Where to stay in California: areas and hotels

If you're visiting California for the first time and want to combine city life, the seaside, and a taste of Hollywood, the best base is Los Angeles, especially the neighbourhoods around Hollywood or Downtown, where you'll be close to attractions, transport links and the airport. If you're travelling with a partner and fancy something more romantic, San Francisco with its hills, historic trams and the Golden Gate Bridge, or the Napa Valley with its vineyards, are better suited than a large metropolis. Families with children usually have a more relaxed experience in San Diego, where the beaches are quieter and the city is smaller in scale, while those looking for nature and a road trip along the coast will find accommodation in Monterey and Big Sur with views of the Pacific.

A trip to the state is rarely limited to one city. Most visitors combine Los Angeles and San Diego in the south, or San Francisco, Napa and Monterey in the northern part, making a classic road trip along the Pacific Coast. The choice of accommodation area greatly influences the experience, because distances in California are long and getting around without a car, outside of San Francisco, is difficult.

If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Downtown San Diego or areas of Los Angeles like Downtown offer better value for money than coastal resorts. If you have a larger budget and want something special, Napa with its boutique hotels and wineries, or Monterey with its bay views, offer a more tranquil and luxurious holiday experience.

A few words about California

California is the most populous state in the USA and one of the most popular for travel, precisely because it combines large cities, mountains, desert and thousands of kilometres of coastline within its borders. The majority of flights from Greece arrive via a connecting airport on the East Coast, with the journey continuing to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) or San Francisco Airport (SFO), the two largest entry points into the state. If your trip also includes other destinations in the USA, it's worth checking out a general accommodation guide for the USA before deciding how to split your days.

Getting around the state is almost exclusively by car. Los Angeles and San Diego are designed around motorways, with public transport covering only specific routes. San Francisco is the exception, as it has a metro (BART), trams and buses that cover the city quite well. If you plan to travel the Pacific Coast from north to south or vice versa, car rental is almost mandatory, especially for the route through Big Sur, where there are no regular bus services.

The best time to visit is spring, from April to June, and autumn, from September to October, when temperatures are pleasant and there is less traffic on the roads and at attractions. Summer brings high accommodation prices and large crowds, especially in San Diego and Napa, while in San Francisco the summer months can be unexpectedly cool and foggy, which surprises many visitors. Winter is mild throughout the state, with the exception of mountainous areas, and accommodation prices drop significantly, except during the holiday season.

Distances are greater than they appear on the map: from Los Angeles to San Diego, you're looking at about two hours' drive, while from San Francisco to Napa it's about an hour, and to Monterey two hours. If you're planning your flights early and want to compare airfares, take a look at a guide to flights to America before booking your itinerary, to decide whether it's better value to fly to Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Los Angeles: Hollywood, beaches and a city without a centre

Los Angeles doesn't have a single city centre, but dozens of neighbourhoods with different characters. Hollywood and Downtown offer easy access to attractions and public transport, while Beverly Hills and West Hollywood suit those looking for more luxurious accommodation near restaurants and bars. The downside of the city is the traffic, which can make even short distances time-consuming during peak hours.

1. Loews Hollywood Hotel

Located on Hollywood Boulevard, with direct access to the shopping centre and the Dolby Theatre. Features a rooftop pool with views of the Hollywood sign.

• Average cost: 220 to 320 € per night
• Ideal for: first visit and couples

2. Hotel Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

An elegant hotel between Beverly Hills and Hollywood, with French aesthetics and a rooftop pool. A good choice for those wanting to combine shopping and relaxation.

• Average cost: 250 to 350 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

3. Hotel Figueroa, Unbound Collection by Hyatt

A historic hotel in Downtown, housed in a 1926 building with Spanish décor and a large pool in the courtyard. Located near the railway station and museums.

• Average cost: 190 to 280 € per night
• Ideal for: travellers without a car

San Francisco: hills, trams and bay views

San Francisco is California's most easily navigable city on foot, with its historic trams, BART metro and buses covering most neighbourhoods. Union Square and the city centre offer easy access to shops and attractions, while the area around the harbour is quieter and closer to the Golden Gate Bridge. The disadvantage is the cost of accommodation, among the highest in the USA, and the steep streets that make it difficult for those not used to walking uphill.

4. W San Francisco

A modern hotel in the city centre, next to the contemporary art museum, with stylish rooms and a gym with city views.

• Average cost: 260 to 360 € per night
• Ideal for: couples and business trips

5. Harbor Court Hotel

Located next to the harbour, with views of the Bay Bridge and easy access to the ferry to Sausalito. A quiet option away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

• Average cost: 210 to 300 € per night
• Ideal for: couples seeking tranquillity

6. Executive Hotel Vintage Court

A boutique hotel in the Nob Hill area, near restaurants and Chinatown, with comfortable rooms and good value for money and location.

• Average cost: 160 to 230 € per night
• Ideal for: travellers on a moderate budget

San Diego: tranquil beaches and a family-friendly atmosphere

San Diego has a more relaxed pace than Los Angeles, with long beaches, an internationally renowned zoo and a climate that is almost consistently mild throughout the year. The city centre, around the Gaslamp Quarter, is buzzing with restaurants and nightlife, and is also close to the harbour with its museum ships. It is one of the easiest destinations in the state for families, with shorter distances and less traffic than Los Angeles.

7. Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

A large hotel next to the marina, with harbour views and direct walking access to the convention centre and city centre.

• Average cost: 210 to 300 € per night
• Ideal for: families

8. Omni San Diego Hotel at the Ballpark

Located next to Petco Park baseball stadium, with quick access to the Gaslamp Quarter and city views from the upper floors.

• Average cost: 200 to 280 € per night
• Ideal for: couples and families

9. Hotel Indigo San Diego, Gaslamp Quarter by IHG

A hotel right in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, close to restaurants, bars and the harbour. A good choice for those who want to get around on foot in the evening.

• Average cost: 170 to 250 € per night
• Ideal for: couples and young couples

Napa: vineyards and quiet luxury

The Napa Valley, about an hour north of San Francisco, is California's most famous wine-producing region, with hundreds of wineries, boutique hotels and restaurants. It suits couples looking for relaxation, wine tastings and a slower pace, away from city life. The downside is the lack of public transport, so getting between wineries is done by car, taxi or organised tour.

10. The Westin Verasa Napa

A modern hotel next to Napa city's railway station, with suites featuring kitchenettes and a pool in the courtyard.

• Average cost: 240 to 340 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

11. Carneros Resort and Spa

A resort with private cottages nestled among vineyards, featuring a spa and a restaurant focused on local produce. One of the quietest options in the area.

• Average cost: 380 to 520 € per night
• Ideal for: couples seeking luxury

12. Bel Abri Napa Valley Inn

A small, inn-style hotel in Napa city, with breakfast and an evening wine tasting included in the price.

• Average cost: 260 to 340 € per night
• Ideal for: couples on a romantic getaway

Monterey and Big Sur: the Pacific Coast

Monterey, about two hours south of San Francisco, is the starting point for the famous Highway 1 drive to Big Sur, with its cliffs, redwood forests and uncrowded beaches. The city has its own aquarium and the historic Cannery Row area, while Big Sur essentially has no centre, just scattered accommodations amidst nature. It suits travellers who want a slower, nature-oriented experience during their road trip.

13. Spindrift Inn

Located on Cannery Row, with rooms featuring fireplaces and views of Monterey Bay. One of the area's most popular choices for sea views.

• Average cost: 270 to 380 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

14. Victorian Inn

A Victorian-style hotel near Cannery Row, with fireplaces in the rooms and breakfast included. A good base for walks along the beach.

• Average cost: 200 to 280 € per night
• Ideal for: couples and families

15. The Monterey Hotel

A historic hotel dating from 1904 in the centre of Monterey, with wooden furniture and a location close to restaurants, just minutes from Cannery Row.

• Average cost: 150 to 220 € per night
• Ideal for: travellers on a moderate budget

If your trip isn't limited to California, it's worth checking out other accommodation guides for the USA, such as New York or Florida, to help you decide how to divide your days between the East and West Coasts. If you plan to add a stop in Las Vegas to your trip, there's a separate travel guide to Las Vegas with information on accommodation and entertainment.

Comparison of accommodation areas

Frequently asked questions

How many days are needed to see California?

For a first taste of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and one stop in between, you'll need at least ten to twelve days, so you don't spend most of your time in the car.

Is a car needed throughout California?

In San Francisco, you can get around by tram, metro and buses. In all other areas, especially Napa and Monterey, car rental is practically essential.

What is the best time to travel?

Spring and autumn have better temperatures and lower accommodation prices than summer, with the exception of Napa, where autumn coincides with the grape harvest and prices rise.

Where should I stay if I want both city and sea?

San Diego combines the two best, with a city centre close to beaches. In Los Angeles, you'll need to travel from the centre to beaches like Santa Monica.

Is it worth staying near Los Angeles airport?

Only if you have an early morning flight or a connection on the same day. The areas around LAX are not particularly interesting for stays longer than a day or two.

Is accommodation in Napa expensive?

Yes, Napa has some of the highest accommodation prices in the state, especially on weekends and during the grape harvest in September and October. Prices drop significantly on weekdays.

Can I stay at one base and take day trips?

If you stay in San Francisco, you can visit Napa on a day trip. However, Los Angeles and San Diego are more than two hours apart, so separate overnight stays are recommended.