Visited Cali for 10 days. Solid experience. Scene is improved. Pricing up slightly.
Spent $106/day. Best part: variety.
Overall: 9/10. Would return.
AMA.
Quality in Cali — trending up or down?
Started by HalifaxHarry · 23 Mar 2026 · 1426 views
Posts: 1,876
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Halifax, Canada
23 Mar 2026 at 13:43
0
Posts: 1,890
Rep: 0
Joined: Jan 2026
Location: Las Vegas, NV
24 Mar 2026 at 22:57
Saving this thread for my trip planning. Gold mine of information.
0
Posts: 1,914
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Dallas, TX
25 Mar 2026 at 23:57
Any restaurant recs for the daytime?
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
0
Posts: 1,905
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Manchester, UK
26 Mar 2026 at 04:55
This is outdated info IMO. Things have changed since last year. Current prices are higher than what's described here.
0
Posts: 1,922
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Boston, MA
26 Mar 2026 at 08:20
Interesting take but I think you overpaid. Try using a different site next time.
Euro Explorer — Boston, MA
0
Posts: 1,860
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Melbourne, Australia
26 Mar 2026 at 13:00
100% agree. The variety is hard to beat.
Melbourne, Australia | 23 countries visited
0
Posts: 1,860
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Melbourne, Australia
26 Mar 2026 at 13:33
Excellent write-up. This is why this forum is the best resource out there.
Melbourne, Australia | 23 countries visited
0
Posts: 1,900
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Boston, MA
26 Mar 2026 at 14:25
I'd also recommend downloading Google Translate before you go. Essential.
0
Posts: 1,861
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Calgary, Canada
26 Mar 2026 at 17:28
Excellent write-up. This is why this forum is the best resource out there.
Calgary Kevin — Calgary, Canada
0
Posts: 1,906
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Bristol, UK
26 Mar 2026 at 18:02
Spot on with the prices. That matches what I paid in February.
Bristol, UK | 16 countries visited
0
Posts: 1,927
Rep: 0
Joined: Dec 2025
Location: Nashville, TN
26 Mar 2026 at 18:56
Saving this thread for my trip planning. Gold mine of information.
"Travel is fatal to prejudice." — Nashville, TN
0
Posts: 1,917
Rep: 0
Joined: Jan 2026
Location: Chicago, IL
26 Mar 2026 at 22:22
Adding my experience from last month.
The scene has improved since pre-COVID. Biggest change: better quality overall.
The scene has improved since pre-COVID. Biggest change: better quality overall.
0
Posts: 1,920
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Orlando, FL
26 Mar 2026 at 23:55
How long did it take to feel comfortable and find the good spots?
Do your research, respect the locals, stay safe. — Orlando Oscar
0
Posts: 1,860
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Melbourne, Australia
27 Mar 2026 at 11:52
I was there in January and prices were exactly as described.
Spent about $50/day all-in. Quality was excellent.
My tip: midweek is golden hour.
Spent about $50/day all-in. Quality was excellent.
My tip: midweek is golden hour.
Melbourne, Australia | 23 countries visited
0
Posts: 1,898
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Denver, CO
27 Mar 2026 at 16:07
Any restaurant recs for the daytime?
Do your research, respect the locals, stay safe. — Wanderlust Carl
0
Posts: 1,909
Rep: 0
Joined: Mar 2026
Location: Detroit, MI
27 Mar 2026 at 16:46
Can confirm. Was there 2 weeks ago and everything checks out.
Detroit, MI | 12 countries visited
0
Posts: 1,951
Rep: 0
Joined: Feb 2026
Location: Seattle, WA
27 Mar 2026 at 22:28
This matches my experience. Cali is great value.
0
Posts: 1,951
Rep: 0
Joined: Dec 2025
Location: Dallas, TX
27 Mar 2026 at 22:44
Not sure I agree about that area. I found the outskirts to be better value.
0
Posts: 1,865
Rep: 0
Joined: Jan 2026
Location: Birmingham, UK
28 Mar 2026 at 02:02
Good info. I'd add that going during the week is much better — less crowded, better prices.
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
0