Central California, CA

Travel Guide
Yosemite Valley featuring a waterfall and mountains
Channel Islands National Park
Central California showing a coastal town, landscape views and general coastal views
Ventura showing night scenes, signage and outdoor eating
Ventura featuring general coastal views and surfing as well as an individual male

Where to stay in Central California

Downtown San Jose featuring heritage architecture

Downtown San Jose

4/5(936 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Jose. You can visit top attractions like San Pedro Square and St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica, and jump on the metro at Santa Clara Station or St James Station to see more of the city.

Downtown San Jose
Carmel featuring signage, a city and street scenes

Downtown Monterey

4.5/5(251 area reviews)

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Monterey. A stop by Golden State Theatre or Munras Avenue might round out your trip.

Downtown Monterey
🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙 driving through #Yosemite #nationalpark #toottootbeepbeep #ruffiansroadtrip ☀🌲🍃🌲🍃🌲🍃🌲🍃🌲🍃

Yosemite West

Just outside Yosemite National Park, this unincorporated community offers resort homes and access to several hiking trails, including Deer Camp Trail and Alder Creek Trail. Explore the historic Henness Ridge fire lookout tower and admire Alder Creek Fall.

Yosemite West
Carmel featuring autumn leaves, a house and a sunset

Golden Rectangle

5/5(186 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Golden Rectangle, Carmel Plaza and Carmel Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Golden Rectangle
Santa Cruz showing general coastal views and views as well as an individual male

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(2,586 area reviews)

Westside Santa Cruz is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Monterey Bay and Pacific Avenue, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Cruz.

Westside Santa Cruz
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Mammoth Village

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Mammoth Village and surrounding area, you can visit Village Gondola Station and Sierra Star Golf Course.

Mammoth Village
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA
The price is SAR 708 per night from Dec 12 to Dec 13
SAR 708
SAR 831 total
includes taxes & fees
12 Dec - 13 Dec
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Monterey. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,387 reviews)
"It was great! Very walkable and close to many restaurants, bars and cafés. It is also a short drive to the Monterey aquarium."

Reviewed on 2 December 2024

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
The Ranch at Death Valley – Inside the Park
The Ranch at Death Valley – Inside the Park
2.5 out of 5
Highway 190, Death Valley, CA
The price is SAR 655 per night from Dec 12 to Dec 13
SAR 655
SAR 804 total
includes taxes & fees
12 Dec - 13 Dec
Book a stay at this golf resort in Death Valley. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and a golf course. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,518 reviews)
"Convenient location"

Reviewed on 2 December 2024

The Ranch at Death Valley – Inside the Park
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
4.5 out of 5
400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
The price is SAR 1,146 per night from Dec 10 to Dec 11
SAR 1,146
SAR 1,293 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Dec - 11 Dec
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,317 reviews)
"The view is stunning"

Reviewed on 4 December 2024

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
See all 15,953 properties in Central California
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pacific Plaza Resort
Pacific Plaza Resort
3.5 out of 5
444 Pier Avenue, Oceano, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Oceano. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (858 reviews)
"A little dated and needs some TLC. Bathroom vent needed to be dusted... bad. However, price was great, ample parking and very close to everything we wanted to do. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 19 November 2024

Pacific Plaza Resort
Fern River Resort
Fern River Resort
3 out of 5
5250 Highway 9, Felton, CA
Stay at this 3-star beach cabin in Felton. Enjoy free parking, a private beach, and a garden. Popular attractions Mystery Spot and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk ...
9/10 Wonderful! (395 reviews)
"This was my our first time here and the wife and I loved it! Affordable getaway for a fair and reasonable price tag. Lots of local attractions and a wonderful spot to call "home" for a few nights. We are coming back soon for sure."

Reviewed on 27 November 2024

Fern River Resort
Convict Lake Resort
Convict Lake Resort
3 out of 5
2000 Convict Lake Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Convict Lake and Hot Creek Fish Hatchery are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (230 reviews)
"Clean and well maintained."

Reviewed on 9 October 2024

Convict Lake Resort
See all properties in Central California
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Yosemite Valley featuring a waterfall and mountains

Yosemite Valley

5/5(1,197 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Yosemite Valley, a popular spot to commune with nature in Yosemite National Park. Amble around the area's riverfront, or seek out its hiking trails.

Yosemite Valley
Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort featuring snow boarding and snow

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

4.5/5(551 reviews)

Hit the slopes at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, a top ski area in Mammoth Lakes. Wander the lakeside or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort
Monterey Bay Aquarium showing marine life and interior views

Monterey Bay Aquarium

4.5/5(1,731 reviews)

Take the family to visit the sea life at Monterey Bay Aquarium and find out why this is a popular attraction in Monterey. Stroll along the area's seaside, or simply savor its seafood restaurants.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain

4.5/5(630 reviews)

Explore Mammoth Mountain, a popular spot to commune with nature in Mammoth Lakes, and enjoy the mountain views. Stroll along the lakeside in this quaint area, or seek out the ski slopes.

Mammoth Mountain
Another beautiful sunset 🌇

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

4.5/5(2,013 reviews)

Enjoy the thrill rides with your kiddos at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk as part of your trip to Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
This is a great place across from the mall where you could eat at a diverse set of restaurants!

Santana Row Shopping Center

4.5/5(119 reviews)

During your trip to San Jose, you can enjoy retail therapy at Santana Row Shopping Center. Attend a sporting event or discover the mountain views in this family-friendly area.

Santana Row Shopping Center