California Vacation Rentals

Use our Vacation Navigation to the left to find the best selection of vacation rental properties in California with even better prices and service.

With 18 national forests and more than 260 state parks and beaches that span a coastline almost a thousand miles long, it’s no wonder that almost 34 million people proudly call California their home.

Thousands flocked to the state over a century ago in search of riches during the gold rush. Now, California continues to draw in vacation destination visitors and new residents because of the eclectic culture and exciting attractions.

Every year, a steady stream of vacationers arrive to enjoy the wonder of Disneyland Resort and Magic Mountain, drive the majestic span of the Golden Gate Bridge and look for their favorite movie star’s name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Still other vacationers and visitors come to enjoy the posh shopping on Rodeo Drive or with hopes to catch a quick glimpse of their big-screen heroes on a Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

There’s more than just endless entertainment possibilities in the Golden State – California is a virtual paradise for those who appreciate the breathtaking beauty of nature.From the world-famous panorama at the summit of Mount Diablo to the jaw-dropping eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas, a trip along scenic Highway 395 guarantees a nature lover’s delight. Don’t forget to visit Yosemite National Park so you can marvel at the waterfalls that have made the Park a national treasure for almost a century.

California is also a choice destination for skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. From the snow-capped peaks to pristine lakes at the bottom of some of the most challenging slopes, the winter weather in California is sure to satisfy every downhill skiing enthusiast.

No matter what ignites your passion for travel, you’ll find plenty of it in California, where nature, culture and entertainment mix together to create a vacation experience like no other in the world.

Weather in California

California is one of the largest states and has a wide range of climates. Although most of the state enjoys a Mediterranean climate, some areas are sub-arctic. The entire Pacific coastline is often foggy. Northern California is temperate, significantly cooler and gets more rain than southern parts of the state.

Getting to and from California

How you get to California will depend on which part of the state you are visiting. The two largest airports in the state are the San Francisco International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport, serving northern and southern California respectively. There are many other smaller airports throughout the state. California is also accessible by sea with major ports in San Francisco and Los Angeles. There is also access by train and there are multiple highways in and out of the state.

What to bring to California

What you bring to California will depend largely on the season and the area of the state to which you’re traveling. Summers are warm to hot, so light and comfortable clothing is suitable. Winters can be mild to freezing, depending on locale, so check weather conditions before you travel.

Things to do in California

Few states in the U.S. offer as many activities as California. Throughout the state, there are many theme parks with Disneyland Resort in the Los Angeles area being the most frequented and beloved. There are also plenty of historic sights to see and a wealth of natural resources, places to camp and explore the great outdoors and a huge array of sporting activities. Throughout the highly-populated state, California also serves up sophisticated and urban culture including museums, theater, dining and exciting nightlife.

Staying safe and healthy in California

California has excellent medical services, and healthcare throughout the state is widely available from clinics and medical professionals to emergency services and pharmacies. Practice safe traveling by bringing along your regular medications.

Time zone and currency in California

California is in the U.S. Pacific time zone where it is always three hours behind New York (Eastern U.S.). Like most U.S. states, California observes daylight savings time, which runs from March to November. Standard currency in California is the U.S. dollar