Central California Holidays

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Our guide on where to stay in Central California

Find the best Central California areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Central California
Panorama Yosemite National Park im Gegenlicht

Yosemite West

You'll enjoy the waterfalls and riverfront in Yosemite West. You might want to make time for a stop at Yosemite National Park or Sierra National Forest.

Find hotels in Yosemite West

Central California Holiday

Our pick of the best Central California Hotel Deals

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza Monterey CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$454 per night from 14 June to 15 June
NZ$454
14 June - 15 June
includes taxes & fees
9/10 Wonderful! (3,222 reviews)
"Had a partial ocean view but barely a view. Paid extra for really nothing. Room was not automatically made up each day. We had to call to get it done. Not guest friendly"

Reviewed on 28 May 2026

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
400 Cannery Row Monterey CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$701 per night from 11 June to 12 June
NZ$701
11 June - 12 June
includes taxes & fees
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,542 reviews)
"Between the property and Expedia this was a total bust. We came down with a bad cold 4 days prior to the trip. Tried to cancel through Expedia they dropped the ball. Tried to get a refund from the hotel declined. Spent 1400 to stay at home because no one can follow a basic instruction. Next time ..."

Reviewed on 27 May 2026

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
The Monterey Hotel

The Monterey Hotel

3 out of 5
407 Calle Principal Monterey CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$218 per night from 31 May to 1 June
NZ$218
31 May - 1 June
includes taxes & fees
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,665 reviews)
"This was the absolute worst hotel experience I have ever had. There were stains everywhere, blood marks, boogers, stains on the floors with red carpet that was probably installed in the 50s. Our door hinge was loose and door did not close properly. It was a hostel with a bathroom in it and I would ..."

Reviewed on 28 May 2026

The Monterey Hotel
See all 17,087 properties in Central California
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Discover the most popular places to visit in Central California

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley

5/5(37 reviews)

From Yosemite Falls to Half Dome and El Capitan, you can see some of the most stunning scenery in the world from Yosemite National Park’s central valley.

Yosemite Valley
Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park

The hiking trails, waterfalls and mountains full of diverse wildlife make this national park one of the country’s most picturesque.

Yosemite National Park
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium

4.5/5(12 reviews)

Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find a spectacular window into life both above and below the waves.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

What to do in Central California

Whale-Watching Cruise from Newport Beach

Whale-Watching Cruise from Newport Beach

NZ$65
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Whale-Watching Cruise from Newport Beach
Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets

Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets

NZ$199
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets
Newport Beach: Ferry Ticket to/from Catalina Island

Newport Beach: Ferry Ticket to/from Catalina Island

NZ$79
per adult
74% of travellers recommend
Newport Beach: Ferry Ticket to/from Catalina Island
See all activities in Central California

Frequently asked questions

Can I cancel my flight booking to Central California due to COVID-19?
Our handy Customer Service Portal is your one-stop shop for most travel queries, including about flight changes related to COVID-19. For greater peace of mind, we recommend looking over the terms and conditions of your fare before booking.
What's the best way to find cheap flights to Central California that have flexible change policies?
Search for your cheap flights to Central California, then tick the "No change fee" box directly under the "Flexible change policies" filter. It's that easy. We appreciate that plans can change and flexibility is essential, so you can book with confidence with Expedia.
What are some of the general tips for travellers to Central California during the COVID-19 outbreak?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we travel, but it hasn't put the brakes on our eagerness for exploring. Here are a few tips on how to navigate travel's new challenges:
  • Research if any travel restrictions apply to your origin and destination before booking your flight. Also check if there are any conditions you'll need to follow on arrival, such as installing a contact tracing app.
  • You must wear a face mask throughout your travel experience, even at screening checkpoints. Be prepared to lower your mask for identification purposes when asked.
  • Rather than handing a TSA officer your boarding pass, position it directly on the scanner yourself. Then, hold it up for inspection.
  • One liquid hand sanitizer container is now permitted in your carry-on baggage. It must not be larger than 12 oz (350 ml), and you'll have to take it out of your bag for scanning.
  • To reduce handling during the screening process, place personal items such as your phone, wallet and keys into your carry-on instead of into the bins.
  • If you're bringing food on the plane, place it in a clear plastic bag and then into a screening bin. This reduces the likelihood that a TSA officer will need to touch your carry-on bag or food container for inspection.

Which airlines fly to Central California?
Let Delta fly you there. This widely known carrier provides 186 services every month to Fresno Yosemite Intl. Airport (FAT), a Central California gateway.
How can I find cheap tickets to Central California?
One of the easiest ways to snare cheap tickets to Central California is to be flexible with your travel dates. Search for your flights, then click "flexible dates" above the results. It'll bring up the cheapest prices for nearby days. The best price for a flight to Central California in the last seven days was . Booking well ahead of time will usually help you pick up an even bigger bargain.
How much is a flight to Central California?
You could have purchased a round-trip ticket to Central California from anywhere between and in the last seven days. For one-way journeys leaving from (), the lowest amount paid during this period was just .
What are the most popular airports to fly into in Central California?
Fresno Yosemite Intl. Airport (FAT) is the primary gateway for many hoping to visit Central California. Roughly 1350 flights per month land at this airport.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Central California?
Take off for Central California early on in the week and you'll usually be rewarded with lower-priced fares. Tuesday is typically the cheapest day to jump on a plane, closely followed by Monday. If you'd like to avoid the priciest flights, steer clear of Saturdays.
How much is a plane ticket to Central California?
Flights to Central California ranged from to in the last seven days. Generally, the earlier you book the better the price.
Which airlines with flights to Central California employ COVID-19 cleanliness policies?
As countries begin to open their borders, many airlines are back in business with new measures including physical distancing and staggered boarding and disembarkation. Here's what a number of carriers are doing to reduce the spread of COVID-19:
  • Southwest Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
  • United Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.
  • Alaska Airlines - this airline is known for providing passenger masks and cleaning with disinfectant.

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* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages.