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Visas & entry
California follows U.S. entry rules. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries generally need an approved ESTA before flying and may visit for up to 90 days; many other nationalities need a U.S. visitor visa. Canadian citizens usually do not need a visitor visa for short tourist stays, but all travelers should verify current requirements with U.S. authorities before booking.
Getting in
- Los Angeles International Airport: The biggest international gateway and the obvious arrival point for Los Angeles, Disneyland, the Central Coast and most Southern California itineraries. It is poorly placed for sightseeing, so do not stay near the airport unless you have an early flight.
- San Francisco International Airport: The main gateway for San Francisco, Yosemite, wine country and Northern California road trips. It is the cleanest start for a north-to-south itinerary ending in Los Angeles or San Diego.
- San Diego International Airport: Use it for San Diego and as the sensible finish for a Southern California or open-jaw coastal trip. It is close to downtown by U.S. airport standards.
- Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport: A useful Bay Area alternative, particularly for domestic and low-cost flights; it can be cheaper than SFO but is less convenient for travelers staying on the San Francisco side of the bay.
- John Wayne Airport, Orange County: The convenient airport for Disneyland/Anaheim, Newport and Laguna Beach. It has far fewer long-haul options than LAX, but can save a miserable cross-county transfer.
Getting around
Rent a car for Yosemite, the Central Coast, wine country, Tahoe, the redwoods and the deserts; outside San Francisco, California is built around driving. San Francisco works well without one, and parts of Los Angeles and San Diego are manageable with rideshare and transit if you stay in the right neighborhood, but trains are not a substitute for a statewide itinerary. Build generous time into every Southern California drive, and check mountain chain requirements and Highway 1 conditions before committing to a route.
Money
The currency is the U.S. dollar. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, though a little cash is useful for small tips, parking and remote stops; prices shown rarely include sales tax, and tipping is expected for table service, taxis/rideshare and many tour services.
Book before you land
Alcatraz City Cruises ferry tickets · Yosemite in-park lodging and campgrounds · Half Dome cable-route permit, when cables are up · Disneyland Resort tickets with dated park reservations · Hearst Castle tour reservations
- Do not judge California distances by the map: traffic can turn a short Southern California drive into an hour-plus ordeal.
- Summer on the Central and Northern Coast can be foggy and chilly; pack layers even if inland temperatures are high.
- Never assume Highway 1 through Big Sur is open; check Caltrans conditions immediately before departure and have an inland alternative.
- Yosemite does not require a general entry reservation in 2026, but parking, lodging and campsites remain the real bottlenecks.
- Winter Sierra driving requires proper preparation; chain controls can apply even to AWD vehicles.
- Desert heat is dangerous from late spring through early autumn. Carry far more water than feels necessary and avoid long hikes in midday heat.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this region.