With more than 100 named beaches along the Central Coast, sun-seekers are spoilt for choice when it comes to the decision of where to roll out a towel in California. Surfers flock to Huntington Beach while Thousand Steps in Laguna Beach promises that perfect ‘gram-worthy shot. Did you even visit California if you didn’t head to Santa Monica State Beach for a stroll along the pier?

What to take depends on what your dream itinerary looks like and the time of year you are travelling. California is unique in that you could be surfing in the morning and skiing by nightfall. We recommend packing light, because anything you forget can be picked up along the way. Just be sure to pack your sense of adventure.

Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is something that every intrepid traveller should see at least once in their lifetime. Meanwhile, Southern California – or SoCal – is a dream for sun-soaked beach days and exploring Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Malibu and Palm Springs, to name just a few. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly vacation with Disneyland adventures, a foodie feast or a vacay that’s jam-packed with breathtaking sights, there’s a side of California to suit.

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This all depends on how much you hope to cram into your vacation! You could easily spend weeks (months) exploring San Francisco and all it has to offer including Yosemite, Alcatraz as well its world-renowned food scene. San Diego is ideal for beach dwellers, while Lake Tahoe is the perfect place to reconnect with nature. Big Sur is great for road trippers and adventurers, Napa Valley is like Disneyland for wine lovers and Santa Monica is a must for those token tourist activities.

The peak tourism season kicks off around June and stretches through until August. Summer in California is a vibe, however those who prefer smaller crowds could consider the shoulder seasons from March to May. The good news is there’s never really a bad time to visit as you will always find something to see and do, even on rainy days.

Here goes – explore National Parks, hike, surf (or learn to surf), road trip to Big Sur, see the Hollywood sign, take a stroll along Venice Beach Boardwalk, get locked up at Alcatraz, stargaze in Death Valley, sip wine in Napa, take a self-guided tour of San Francisco’s Michelin-star restaurants and, of course, visit the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland.