USA
California was a short stop before we made the move to Thailand — six days in the Los Angeles area to see close friends and family who flew down from Canada. After the warm, humid heat of Costa Rica, the dry Southern California summer was a relief. We did the iconic stuff: the Santa Monica Pier, time in Hollywood, skateboarding around the city, and a return to Knott's Berry Farm 32 years later. It's fun and it's iconic — just spread out and pricey.
What we'd tell a friend
- Rent a vehicle. Rideshare adds up fast and everything is spread out.
- Do the Santa Monica Pier — touristy, iconic, and worth it.
- Lean into the classics: Disneyland, Universal, and Knott's Berry Farm.
Who should stay here?
- You want iconic, touristy things to do
- You don't mind the distances between places
- You want to see the landmarks in person
- You're on a tight budget
- Big crowds stress you out
- You want to walk everywhere
The Dufresnes Verdict
Questions we actually get
Is California worth visiting?
If you're there for the classics — Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal, Knott's Berry Farm — then yes. It's iconic and fun. Just go in knowing it's expensive and the crowds are real.
How many days do you need?
We'd give it about a week. We had six days and it felt tight given how spread out the LA area is.
Do you need a car in California?
Yes — we rented a van and were glad we did. Distances between spots are big and rideshare gets expensive fast.
When is the best time to visit?
We went in June: summer, warm and dry. After humid Costa Rica the dry heat was a welcome change.