You’re encouraged to book your California holiday sooner not later. Photo / Getty Images
You’re encouraged to book your California holiday sooner not later. Photo / Getty Images
Despite January’s devastating wildfires, Los Angeles is safe for visitors: more than 98% of Los Angeles County is not in the area of destruction, and the message from the region is clear – the most impactful way to support the community is by planning your visit, writes Anna Sarjeant
Hereare six Californian destinations to visit in 2025 and beyond, both in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
Santa Monica
For: Beachfront decadence
Albeit close to the recent fires, Santa Monica is safe and welcoming visitors. The beachside city sustained no damage and there were no active fires within its limits.
This is good news for its plethora of iconic landmarks, from the beachfront Pacific Wheel and pier to the wooden lifeguard shacks that are so synonymous with LA they’re a borderline stereotype.
It’s also here where the 3940km Route 66 concludes, something that will be celebrated in 2026 to mark the highway’s 100th anniversary.
Santa Monica offers myriad photo opportunities at every turn, from the Original Muscle Beach, established in the 1930s, and the Art Deco gem that is the Georgian Hotel to the essential beachfront roller-skaters.
Currently undergoing a significant revamp (LA is hyper-aware that the 2028 Olympics / LA28 is looming), many of Santa Monica’s 40 hotels are enjoying luxury refurbs and multi-million-dollar renovations.
The new Regent Santa Monica Beach will appease high-end hotel buffs, but don’t worry if your pockets aren’t deep; Sonder the Beacon offers a beachfront enclave starting from $567 per night.
Santa Monica boasts a plethora of iconic landmarks, from the beachfront Pacific Wheel and pier. Photo / Matthew LeJune on Unsplash
West Hollywood
For: The star-powered heart of LA
We can’t guarantee a celebrity sitting at the table next to you, but if there’s anywhere on the planet where you’re more likely to rub shoulders with Hollywood’s elite, it’s West Hollywood.
At the heart of all things iconic to LA, West Hollywood grants easy access to all the major attractions such as Beverly Hills and the Hollywood sign.
Venice Beach is less than 10km away and you can reach Universal Studios in a 20-minute Uber.
With 21 hotels accommodating every budget and 300 restaurants (and 300 celeb-spotting opportunities, perhaps?), it’s the perfect base for the ultimate LA holiday.
Better yet, at just 4sq km, the entire city is walkable, so there’s no need to fret about those six-lane highways you’ve seen in the movies.
West Hollywood grants easy access to all the major attractions such as the Hollywood Sign. Photo / Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
Anaheim
For: Disney... and then some
Anyone with kids (or a soft spot for Mickey Mouse) will know Anaheim is home to the original Disneyland Park, a city original since 1955.
Dubbed the ‘ultimate playground’, things get bigger and better in Anaheim all the time.
Disneyland is already doubling in size and the highly anticipated Downtown entertainment district, OCVibe is being built across 40ha, featuring dining, arts, entertainment, world-class sport and nightlife.
Opening in 2026 and fully operational by 2028, this mega hub will be akin to a city within a city.
Right now, Anaheim provides a great base to ‘flop and drop’ while venturing to doorstep must-dos such as Huntington Beach and the Disney park which is in walking distance.
Favoured for its resort-style vibe, slower pace, established food scene and large, affordable hotel options, most Anaheim devotees recommend a three-night stay to make the most of Disney, bookended by an extra one or two days to explore surrounding attractions such as Legoland California and San Diego (between one and two hours away by car).
Anaheim is home to the original Disneyland Park. Photo / Steve DiMatteo on Unsplash
Nothing “screams” LA more than Beverly Hills, the coveted haunt of Hollywood stars, home to upmarket shopping districts such as Rodeo Drive, and the backdrop to scores of films.
Right now, the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel is undergoing renovation, Rodeo Drive is enjoying an LA-appropriate facelift and a host of new restaurants and bars are springing up throughout town. Notably, Dante (a NYC mainstay since 1915) which opened in 2023 and was the first Dante outpost to open outside of the Big Apple.
You’ll also want to check out Erewhon which is just as famous in these parts. The uber-healthy grocery store chain is often frequented by famous faces - the entire Kardashian troupe included - but it’s also where you’ll find ‘Hailey Bieber’s Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie’ as well as macrobiotic salads and frozen camel milk.
Those of us haplessly clinging onto our 30s will recognise the upmarket coastal city from hit Noughties TV show, The O.C. as well as The Real Housewives of Orange County.
It’s a boutique destination where glistening beaches meet equally glistening yachts and celebrities arrive in droves – albeit discreetly so don’t get your Paparazzi-sized camera out just yet.
While luxury oozes from every crevice, there does exist a secret (and lowkey) gem called Crystal Cove Cottages.
Operated by the State Park Department, these 24 beachfront cottages were built as a seaside colony between 1920 and 1940 and are available for overnight stays from as little as US$150 ($265).
Handsomely restored to reflect the architectural charms of their heyday, the only caveat is that they are as popular as they are picturesque. You’ll need to reserve your spot months in advance.
The view from a Crystal Cove cottage in Newport Beach, California. Photo / Getty Images
Are you even a Kiwi if you don’t have wine cursing through your veins? Sure, we make a decent drop – or two, but it’s always nice to see how other grape-blessed destinations craft their own.
Sonoma County is well known for its 425 wineries and 80km of cool, coastal microclimate, but it’s also a mecca for wellness, farm-to-fork cuisine and walking trails.
For those wanting to combine all of the above, the Camino de Sonoma is a 120km pilgrimage founded in 2019 that stretches from Mission San Francisco Solano to the Russia Orthodox Chapel at Fort Ross.
It takes at least six days to complete, which you’ll want to fill with incredible food, historic landmarks, Native American heritage and of course, world-class Californian wine.
Sonoma County vineyard. Photo / Trent Erwin on Unsplash
Checklist
LOS ANGELES
GETTING THERE
Fly non-stop from Auckland Airport to LAX with Air NZ and Delta in about 12 hours.
Trip Notes podcast Host Lorna Riley tells Ryan where the best places to be are this Matariki, and the rise of dark sky destinations. Video / Herald NOW
