California is open and ready for visitors in 2022.
The state's size and population make it similar to visiting a medium-sized country, and visitors should consider a visit to the Golden State along the same lines. For those traveling to the state for a week or so, it's hard to see everything in just one vacation. The best advice is to pick one area or region to explore and then plan to come back for more.
One way to narrow down your choice is to come during one of the many events that are back in California this year, including the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco taking place in August or the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2022 in June.
Safety, Entry Requirements and COVID-19
California has eliminated its statewide mask mandate, and proof of vaccination is no longer required for dining and smaller events.
Should travelers need it, PCR and rapid antigen tests are widely available.
Ways To Explore California
Road trips are an iconic way to explore the state. Traveling north or south between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California's Pacific Coast Highway is considered one of the world's best road trips. This journey can easily be extended up to Napa and Sonoma valleys for world-renowned wine tasting, or travelers can stop in the middle to visit wine country around Paso Robles. Santa Barbara's wine trail is also gaining popularity among enthusiasts.
Major Cities
In Northern California, visitors can leave their hearts in San Francisco. The "City by the Bay" is popular with visitors to California, known for its cable cars, Fisherman's Wharf, Victorian architecture and hilly terrain.
The city is easy to explore in two or three days but could easily entertain travelers for more than a week.
Not to be missed is the former prison on Alcatraz Island in the heart of the bay, the eateries of Chinatown, sweets at Ghirardelli Square, a ride on a cable car and a stop at Fisherman Wharf's Pier 39.
Sprawling Los Angeles is the central hub for visitors to Southern California. The buzzing metropolis is teeming with experiences for visitors, from popular theme parks to bustling beach neighborhoods to world-class events at some of the country's top venues.
The highlights of the City of Angels can be seen in three days but visitors staying a week or more will not run out of things to do.
Major attractions in the city include the Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood Boulevard, the Griffith Observatory and the J Paul Getty Museum. Stop in for a show at the Hollywood Bowl, check out a game at the brand-new SoFi Stadium or take a day to unwind at Venice Beach.
National Parks
California's national parks are also some of the country's most popular. The state is home to Yosemite, Sequoia, Redwoods, Death Valley, Joshua Tree and more.
Yosemite is no longer requiring reservations to enter the park; however, those visiting should plan ahead. Bookings for campsites, hotels and other lodgings in the area can be harder to come by during peak seasons, which include the summertime. Visitors to Yosemite in the winter should be mindful of snow and keep an eye on road conditions. Tioga Road and Glacier Road are usually closed during the winter months.
Visiting Death Valley National Park is almost the opposite, those heading to Death Valley should be mindful of the heat in the summertime. The most popular times to visit are in the fall, winter and spring when temperatures are milder.
In addition to popular national parks, there are many other attractions that draw visitors to California, including San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, beach cities such as San Diego and Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier and more.
Theme Parks
Following COVID-19 closures, California's theme parks are once again open for visitors.
Travelers can head to Sea World, Legoland, Disneyland Resort, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood and more. Guests at Disneyland will need to make sure that they have purchased tickets in advance and have a reservation for the day they are visiting the parks.
Notable Destinations
Travelers to California have a vast array of choices. One of the best ways to explore is to pick a destination as a base. Some notable destinations for travelers that provide an abundance of sightseeing opportunities as well as a variety of accommodations include the Greater Palm Springs area (home to the popular Coachella festival), San Diego, Santa Barbara and the Central Coast or California's lesser-known Lost Coast in Humboldt County.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
