California

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Spring

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September

Famous For: Pacific coastline, Yosemite National Park, Wine regions, Desert landscapes

Train Access: Yes (amtrak, caltrain, metrolink, bart, la metro rail, san diego trolley, very safe)

Bus Service: Yes (Metro (Los Angeles), Muni (San Francisco), OCTA (Orange County), SDMTS (San Diego), AC Transit (Alameda and Contra Costa), VTA (Santa Clara), and others, relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: Most Western passport holders (US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU citizens) enter California visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA. Non-VWP citizens require a B-1/B-2 tourist visa obtained through US embassy or consulate before arrival. California follows federal US entry requirements; no separate state visa exists.

California spans Mediterranean coastlines, Sierra Nevada mountains, and Mojave Desert across 840 miles. Visitors hike Yosemite's granite cliffs, surf Pacific breaks in San Diego and Santa Cruz, drive Big Sur's coastal highway, and explore redwood forests in Humboldt County. Wine regions like Napa Valley and Sonoma produce Cabernet and Pinot Noir. Death Valley reaches 134°F in summer; Lake Tahoe offers alpine skiing. San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, Los Angeles' Hollywood Hills, and San Diego's beaches anchor urban experiences. Joshua Tree National Park displays desert rock formations. Sequoia National Park contains Earth's largest trees. Visitors eat farm-to-table cuisine in San Francisco, Mexican food in San Diego, and fresh produce from Central Valley agricultural regions.

Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to California

Weather: California experiences highly variable weather depending on region and elevation. Coastal areas enjoy mild, temperate conditions year-round with cool summers and mild winters. Interior valleys and deserts experience hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 95°F (35°C), while winters are mild. Northern regions receive more rainfall, particularly in winter months, while southern California is predominantly dry.

Festivals: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Outside Lands Music Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, California State Fair

Best Destinations for Kids: Disneyland Resort in Anaheim features castle, rides, and character experiences. San Diego Zoo houses 3,700 animals across 100 acres. Legoland California in Carlsbad combines rides with 60 million LEGO bricks.

Hidden Gem: The Eastern Sierra region around Mammoth Lakes and Bishop offers alpine scenery, hot springs, and granite peaks without Yosemite's crowds, with access to Mono Lake's tufa towers and excellent hiking trails.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Hostels in San Francisco and Los Angeles cost $30-50 per night; budget hotels run $80-120. Meals at casual restaurants average $12-18; groceries from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods cost 20-30% more than national average. Greyhound buses connect major cities for $20-60 per route; regional transit like BART in the Bay Area costs $2.15-10.15 per trip. Camping in state parks costs $20-35 per night. Rental cars start at $35-50 daily but gas prices run $4.50-5.50 per gallon.

Accessibility: Major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have accessible public transit including wheelchair-accessible buses and BART stations. Coastal highways and national parks provide accessible viewpoints and paved trails; Yosemite Valley has accessible lodging and shuttle buses. Mountain regions and remote desert areas have limited accessibility infrastructure.

For the Solo Traveler: Solo travel is safe in California's major cities and tourist regions; violent crime rates are lower than US national average in tourist areas. Public transit in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego enables independent navigation; rental cars provide flexibility for coastal and mountain exploration. Solo travelers find community in hostels and organized tours in Yosemite, Big Sur, and wine country. Women solo travelers report feeling safe in urban centers and popular tourist destinations; av

Planning a 1 Week Stay: Spend 2 days in San Francisco exploring Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Drive Big Sur's Pacific Coast Highway for 2 days with stops in Carmel and Pfeiffer Beach. End with 2-3 days in Los Angeles visiting Santa Monica, Griffith Observatory, and Getty Center.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: Week 1: San Francisco Bay Area and Monterey Peninsula. Week 2: Big Sur and Central Coast wine regions. Week 3: Los Angeles and San Diego. Week 4: Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley, and return via Sequoia National Park or Yosemite. This route covers coastal, desert, and mountain ecosystems while including lesser-visited areas like Anza-Borrego Desert and Channel Islands.