9 of the best · California, USA
Getting to and Around California
The airports for each region, the Pacific Surfliner and Caltrain, and driving advice for Highway 1 and the Sierra.
Our 9 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in California
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love California.
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The main Bay Area airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The main international gateway for San Francisco and the Bay Area.
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By the sea, San Diego to San Luis Obispo
Pacific Surfliner
Amtrak’s coastal train between San Diego, LA, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
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Check Caltrans before you go
Driving in California
Most of this guide’s trips need a car: check road conditions with Caltrans before you drive.
The full list: Getting Around, A–Z
Show 6 of 9 places on a map
Airports 6
SFO, San Diego, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Monterey and Reno-Tahoe.
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For Carmel and Big Sur
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)
The closest airport to Monterey, Carmel and the Big Sur coast.
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Minutes from the resorts
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
The desert’s airport, a short drive from Palm Springs’ hotels.
3400 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262Explore View on map
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The usual airport for Lake Tahoe
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Across the state line in Nevada, the usual airport for Lake Tahoe.
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Close to downtown
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego’s airport, a few minutes from downtown.
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The main Bay Area airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The main international gateway for San Francisco and the Bay Area.
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Santa Barbara’s airport
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
A small airport in Goleta, west of Santa Barbara.
500 James Fowler Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93117Explore View on map
By train 2
The coast and the Peninsula.
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San Francisco to Silicon Valley
Caltrain
Electric commuter trains between San Francisco and San José.
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By the sea, San Diego to San Luis Obispo
Pacific Surfliner
Amtrak’s coastal train between San Diego, LA, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
By road 1
Driving California.
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Check Caltrans before you go
Driving in California
Most of this guide’s trips need a car: check road conditions with Caltrans before you drive.
