Scenic National Parks
California is blessed with miraculous natural beauty. Tourists will be amazed at the magnitude of breath-taking mountains and enchanting forests at national parks, including Yosemite National Park and Channel Islands.
California is the sun-kissed state of the United States of America. With over 38 million people, it is the largest US state by population. California is the ultimate chance to enjoy the gorgeous west coast lifestyle. Popular attractions of this Golden State include Disneyland, Malibu beaches, Hollywood, Napa Valley and Yosemite National Park.
Cheap flights to California’s most popular cities are now available for a limited period of time, so get ready to adventure into this wonderfully diverse and fun state! California is home to a number of airports including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Los Angeles International Airport serves many airlines – including Delta Airlines, KLM and British Airways. Popular international flights depart from Cape Town and Johannesburg. Flight duration from Johannesburg to Los Angeles is approximately 23 hours and 20 minutes.
| Flight Route | Airline | Trip Type | Travel Dates | Searched | Price From |
|---|
California is blessed with miraculous natural beauty. Tourists will be amazed at the magnitude of breath-taking mountains and enchanting forests at national parks, including Yosemite National Park and Channel Islands.
Discover Disneyland in Anaheim, where childhood dreams come true. This premier family destination is home to the larger -than-life rides, games and shows. This adventure park is simply amazing!
You will need all the energy you can get to keep up with all that is to offer in California’s bustling cities. Californian dishes include the gourmet cheeseburger California pizza!
Essential details you need to know before your trip
| Country | United States of America |
|---|---|
| Currency | Dollar |
| Exchange Rate | 1 ZAR = 0.07 USD |
| Language | English |
| Hub Airport | Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco Airport |
| Airline | American Airlines / Delta Air Lines / United Airlines |
| Time Zone | GMT -8 |
| Travel Adaptor | Type A and B |
Due to California’s large size, the climate changes from sub-arctic to sub-tropic, although most of the state has a Mediterranean climate. Los Angeles and San Francisco have the coolest summertime temperatures compared to all major metropolitan areas in the United States. Depending on which city you are going to and reason for going, the ideal time to go varies considerably. Winter (January to March) differs from cooler coastal temperatures in San Francisco to beautiful sunny days in Los Angeles and San Diego. For cheap flights to any of these cities, consider travelling during this time, as fewer touristic crowds are present. Spring (April to May) is a refreshing time to visit California with Yosemite showing off its natural landscapes. The world-renowned Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Palm Springs takes place in April, drawing people from all over the world, including some of America’s finest celebrities!
Average temperature (°C) & rainfall level (mm) per month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low °C | 10°C | 11°C | 12°C | 13°C | 15°C | 17°C | 19°C | 18°C | 16°C | 12°C | 10°C | 10°C |
| High °C | 20°C | 21°C | 21°C | 24°C | 26°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C |
| Rainfall (mm) | 79 | 97 | 62 | 23 | 7 | 2 | 0.3 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 28 | 59 |
A Californian dream awaits; it is the ultimate travel challenge with its vastness. The state of California has something to offer for all walks of life. Surely, Hollywood is the first image that comes to mind when thinking of California, with all its glitz and glamour it is a definite reason to voyage to this sunny state.
Summertime is ideal for hiking up Sierra Nevada’s majestic mountains and surfing or relaxing at Southern California’s dreamy beaches. Take a trip to Napa Valley, California’s vineyard haven. Enjoy vineyard tours while sipping on fine wine and embracing picturesque bike rides through this grape fermenting utopia. An infinite list of things to do will keep you entertained throughout your journey in this Golden State. Best be prepared for copious amounts of glorious fun!
Compare several airlines and book your cheap flights to California online at Travelstart!
South African passport holders require a visa to enter California and the United States of America.
Applying for a visa:
• A US visa is applied for at the Embassy or Consulate or at a visa application centre. • Applications for a US visa must be made prior to travelling. • You are required to go in person as a bio-metrics will be done.
U.S. Embassy Pretoria 877 Pretorius St Arcadia Pretoria Phone: +27 (12) 431-4000 Fax: +27 (12) 342-2299
Travellers are required to have the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccination when travelling to California. Depending on your travel itinerary, you should consider getting vaccinations for hepatitis B and rabies.
California is a safe state to visit. Safety issues differ depending on which city you are visiting. Tourists are encouraged to always be aware of their surroundings when touring the cities and attractions.
Tips for staying safe in California:
• Do not travel with a large amount of valuables • Be vigilant of pick-pockets in crowded tourist areas. • Only carry as much cash as you’ll need for a couple of days. • Ensure that your backpack and purse are securely closed. • Keep some form of identification with you at all times.
| Item | Cape Town | Johannesburg | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | R100 | R100 | R203 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | R25 | R25 | R68 |
| Cappucino (regular) | R23 | R54 | R54 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | R10 | R10 | R41 |
| Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) | R40 | R40 | R95 |
If your destination is Los Angeles, you should consider choosing accommodation in downtown LA. It is easy to get to and from the airport. Staying downtown also makes it easy to get to places in Orange County. Santa Monica and Venice are about a 15 to 20-minute drive away from the airport. They are both great for tourists to stay in, with amazing walking areas, buzzing cafes and action-packed beaches. San Francisco's neighbourhoods are all ideal areas to stay in. Tourists would have to factor in what they wish to see and do in the city, to determine where to stay. Food lovers should look for accommodation in South of Market (SOMA) - it is a vibrant neighbourhood with innovative eateries. Tourists will have convenient access to the Mission District. If you will be hiring a car, the best area to stay would be Marina. Hotels with free or low-cost parking can be found in the northern part of Lombard Street and Van Ness Avenue.
The public transport system provides an efficient way of getting around in Los Angeles. Tourists can travel via the metro station to get to many destinations, including Old Town Pasadena, Long Beach and Universal Studios. Take a bus from Union Station to reach most places in Southern California. Hiring a car in Los Angeles, with sat nav (satellite navigation) would also be a great idea. It is easy to get around San Francisco without a car. It is cheaper and more convenient to use public transportation throughout San Francisco's curvy streets and incredible hills. Amtrak (train) offers an enjoyable ride, and is a splendid and scenic way to get to San Francisco.
Muni (San Francisco Municipal) operates trains, buses, cable cars and the f-line heritage streetcar. The Muni Metro runs on rails and sometimes it even goes underground. Tourists can find Metro bus stops in the middle of the street and station. Enjoy a ride on San Francisco's world-renowned cable cars and streetcars. The cable cars can be located downtown and run on three lines; Powell-Mason, California Street and Powell-Hyde.
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