Garrick Ramirez

Given its spectacular bayfront setting, world-famous aquarium, plethora of things to do, and immediate access off Highway 1, Monterey hosts its fair share of travelers. Lodging leans toward cozy inns—some of which are getting a 21st-century refresh—while a handful of larger properties flex their waterfront muscle. Properties tend to be clustered around Cannery Row, a touristy, waterfront thoroughfare lined with former sardine factories that has since been immortalized in John Steinbeck novels. Disregard the sea otter plushy-filled shops and head straight for the shore. Whether you dive, kayak, or simply peer into its sealife-filled waters, the Monterey Bay casts a spell. Here are the best hotels in Monterey Bay.  Updated February 2024: To really show you what hidden gems Monterey has tucked away, we've recently refreshed our original line-up with a couple of period homes destinations for those looking for the perfect romantic getaway. You can thank us later.  RECOMMENDED:🌴Check out the best things to do in California🛏Check out the best Airbnbs in California Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities, and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

With an impressive 300 days of sunshine annually and 29 miles of pristine sandy shoreline, it’s no surprise that Santa Cruz has earned its reputation as one of the USA’s finest surf destinations. But beyond the surfers riding those towering waves, Surf City holds a treasure trove of attractions, from its iconic boardwalk to the nearby redwood forests. When planning your Santa Cruz adventure, it’s important to find a comfortable place to call home during your stay. Luckily, the city has loads of fab hotels to choose from, from upscale resorts to beachfront inns. To simplify your search for the perfect digs, we've rounded up our top picks of the best hotels in Santa Cruz. Whether you're a solo traveler seeking the thrill of riding the area's famous waves or a young couple planning a romantic getaway in nature, we're sure you'll find something to suit your individual taste and budget in our extensive list. So, pack your bags, soak up the sun, and get ready to experience the unique blend of natural beauty and coastal culture that Santa Cruz has to offer.  RECOMMENDED: 🏠The best Airbnbs in Santa Cruz🏖️The best things to do in Santa Cruz🇺🇸The best things to do in California Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Enchanting Carmel-by-the-Sea exudes romance, from its cobblestone streets to its storybook architecture. Already a beneficiary of the Monterey Peninsula’s dramatic coastal scenery, the forest-set village doubles down with secret gardens and window boxes brimming with picture-perfect blooms. (It is so exceedingly charming.) Cozy inns are the lodging of choice, with warming fireplaces and filling breakfasts. Thankfully, innkeepers have recently begun modernizing interiors, upping thread counts and assembling a quality spread worth getting out of bed for in the morning.Head east, further inland, and you’ll find Carmel-by-the-Sea’s comparatively rural cousin, Carmel Valley: think large ranches, sweeping vineyards, a row of small, independent businesses—and not to mention some of the most luxurious hotels in the area. To the south, you’ll find a handful of options in the Carmel Highlands, where hilltop resorts are hidden along the road to Big Sur. We’ve compiled the best places to stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Valley. Enjoy! Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we’ve based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

With more than 70 miles of coastline, San Diego makes it pretty easy to keep the kids entertained. From beaches to aquariums to tidepools, the city has plenty of outdoor activities to excite the little ones. And while you may be tempted to spend all your time on the sand, there are museums, parks and events that are definitely worth exploring.  Here we've rounded up the best things to do with kids in San Diego, including a world-renowned zoo, kid-friendly museums, oceanfront amusement and theme parks, waterfront parks for aquatic sports and splash fountains, the world's largest comic book convention, and of course a stop to get ice cream. But don't worry—all these activities are fun for the entire family, which means adults won't be sacrificing a good time for the kiddos. As an added bonus, many of these spots also have kid-friendly restaurants where it doesn't matter if you leave a small mess.  If you're planning a family trip to Southern California, you'll have plenty to explore using our tried-and-true list of the best things to do in San Diego with kids.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in San DiegoThe best family-friendly hotels in San Diego

People around the world know California cities—L.A., San Francisco and San Diego, to name a few. However, despite being the capital of the state, Sacramento typically isn’t at the top of that list. While the inland city may not get a ton of international acclaim or be as glamorous as some of the other spots in the state, it’s seen a surge of development in recent years and is a worthwhile destination in its own right. Sacramento is green, bright and delightfully walkable—boasting more trees per capita than any other city in the U.S. The city offers ton of activities and attractions, from museums that cater to both kids and adults to a vibrant downtown food scene. In fact, Sacramento has earned the title of America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital, reflecting its emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. We’ve curated a list of the best things to do and the top food spots to try in downtown Sacramento. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Sacramento right now📍 The best things to do in the Old Sacramento Waterfront🏨 The best hotels in Sacramento

Located along the Pacific Ocean two hours south of San Francisco, Carmel-by-the-Sea is all about the pleasures of life: a sunset over the water, appreciating arts, and, above all, impeccable culinary experiences and world-class wines. Tucked away on the Monterey Peninsula, this quaint beach town is renowned for its rich artistic heritage and stunning scenery—but make your way down any of Carmel’s pebbled streets and charming lantern-lit alleyways, and you’ll find a memorable dining scene. From Michelin-starred spots to casual eateries, Carmel embraces a relaxed, unpretentious ambiance across the town’s restaurants. With an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and meticulous attention to detail, these culinary gems showcase the bounty of the nearby sea and farms. We have rounded up the best restaurants in Carmel to try now—a pro trip for those who consider their furry companions family: it's rare for four-legged friends not to be welcome, too. 

Spanning from San Clemente in the south to Seal Beach in the north, Orange County has a whole lot going for it. And we’re not just talking about Disneyland (though we love it); from the cities of Anaheim, Irvine and Santa Ana to the beach towns of Laguna, Newport and Huntington, Orange County is buzzing with attractions.  Here you’ll find immaculate shopping centers, glitzy boat rides, theme parks galore and some seriously good dining options. You’ll find fantastic long stretches of beach (arguably some of the best in California) and days and days on end of beautiful sunshine to enjoy it with. Peek behind the Orange Curtain, and you’ll discover numerous noteworthy destinations—mouse ears optional. Here are the best things to do in Orange County.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Newport Beach🏖️ The best beaches in California🏘️ The best Airbnbs in California🏞️ The best hot springs in California Kai Oliver-Kurtin is Kai Oliver-Kurtin is the San Diego & Southern California correspondent for Time Out. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

More than a place to crash for the night, the best California hotels have for decades now offered a chance to revel in the state’s sunshine, style, and natural splendor. A famed diversity of landscapes means you can spread out amidst Napa vineyards, cozy up at a Tahoe mountain retreat, or stow your surfboard at a modern surf shack—there are as many types of lodging in this state as there are amazing things to do. Even roadside motels – a California creation from the 1920s – are experiencing second lives with hip, reimagined designs. Because thread counts alone do not a good hotel make, the following spots offer loads of personality and a taste (sometimes literally, in adjoining restaurants) of the enviable California lifestyle. They take in an alpine-inspired bolthole, a Technicolor fantasy land, a resort set in striking 1905 military buildings and yes, of course the most storied of all Tinseltown’s hotels, the Chateau Marmont. RECOMMENDED: 🏠 The best Airbnbs in California🏖️ The best beachfront Airbnbs in L.A. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

With perfect weather, gorgeous beaches, trendsetting culture and some of the best restaurants in the world, you'll never lack for fun things to do in California. For its entire history, the Golden State has generated innumerable cultural shifts, from the Gold Rush to gangsta rap. Plus, its diversity of landscapes—from beaches to mountains, vineyards to deserts—allow the ambitious pull off a surf and ski session in the same day. Can it get any better?  Below, we’ve gathered the destinations and activities that capture the best of California in all its iterations—past and present, highbrow and kitschy—from sipping tiki drinks at Disneyland to exploring a redwood forest featured in Star Wars. As Tupac and Dr. Dre proclaimed, it’s all good from Diego to the Bay, because California knows how to party. RECOMMENDED: the best Airbnbs in California Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. You can also learn more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world, or take a look at our list of the 50 best things to do in the world right now.

In a state completely full of incredible hiking destinations, Big Sur cowers above the rest, and for good reason. California natives and beyond make long journeys to discover the fantastic area, with never-ending views of redwood groves and the Pacific.  Luckily, whether you’re headed there for a one-time stay, or you’re popping over to Big Sur as part of a mega road trip, it’s got a whole host of fantastic hotels to stay at. Whether you’re looking for rustic peaceful bliss in a little cabin, or you’re looking to splash out on a luxurious hotel with a pool, there is something for every kind of trip. We’ve picked the best of the best right here. So whether you’re at Big Sur for a week away from the hustle and bustle of the city, or you’re just there for a hardcore walking weekend, look no further than these hotels.  Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

California is known for a lot of beautiful things, attracting visitors from near and (very) far for its National Parks, hiking trails, hidden camping spots and more. But for an experience you’ll never forget, you’ve got to add its hot springs to your bucket list.  Here in California you’ll find everything from natural springs and waterfalls in the middle of nowhere to human-made pools and luxury stays. It all varies, but it’s all magical. From Big Sur to Calistoga, here are the best hot springs to visit in the whole of California. Aaand relax.  RECOMMENDED:🏖️ The best beaches in California🏕 The best camping in California🏞 The best hot springs in the US🏨 The best hotels in California This guide was last updated by Bay Area-based Clara Hogan. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

There’s a reason car commercials often feature California’s Pacific Coast Highway. It’s a beautiful, sinuous ribbon of highway that goes along the Pacific Ocean, sometimes on high cliffs that make you hold your breath. All along Highway One, you’ll find great places to stop and experience the things that make California so rad—like fresh seafood, coastal breezes, palm trees and the ever-noisy but charming sea lions. These stops are listed in geographic order, starting in SoCal and working your way north up the coast. Note: As of this writing, Highway 1 is closed between Limekiln State Park and the north end of Paul’s Slide near the town of Lucia, with no predicted re-opening date. That’s thanks to winter storms that literally took out some of the roadway. However, coastal businesses remain open. This website lets you check conditions and learn the detours that will keep you moving. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in California

If San Francisco’s chilly marine layer is putting a damper on your summer fun, we suggest a day trip. Sacramento may not be on your short list of weekend escapes, but a stylish new rooftop infinity pool and cocktail bar is certain to change that. The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel is part of a new downtown, state-capital–invigorating hub centered around the Golden 1 Center, an open-air concert and sports arena that’s home to the Sacramento Kings. In addition to a dreamy rooftop pool terrace, this one-stop, warm-weather retreat has reliable Sacramento sun and a collection of hip bars and restaurants. Plus, the hotel is a breezy, five-minute stroll from the historic Amtrak station, which means you can ditch your car and enjoy a scenic, traffic-free trip out of town. The design-forward hotel features a sky-high lobby that brims with greenery and 250 guest rooms awash in natural finishes and gold accents. Perks include Atelier Bloem body products, an evening wine tasting and public bikes for quick jaunts to the buzzy Midtown neighborhood. Yet the property’s most compelling amenity is the infinity pool—a first for Sacramento— surrounded by a lushly landscaped rooftop and flanked by cabanas, fire pits and the glam indoor-outdoor cocktail lounge, Revival. The Sawyer is also home to the excellent Echo & Rig, a swanky Las Vegas–style steakhouse beloved for its red-oak–grilled steaks and popular sides, such as the portobello mushroom fries and the grain-and-veggie–fueled Over the Rainbow Salad.