Whether it is the towering sequoias, the cooling mists of Bridalveil Fall as it plunges from the heavens or the sight of El Capitan, on whose formidable faces the world’s hardiest climbers test their mettle… First impressions matter, and Yosemite outdoes itself at every turn. America’s third-oldest national park is the winning hand in California’s deck, an awe-inspiring landscape crafted over millions of years, where a raw, almost childlike sense of wonder prevails and adventure is baked into every soaring granite cliff.

Originally the site of California’s second Catholic mission, this diminutive beach city on the Monterey Peninsula has blossomed into a characterful community of storybook cottages, boutique art galleries and fine-dining restaurants. Scenic hiking trails span outwards along the coast, from the surfing hotspot of Carmel Beach to the bird sanctuary on Carmel River State Beach. 

Backed by the hazy Santa Ynez Mountains, this upmarket coastal city is the beating heart of Santa Barbara County, a sprawling, vine-laden region of farmers markets and wine estates. Wide streets of low-strung, Spanish-style villas flanked by spindly palms lead down to some of California’s best and most exclusive beaches – these powdery shores are beloved by surfers, jet skiers and fishermen alike. Just beyond the horizon lie the sea caves and kelp forests of the remarkable Channel Islands.

Fifteen miles west of downtown Los Angeles, beach-blessed Santa Monica is the ideal base for day trips into Hollywood as well as being a destination in its own right, the epitome of laid-back California coastal cool. Its three miles of golden sands host boardwalks, a retro amusement park and countless seafront restaurants, while the bluff-top Palisades Park is perfect for kicking off a freewheeling, three-mile cycle to Venice Beach, famous for its glistening bodybuilders. 

One of the most underrated cities on the West Coast, San Diego’s star is rising with glitzy new hotels, eye-catching art galleries and a string of exciting new restaurants. Sample the buzz on guided tours and A&K insider access. San Diego may be best known for its beach life, balmy temperatures and proximity to the Mexican border, but it also has a wealth of under-the-radar heritage attractions, too: the Giant Dipper roller coaster; the San Diego Zoo; and the Whaley House Museum, said to be one of the most haunted places in all America.