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California Vacation | Start Planning Your Trip for an Escape to the Golden State

This is the definitive guide for your California vacation with the best hotels, resorts, and tips on things to do whether you're heading to an amusement park, the city, wine country, or hitting the beach.

Who doesn’t want to plan a vacation to California? The state is as large as a country with the diversity of one whether you’re talking about the people or things you can do. You’ve got beaches, cities, romantic getaways, and wine country–just for starters.

With so many options, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to go. Luckily, we know California and have featured numerous stories from locals and experienced travelers alike. No matter if you’re looking for a California family vacation or an adults-only escape, we’ve got something for you.

Read on and plan your next California vacation.

Family Vacations in California

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California is full of wonderful family travel opportunities. That’s why we connected with moms from across the state to share their favorite family vacations in California.

For starters, have a look at Hotel Los Gatos in the Bay Area. This Mediterranean-style property is within walking distance to the downtown Los Gatos strip or a short drive away to Vasona Park where kids can burn their energy.

Hotel Los Gatos & Spa

Top rated
Los Gatos
8.8 Excellent (2095 reviews)

Check Out the City of Angeles

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People used to go to Southern California to see everything but Los Angeles. That’s changing thanks to revitalization efforts that have turned downtown Los Angeles into the place to be.

If you book a stay NoMad Los Angeles Hotel, you’ll be lodging in a 1920s palace. The building had fallen to ruins once residents fled to the ‘burbs, but now the former Giannini Palace has a new lease on life thanks to incredible restoration efforts.

Hotel Per La, Autograph Collection

Top rated
Los Angeles
8.8 Excellent (777 reviews)

Palm Springs Pride

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Palm Springs has been described as something of a ‘Gay Heaven.’ We can’t say they’re wrong, especially with resorts like the Santiago Resort.

Situated at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, Santiago is a luxurious, private resort that offers the perfect respite to a busy life. It’s a swimsuit optional resort, but don’t let that scare you away. There’s a more relaxed ambiance at Santiago compared to other, more raucous resorts in Palm Springs.

Santiago Resort

Top rated
Palm Springs
9.7 Excellent (255 reviews)

Get Away With Your Significant Other

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Kids are… fine. But sometimes you just want to get away with your significant other and not look back–at least for a little while. Fortunately, California is full of adults-only resorts, free from shrieking children.

Del Marcos Hotel. There’s a Frank Lloyd Wright aesthetic to the design, bringing to mind the best of mid-20th-century elegance. Of course nowadays, you have your 21st-century comforts.

Del Marcos

Top rated
Palm Springs
9.4 Excellent (688 reviews)

Wine and Dine in Temecula

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“Wine” is synonymous with California, but it’s not exclusively in Napa Valley. You can find plenty to drink in Temecula between Los Angeles and San Diego in Southern California.

At Ponte Vineyard Inn, you’ll find yourself surrounded by 310 acres of vines and ranch land, reflecting traditional California wine-making culture. Get to know the vineyard better with a tour on an electric bus, ending the experience with a tasty wine and cheese flight.

Ponte Vineyard Inn

Top rated
Temecula
9.6 Excellent (1970 reviews)