California Holidays

From tots to teens, California has something for every kid. There are theme parks like Universal Studios and Disneyland and world-class attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium to dazzle and entertain in equal measure, and the chance to head out on Pacific waves for whale watching, paddleboarding and kayaking. Brilliant museums, including San Francisco’s Exploratorium and California Academy of Sciences, are impressive and unmissable, but this trip also allows plenty of downtime on gorgeous beaches. Plus, with family-friendly hotels from start to finish (often with fantastic swimming pools, nightly s’mores toasting, and as much pizza as they can handle), this truly is a family trip of a lifetime.

You’ll start in San Francisco and then hit the open road where the driving is part of this all-American experience. Weave through the wine country and check off Yosemite before the coast calls. Mooch around Monterey and get all the Cali-Med vibes in Santa Barbara before La La Land steps forward for the grand finale.

Drive south from San Francisco to Los Angeles on a coast-hugging trip that scores all the big sights. Take your time on the Slow Coast, then pause for a few nights in Monterey. Feel the sunshine on your face and the wind in your hair as you head south via the incredible Big Sur to stay in Santa Barbara before the final leg of your road trip brings you to the incomparable Los Angeles.

You’ll start on the sidewalks of San Francisco, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma’s fields of green and sip your way around Napa’s world-class wineries. And it doesn’t end there. Carmel’s tasting rooms delight with Cabernet Sauvignons and in the cool cradles of Santa Barbara’s valleys, buttery Chardonnays are the stars. Drive the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, landing on golden sands and dining in farm-to-fork restaurants before winding up in starry LA.

You’ll start on San Francisco’s steep streets, end in Las Vegas’ neon lit glow and in between lace up your boots and face the natural elements in some of the USA’s most jaw dropping National Parks. You'll be fronting Yosemite’s waterfalls, wildlife and granite peaks, embracing the silent wilderness of Sequoia and trekking across Death Valley’s dramatic desert layers. This is a real ‘hit the open road trip’ designed to give you enough time to soak up two laidback southern California cities, stopping in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles along the way.

Set off on a self-drive that takes in the best of sun-kissed SoCal. Start in oceanfront Santa Monica with its tourist-hotspot-meets-local-neighbourhood vibe, spend a couple of days relaxing in the desert city of Palm Springs and feel the sand between your toes along San Diego’s glorious coastline.

You begin your holiday in Los Angeles, where you can enjoy a stylish and relaxing start to your trip. You can spend your time in LA on the beach, perhaps in Santa Monica or even Huntington Beach. Or base yourself in Hollywood for easy access to star attractions. Next, you’ll fly west to explore two contrasting sides of Hawaii — the vibrant Waikiki Beach and the serene Maui. You’ll fly home from Maui, breaking up your journey back to the UK with a short airport layover.

Your trip starts in style, spending time in the fabulous Los Angeles. You can make LA a beach holiday and stay in Santa Monica or choose somewhere near the theme parks or the attractions of Hollywood. Then, fly west to experience two different sides of Hawaii – the lively Waikiki Beach and the calmer Maui. As you’ll need to break up the flight from Hawaii back to the UK, stopping in San Francisco means exploring another fantastic Californian city. There’s plenty to do in the Golden Gate City, whether you want to get to know its varied neighbourhoods, indulge in some shopping, or take the opportunity to go wine tasting in nearby Napa.

A combination of city sights and desert delights. Hit the beaches, theme parks and movie studios of Los Angeles. Shop on Rodeo Drive and catch sunset from a rooftop bar. The Sonoran Desert is next: Scottsdale, a sizzling southwest adventure and a place to be pampered with sensational spas, terrific golf courses and luxury resorts.

This USA trip is a double delight, putting together the City of Dreamers and Sin City in one go. You’ll hit the beaches, the shops and the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles before glamming up for blackjack and Baccarat, big name shows and celebrity chef restaurants in fabulous Las Vegas.

A holiday visiting Las Vegas, Oahu, Maui, and Los Angeles promises a sun-kissed adventure filled with unforgettable experiences. Start your journey in Las Vegas, where you can indulge in the city's lively nightlife and world-renowned casinos. Then, take a flight to Oahu, where you can explore the vibrant city of Honolulu and enjoy some beach bliss. Next is Maui, soaking up the island's laid-back vibes, hiking through national parks, and plunging into crystalline waters. End your trip in Los Angeles, where you can get to know the City of Angels, tour celebrity homes, and stretch your legs along the Santa Monica boardwalk.

Start with San Francisco’s creativity and big sights, then take in Las Vegas’ bright lights and fun-filled casinos before experiencing LA’s glamorous and sun-kissed lifestyle. Sightseeing, nightlife, theme parks, endless entertainment beckons...

This trip hits the famous Pacific Coast Highway but nips inland to visit Californian jewels like Napa, Yosemite, and Palm Springs. You’ll experience the best that the state has to offer, from its contrasting cities, ginormous national parks, world-class wine regions, and beautiful stretches of coastline. As you drive from north to south, the weather gets warmer and sunnier, and when you eventually reach San Diego, a thousand miles on the clock, it’s the perfect moment for a classic beach break.

Two incredible Californian cities. One wow worthy trip. San Francisco delights with iconic landmarks, artistic soul and Victorian houses on the hills. Witness that famous fog, hop on vintage trams, grab snapshots on the Golden Gate Bridge and soak up seafaring style. Then onto Los Angeles to embrace the Hollywood high life as much as the beaches, shops and restaurants that make this city a celebrity favourite.

The City by the Bay is the classic stopover on the way to Hawaii. This trip combines three exceptionally exciting destinations: San Francisco, with its Golden Gate and maritime traditions; Waikiki, with its nightlife and surf stories; and Maui, with its beach bliss and relaxation. On your way back to the UK, you’ll have a quick airport layover to break up your long-haul flight home.

Combine the Midwest's Windy City and California's City By the Bay on this twin-centre holiday. Contemporary Chicago sits at the western shores of Lake Michigan and its gleaming skyscrapers offer a marked contrast to San Francisco's famed Victorian architecture, while each city has its own iconic sports venues, waters-based activities, mouthwatering dishes and cool neighbourhoods.

Start your trip in style with a few nights in the incredible, one-of-a-kind Las Vegas. It’s the perfect city to get you into holiday mode before flying to Hawaii. These idyllic islands are ideal for a relaxing, post-Vegas break, but there are plenty of entertainment options if you want more nightlife. Then, you’ll hop to Maui to unwind on palm-fringed crescent beaches. Your route home takes you via San Francisco to finish your trip, exploring a magnificent city with iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge to feast your eyes on.