Few states can compete with California when it comes to natural beauty, vibrant city life, and world-class dining. For these reasons, it’s easy to see why so many grooms-to-be choose the Golden State for their bachelor parties. However, even if you already know you want to celebrate your last days of freedom in California, you probably still have questions about where to go and what to do.
In this article, we present five bachelor party destinations in California. From the hilly streets of San Francisco to the pristine beaches of San Diego, we cover all the top spots. In addition to presenting each destination, we share California bachelor party ideas and hotel information to help you during the planning process.
While there’s no official north-south divide in California, San Luis Obispo is the unofficial border town. North of this invisible line, you’ll find the rugged mountains, chilly temperatures, and massive redwood trees Northern California is known for. If you want to celebrate your bachelor party in this part of the state, we recommend San Francisco or South Lake Tahoe.
As one of the biggest cities in Northern California, San Francisco is an excellent bachelor party destination, no matter what you’re interested in. Some daytime bachelor party activities include visiting attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf. When you get hungry, grab a bite in Chinatown (Chinese), the Mission (Mexican), or North Beach (Italian).
When the sun goes down, the City by the Bay offers plenty of bar-hopping opportunities. We recommend visiting these streets:
In the lively Mission District, Valencia Street features live music bars, cozy lounges, and plenty of local watering holes like the Latin American Club and the Make-Out Room.
Running through the heart of the city, Polk Street is one of the most bar-dense areas. We recommend Lush Lounge for happy hour drink specials and Hi-Lo Club for local on-tap beers.
If you’re willing to get a little fratty, check out Union Street’s dive bars. Head to Bus Stop Saloon for cheap drinks, or check The Blue Light to catch your team’s latest game.
Close to the intersection of Chinatown and North Beach, this area features famous San Francisco bars like Vesuvio, Tosca Cafe, and Comstock Saloon. You’ll also find strip clubs like Condor Club, Deja Vu Centerfolds, and Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club (just don’t tell the bride-to-be).
San Francisco boasts many excellent bachelor party hotels, too. We recommend choosing your hotel based on the attractions you’re interested in and your budget. Some of our top picks are:
Located in the Tenderloin district, The Phoenix is a boutique hotel with a rock ‘n roll edge and pool party packages.
This luxurious downtown hotel will make you and your group feel like high rollers.
This centrally located budget option provides remarkable city views from the rooftop.
If the groom-to-be loves nature, consider a weekend getaway in South Lake Tahoe. When the thermometer dips below freezing, it’s an unbeatable ski destination. As soon as the mercury rises, outdoor recreational activities like fishing, boating, and hiking are all on the menu.
Some of our favorite South Lake Tahoe bachelor party ideas include taking a ride on a chartered party boat, hitting the links at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course, trying your luck at Harveys Resort & Casino, and dancing the night away at Opal Ultra Lounge. Of course, these are just a few of the options on offer. Use them as a jumping-off point to plan the ultimate South Lake Tahoe groom crew weekend.
The accommodation options aren’t limited to hotel rooms here, either. If you want to reconnect with nature, set up camp at Fallen Leaf Campground or Sugar Pine Point. Looking for a nature experience, minus the bugs? Then consider renting a cabin. For the ultimate in luxury, check out the Marriott Grand Residence Club or the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel.
For bachelors who prefer the beach over the mountains, nothing beats Southern California. While there are plenty of worthwhile destinations in SoCal, San Diego, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles are our top three picks.
When you’re looking for the ultimate bachelor party destination in California, it doesn’t get much better than San Diego. This city of 1.4 million people is home to white sand beaches, stunning oceanside cliffs, tranquil parks, and plenty of nightlife.
During the day, you and your boys can soak up the sun on Mission Beach, take a surfing lesson in Del Mar, or see the city from a new perspective on a harbor cruise. Away from the water, play a round of golf at Colina Park Golf Course, race go-karts at K1 Speed, or head to Velocity Paintball Park for a friendly match.
In addition to these recreational activities, San Diego is also a top destination for beer lovers. We’re big fans of local breweries like Fall Brewing Company, Coronado Brewing Company, and North Park Beer Co.
After you’ve sampled your fill of the local brews, it’s time to hit the town. If it’s live music you seek, you’re in luck; San Diego’s live music venues feature everything from indie rock to bluegrass.
We recommend…
This legendary venue features both up-and-coming acts and beloved musicians.
The House of Blues features big-name stars on the main stage and smaller acts in the upstairs restaurant.
Located in Little Italy, Casbah is the place for up-and-coming indie rock.
This venue blends comedy and music in its nightly dueling pianos show.
For accommodations, choose a party-centric option like the Hard Rock Hotel or the Kimpton Alma Hotel. For a quieter night, opt for the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center or the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego.
Santa Monica may be only 20 miles from Los Angeles, but this laid-back beach town is a world away from the smog and heavy traffic of the big city. In addition to its chill atmosphere, Santa Monica features unbeatable weather, fantastic live music, loads of rooftop pools, and exciting nightlife. What more could you ask for in a bachelor party destination?
Strolling along the iconic Venice Beach boardwalk, pumping some iron at Muscle Beach, and riding the massive Ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier are just a few of the daytime activities we recommend.
When the sun goes down, dip your toes into Santa Monica’s bar scene. The city features everything from upscale rooftop bars (ONYX, The Penthouse, and Élephante) to dives like Chez Jay and The GasLite.
After you’ve danced the night away, lay your head down at one of our favorite hotels.
No guide to California bachelor party ideas would be complete without Los Angeles. La La Land offers everything from outdoor activities and live music to fine dining and trendy clubs. Whether you want to spend the weekend hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, soaking in a rooftop pool at the W Hotel, digging into Japanese delights at Yess, or partying at Avalon Hollywood, Los Angeles will deliver an unforgettable bachelor party experience. Sure, it’s no Las Vegas, but you’ll still have a wild weekend.
For accommodations, check out…
Choosing a destination for your bachelor party is just the first step in planning the ultimate weekend away. Once you’ve got that nailed down, it’s time to figure out your travel arrangements, reserve your accommodations, and organize your itinerary. That probably sounds like a lot to take care of, but not to fear — Our step-by-step bachelor party planning tips will help you keep everything organized.
