Lonely Planet's
California
is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Paddle in the Pacific, trek through desert oases, and watch fog tumble over the Golden Gate Bridge; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of California and begin your journey now!
Inside
Travel Guide:
Up-to-date information -
all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak
NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card
with wi-fi, ATM and transportation info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel
Planning tools for family travelers
- where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids
What's New feature
taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas our writers have uncovered
NEW Accommodations feature
gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodations
NEW Where to Stay in San Francisco and Where to Stay in Los Angeles maps
are your at-a-glance guide to accommodations options in each neighborhood
Color
maps and images throughout
Highlights
and itineraries
help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
Insider tips
to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
Essential info
at your fingertips
- hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
Honest reviews for all budgets
- eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
Cultural insights
give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics
Over 105 maps
Covers
San Francisco, Marin County & the Bay Area, Napa & Sonoma Wine Country, the North Coast & Redwoods, the Central Coast, Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles, Disneyland & Orange County, San Diego & Around, Palm Springs & the Deserts, the Northern Mountains, Sacramento & the Central Valley, Gold Country, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
The Perfect Choice:
California,
our most comprehensive guide to California, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled.
Looking for just the highlights? Check out
Pocket San Francisco,
a handy-sized guide focused on the can't-miss sights for a quick trip.
Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out
Lonely Planet
USA
for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer.
Authors
Written and researched by Lonely Planet, Brett Atkinson, Amy Balfour, Andrew Bender, Alison Bing, Cristian Bonetto, Celeste Brash, Jade Bremner, Bailey Freeman, Michael Grosberg, Ashley Harrell, Anita Isalska, Mark Johanson, Andrea Schulte-Peevers, and Wendy Yanagihara.
About Lonely Planet:
Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.
'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times
'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)