Is California expensive to visit?
California is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $252. If we compare it to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as other cities in the country.
California is not as popular with tourists as other places, but you'll find a nice selection of destinations at a range of prices. Los Angeles is one of the most expensive places to visit. However, if you're looking for a cheaper alternative, you can check out San Diego.
Average daily price of selected cities in California, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $258 |
| San Francisco | $222 |
| San Diego | $202 |
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California
How expensive is California?
Travelers spend an average of $252 per day when visiting California (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for California here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to California?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to California costs around $755 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,511.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to California?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to California will cost around $1,763 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $3,525.
San Diego, California
Is it expensive to backpack in California?
California is a popular backpacker destination with more than 50 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $35 per night. You'll find quite a range in prices here, too.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in California.
- $36 for a dorm bed at HI Los Angeles - Santa Monica
- $35 for a dorm bed at HI San Francisco - Downtown
- $32 for a dorm bed at HI San Diego - Downtown
Where to find affordable hostels in California
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 28 | $38 |
| San Francisco | 13 | $33 |
| San Diego | 12 | $28 |
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
How expensive are sightseeing activities in California?
In California, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $63 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $55.
- Laguna Beach Open Ocean Kayaking Tour with Sea Lion Sightings: $95
- Russian River Kayak Tour at the Beautiful Sonoma Coast: $135
- Sunset Hike and Photography Adventure in South Lake Tahoe: $110
- Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea: $35
- Taco Tour Santa Barbara: $125
- Beverly Hills Food, Film and Fashion Tour : $189
- Private Santa Barbara History and Architecture Walking Tour: $99
- Paso Robles Taste of Cass Winery Private Tour: $105
Is food expensive in California?
In California, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $48 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $58.
- Premium Valle de Guadalupe Wine and Food Tour : $259
- Mission: Street Art & Food Tour in San Francisco: $99
- Thai Cooking Class in Monterey: $99
- Temeculas Best Evening Wine Tasting Dinner Tour: $165
- Encinitas Food Tour: $70
- Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $95
Is transportation expensive in California?
The prices of local transportation in California can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $43 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for California
If you're planning a trip to California, California, check out these other informative travel guides.
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.
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.