You can certainly visit beaches during your visit, but we just want you to be aware that we don't have warm ocean water here. California is not tropical. The ocean water and air flow in from the arctic, so the water is colder than you might expect. Doesn't mean people don't enjoy getting in the water, but most enjoy in short spurts. You'll also want to bring light jackets for the chilly mornings/evenings that we typically have on the coast.

You have talked about wanting to spend as little as possible. That is understandable, but California is an expensive destination. Please share your daily housing budget in concrete $ terms. Maybe we are not the right destination for you.

Traveling by RV, or camper van, is expensive. Gas is over $5/gallon and RVs use a lot of gas. Campsites book up a year in advance.

What is your budget per night, and where are the 3 top places you want to visit in California? Because California is so enormous, you want to limit it to 3 or 4 places, and not venture off - you must plan carefully.

Is it possible To find accomodation for 100/150 usd a night?

I would say we definetely want To see SF, Yosemite, maybe Napa or Lake tahoe, or the Sequoia Park.

Of course id like To go to the canyons in Arizona but that would be too much maybe…

Thank you so much, this is so helpful!

>> Is it possible To find accomodation for 100/150 usd a night?

For a family of 4 in August? No, that is too low for L.A, SF, Napa, Lake Tahoe in August. Motels in safe areas in the cities are going to be more like $200 and up. Even renting an RV would cost you more than $150/night by the time you factor in the daily rental price plus the campsite fees.

You either need to choose a lower cost destination or shorten your trip. Maybe fly into SFO, stay a few nights in SF at one of the motels along Lombard St, then head north along the coast, enjoying Redwood National Park and smaller towns like Fort Bragg. You might be able to see Lassen National Park and then drive south back to SFO for your flight home.