Keanu•Dec 9, 2025Back to ArticlesKeanu•Dec 9, 2025
The 10 Best Places to Visit in California in May
Keanu•Dec 9, 2025May is a transition month in California – a warm, bright, shoulder-season moment when summer isn’t quite here but the outdoors already feels wide open. Trails dry out, wildflowers linger at higher elevations, coastal evenings stretch longer, and mountain lakes begin to thaw. For travelers choosing the best places to visit in California in May, it’s a chance to experience popular destinations before crowds and heat arrive.
This list highlights 10 places that come into their own in late spring, from oceanfront towns to granite cliffs to wine valleys waking up for the season. Several also pair naturally with Wander’s homes across the state, creating calm, design-forward bases for exploration.
1. Yosemite National Park
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
May is peak waterfall season in Yosemite. Snowmelt surges over granite walls, trails open across the Valley, and warmer days reveal meadows that have been dormant for months. Roads that remain closed earlier in spring begin to reopen in late May, expanding access to scenic viewpoints and high-country hikes.
If you’re choosing the best California vacation spots in May for dramatic scenery, Yosemite stands alone.
Things to do
Photograph Yosemite Falls at full volume
Walk the Mist Trail as Vernal Fall fills with spray
Bike the Valley Loop before summer crowds
Visit Mirror Lake before water levels drop
Enjoy sunset at Sentinel Bridge
Where to stay
Travel tips
Plan early starts on weekends
Snow may linger in shaded high-elevation areas
Bring waterproof layers for waterfall hikes
Expert Tip from a Wander Travel Specialist
Begin one morning at Sentinel Meadow — the combination of full waterfalls and soft spring haze creates some of Yosemite’s most atmospheric views.
2. Sonoma (Healdsburg & Surrounding Valleys)
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
May brings warm, comfortable days perfect for vineyard strolls and outdoor tastings. The hills remain green, flowers bloom along rural backroads, and evenings soften into ideal al fresco hours. Healdsburg, Sebastopol, and Glen Ellen feel lively without peak-season pressure.
For travelers deciding where to visit in California in May for food, wine, and countryside relaxation, Sonoma shines.
Things to do
Taste spring releases in Dry Creek Valley
Explore Healdsburg Plaza’s tasting rooms and bakeries
Drive Westside Road for scenic vineyards
Visit Armstrong Redwoods for shaded trails
Enjoy outdoor dining at valley restaurants
Where to stay
Travel tips
Evenings still cool down quickly
Winery patios book fast on weekends
Scenic drives are especially beautiful midmorning
3. Big Sur
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
May delivers some of Big Sur’s clearest weather. Spring greenery lingers, coastal trails dry out, and fog hasn’t yet settled in for its early-summer routine. It’s an ideal time for long cliffside hikes and quiet stops along Highway 1.
This is one of the best California vacation spots in May for dramatic views without intense heat or seasonal crowds.
Things to do
Hike Garrapata for late-season blooms
Explore Pfeiffer Big Sur’s redwoods
Visit Partington Cove under soft morning light
Walk Point Lobos’ coastal paths
Enjoy relaxed meals at Big Sur Bakery
Where to stay
Travel tips
Mornings can still start cool
Parking is more manageable than in summer
Bring layers for breezy cliffside hikes
4. Palm Springs & the Coachella Valley
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
Early May offers one last window of comfortable desert weather before heat becomes intense. Pools feel perfect, evenings hold onto their warmth, and the desert light turns golden as the sun moves into higher summer angles. Architecture tours, golf, and gentle hikes remain enjoyable during the first half of the month.
If you're narrowing down where to visit in California in May for sunshine and relaxation, Palm Springs is a reliable choice, especially at the front end of the month.
Things to do
Lounge poolside beneath mountain views
Explore downtown Palm Springs boutiques
Visit Pioneertown at dusk
Take a sunset ride up the Tramway
Walk shaded trails in Indian Canyons
Where to stay
Travel tips
Start outdoor activities before 10 a.m.
Late May warms significantly
Hydration is crucial even on mild days
5. Joshua Tree
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
May is the desert’s turning point. Early in the month, temperatures remain manageable, trails are open, and evenings stay clear enough for stargazing. It’s also one of the last reliable months for comfortable climbing and longer hikes before summer heat settles in.
For travelers deciding where to visit in California in May for stargazing and quiet landscapes, Joshua Tree is ideal.
Things to do
Explore Jumbo Rocks’ formations
Hike Ryan Mountain or Willow Hole
Watch golden-hour light wash over the desert
Visit local shops and studios in Joshua Tree
Picnic among high-desert Joshua trees
Where to stay
Travel tips
Heat builds quickly in late May
Sunset hikes offer cooler conditions
Bring extra layers for nighttime temperature drops
6. Malibu
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
May is a sweet spot in Malibu — long daylight, comfortable surf days, and trails still green from spring rains. Fog occasionally drifts in, but warm afternoons usually break through by midday. Crowds remain lighter than June and July, giving beaches and trailheads a calm, open feel.
For coastal travelers seeking the best places to visit in California in May, Malibu blends scenery with quiet early-summer energy.
Things to do
Visit El Matador’s sea caves at low tide
Hike Solstice Canyon’s shaded trails
Surf beginner-friendly swells at Zuma
Picnic at Point Dume
Drive the canyons for sunset views
Where to stay
Travel tips
Layer up for foggy mornings
Parking is easier midweek
Afternoon winds pick up along open beaches
7. Monterey & Carmel
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
May brings bright blue water, active marine life, and crisp, clear coastal hikes. Wildflowers linger along cliffs, and whale sightings peak as migratory species move north. Towns like Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Monterey feel lively without heavy summer traffic.
If you're choosing where to visit in California in May for coastal scenery and wildlife, the Central Coast is a standout.
Things to do
Explore tide pools at Point Lobos
Walk the shoreline between Lover’s Point and Asilomar
Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Look for whales at Pacific Grove
Wander Carmel’s courtyards and galleries
Where to stay
Travel tips
Expect breezy afternoons
Mornings may start cool but warm quickly
Weekdays offer easier parking near beaches
8. San Diego
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
San Diego in May is warm, sunny, and ideal for beach time. The marine layer begins appearing earlier in the season but usually lifts by midday. Parks, neighborhoods, and the waterfront feel active but not yet crowded, creating a relaxed pre-summer atmosphere.
For travelers selecting the best California vacation spots in May, San Diego remains one of the easiest, most weather-reliable choices.
Things to do
Hike Torrey Pines’ sandstone cliffs
Visit Balboa Park’s museums and gardens
Kayak La Jolla’s sea caves
Enjoy beachfront cafés in Coronado
Wander Little Italy’s weekend market
Where to stay
Travel tips
“May Gray” brings morning cloud cover — afternoons clear beautifully
Water temps remain cool; bring a wetsuit for surfing
Parking near La Jolla improves in early morning hours
9. Death Valley (early May only)
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
Death Valley edges into its hotter season by May, but early in the month it can still be unexpectedly pleasant — warm but not extreme, with long golden hours perfect for photography. The park’s vastness feels especially dramatic under clear spring skies, and higher-elevation areas offer cooler walks.
For travelers deciding where to visit in California in May for dramatic desert landscapes, early-month visits to Death Valley are unforgettable.
Things to do
Watch sunrise at Zabriskie Point
Walk the boardwalk at Salt Creek
Explore Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Visit Dante’s View for sweeping panoramas
Wander the Artist’s Palette drive
Travel tips
Limit midday hikes — temperatures rise quickly
Carry more water than you think you’ll need
Sunrise and sunset are the most comfortable times to explore
10. Laguna Beach
Why it’s one of the best places to visit in California in May
Laguna Beach blends clear water, art-filled streets, and mild late-spring weather. Tide pools teem with life, beaches feel spacious, and coastal paths offer bright ocean views before June fog settles in. Cafés and galleries set an easy rhythm for unhurried days.
If you’re choosing where to visit in California in May for colorful coves and relaxed coastal energy, Laguna makes a compelling case.
Things to do
Explore tide pools at Shaw’s Cove
Walk Heisler Park’s bluff path
Visit beachfront galleries and studios
Snorkel at Diver’s Cove
Enjoy sunset from Crescent Bay
Where to stay
Travel tips
Parking is limited near coves — arrive early
Water remains cool but clear
Weekend art walks offer a lively local feel
Plan Your California May Getaway With Wander
May brings California into a season of light, color, and comfort — waterfalls at their peak, coastlines warming, and valleys opening into their most scenic months. It’s a moment when the state feels wide open and full of possibility. Wander’s luxury California vacation rentals offer a thoughtful base for exploring it all, with spaces designed for slow evenings, shared meals, and views that anchor each day.
Choose your May landscape — coast, canyon, desert, or peak — then find a Wander home that lets the season unfold just outside your door.
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