California

You will find anything from big brand hotels to small mom-and-pop boutique hotels in California. Prices range dramatically between weekdays and weekends in most of the cities and towns. Here are our favorite hotels going down the coast:

Napa: Carneros Resort & Spa

San Francisco: Hotel Vitale or Grand Hyatt

Half Moon Bay: Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Carmel: Tradewinds Carmel

Los Angeles: Shutters on The Bach, Santa Monica

San Diego: The US Grant, a Luxury Collection

California is home to Uber and Lyft, making these services an easy option in every major city. If you plan to explore more of California, make it a road trip and rent a car. Caifornia is easy to get around, just expect traffic along the major cities.

California Cuisine is arguable some of the best in the country. Between the diversity of cultures within the state and the fresh food sources, you can find incredible, delicious cuisine even in the smallest of towns. With the Asian, Latin American and Indian influences in the state, California has seemingly endless world-class restaurants.  Not to mention, California is the 4th largest wine business in the world!

California has a high sales tax, one of the highest in the country, at 7.25%, with local regions adding their own taxes, making shopping often cost you up to 10% extra. This is important to remember if you’re looking to buy luxury goods.

California is known by many as the laidback friendly state and you will find a stark contrast to other places around the country. People are generally friendly, open-minded and just trying to live their best life. California has such an eclectic mix of cultures and diversity, making it an incredibly easy place to fit in. Even major cities have distinct neighborhoods, catering to every type of interest, cuisine and culture.