Sun, surf and self-drives: California inspires a Golden State of mind as the ultimate year-round playground for Australian travellers, from the coast to the desert, mountains and vast outdoors.
Few destinations deliver the freedom and variety of California, where travellers can combine iconic cities, laidback beach culture and immersive regional experiences into one seamless trip.
It’s a destination that rewards deeper exploration and longer stays with wide appeal for families, couples, road trippers, luxe travellers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Visit California has teamed up with Viva Holidays to spotlight the Golden State and showcase a range of accessible and bookable itineraries that make it easy to enjoy the ultimate playground.
Multiple holidays in one trip
Looking for family fun, entertainment and theme parks? Classic USA beach culture? Desert resort-style relaxation? Alpine and outdoor adventures? Wine time?
The Golden State truly caters for all kinds of holidays, and San Francisco and LA are the ideal gateways for Aussies to explore beyond the must-visit cities.
California is the ultimate road-trip state, offering the freedom to explore at your own pace and go from the coast to the desert, mountains, national parks and wine country.
Pack more into your holiday with self-drive discovery, bundling car hire, accommodation and popular tours and activities in one bookable, multi-stop itinerary.
Choose a 10– or 12-day Northern California Self Drive starting in San Francisco and veering into the capital, Sacramento, and its foodie culture and laidback beachy and alpine appeal in stunning Lake Tahoe.
Or take an 11-day family-friendly Southern California Self Drive from Santa Monica – the quintessential beach city and the end of Route 66 – stacked with Disneyland Resort adventures, Orange County coastal hotspots, San Diego’s many attractions and desert relaxation in Greater Palm Springs.
For the ultimate road trip, take the reopened Highway 1 route on a 12-day Golden California Self Drive. The classic getaway combines coastal drives and popular cities, taking the scenic route from San Francisco to Los Angeles and stopping at attractions, theme parks and more.
Something for all holidaymakers
California not only has holiday options in spades, it’s also perfectly suited for all kinds of holidaymakers, including families, couples, friend groups, road-trippers, luxury seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Aussies have plenty of choice in the ultimate playground. There’s the quintessential coastal lifestyle in Santa Monica, outdoor adventure in Yosemite Mariposa County and South Lake Tahoe, family-friendly exploration in San Diego and desert relaxation in Palm Springs, for starters.
Let someone else take the wheel on a guided route for a packed holiday itinerary. Escorted tours range from seven to 14 days and include the seven-day California Dreaming itinerary from LA to San Francisco via Mammoth Lakes.
Or pack more into the 14-day West Coast Insider itinerary, a dreamy odyssey of road-trip scenery on a guided San Francisco loop, taking in everything from beach vibes and city sights to natural wonders, including Yosemite National Park, alongside iconic coastal towns such as Big Sur, Malibu, Santa Barbara and Monterey.
Alternatively, enjoy an immersive, luxury stay with the flexibility to make it your own. Stay five days in Santa Monica to soak up the sun-drenched beach lifestyle with the freedom to explore at your leisure.
Trading up
You may have noticed the California Agent Advisory Council (CAAC) in your feed with agents serving up thumb-stopping content from firsthand travels.
The CAAC initiative with Viva Holidays recently sent Aussie advisors to experience an immersive SoCal famil itinerary, cementing their positions as California travel experts with curated activities galore.
It’s just one of several ways that Visit California supports travel advisors and valued trade partners.
Tap into more destination information and marketing assets through Viva Holidays’ dedicated agent platform, then book on Mango, its exclusive online reservations system.
Explore the latest itineraries and packages available through Viva Holidays and discover why California truly is ‘The Ultimate Playground’.
This article is brought to you by Visit California and Viva Holidays:
