California Flights and Travel Guide

If America is the land of opportunity, California is the state of chance. California showed great prospect as far as back as the 1800s, when a settler struck gold at Sutter’s Mill and California quickly became the land of wealth. The effects of the California Gold Rush were monumental and today, California continues to welcome visitors seeking a greater opportunity.

Take a flight to California for a chance to experience some of the West Coasts' most famous streets. Luxury mansions adorn Beverly Hills and swank retail shops line the streets of Rodeo Drive. Gold stars grace the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard, marking the achievements of Hollywood’s greatest artists. From the flight to California to the doors of Mann Chinese Theater, be on the lookout for celebrity A-listers. For the outdoor traveler booking flights to California, open parks and hiking trails at Big Sur, Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park are a nature-lover’s dream come true. Wine connoisseurs book flights to California's Sonoma and Napa Valley regions. Visitors would be remiss if they didn’t walk down one of California’s beautiful beaches in Malibu or Santa Monica.

Travelers booking flights to California are bound to be busy during their visit and the options for activities are endless. However, in the land of opportunity, what better state to take a chance in?

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California Climate

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When to Fly to California

When to fly to California depends on where in California you’re going. The state’s climate varies dramatically, so if you're looking for cheap flights to California, it's best to choose a city first and search flights during the off-season.

Peak Season:

The peak season for flights to California is the summer. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Napa Valley greet summertime travelers with warm weather and dry days.

Off Season:

Winter is the low season for LA, Anaheim, San Francisco, and wine country. However, winter in San Francisco is when the ballet and opera seasons are in full swing. Wine country is also fun to visit in fall, when the wineries are in production, and spring, when the flowers are in bloom.

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Getting Around California

Driving is the best way to cover short distances in California, or if you enjoy long drives, for covering the entire state. If you’re booking flights to California and then planning on driving the state, make sure to carry a map as not all road signs indicate a direction, just town or city names. If you’re headed into the mountains, make sure to get antifreeze and tire chains.  

Many freeways have carpool lanes called “diamond” lanes or high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations regarding the use of these lanes as some of them are monitored even during non-rush hour and fines are over $270.

California has over 15 airports, and given the number of small and large commercial carriers, flights in California are fairly easy.

For a scenic trip along the coast, Amtrak’s Coast Starlight has double-decker Superliners, gourmet dining car, accommodations from first class to coach, and entertainment and games.

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California Insider Information

• Los Angeles covers desert basin, mountain canyons, and coastal beaches. With its rich cultural diversity, LA offers countless attractions—catch a glimpse of the stars, hike the Hollywood sign, visit the La Brea Tar Pits, walk the boardwalk at Venice Beach, spend like a celebrity on Rodeo Drive, and enjoy free attractions like the Watts Towers or Getty Museum.
• The Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Castro, Mission District, and Haight Ashbury just skim the surface of San Francisco’s diversity and charm. The city also cherishes its past, restoring and reusing its historic buildings. The surrounding areas—Marin County, Oakland, and Berkeley—are as popular as the city itself.
• John Sutter’s trading post became the main supply point for gold miners, then western headquarters of the transcontinental railroad. Today Sacramento is growing, offering affordable homes to those seeking California weather. The capital city is known for its natural parkland and streets lined with fruit-bearing trees. Once the Gateway to Gold Country, Sacramento is now a gateway to the wine country.
• Most of California’s wineries are in NapaValley and SonomaValley. Hundreds of wineries invite you to enjoy their tours, tastings, restaurants, and spas. Napa Valley has more wineries and a higher volume of tourism, with more commercial tours and attractions such as hot-air ballooning. Sonoma Valley is lower key, with family-run wineries, fewer tourists, and relaxed ambience. Book flights to California's wine region and join a tour of the wineries.
• Anaheim is home to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. The Orange County coast offers miles of beaches, and the California Riviera is the stretch between Seal Beach and San Clemente. The area’s eccentric beach towns, Santa Ana Artists’ Village, Laguna Beach boardwalk, San Juan Capistrano Mission, and Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace attract tourists year-round.
• Some ambitious travelers book flights to California and then drive the coastline to the state's northern most cities. While the drive and landscape is beautiful, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time for the long drive north. It's advisable that you book outbound California flights from your destination point.

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California Airports

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