Hipmunk Hotels: Hidden Gems in California

Hipmunk Hotels: Hidden Gems in California

When I think of California, Los Angles is one of the first places that comes to mind, but there are lots of hidden gems in California. Cities such as Ventura, Orange, San Luis Obispos, Garden Grove, and Monterey offer unique attractions for travelers.

Surf and Sunshine in Ventra

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According to travelers, there’s never a bad time to visit Ventura. This beach town is north of Los Angeles, and it’s growing in popularity. Traveling families can experience paddle or motor boating by renting a boat at Ventura Harbor Village. The Regency Theater offers $3 movies for a fun date or family movie night. When visiting Ventura, stop at the Traveler’s Beach Inn, a budget friendly option, with rooms starting at $59 per night. It’s also close to the beach and Ventura Pier.

Theme Parks, Baseball, and Beaches

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Orange County is the home of Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Knott’s Berry Farm, and so much more. Save on your trip with the Southern California CityPass, which offers up to 25% on theme park admission. Visit Orange in the shoulder season (December, January, February, August, and September) for the best travel specials. I had the pleasure of staying at Hilton Anaheimduring a recent visit to Disneyland and highly recommend it. When booking, ask for a room that faces Disney California Adventure, to see the nightly fireworks from your hotel room window.

Golf and Mountain Climbing in San Luis Obispo

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San Luis Obispo is home to Bubblegum Alley, a 70 foot long alley, lined with used gum left by passers-by. The alley is considered both an eyesore and special attraction by locals. Sycamore Mineral Springs offer private hillside hot tubs for under $18 an hour. If you’re going for the hiking, Bishop’s Peak has a single track trail that, according to hikers, is both rewarding and demanding. Hotel rooms in San Luis Obispo are usually very affordable with rates that start as low as $60 per night like the Vagabond Inn.

Family Friendly City

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Memorial Day weekend is the most popular weekend to visit the city of Garden Grove due to the annual Strawberry Festival. The event draws large crowds, especially families since the city is about nine miles from beaches, seven miles from Knott’s Berry Farm, and just one mile from Disneyland. There are a lot of hotel options in Garden Grove, including over 600 Airbnb private rentals. Other budget friendly options include the Motel 6 Stanton, which has rooms as low as $60 per night.

Plan a Seaside Vacation

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Oh, look it’s Dory and you can find her at the Monterey Bay Aquarium along with playful otters and flourescent jellyfish. Travelers can also grab a pair of binoculars and visit the decks at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa to look for harbor seals, sea otters, and sea lions. Enjoy free admission once a month at the Monterey Museum of Art’s event – Art After Hours. When planning a trip a visit the City of Monterey official website is a must, you can print maps, save coupons, and find hotel specials. If you’re feeling adventurous, book your stay at HI Monterey Hostel, which is a five-minute walk to the aquarium, Cannery Row, and other local attractions.

If you’re planning a visit to California, put some of these hidden gems on your list of places to visit.

This post is apart of the Hipmunk Hotels series, check out my other posts in the series, and other Hipmunk posts to help you save on travel.