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 San Jose Museum of Art, and jump on the metro at Santa Clara Station or St James Station to see more of the city.

Downtown San Jose
🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙 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 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
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, Sunset Center and Carmel Plaza are top sights worth seeing.

Golden Rectangle
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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
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
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 740 per night from Feb 3 to Feb 4
SAR 740
SAR 878 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Feb - 4 Feb
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! (2,437 reviews)
21st
"Second time staying here. This is my all time favorite hotel! Staffs customer service is excellent and always make the moment special. Can’t wait to return."

Reviewed on 18 January 2025

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
4.5 out of 5
1 Old Golf Course Rd, Monterey, CA
The price is SAR 507 per night from Feb 3 to Feb 4
SAR 507
SAR 742 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Feb - 4 Feb
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,358 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 16 January 2025

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
Carmel Bay View Inn
Carmel Bay View Inn
2.5 out of 5
Junipero Street Between 5th And 6th St, Carmel, CA
The price is SAR 498 per night from Jan 28 to Jan 29
SAR 498
SAR 563 total
includes taxes & fees
28 Jan - 29 Jan
Stay at this hotel in Carmel. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,069 reviews)
"Great front of the house staff"

Reviewed on 16 January 2025

Carmel Bay View Inn
See all 16,133 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.
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! (240 reviews)
"Really enjoyed staying at one of the cabins at Convict Lake Resort! The whole area is so peaceful, and the cabin itself was beautiful and well-designed on the inside, with all the amenities we needed. The heating worked especially well (it was chilly out). The trails all around the property were ..."

Reviewed on 21 January 2025

Convict Lake Resort
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! (873 reviews)
"We liked everything"

Reviewed on 20 January 2025

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 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Roaring Camp ...
9/10 Wonderful! (398 reviews)
"The staff is so friendly and helpful! The cabin was very clean and cozy! The property is beautiful and peaceful!"

Reviewed on 7 January 2025

Fern River 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 quaint 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 during your travels in Monterey. Stroll along the area's marina, or simply savor its seafood restaurants.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain

4.5/5(630 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Mammoth Mountain and enjoy the mountain views during your trip to Mammoth Lakes. 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
17-Mile Drive which includes rugged coastline and a beach

17-Mile Drive

4.5/5(1,184 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at 17-Mile Drive, a lovely green space in Skyline Forest. Wander the beaches and seaside while you're in the area.

17-Mile Drive