Travel Budget for California Visit California on a Budget or Travel in Style

California, United States of America
North America / United States of America / The West / California /
Los AngelesSan DiegoSan FranciscoSacramentoPasadenaBerkeleySanta MonicaSanta BarbaraNapa ValleySanta CruzPalm SpringsMontereySouth Lake TahoeSonomaCarmel-by-the-SeaDeath Valley National ParkJoshua Tree National ParkMt. Lassen Volcanic National ParkRedwood National ParkSequoia National ParkYosemite National ParkBig Sur

How much does it cost to travel to California?

  • Unfortunately, we do not yet have travel cost data for this location. Have you been to this place already? You can help us out by signing up and adding your travel expenses.




Accommodation Budget in California

Hotel prices in California can really fluctuate, especially between budget and luxury options. Expect higher costs during peak season, when rates climb from an off-season average of $0 up to around $0. From $0 for budget options to $0 for luxury hotels, there's something for everyone. Hostels, particularly dorms, are typically cheaper. Book early or travel in the low season for better prices.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in California for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $1,045. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $523 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $523
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $1,045

Hotels in California

Looking for a hotel in California? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in California

Choosing to travel outside of and in the low or shoulder season will give you lower hotel prices and less tourist congestion.



Travel cost data last updated: Dec 3, 2024

Budgeting and Travel Tips for California

  • Prices usually spike during peak season in , and the destination tends to be quite busy. To save some cash and steer clear of the crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder or low seasons instead.
  • Taking your time while traveling can save you some cash, allowing you to soak in the area's beauty at a leisurely pace. If you cram every day full of activities, you'll likely spend a fortune. But by slowing down and savoring your experience, you often find that your expenses decrease.

Budgeting Challenges

  • With limited public transportation in California, it could be wise to rent a car or arrange for transportation, such as a tour. Just keep in mind that this might affect your budget in other areas.
  • California doesn't really have a thriving hostel scene, so if you're counting on staying in a low-cost dorm, you may want to change your plans. Instead, check out budget hotels or apartment rentals.
Traveling in California
California Big Sur, California

California is the most populous state in the U.S. and is known for a variety of attractions such as Hollywood, warm beaches, the San Francisco bay area, Redwood trees, national parks, and stunning mountain vistas. With a variety of locations and activities to offer, California has become one of the premier travel destinations in the world.



Related
Looking for a party hostel in Las Vegas or San Diego? Traveling alone to NYC or LA? Want a budget hostel in San Francisco?

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
About BudgetYourTrip.com

Search for Travel Costs


All Countries
Tour Search

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.