The 2nd most populated city in the US is not to be missed. From toasting tinseltown on Sunset Boulevard and window shopping Rodeo Drive, to hiking the Hollywood sign and meeting your fave characters in Disneyland, Los Angeles is full to the brim with bucket list moments.

If you dig the thought of a California beach holiday with a good splash of city sightseeing, add San Francisco to the top of your list: Delightfully unique, bask in the charm of the harbour-side towns, do a spot of shopping in Union Square, and cycle over the (rightfully) world-famous Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito.

With stunning views of both mountains and beaches, Santa Monica is a classic Californian coastal city. Head here for delightful ‘village-like’ streets full to the brim with art galleries and quaint shops to peruse. Don't forget to visit the famous Santa Monica pier!

The seaside, hippy vibe of Santa Cruz is a must for California holidays, too. Ride the retro roller coaster at the Beach Boardwalk, one of the USA’s oldest amusement parks, and when you’re all ‘coaster-d out, take a stroll along the beautiful stretch of sandy beach and soak up some sun.

It might surprise you that San Diego is the USA's 8th largest city! Of course, the beaches are beautiful but there's also plenty of cultural hot spots to keep both adults and kids entertained. From cool craft breweries and glittering nightlife to amusement parks and family friendly restaurants there's something here for all. 

Holidays in California wouldn’t be complete without a mooch over to Malibu; surfing, celeb-spotting and boutique-noseying aplenty, this incredible city is well-deserving of its status as one of California’s best beach towns. It's no wonder so many stars of the screen and sport set up home here.

Head to the desert for blinding sunshine, therapeutic hot springs, awesome canyons and fantastic golf courses - but above all pure relaxation. It's no surprise Palm Springs became a favourite vacation spot of the rich and famous in the 1930s - and still is to this day.

Beach lovers flock to Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, and with good reason. As one of Orange County’s most stylish towns, Laguna Beach also boasts one of the best beaches on the California coast.

The soft, golden sands of Zuma Beach, Malibu are especially popular with families and surfers, and has been the location for many films and TV shows over the years.

Of course, California beach holidays wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Venice Beach and its world-famous boardwalk. But you might also want to take the time to wander Venice Beach's idyllic canals as well as the super stylish Abbot Kinney Boulevard for the best best boutiques, galleries, restaurants and bars.

This quaint little coastal city is the perfect mix between city and suburban life with some of the best beaches found at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Set sail to see if you can spot a Killer Whale or a Dolphin, or if you'd rather stay inland you'll be spoilt by delicious local seafood and incredible coastal views. 

Dubbed The American Riviera thanks to it's cute hillside houses, glamourous air and Mediterranan climate, Santa Barbara is a quintessential Californian beach town with miles of sun-drenched sandy coastline where you can play volleyball, go celeb spotting and or fire up the BBQ.

Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco you'll find the stunning Pismo Beach, which is perfect for a laid-back peaceful escape. You'll see some of the most amazing oceanside views in California, taste famous local clams and you can even take a dune buggy on an adventure across the sands.

If you love outdoor sports, head to The O.C. and join the surfers, dog walkers and volleyball players along Huntington Beach's 10 miles of beautiful beaches! As the World's Surf Capital, you'll catch some gnarly waves here. More of a spectator? Take in the action from the pier or visit the International Surf Museum.

Part of San Diego, Oceanside is a coastal town where white sandy beaches meet street-art and world class culinary options. With the pier jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, Oceanside Harbour Marina, and the California Surf Museum, there's plenty to explore.

Big Sur, on the Monterey Peninsula, is a rugged stretch of stunning, unspoilt coastline. Head to Point Sur Lighthouse, a California State Historic Park, perched atop a volcanic rock, around 360 feet above the ocean. You might even catch sight of a migrating whale. Moonlight tours are available, too – talk about romantic.

If Mother Nature was a place, it would look like Yosemite. Majestic mountains, skyscraper trees, spectacular rivers and waterfalls, a visit here will take your breath away and give a sense of inner peace that is unlike anywhere else in California.

The water in Lake Tahoe is 99.994% pure, so it's almost drinking water (but not quite) - pretty amazing right? As the largest alpine lake in the US, there's so much to see here, from hiking pictoresque trails, to swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding - even ski-ing! In the Winter, Lake Tahoe gets enough snow to cover a 3 storey building!

Redwood National Park is home to some of the tallest trees in the world, something you have to see at least once in a lifetime. As well as trees, there are plenty of forests, beaches, trails and grasslands to explore. Nature lovers will love the many opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, rafting, fishing, bird watching...your outdoor adventure is waiting!

One of the biggest music festivals in the world heads to the desert every April, bringing with it music fans, hippies, celebs and influencers from all over the globe. Everyone from Coldplay and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers to Beyonce and Drake have headlined.

Wine-lovers rejoice: July welcomes the return of Santa Barbara’s annual California Wine Festival. Enjoy vintage wines, gourmet food and live music, all just a stone’s throw from the ocean.

Late April to early May, discover SoCal’s emerging filmmakers during The Newport Beach Film Festival, with everything from feature length and short films to music videos. Will you catch something from a future Oscar-winning director?

A slightly more niche offering is October’s Clam Festival in Pismo Beach. Yep, you read that correctly: A clam festival. Three days dedicated to celebrating all things clam, with fifteen thousand other people, incredible dishes and live music. You’ve gotta do it.