Where to stay in California
The right base for each stop, and a short list of hotels we would look at first.
Where you sleep matters more in California than in most places, because distances are large and the wrong base can add hours of driving. In the cities, choose a neighbourhood near what you want to see; in the national parks, staying inside or right at the gate saves a long commute each morning.
For every destination below we explain the best base and list a few established, well-located hotels. Links go to Trip.com for current rates and availability. We do not print prices because they change sharply by season and day of the week.
San Francisco
Stay around Union Square or the Embarcadero for the best transport links, or at Fisherman’s Wharf if you want to walk to the Alcatraz ferry and the bay. Budget for parking if you bring a car.
Hotel Zephyr
A playful waterfront hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf with a games courtyard, a short walk from Pier 39 and the ferries.
See rates on Trip.comHotel Nikko San Francisco
A polished high-rise two blocks from Union Square and the Powell Street cable cars, with an indoor pool.
See rates on Trip.comArgonaut Hotel
Nautical-themed rooms in a historic brick cannery building beside Hyde Street Pier and the cable-car terminus.
See rates on Trip.comBeacon Grand, Union Square
A grand 1920s hotel on the Powell Street cable-car line, steps from Union Square.
See rates on Trip.comLos Angeles
Choose Hollywood for sightseeing and the studios, Santa Monica for a beach holiday, or Downtown for public transport and weekend value. Wherever you stay, check the nightly parking charge.
The Hollywood Roosevelt
A 1927 Hollywood landmark on the Walk of Fame, opposite the TCL Chinese Theatre, with a well-known pool.
See rates on Trip.comLoews Hollywood Hotel
A large modern hotel beside the Dolby Theatre and the Hollywood/Highland Metro station.
See rates on Trip.comShore Hotel
A contemporary hotel on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, across the road from the pier and beach.
See rates on Trip.comFreehand Los Angeles
A lively hotel and hostel hybrid in a historic Downtown building, with a rooftop pool and bar.
See rates on Trip.comSan Diego
Stay downtown or in the Gaslamp Quarter if you are without a car and want to walk to dinner and the waterfront. For a beach holiday, choose Coronado or La Jolla and plan on driving to the city sights.
The US Grant
A grand hotel opened in 1910 in the heart of downtown, facing Horton Plaza and a short walk from the Gaslamp Quarter.
See rates on Trip.comPendry San Diego
A stylish modern hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter with a rooftop pool, close to Petco Park.
See rates on Trip.comHotel del Coronado
The historic red-roofed beach resort on Coronado, directly on the sand.
See rates on Trip.comLa Jolla Shores Hotel
A low-rise hotel right on the beach at La Jolla Shores, popular with families.
See rates on Trip.comYosemite
Rooms inside the park put you minutes from the trailheads and are worth the premium; book them as early as possible. Otherwise choose the gateway on the road you will arrive by and expect a drive of 30 to 90 minutes each morning.
The Ahwahnee
The park’s grand historic hotel of 1927, built of stone and timber beneath the Royal Arches in Yosemite Valley.
See rates on Trip.comYosemite Valley Lodge
Motel-style lodge buildings within walking distance of Yosemite Falls, on the valley shuttle route.
See rates on Trip.comRush Creek Lodge & Spa
A modern lodge with a pool on Highway 120, close to the Big Oak Flat entrance.
See rates on Trip.comTenaya at Yosemite
A large resort lodge in the forest at Fish Camp, a few minutes from the south entrance and Mariposa Grove.
See rates on Trip.comYosemite View Lodge
Riverside motel rooms at El Portal, right outside the Arch Rock entrance on Highway 140.
See rates on Trip.comNapa & Sonoma
Base yourself in the town of Napa for the widest choice and the Wine Train, or in Sonoma for lower prices and a small-town plaza. Weekend rates are much higher than midweek in both.
Andaz Napa
A contemporary hotel in the middle of downtown Napa, within walking distance of tasting rooms and restaurants.
See rates on Trip.comRiver Terrace Inn
A comfortable hotel beside the Napa River, a short walk from the Oxbow Public Market and the Wine Train station.
See rates on Trip.comNapa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa
A large, full-service hotel with a pool and spa on the northern edge of Napa, convenient for Highway 29.
See rates on Trip.comMacArthur Place Inn & Spa
A garden estate of cottages and a historic house a few blocks from Sonoma Plaza.
See rates on Trip.comLake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe has the widest range of hotels within walking distance of the gondola, the beach and the cruise piers. For a quieter stay, look at Tahoe City on the west shore.
Hotel Azure
A lodge-style hotel across the road from the lake and El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe.
See rates on Trip.comThe Landing Resort & Spa
An upscale boutique resort facing a private stretch of beach, close to the Heavenly Village.
See rates on Trip.comBeach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe
A lakefront hotel with its own beach and pier in South Lake Tahoe.
See rates on Trip.comBasecamp Tahoe City
A small, design-minded hotel in the centre of Tahoe City on the north-west shore.
See rates on Trip.comBig Sur & Monterey
Monterey has the most rooms and the easiest parking; Carmel is prettier and closer to Big Sur. For one unforgettable night, stay in Big Sur itself, where lodging is limited and booked months ahead.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
A large hotel built over the water on Cannery Row, a few minutes’ walk from the aquarium.
See rates on Trip.comPortola Hotel & Spa
A full-service hotel beside Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the historic centre of Monterey.
See rates on Trip.comLa Playa Hotel
A historic Mediterranean-style hotel with gardens, two blocks from Carmel Beach.
See rates on Trip.comBig Sur Lodge
Simple cottage-style rooms among the redwoods inside Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
See rates on Trip.comSanta Barbara
Stay by the waterfront to be near the beach and the Funk Zone, or downtown for restaurants and the courthouse; the two are a short walk apart. Rates are highest in summer and at weekends.
Harbor View Inn
A Spanish-style hotel across the road from West Beach and next to Stearns Wharf.
See rates on Trip.comKimpton Canary Hotel
A Spanish Colonial-style hotel in the heart of downtown, a block from State Street, with a rooftop terrace and pool.
See rates on Trip.comEl Encanto
A hillside hideaway of bungalows and gardens on the Riviera above the mission, with ocean views.
See rates on Trip.comPalm Springs & Joshua Tree
Stay in downtown Palm Springs for restaurants, pools and atmosphere and visit the park as a day trip, or spend a night in Twentynine Palms or Joshua Tree to be at the gate at sunrise.
Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
A modern hotel in the centre of downtown Palm Springs with a rooftop pool and mountain views.
See rates on Trip.comThe Saguaro Palm Springs
A brightly coloured, retro-styled hotel built around a large pool, a short drive from downtown.
See rates on Trip.comAce Hotel & Swim Club
A converted mid-century motel with a relaxed, creative crowd, two pools and regular events.
See rates on Trip.comFairfield Inn & Suites Twentynine Palms
A dependable chain hotel in Twentynine Palms, minutes from the national park’s north entrance.
See rates on Trip.comDeath Valley
Staying inside the park at Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells lets you see sunrise, sunset and the stars without a long drive. Rooms are limited and winter weekends book out early; Beatty in Nevada is the nearest cheaper alternative.
The Inn at Death Valley
A historic 1920s desert inn set in palm gardens on a hillside at Furnace Creek, with a spring-fed pool.
See rates on Trip.comThe Ranch at Death Valley
A larger, more casual resort around a green at Furnace Creek, next to the visitor centre, with a pool, shop and restaurants.
See rates on Trip.comStovepipe Wells Village
A straightforward motel with a pool and restaurant, across the road from the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
See rates on Trip.comDeath Valley Inn
A simple motel in the small Nevada town of Beatty, about 45 minutes from the centre of the park.
See rates on Trip.comSequoia & Kings Canyon
The in-park lodges at Wuksachi and Grant Grove save a long daily drive and should be booked well ahead for summer. Three Rivers, at the southern gate, has the best choice of independent places.
Wuksachi Lodge
The main lodge in Sequoia National Park, built of stone and cedar, a short drive from the General Sherman Tree.
See rates on Trip.comJohn Muir Lodge
A timber lodge at Grant Grove Village in Kings Canyon National Park, a short walk from the visitor centre.
See rates on Trip.comComfort Inn & Suites Sequoia Kings Canyon
A chain hotel with a pool in Three Rivers, a few minutes from the Ash Mountain entrance.
See rates on Trip.comAnaheim & Disneyland
The closer you stay to the gates, the easier the day: a hotel within walking distance lets you return for a midday rest. Disney’s own hotels are the most convenient; those on Harbor Boulevard are the best value.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disney’s flagship hotel in Arts and Crafts style, with its own entrance into Disney California Adventure.
See rates on Trip.comHoward Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground
A family favourite with a water playground, a short walk from the Disneyland entrance on Harbor Boulevard.
See rates on Trip.comCourtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
A modern family hotel with large rooms and a rooftop water park, close to the pedestrian entrance.
See rates on Trip.comAnaheim Marriott
A large full-service hotel next to the Anaheim Convention Center, a 15- to 20-minute walk from the parks.
See rates on Trip.comBooking tips
- Advertised US hotel rates usually exclude tax, and many city and resort hotels add a nightly resort or facility fee plus parking charges. Check the final total.
- In-park lodging at Yosemite, Sequoia and Death Valley opens for booking far ahead and sells out early for summer and holidays.
- City hotel parking can be expensive in San Francisco and Los Angeles. If you only need a car for part of the trip, rent it when you leave the city.
- Weekends are pricier in wine country, Big Sur, Palm Springs and Lake Tahoe; weekdays are pricier in business districts.
Accommodation FAQs
How far ahead should I book?
For summer in Yosemite, Big Sur and other national parks, as early as you can — many rooms go months in advance. City hotels can usually be booked a few weeks ahead outside major events.
Is it better to stay inside the national parks?
If you can get a room, yes: you avoid entrance queues and long drives. Gateway towns are cheaper and have more choice, but check the drive time to the sights you want.
Are motels a good option on a road trip?
Yes. Independent and chain motels are common along Highway 1 and Highway 101 and are often the best value for a single night; read recent reviews before booking.
Coast, cities, parks and vineyards — book the big-ticket days first
Alcatraz ferries, Yosemite day trips, Hollywood studio tours and wine-country drivers are limited and sell out weeks ahead in summer. Compare the best California tours and reserve in a couple of taps.