California

Monterey nestles on California’s Central Coast. Experience the rugged coastlines of Big Sur, the scenic 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Monterey Municipal Beach and Del Monte Beach. Enjoy Monterey State Park’s First Theater and Old Custom House and the picturesque charm of Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf. Adventure, flavour, and relaxation meet with an array of wellness retreats, championship golf, and world-class dining. Add into the mix a rich vibe of historic and nautical charm, a literary connection of John Steinbeck, and outdoor activities like kayaking and whale watching and Monterey has it all.

Hit a relaxed pace in SLO CAL - aka San Luis Obispo County - set on the edge of the Edna Valley wine region and stretching along the Central Coast from Paso Robles to Arroyo Grande. Experience downtown San Luis Obispo’s 17th-century Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, and Thursday’s Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market. Craft beer fans can sip SLO Brew and Central Coast Brewing’s SLO-brewed creations, while wine-lovers taste Edna Valley Winery’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Hike to the summit of Bishop Peak for awesome vistas and mountain-bike Bob Jones Bike Trail alongside San Luis Obispo Creek to Avila Beach.

Los Angeles - aka LA and the “City of Angels” - is home to renowned museums, unique hotels, diverse experiences, and 75 miles of sunny coastline across its vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods. Discover theme park thrills at Disneyland Resort and delve into the film world at Universal Studios Hollywood. Explore Los Angeles County Museum of Art and admire LA views and the Hollywood Sign at Griffith Observatory. Walk along Santa Monica Pier and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, go shopping on Rodeo Drive, and enjoy Hollywood Bowl’s outdoor concerts. And "The Beautiful Game" comes to Los Angeles when SoFi Stadium hosts eight matches of FIFA World Cup 2026!

Greater Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley is Southern California’s most storied resort oasis and  encompasses nine cities — Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella. Soar above the landscapes by hot air balloon and feed a giraffe at The Living Desert Zoo. Ride the world’s largest rotating tramcar at Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and witness the night sky at Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory. Wander through the historic Sunnylands Center & Gardens, see Palm Springs Art Museum 12,000 artworks, indulge in retail therapy at El Paseo Shopping District, or take a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park. 

Lake Tahoe straddles the California-Nevada border and boasts 72 miles of shoreline; but it’s more than just a pretty place, it’s a welcoming place filled with good times, casual vibes, and outdoor adventures. Hike the Eagle Falls trail to the cascading Eagle Falls and ride along the scenic Truckee River BikeTrail. Get out on the water by stand-up paddleboard, swim or kayak at Sand Harbor, sunbathe at Kings Beach State Recreation Area, or view the lake from above on the Heavenly Gondola. Step back in time at Emerald Bay’s Vikingsholm Castle and Donner Memorial Park’s Emigrant Trail Museum or return to the Wild West at Virginia City.

California is a real trendsetter when it comes its food — from its extraordinary array of global fare to its cutting-edge, vegetable-forward, local-leaning food habits—often referred to as “California cuisine”. Tuck into a Cobb Salad in Hollywood, a California Roll or Animal Fries in LA, a California Burrito in San Diego, a Santa Maria Tri-Tip on the Central Coast, and San Francisco’s classic Cioppino and Mission Burrito. Drinks-wise; relax with a Third-Wave or Irish Coffee, a healthy Kombucha, a unique date shake, a locally-brewed craft IPA, a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, or a Tequila Sunrise, Rosemary Gin Fizz, or Mai Tai cocktail.

California is an all-seasons outdoor playground with something for everyone! Go walking along the 18-mile Monterey Bay Coast Trail or whale-watching in underwater canyons in Monterey Bay, kayaking at Morro Bay, or surfing at Pismo Beach in SLO CAL. Take a guided horse-back ride at historic Smoke Tree Stables or meet the challenge of rock-climbing in Joshua Tree National Park near Palm Springs. Try high-altitude skiing in winter at Heavenly Mountain Resort and jet skiing or a scenic trip up to the Eagle Falls in the summer months at Lake Tahoe. Los Angeles leads to riding a bike along The Strand or taking a sunset hike up to the iconic Hollywood Sign. 

Meet Monterey Bay Aquarium’s sharks and jellyfish or explore and play at Monterey County Youth Museum. Relish SLO CAL’s Buena Park - aka Land of Yes - with its Knott’s Berry Farm, Knott’s Soak City Waterpark, and Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Enjoy Palm Springs Air Museum’s flight simulator or unleash your child’s curiosity at Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert. Experience Heavenly Epic Discovery’s mountain coasters, zip lines, and climbing walls in Lake Tahoe. Step into the Ice Age at La Brea Tar Pits and don’t miss Universal Studios Hollywood’s SUPER NINTENDO and Disneyland Resort’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Los Angeles. 

Learn about Monterey’s sardine industry at Cannery Row and author John Steinbeck at the National Steinbeck Center. Enjoy SLO CAL’s thriving arts scene at San Luis Obispo Museum of Art and live performances at the historic Fremont Theater and Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo. Discover a cool modern vibe as you admire Palm Springs Art Museum’s contemporary art and Coachella Walls’ life-size artworks. Step back in time at Tahoe City’s Gatekeeper’s Museum or delve into local life and history on a Tahoe History Talk on the Beach. Experience the Space Shuttle Endeavour at California Science Center and Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

California’s calendar is packed the brim with festivals and events to include in your trip. Monterey hosts California Roots Music and Arts Festival and Monterey Jazz Festival, while SLO CAL is the place for Stagecoach Country Music Festival and HARD Summer Music Festival. Experience Greater Palm Springs prestigious Palm Springs International Film Festival; Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, SnowFest!, and Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival; and Los Angeles’ Academy Awards (Oscars) and the Hollywood Bowl’s massive 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. Not forgetting that LA will also be hosting world-class football with eight matches of the FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium in June 2026!