Central California, CA

Travel Guide

Yosemite Valley featuring a waterfall and mountains
Channel Islands National Park
Central California showing a coastal town, landscape views and general coastal views
Ventura showing night scenes, signage and outdoor eating
Ventura featuring general coastal views and surfing as well as an individual male

Where to stay in Central California

Downtown San Jose featuring heritage architecture

Downtown San Jose

4/5(936 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Jose. You can visit top attractions like San Pedro Square and St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica, and jump on the metro at Santa Clara Station or St James Station to see more of the city.

Downtown San Jose
Carmel featuring signage, a city and street scenes

Downtown Monterey

4.5/5(251 area reviews)

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Monterey. A stop by Golden State Theatre or Munras Avenue might round out your trip.

Downtown Monterey
🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙🚗🚙 driving through #Yosemite #nationalpark #toottootbeepbeep #ruffiansroadtrip ☀🌲🍃🌲🍃🌲🍃🌲🍃🌲🍃

Yosemite West

Just outside Yosemite National Park, this unincorporated community offers resort homes and access to several hiking trails, including Deer Camp Trail and Alder Creek Trail. Explore the historic Henness Ridge fire lookout tower and admire Alder Creek Fall.

Yosemite West
Carmel featuring autumn leaves, a house and a sunset

Golden Rectangle

5/5(186 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Golden Rectangle, Carmel Plaza and Carmel Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Golden Rectangle
Santa Cruz showing general coastal views and views as well as an individual male

Westside Santa Cruz

4/5(2,586 area reviews)

Westside Santa Cruz is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Bay, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Santa Cruz.

Westside Santa Cruz
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Mammoth Village

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Mammoth Village and surrounding area, you can visit Village Gondola Station and Sierra Star Golf Course.

Mammoth Village
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA
The price is AED 789 per night from Mar 23 to Mar 24
AED 789
AED 934 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Mar - 24 Mar
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Monterey. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,490 reviews)
"Portola Hotel was excellent, especially the staff at the hotel was very kind and professional."

Reviewed on 26 February 2025

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Outbound Mammoth
Outbound Mammoth
3.5 out of 5
164 Old Mammoth Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA
The price is AED 746 per night from Mar 4 to Mar 5
AED 746
AED 959 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Mar - 5 Mar
Stay at this hotel in Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (217 reviews)
Centrally located to shops and bus lines
"My family and I enjoyed our stay at outbound. We had two kids with us, ages 9 and 7, who enjoyed the arcade every evening. Restaurants and Vons are walking distance. The bus line to eagle is easily accessible, right across the street. We stayed in a two bedroom villa with a small kitchenette. Perfect ..."

Reviewed on 1 March 2025

Outbound Mammoth
Carmel Mission Inn
Carmel Mission Inn
3.5 out of 5
3665 Rio Rd, Carmel, CA
The price is AED 585 per night from Mar 18 to Mar 19
AED 585
AED 703 total
includes taxes & fees
18 Mar - 19 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Carmel. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,441 reviews)
"The customer service agent that checked us out was exceptionally professional- I am upset at myself that I forgot her name but she was very kind and addressed all our needs. We would love to visit again one day."

Reviewed on 25 February 2025

Carmel Mission Inn
See all 16,004 properties in Central California
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
3 out of 5
7075 Ontario Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA
Stay at this 3-star cabin in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Avila Hot Springs and Avila Beach Golf ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5 reviews)
"Excellent location, staff and family friendly. The staff was very responsive, polite and helpful."

Reviewed on 1 January 2025

Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
Convict Lake Resort
Convict Lake Resort
3 out of 5
2000 Convict Lake Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Convict Lake and Hot Creek Fish Hatchery are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (241 reviews)
"Great place to stay!"

Reviewed on 14 February 2025

Convict Lake Resort
Pacific Plaza Resort
Pacific Plaza Resort
3.5 out of 5
444 Pier Avenue, Oceano, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Oceano. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (888 reviews)
Another great stay!!
"As always I had a nice stay. Although I have been coming here for years and it seems as if they havent been keeping up the maintenance of the units as they once did. Would do them justice to stay on top of it. Still a great valie for your money and itis always comfortable."

Reviewed on 21 February 2025

Pacific Plaza Resort
See all properties in Central California
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Yosemite Valley featuring a waterfall and mountains

Yosemite Valley

5/5(1,197 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Yosemite Valley, a popular spot to commune with nature in Yosemite National Park. Amble around the area's riverfront, or seek out its hiking trails.

Yosemite Valley
Another beautiful sunset 🌇

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

4.5/5(2,013 reviews)

Enjoy the thrills at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and find out why people love this theme park in Santa Cruz. Attend a sporting event in this walkable area, or seek out the biking trails.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Monterey Bay Aquarium showing marine life and interior views

Monterey Bay Aquarium

4.5/5(1,731 reviews)

Take the family to visit the sea life at Monterey Bay Aquarium and find out why this is a popular attraction in Monterey. Stroll along the area's seaside, or simply savor its seafood restaurants.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
San Jose Convention Center

San Jose Convention Center

4/5(561 reviews)

During your trip, find out what's happening at San Jose Convention Center, a top convention center in San Jose. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

San Jose Convention Center
Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort featuring snow boarding and snow

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

4.5/5(551 reviews)

Hit the slopes at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort, a top ski area in Mammoth Lakes. Wander the lakeside or discover the mountain views in this quaint area.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort
Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain

4.5/5(630 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Mammoth Mountain and enjoy the mountain views during your trip to Mammoth Lakes. Stroll along the lakeside in this family-friendly area, or seek out the ski slopes.

Mammoth Mountain