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California, “The Sunshine State” is enormous. Seriously! It is the most populated state in the United States and has over 480 cities to explore. And that’s just the cities: California’s natural beauty and variety is just as enormous.
Choosing lodging can be overwhelming when considering where to stay in California, particularly in the most popular cities. To make your life easier, I’ve curated several accommodation options that you can check out at a range of price points.
Also, it should be noted that all the cities also vary in affordability. The average hotel prices in San Francisco are about $100 more a night than in Sacramento.
However you decide to spend your time in beautiful California, any of these cities will be full of activity for everyone. We have a handy list below to give you a quick idea of which city is best suited for which kinds of travelers.
Whether you like taking a stroll down Santa Monica Pier or taking a California road trip and hitting up several of these cities, you’ll surely find your sunshine. Any choice is the right choice on a California getaway!
TL;DR
| Location | Average Hotel Price | Average Airbnb Price |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $250 | $200 |
| San Diego | $180 | $150 |
| Santa Barbara | $220 | $180 |
| Palm Springs | $200 | $160 |
| Los Angeles | $210 | $170 |
| Lake Tahoe | $180 | $140 |
| Napa Valley | $230 | $190 |
| Sacramento | $150 | $120 |
| Monterey | $150 | $160 |
Best for…
- Solo Travelers: San Francisco
- Foodies: Los Angeles
- Families: San Diego
- Nature Lovers: Lake Tahoe
- Adventure Seekers: Palm Springs
- Art and Culture Vultures: Santa Barbara
- Beach Bums: San Diego
- Wine Enthusiasts: Napa Valley
Best Places to Stay in California
1. San Francisco
When images of the Golden Gate Bridge come to mind, you’ve got San Fran on the brain. Home to Alcatraz, the Aquarium of the Bay, an iconic Chinatown, and (never forget) The Tanner Family.
San Francisco’s famous landmarks and world-famous sourdough bread are sure to win you over. Though fair warning, if you call this city ‘Frisco or San Fran in front of locals, you are probably not going to win them over.
Within the city itself, there are 36 distinct neighborhoods. The most well-known are the Mission District and Chinatown, though…
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