Cheapest month to stay with an average 79% drop in price.
Most expensive month to stay with an average 57% rise in price.
Average Sun - Thu price over the last 2 weeks.
Average Fri & Sat price over the last 2 weeks.
When to book a hotel in California
Price per night / 3-star hotel. Prices are not fixed and may vary with time.
Average nightly price per month
Average nightly price
Top tips for finding the perfect California hotel
If you’re looking for a cheap hotel in California, you should consider visiting during the low season. You'll find cheaper accommodations in California in December and January.
Hotel room prices vary depending on many factors but you’ll most likely find the best hotel deals in California if you stay on a Wednesday. The opposite is true for, Monday, which is usually the most expensive day.
Book at least 7 days before your stay begins to get the best price for your California accommodation.
The cheapest 3-star hotel room in California found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $171, while the most expensive was $1,424.
How long should you stay? KAYAK users usually book their accommodation in California for 2 days.
If you’re planning a beach vacation for the entire family but would like to get away from some of the hustle and bustle of larger cities in California, a great spot to visit is Pismo Beach. This town on the Pacific offers beautiful beaches in a much quieter and family-friendly setting. The Inn at the Pier is a great waterfront location for a family.
If you are going to be heading to the quiet town of Monterey, California in September for the annual Monterey Jazz Festival, make sure you book as far as advance as possible, as the hotel options in the area are somewhat limited and they book up quickly for this festival. You can book a hotel that fits your necessities through KAYAK.
A popular year-round destination in California is Lake Tahoe and the town of Salt Lake Tahoe. This area offers a combination of large-scale resorts as well as much quieter lodges and inns. The smaller properties are generally a much better choice for families or for those on romantic getaways.
If you are traveling to the large metropolitan area of Los Angeles, it is best to book a hotel near where you plan on doing most of your activity. Traffic in this area can be heavy at all times of the day and making trips of long distances in the city can take quite a bit of time.
FAQs when booking a hotel in California
Hotels are safe environments for travellers as long as they properly implement sanitary measures in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). However, we recommend getting in touch with the local authorities regarding safety procedures for hotels in California.
Based on KAYAK hotel searches, the most popular destination is Los Angeles (50% of total searches to California). The next most popular destinations are San Francisco (27%) and Anaheim (18%). Searches for hotels in San Diego (5%) are also popular.
KAYAK users have found double rooms in California for as cheap as $24 (Los Angeles) in the last 3 days. The average price is $563.
In the last 72 hours, users have found California hotels for tonight for as low as $48 (Los Angeles). Users have also found 3-star hotels from $55 (Los Angeles) and 4-star+ hotels from $81 (Los Angeles).
In the last 72 hours, users have found California hotels for this weekend for as low as $53 (Los Angeles) per night. Users have also found 3-star hotels from $53 (Los Angeles) and 4-star+ hotels from $113 (Los Angeles).
Some of the nicest hotels you'll find in the San Diego area are either in the downtown area or along the Pacific Ocean. In the downtown area, a great choice for a luxury hotel is The Us Grant, and one that sits along the ocean is L'auberge Del Mar, which is just a short drive to the north of the center of San Diego.
The Hampton Inn & Suites Oakland Airport-Alameda, The Home2Suites by Hilton Alameda Oakland Airport, and The Extended Stay America Suites - Oakland - Alameda Airport all have a location right adjacent to the Oakland-Alameda Airport (OAK) property. These hotels also offer an airport shuttle.
On the north side of the city are a couple of good golf course choices called Riverside Golf Course and San Joaquin Country Club. The Hampton Inn & Suites Fresno-Northwest will put you just a short drive from both of these courses. This hotel also offers a fitness center and shuttle services.
A couple of hotels that will put you right in the heart of the theme parks are in the Orange County area, including The Kings Inn Anaheim At The Park & Convention Center and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. These hotels offer fitness centers and family-friendly suites. If you’re looking to travel on specific dates with your family, it’s recommended to book your room in advance to secure the best rate.
Where to stay in California?
Our map will help you find the perfect place to stay in California by showing you the exact location of each hotel.