Exploring California Without a Car: Zara's Holiday Guide

The USA’s favourite holiday playgrounds live on opposite sides of the country – Florida on the East Coast, and California on the West Coast. Both bring the good stuff with golden beaches, iconic cities, epic theme parks, and year-round blue skies.

And while we know Florida like an old friend, we’ve been busy getting to know California just as well, so we can help you plan the perfect West Coast escape based on real, first-hand experiences.

Last year, a group of Ocean Florida team members - including our Senior Social Media & Marketing Executive, Zara Bartoszewicz - headed to the Golden State to see what all the hype was about. For a real authentic experience, they ditched the rental car and used Uber and the Pacific Surfliner AMTRAK to hop between destinations.

Let’s just say the trip was such a hit that we turned it into a California multi-centre itinerary for you to follow in their footsteps. Below, Zara shares her take on the hotels, the attractions, and just how easy it was to get around without driving.
 

Los Angeles

Getting there & getting around

“We flew direct with Virgin Atlantic and landed in the City of Angels feeling excited, slightly jet-lagged, and ready to explore. Getting to our hotel was easy - we ordered an Uber XL, piled all six of us and our suitcases inside, and headed straight to The Garland in North Hollywood.

Uber works really well for getting around LA, but if you’re staying at The Garland, their free shuttle to Universal Studios is a great perk and saves you the hassle of driving and parking.”
 

Accommodation

“I loved staying at The Garland. If Universal Studios Hollywood is on your list, the location couldn’t be better, as it’s just a short drive away, or you can hop on the hotel’s free trolley.

The hotel suits both families and couples. Kids are kept entertained with an outdoor pool, family-friendly whirlpools, lawn games and movies by the pool. Adults can join in the fun at the outdoor pool, plus they get their own whirlpools, happy hour, yoga, a well-equipped gym, plus extras like art walks, Rosé All Day and live music.



The whole place has a cosy, retro feel that’s relaxed without feeling dated. The rooms are spacious with really comfortable beds, and having a restaurant, bar and mini-market on-site makes everything easy.”
 

Things to do

“Being so close to Universal Studios Hollywood, a visit was a must. We took the hotel trolley and went in with our Universal Express Passes, which meant very little waiting and more time to enjoy the rides.

Universal is great for families with younger children, with areas like SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Springfield, U.S.A., Minion Land and Universal Plaza, home to the DreamWorks Theatre featuring Kung Fu Panda.

The standout for me was the Studio Tour. Seeing real film sets and driving through locations from Jaws to Jurassic Park and Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives is a brilliant way to experience how Hollywood actually works.”
 

San Diego

Getting there & getting around

“After two days in Los Angeles, we jumped in an Uber to Union Station and caught the Pacific Surfliner AMTRAK down to San Diego. The journey is beautiful, with long stretches of the Pacific Ocean right outside your window, and it’s far more relaxing than sitting in traffic on the highway. I was genuinely surprised by how smooth and easy it all was.

We arrived at San Diego Santa Fe Station, and our hotel - the Westgate Hotel - was just half a mile away. You can walk it, but we grabbed an Uber so we didn’t have to wrestle with our suitcases. If you’re not hiring a car in San Diego, Uber is the easiest way to get around, especially as so many of the main sights are close together in the city centre.”

Accommodation

“We stayed right in the heart of the city at the Westgate Hotel, and the location couldn’t have been better. It’s a stone’s throw from the station and just minutes from the Gaslamp Quarter, a historic area now packed with great restaurants, bars and nightlife.

As a four-star hotel, it definitely feels more refined, so I’d say it’s suited to couples or anyone celebrating something special. We were even welcomed by a harpist in the lobby when we arrived, which set the tone straight away. The rooftop is another highlight, with a pool and lovely views over the city.”

Things to do

“One of my personal highlights was visiting the Hotel del Coronado, where Some Like It Hot was filmed. As a huge fan of the movie, it was really special to see it in real life, and knowing it also inspired Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa made it even better.



Seeing the seals at La Jolla was another standout moment. They were right there on the rocks and in the water, and the beach itself is gorgeous, with clear, bright blue sea.

If you’re planning a California trip, I really recommend giving San Diego a good few days. There’s so much to see and do with a beautiful coastline, a relaxed, small-town feel despite being a big city, the historic Old Town (don’t miss the Whaley House if you like something a little spooky), the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, harbour cruises, whale watching… the list goes on.

As a mum, I was surprised by how much I’d love to bring my daughter here. It’s one of those places that manages to be great for adults and kids at the same time, which isn’t always easy to find.”
 

Oceanside

Getting there & getting around

“Our next stop was Oceanside. We took an Uber to the San Diego Old Town Transportation Center and caught the Pacific Surfliner AMTRAK to Oceanside Station. From there, it was an easy six-minute walk to our hotel, The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa.

Once we arrived, everything was right on our doorstep. Being so close to the beach meant we walked almost everywhere, which really added to the laid-back, coastal feel.”

Accommodation

“The location here is a big win. The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa sits right on the beachfront, yet it’s still just a short walk from the train station and the town’s shops and restaurants. The sea-view pool was a real highlight, and the restaurant just off the lobby served some of the best food we had on the trip.

I also loved the little touches - the cosy library area, the Nespresso machine in the room, and, of course, the spa. Another great bonus is that you can access the hotel next door, Mission Pacific Beach Resort, where you can enjoy its rooftop bar, restaurant, and pool. It’s a lovely extra that makes the stay feel even more special.

The Seabird has a polished, high-end feel that couples will love, but there were plenty of families staying, too, so it works well for both.”

Things to do

“One of my standout moments in Oceanside was watching the sunset from the roof of the Mission Pacific Beach Resort. We had dinner and drinks at the rooftop bar while the sun dropped into the ocean, and the sky turned deep orange and pink - it was truly unforgettable.



I’d also recommend spending time at Oceanside Beach and Pier to really soak up the coastal atmosphere, and heading out on a sunset cruise to spot dolphins and other marine life as the sun sinks below the horizon. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve left.”
 

Anaheim

Getting there & getting around

“For our final stop, we walked to Oceanside Station and caught the Pacific Surfliner AMTRAK to Anaheim ARTIC Station. From there, our hotel was only a nine-minute drive away, so grabbing an Uber was the easiest option.

If you’re staying near Disneyland, like we were, getting to and from the Happiest Place on Earth is simple. You can walk, hop on an ART bus, or use your hotel’s shuttle if one’s available.”

Accommodation

“We stayed at the Clementine Hotel & Suites, and it worked really well for a Disney stay. It was about a 20-minute walk to the parks, and with a bus stop right outside the hotel, it was easy to jump on the Number 7 bus straight to Disneyland.

The hotel is especially good for families. The rooms are spacious, with a separate kitchen and living area that you can close off from the bedroom - a big help when travelling with kids. There’s also a play area for younger children, a decent breakfast with plenty of choice, an outdoor pool, a mini-mart, sports courts, plus a BBQ patio and firepits.”
 

Things to do

“Disneyland really surprised me. I knew it was the original park, but I wasn’t sure how it would compare to Walt Disney World in Orlando. Even though Disneyland is smaller, it has a more relaxed, cosy feel, and I loved that.



Pirates of the Caribbean is one of my favourites in Orlando, but I think the California version might be even better, as the opening drop is bigger than I expected. And as a huge Haunted Mansion fan, riding the original version was a real pinch-me moment.

Anaheim has more going on than just Disney, too. I really enjoyed a tasting tour at The Packing House, a former orange processing plant turned into a lively food hall with over 30 independent food spots.

If you’re after something a bit different, Flightdeck and Rogue Racing offer full-immersion flight and racing simulators, and sports fans should keep an eye on the Anaheim Angels fixture list, especially when big teams like the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Yankees are in town.”
 

My final thoughts

“The biggest thing I took away from this trip is that you really don’t need to hire a car. Getting from LAX to our hotel in Los Angeles was easy with Uber, and The Garland’s shuttle made trips to Universal Studios Hollywood simple and stress-free.

The Pacific Surfliner was a brilliant way to see more of California without dealing with traffic, and in Anaheim, staying near Disneyland meant we could walk or hop on a local bus.
So if the idea of driving in the USA feels a bit daunting, don’t let it put you off. It’s completely possible, and surprisingly easy to travel through LA, San Diego, Oceanside, and Anaheim without a car and still see so much along the way.”


If you're eager to explore the Golden State, check out our dedicate California Holidays page for a dose of inspiration.