Discover the top 3 tourist cities in California and see why they are a must-see on a trip to this state. With our tips, you’re sure to have a great time.
California insider tip
California is a large state with many incredible cities to visit. Among them, there are 3 that are very touristy and that, in our opinion, cannot be left out of an itinerary in the state. Take a look:
San Diego
San Diego is a super charming city in California which, as well as being home to cinematic beaches, has tourist attractions for all types of people and tastes. It’s also the second largest city in the state, so there are plenty of incredible things to see.
Some of the must-see attractions on your itinerary are: SeaWorld San Diego, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Belmont Park, USS Midway Museum, PETCO Park and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
There are also some incredible neighborhoods that offer visitors unique experiences. These are Little Italy – perfect for those looking for quality gastronomy -, Gaslamp Quarter – where San Diego’s nightlife takes place – and Old Town – an area rich in tradition and history.
San Francisco
The second of California’s top 3 tourist cities is San Francisco, the city of cable car rides. With many contrasts, it is the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy good restaurants, take photos in beautiful places and experience a bit of Californian culture.
Some of San Francisco’s trademark sights are: Golden Gate Bridge (perfect for many souvenir photos), Pier 39 (a magnificent shopping, dining and entertainment center), Lombard Street (the crooked street that yields beautiful photos) and Alcatraz Island (the island where the prison where Al Capone was held is located).
For those who want to shop for famous brands, Union Square is a must in San Francisco. It is home to famous stores such as Nike, Louis Vuitton, Apple and Chanel. There are also the most incredible department stores in the United States: Macy’s, Saks Fifith Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
- Important tip: California is a state that has many tourist cities, with museums, attractions and tours. So, regardless of where you go there, always buy the tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
Los Angeles
Looking for movie sets and a lively atmosphere? Then check out some of the features of Los Angeles, our last tip of the top 3 tourist cities in California.
LA is the capital of cinema and entertainment, so expect to find everything from these worlds. Some of the tours that are very popular in this destination and make for a memorable trip are: Madame Tussauds Museum, Griffith Park and Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios Hollywood and Warner Bros. Studios.
In addition to these tours, the city is a major shopping center, offering many malls, outlets and streets for you to shop. If you want good prices, be sure to check out the outlets and department stores. If you’re on a budget, it’s worth checking out the merchandise on Rodeo Drive, The Grove and Westfield Century City.
How to find great hotels in any city in California?
To find the best hotels in the best cities of the state, our tip is to use this California Hotel Finder. We always use it because it’s the largest hotel booking site in the world, super reliable and safe. Plus, it has the opinions of tourists who have already stayed in the hotels, which helps a lot when evaluating each one.
When making your purchase, after a search, the tip is to filter by “Neighborhood” (to select the regions you are looking for), and by “Guest reviews”, putting “Very good upwards”. In addition, this search engine offers free cancellation for most hotels.
The tip is to check, in the search, the hotels that have “Free cancellation” written on them. That way, you can book your hotel on the spot to guarantee the price (since they change from one day to the next, and the best hotels sell out quickly), and if you later find a better one, or don’t want to stay there, just cancel.
Save money on your trip to California:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to California cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your California tickets in the cheapest and safest way. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
