California is home to world-class wine country, best-in-class theme parks, jaw-dropping beaches, culinary landmarks, and so much more. From the Napa Valley to San Diego, many of California’s top destinations are on the “must-visit” list for millions of travelers every year. But if you look beyond the borders of the most iconic destinations, there are hidden gems to discover in the surrounding towns too—and your wallet will thank you. Here are five ideas for home bases with affordable hotels, attractions, shopping, and dining—all within driving distance of some of California's most popular spots.
Wine Country Home Base: Fairfield
Around 15 miles southeast of the Napa Valley, the rolling hills of Fairfield offer a sweet escape for wine country visitors. Stop by the Jelly Belly factory for a self-guided tour or upgrade to a chocolate tasting paired with pours from Suisun Valley wineries. Find more flavors of Fairfield at more than a dozen wineries, breweries, and olive oil companies like Il Fiorello, which offers tastings, tours, pairings, and cooking classes. There’s also a strong culinary scene downtown, where you can savor international fare from Saffron Indian Cuisine & Bar, Lebanese Spoon, and Chez Soul Southern Cuisine. As you tour the town, keep your eyes peeled for the steel sculptures and mailboxes created by local artist Philip Glashoff—you can also view his collection by making an appointment to tour the Glashoff Sculpture Ranch in Suisun Valley.
Where to stay: There’s a range of no-frills, budget-friendly chain hotels in Fairfield where you can get a room for under $100 per night, such as the SureStay by Best Western. For an upgrade, check out the Courtyard Fairfield and Hilton Garden Inn.
Itinerary ideas for Napa Valley: You can swirl and sip at nearly 500 wineries and tasting rooms across the Napa Valley, like Nichelini Family Winery, the oldest family-run winery in the region. At Laird Family Estate, you can reserve a bottle and a blanket for a winery picnic. Consider splurging on a hot-air balloon ride to see the vineyards from above. Find a variety of local eats at Oxbow Public Market, a gourmet food hall and marketplace with sit-down restaurants, bars, and shops.
Also consider: Petaluma (25 miles from Napa), Vacaville (27 miles), or Winters (42 miles)
Bay Area Home Base: Walnut Creek
At the summit of Mount Diablo in Walnut Creek, you can catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge 25 or so miles across San Francisco Bay. That’s not the only thing you can see from this East Bay landmark—views extend as far as 200 miles, reaching around 40 of California’s 58 counties on a clear day. A vast network of trails winds through the state park to more of the city’s open space areas like Shell Ridge and Borges Ranch, a former 20th-century California cattle farm that hosts monthly open house tours.
Families will love Heather Farm Park up the road, which has amenities including an all-abilities playground, equestrian center, and a free public garden. Don’t miss the Diablo Valley Lines model railroad, one of the most mountainous displays in the U.S. with 4,300 feet of hand-laid track. You can leave your hiking shoes at the hotel to hit Walnut Creek’s cocktail trail, a self-guided tour with discounts and prizes offered at the 12 participating stops. Afterward, grab dinner at the Broadway Plaza shopping center or try global cuisine downtown at spots like Havana, a California-influenced Cuban restaurant, or the Spanish Va de Vi Bistro & Wine Bar.
Where to stay: Renaissance Walnut Creek offers four-star luxury at an affordable price, with tons of onsite wellness amenities like a sauna, steam room, spa, and bike rentals.
Itinerary ideas for San Francisco: Dine at Michelin-starred restaurants like State Bird Provisions, shop for designer goods in Union Square, and get your fill of sightseeing at landmarks such as the zig-zagging Lombard Street and the pastel-colored Painted Ladies Victorian homes. There are also museums for every interest in San Francisco—the Exploratorium and California Academy of Sciences are great for all ages—as well as attractions that can be enjoyed day and night, such as Alcatraz Island.
Also consider: Pacifica (14 miles from San Francisco), Concord (30 miles), or Vallejo (32 miles)
Central Coast Home Base: Oxnard
For a Central Coast beach vacation on a budget, Oxnard is one of California’s hidden gems. Surfing, kayaking, birding, architecture tours, beer and wine tasting—there’s a little something for everyone in this waterfront town around 45 miles south of Santa Barbara. Hollywood, Silver Strand, and Mandalay beaches have pristine stretches of sand for sunbathing and water sports, while Kiddie Beach Park offers a protected space for kids to swim in waveless waters.
Wet your whistle with a fruited sour at Casa Agria Specialty Ales or the award-winning imperial IPA at Red Tandem Brewery. In addition to the two breweries, Oxnard boasts a handful of winery tasting rooms including Herzog Wine Cellars, Magnavino Cellars, and Rancho Ventavo Cellars in historic Heritage Square. After your tasting, take a tour of the neighborhood’s Victorian mansions and Craftsman bungalows. Oxnard also has two car museums, the Mullin Automotive Museum and the Murphy Auto Museum, which is the only auto museum in the country with its own onsite art gallery.
Where to stay: For a resort-like getaway, stay at the Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, an all-suite property with ocean views and an onsite restaurant and lounge. The property also provides complimentary two-hour rentals of items like surfboards and GoPros to enjoy at the beach just steps away. Inland, Hilton Garden Inn Oxnard/Camarillo has comfortable rooms with a wallet-friendly price tag and convenient access to Highway 101.
Itinerary ideas for Santa Barbara: Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara has fine wine, glamorous beaches, and even an international film festival that takes place every winter. Stroll the 10-block State Street Promenade for local independent boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries. At the lower end of State Street, discover The Funk Zone, a neighborhood where graffiti murals set the stage for hip tasting rooms, an urban wine trail, and the city’s first distillery since Prohibition. Kids will love the STEAM learning and play experiences at MOXI The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation or Santa Barbara Zoo’s more than 400 animals.
Also consider: Ventura (27 miles from Santa Barbara) or Buellton (37 miles)
Los Angeles County Home Base: Santa Clarita
While Los Angeles is known for its movie magic, there’s another city around 35 miles northwest of downtown that has been making big screen appearances since the days of silent films. Hollywood came calling in 1915, and now Santa Clarita is an entertainment industry mainstay with more than 20 sound stages and 10 movie ranches. Honor legends like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers along the Walk of Western Stars in Old Town Newhall, where bronze plaques are set into the pavement in front of downtown shops and restaurants such as the Southern-style barbecue joint Smokehouse on Main. You can also grab a bite at as-seen-on-TV restaurants like Way Station Coffee Shop, a backdrop on shows like Justified, and Halfway House Cafe, the roadside diner featured in Top Gun: Maverick.
Explore more modern food and beverage options at the many gastropubs, wineries, and tasting rooms popping up around Newhall, including Reyes Winery, which grows its grapes right in Santa Clarita. The city is also a haven for adrenaline junkies with record-breaking roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain, known as the “Thrill Capital of the World.” If you prefer a slower-paced adventure, hit the hundreds of miles of trails through open space areas like Vasquez Rocks, where you can climb sandstone formations by day or take a guided full-moon hike offered every month.
Where to stay: A new hotel complex in Santa Clarita with four affordable chains—Holiday Inn Express, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, and Best Western—opened in 2021 across the street from Six Flags Magic Mountain. For a boutique experience, stay in Old Town Newhall at Hotel Lexen, where you can enjoy a drink at the terrace bar before exploring the arts and entertainment district.
Itinerary ideas for Los Angeles: In the City of Stars, Hollywood is a main attraction. Hike to the iconic sign from trails starting at Griffith Park, gaze into the cosmos at Griffith Observatory, or search for a different kind of star along Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. Arts and culture also abound in downtown L.A., where you’ll find hotspots like The Broad and historic attractions such as Olvera Street. Pop into Grand Central Market for a bite to eat—the foodie destination has local vendors catering to every craving, from breakfast sandos at Eggslut to boba and banh mi at Moon Rabbit.
Also consider: Pasadena (10 miles from downtown L.A.), Long Beach (24 miles), Claremont(32 miles), or the Inland Empire’s Ontario (37 miles)
San Diego County Home Base: Carlsbad
Less than an hour north of downtown San Diego, the family-friendly beach town of Carlsbadis jam-packed with activities ranging from shopping and award-winning dining to golf, outdoor recreation, and LEGOLAND California Resort. At the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, you can find discounts on apparel, accessories, shoes, and home goods from more than 80 brands. Come during the spring to see 55 acres of colorful blooms at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch next door.
For aquatic fun, Tamarack State Beach (aka Carlsbad State Beach) is a family favorite for its opportunities to swim, surf, dive, kayak, and even fish. For a serious splurge, book a table at the Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie after a round of golf at the two championship Omni La Costa Resort & Spa courses—or save by dining at the family-owned Village Kitchen and Pie Shoppe, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a seasonal slice all day.
Where to stay: The hilltop, ocean-view Grand Pacific Palisades offers convenience for families visiting LEGOLAND and the flower fields—and can be affordable, especially if visiting midweek in the fall. Additional budget-friendly options include Best Western Carlsbad by the Sea and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Carlsbad Beach.
Itinerary ideas for San Diego: Laid-back fun in the sun—and some of the state’s best surfing—can be found up and down San Diego County’s 70 miles of coastline. But for arts and culture, head to the city proper to visit Balboa Park, which features 18 museums and the San Diego Zoo. In the downtown Gaslamp Quarter, you can have your pick of dining and drinking establishments before enjoying a vibrant nightlife scene or rooting for the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, named America’s best ballpark by USA Today. You can also spend a day at the Embarcadero, where you can shop at Seaport Village or learn about San Diego’s maritime history at the USS Midway Museum, located aboard America's longest-serving aircraft carrier.
Also consider: Escondido (30 miles from downtown San Diego) or Oceanside (38 miles)