Three Places To Travel That Are Like California But Way Cheaper

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With its beaches, parks, lakes, deserts, mountains and bustling city feel, California is a diverse juggernaut for tourism. Yosemite National Park is a stunning vista featuring immense cliffs and beautiful waterfalls among the sequoia trees. San Francisco is a foodie paradise and Laguna Beach has top-tier waves for surfing. All of the sights and activities come with a hefty price, though. A week-long trip for two people costs an average of $3,500, factoring in hotels, transportation and food, according to Budget Your Trip. Fortunately, there are other great places to travel with offerings like California, minus the high cost, from most to least average expense. 

New Mexico

There are many opportunities for outdoor activities in New Mexico. The White Sands National Park is a unique hiking spot, and you can sled down its dune-field hills. You can visit the Rio Grande river for white-water rafting or kayaking in the corresponding intense and calm areas, and help yourself to any of the wineries open to the public, according to Lonely Planet. A two-person weeklong visit to Santa Fe costs an average of $2,200, while Albuquerque costs $1,900.

Portugal

Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal features a number of amazing beaches. Praia de Falésia is a spacious coastline for families, according to Hotels.com. Praia São Rafael is a budget-friendly cove and a great choice for kayaking or paddleboarding. You don’t even need to bring much with you, as these beaches offer rentals of chairs and parasols. Portugal also offers wonderful cuisine, like the Francesinha and Bifanas sandwiches or the Cozido à Portuguesa stew, per Food & Wine. And the cost? A one-week trip for two people averages around $2,000, or $1,500 cheaper than in California.

British Columbia

British Columbia’s Stanley Park is an impressive forest with wooded trails for hiking and cycling. At the same time, the Pacific Rim National Park has kilometers of beaches and its share of lush forested areas, according to Hello BC. Downtown Vancouver has city lights, shopping opportunities, and varied restaurant selections. Vancouver has something for you whether you’re in the mood for Japanese or Italian. One-week visitors will be looking to spend around $1,950 for two.

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