Villas in California

California is not short on ways to fill a day. In Los Angeles, hike through Griffith Park for views of the Hollywood Sign, head behind the scenes at a working film studio, browse world-class museums and galleries, or spend the afternoon hopping between Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu. LA rewards a little neighbourhood-hopping too, with each part of the city bringing its own mix of food, culture and people-watching.

Over in Palm Springs, swap city buzz for desert drama. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up Mount San Jacinto, explore the region’s famous mid-century modern architecture, hit the golf course or simply embrace the poolside lifestyle. Just beyond the city, Joshua Tree National Park is made for hiking, rock scrambling and stargazing, with surreal boulders and namesake Joshua trees creating one of California’s most distinctive landscapes.

And that is only Southern California. The wider state brings Pacific Coast road trips, wine country, giant redwoods, national parks, skiing in the Sierra Nevada and enough outdoor adventure to keep even the most enthusiastic itinerary-planner busy. The real challenge is not finding things to do in California, it is accepting that you probably won’t fit them all into one trip.

California’s food scene is as varied as the landscapes. In Los Angeles, you can move from tacos and food trucks to rooftop restaurants, sushi counters and serious fine dining in the space of a few blocks. The city’s cultural mix means everything from Korean barbecue and Mexican street food to plant-forward Californian cooking is part of the experience.

In Palm Springs, the pace is slower but no less stylish, with poolside lunches, desert-view terraces and a strong cocktail culture that suits the mid-century glamour perfectly. Brunch is practically a local sport, and warm evenings are made for long dinners outdoors.

Further afield, California wine country, farmers’ markets and farm-to-table dining add even more variety. Whether you’re eating by the Pacific, sipping something cold beside the pool or planning a vineyard stop on a road trip, food and drink in California tends to become part of the itinerary rather than an afterthought.

Great for Babies: California works brilliantly with little ones because you can slow the pace right down. Spacious villas, private pools, beach days and relaxed neighbourhoods around Los Angeles and Palm Springs make it easy to build the holiday around naps, early dinners and plenty of downtime.

Great for Kids: California is packed with variety, from beaches, bike rides and wildlife spotting to museums, film studios and easy desert adventures. Disneyland Resort is an obvious highlight for younger children, while Palm Springs adds tram rides, pools and nearby nature for a completely different kind of family day.

Great for Teens: Older kids can mix surfing, shopping, hiking and city culture with Universal Studios Hollywood, studio tours and road trips through dramatic desert landscapes. California works especially well for teens because it gives them plenty of choice without the whole family having to agree on just one kind of holiday.

California is at its best when you lean into the contrast. Spend one day chasing city views and good food in Los Angeles, then swap it all for a pool, a cocktail and desert mountains in Palm Springs. Add Pacific sunsets, palm trees and the freedom of a road trip, and it’s hard not to feel like you’ve wandered into your own very stylish film set.

Pioneertown: Just beyond Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, Pioneertown looks like someone forgot to dismantle a Western film set, because that is essentially how it began. Wander along dusty Mane Street past Old West-style buildings, stop for a drink or something to eat, and soak up a wonderfully eccentric slice of California desert life. It’s quirky, photogenic and makes a brilliant detour when you fancy swapping poolside polish for cowboy country.