Planning a trip to California? Let us show you some of our favorite spots to visit, where to stay, California road trip guides, budget tips and more! Covering over 160,000 square miles, California is the third largest state in the US. Here’s a breakdown of California by region:

• North Coast: Stretching along the Pacific from the Bay Area to the Oregon border, the North Coast features small coastal towns where you can indulge in activities including kayaking, boating, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and hiking. Highlights include San Francisco, Fort Bragg, Bodega Bay, The Redwoods, and Shelter Cove. These are our favorite camping spots in Northern California.

• South Coast: The South Coast is perhaps the most exciting region in California because of the Southern California beaches. Besides Los Angeles and San Diego, we highly recommend making stops in Orange County to visit places like Laguna Beach and Dana Point and making a trip out to the Channel Islands. Just two hours from the South Coast is where you will find Joshua Tree National Park.

• Central Coast: The Central Coast provides a slower experience compared to the North and South Coast. Places like Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Cambria, Morro Bay, Carmel, and Big Sur are highlights of this part of California.

• The Mountains: There are two major mountain ranges in California – the Sierra Nevadas and Coast Ranges. Top destinations in the mountain region of California include Mount Whitney (a must-do for serious hikers), South Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes, Alabama Hills, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.