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Travel to California / California Vacation Rentals

Whether you’re intrigued by mountains, the Pacific coast, or the desert, you only need to travel to one state to explore it all and that’s majestic California. So much culture, history, and fun define California, making it all the more recommendable that you book one of the many California vacation rentals or beach house rentals available. Whether you are looking for a relaxing cabin rental, oceanside vacation rental or a luxury vacation rental, we have many options to fit you and your family's needs.

Everything California

Everything about California is diverse: the culture, the climate, the geography, and even the history. It can make finding a vacation home in the Golden State a little overwhelming, but hopefully with this guide you can plan your California vacation with ease.

California Key Areas

Northern and Central California includes the North Coast, Shasta Cascade, San Francisco and Bay Areas, Central Coast, Gold County, High Sierra, and Central Valley regions. The North Coast is home to the striking redwood tree forests, which can be explored at the Redwood National and Stake Parks in Crescent City. In fact, state park and forests – like the desolate Six Rivers National Forest in Orleans – are prime spots for camping, hiking, and fishing with travelers staying in a California vacation home rental. Travelers in this region who enjoy nature and the outdoors, might also be interested in a cabin rental. In the Shasta Cascade region at Shasta Lake, you can watch lava tubes or do more than just observe your surroundings, but water ski! The ripe vineyards of Napa Valley are also famous; a California wine tour is a pretty standard item on an itinerary for renters of a California vacation home. If you want to see the redwoods and wine country all in one day, there is a one-day event that tours both Muir Woods so you can get a taste of both nature and wine! The San Francisco/Bay Area has quiet costal areas, like Angel Island, as well as a sophisticated city, which can be traversed by cable car. San Jose, true to its high-tech roots, offers the Tech Museum of Innovation, which features science and engineering exhibits.

The Central Valley is steeped in agriculture, which explains the many food factory tours available there. However, history is also one of its themes, as evident in the San Joaquin County Historical Museum, which has Native American Yokuts on display. The 1874 California state capitol building in Sacramento is part of Gold Country, where you can explore Highway 49 just as the miners once did. If you plan on venturing to the mountains of the High Sierra, don’t forget to experience the incredible views from Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the continental United States. The High Sierra mountain region also is where you will find the Lake Tahoe year-round resort. Memorable seascapes and resort areas are found on the Central Coast, as is the specialty shopping and dining on Cannery Row in Monterey.

Southern California includes the Desert, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Inland Empire, and San Diego County. Those who are interested in Palm Desert vacation rentals can look forward to spectacular views of sand dunes and cliffs eroded through time, set against shiny resort cities and areas like Palm Springs. In Los Angeles, take a movie or television tour, or visit Chinatown. Maybe you’ll decide to stroll or drive down the 20-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard. Or perhaps you’ll choose to go scuba diving and snorkeling and probe the underwater shipwrecks of the Catalina Island/Casino Point Underwater Park. Although your California vacation home will be on the west coast, that does not mean you can’t get to know the culture of the Far East; the Japanese American Cultural Center is in California. For music, enjoy live classical, jazz, and rock performances at the Hollywood Bowl. Orange County is the cite of many California vacation rentals, as it of course is the home of Disneyland. Crystal Cove State Park has something for every kind of vacationer: beach, surf, hiking and horseback riding. Those who want a little adventure may be interested in the white-water rapids of Knott’s Berry Farm.

The Inland Empire is where you will find the California Citrus State Historic Park, which details the background of the Southern California citrus industry. Big Bear Lake is a prominent resort area with skiing, snowboarding, golf, and plenty of other activities. Peek into the Route 66 Territory Gift Shop in LaVerne, or gaze at the centuries of glass at the Historical Glass Museum in Redlands. A unique culture and climate lie in San Diego, as its weather is very temperate and there is a strong Hispanic tradition there. In North San Diego County, visit the largest mission in California, Mission San Luis Rey, built in 1798. There you can tour the church and grounds of the Franciscan Friars of California. You can also play games at one of the eight casinos that are located in the San Diego region; don’t forget to dine out too, as there will be more than a few restaurants to whet your appetite. Also, no San Diego vacation is complete without a trip to the San Diego Zoo.

Sites and tours to see

Battery Point Lighthouse, Crescent City
Grace Hudson Museum and Sun House, Ukiah
McCloud River Falls
McArthur-Burney Falls State Park
Alcatraz Island
Paramount Theatre, Oakland
Golden Gate Bridge
Mission San Juan Bautista
Hearst Castle, San Simeon
Herman Goelitz Candy Company, Fairfield
The Pizza Farm, Madera
Empire Mine State Historic Park, Grass Valley
The Getty Center
Little Grand Canyon, Lake Forest
Badwater, Death Valley National Park
Orange Empire Railway Museum
Del Mar Racetrack

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