Drive, and you’ll enjoy...


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  • Pedal… or Not Electric Bicycle Experience, Los Angeles: Ride along Santa Monica beach

    Embark on a semi-private tour on a STEP-THRU electric beach cruiser, riding along stunning Santa Monica beach to Marion Davies Guesthouse and continuing under the Santa Monica Pier and through Venice to the Canals. This fun outdoor experience is a great way to explore and get active.


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  • San Diego City with Harbour Cruise: Sail along the harbour

    See the best of San Diego on this fantastic tour. Tour downtown’s lively Gaslamp Quarter with its charming old-world buildings and journey along the Embarcadero Harbour for views of the USS Midway, the US Navy’s longest serving aircraft carrier. Visit Coronado Island, crossing the Coronado Bridge to reach stunning bea...


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  • San Francisco Bike Tour: A self-guided adventure

    Embark on a fascinating self-guided bike tour, cycling through Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Mason, the Presidio and Fort Point, then onto Golden Gate Bridge with its wide cycle routes and amazing views. Coast downhill two miles to Sausalito and return by ferry, or carry on peddling to Tiburon, riding through Bothin Marsh i...


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  • San Francisco City Tour:

    Explore this diverse city on a fantastic guided tour. You’ll see fascinating landmarks including Union Square, the Palace of Fine Arts and the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, where you’ll stop at Vista Point. You’ll also pause to take photos atop the Twin Peaks.


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  • SeaWorld San Diego: A fun-packed theme park

    Discover an underwater wonderland at SeaWorld San Diego. Be entranced by Believe, a stunning show starring Shamu the killer whale, and encounter polar bears at Wild Arctic. Dare to brave the Journey to Atlantis water coaster on this thrilling adventure into life in the sea.


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  • Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles: Go behind the scenes

    Enjoy a blockbusting day at Universal Studios Hollywood. Take the behind-the-scenes Studio Tour for a glimpse of film and TV show sets. Brave the Revenge of the MummySM rollercoaster, the enraged dinosaurs of Jurassic Park and the ogre-filled adventure of Shrek 4-D. Experience Krusty the Clown’s fantasy theme park wit...


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  • Vista Helicopter Tour, San Francisco: Soar over the city

    Fly above San Francisco in a Bell Jet helicopter. Music will be played as you soar over the striking cityscape, renowned hills and Bay Area communities. Your pilot will commentate as you spot famous landmarks such as Alcatraz Island and Golden Gate Bridge. The 30-minute Vista Grande flight is also available, taking in...


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  • Yosemite Tour, San Francisco: A stunning National Park

    Travel from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park for a spectacular adventure. This is one of the USA’s best-known national parks and is famed for its waterfalls. After crossing the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge at sunrise, you’ll discover deep valleys, meadows and giant sequoias and spend the day soaking up the ...


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