California, United States
California Budget & Money-Saving Guide: See more of California. Spend less.
Know what a day really costs before you book, and where your money is worth spending — so you can relax instead of checking your banking app.
- What a day really costs, laid out before you book
- 17 free and cheap things to do: Walking the Golden Gate Bridge · Griffith Observatory and Park · Santa Monica Beach and Pier
- Money-saving tips for getting around, sleeping and eating
$19
Instant PDF download · Works offline · 30-day money-back guarantee
Secure checkout by Stripe
Built from the research behind opentravelguide.com · Updated October 2026
A look inside
Named in the California budget guide
Cover Comprehensive Budget Breakdown
A sample of what the guide names, taken word for word from the guide.
Free & cheap picks covered
- Walking the Golden Gate Bridge
- Griffith Observatory and Park
- Santa Monica Beach and Pier
- Venice Beach Boardwalk
- Golden Gate Park
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- La Jolla Cove Sea Lion Watching
- Balboa Park Free Admission Days
- +9 more
Money-saving topics
- HI San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel
- HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Hostel
- USA Hostels San Diego
Day by day
Your days in California
- Day 1Day 1
- Day 2Day 2
- Day 3Day 3
- Day 4Day 4
- Day 5Day 5
How it works
- 1Buy
- 2Download instantly
- 3Use it offline or print it
Not right for your trip? Full refund within 30 days — no reason needed. Refund policy
Compare
All California guides
Each guide covers a different part of the trip. Prices are what you pay today.
| Guide | Best for | Inside | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Day Itinerary | A full week, planned | 7 days planned · 42 scheduled stops | $34 |
| 3-Day Weekend Itinerary | A long weekend | 3 days planned · 15 scheduled stops | $24 |
| Family Travel Guide | Travelling with kids | 12 family attractions · 5 family stays | $29 |
| Food & Restaurant Guide | Eating well | 7 local dishes · 17 places to eat | $24 |
| Budget & Money-Saving Guide Viewing | Spending less | 17 free & cheap picks | $19 |
| Complete Bundle | Everything, for less | All 5 guides | $79saves $51 |
What's inside
Everything in this guide
See everything in this guide
Everything in this edition, last updated October 2026.
Also in the guide
Welcome to Budget Travel in California
Best Time for Value
Comprehensive Budget Breakdown
Money-Saving Strategies
Top Money-Saving Tips · Transportation Savings · Budget Accommodation · Best Budget Neighborhoods
Free & Cheap Activities
Completely Free Activities · Cheap Eats
Where to Splurge vs Save
5-Day California Budget Trip: San Francisco and the Coast
Free Self-Guided Walking Tours
San Francisco History Walking Tour · San Francisco Mission District Food Tour · Los Angeles Arts District and Murals Tour
Managing Your Money
Questions
Before you buy
What exactly do I get?
A PDF. It's ready to download the moment payment completes, and we email you the link too.
Why pay when the website is free?
It's built from the same research as the free California pages. The website is for browsing by topic; this guide does the planning for you, with everything in order in one document you can use offline on the trip.
Browse the free California pagesCan I use it on my phone without a connection?
Yes. Once downloaded, the PDF opens in any PDF reader on a phone, tablet or computer with no connection needed, and it prints cleanly if you prefer paper.
How current is it?
This edition was last updated in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and transport schedules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you rely on it.
What if it is not what I needed?
Every guide is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Request a refund within 30 days of purchase.
Read the refund policyIs this guide included in the bundle?
Yes. The California Complete Bundle contains this guide and the other four, as the same PDFs sold individually.
More in United States
