Looking for the best places to visit in California? Check out this list of the very best things to do and the best places to visit in California!
California is one of the most popular and best-known states in the entire United States. The Golden State has so much to offer with diverse nature and lots of fun things to do in California! Here’s something for everyone, whether you want a pleasant climate, vibrant cities, world-famous theme parks, or magnificent natural wonders.
A road trip in California is totally obvious and gives a true American feeling with everything that belongs. One thing is for sure – You’ll have an experience of a lifetime!
Feel the glamorous atmosphere of Hollywood, enjoy the charm of San Francisco or drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world. Be overwhelmed by the largest trees in the world or feel the drought in Death Valley, one of the warmest places on earth! There are just so many great places to visit in California!
If you’re planning a road trip in California, you should read this list of the 36 very best places to visit in California – and the best things to do in California too!
Table of Contents
1. Lake Tahoe
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the border between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America! The beautiful lake is extremely popular all year round.
During the summer months, Lake Tahoe is especially visited by nature lovers and campers, using the lake as a base for boating, beach trips, or hiking. During the winter months, the area transforms into one of the leading ski resorts in California.
When visiting Lake Tahoe, you shouldn’t miss a hike at Emerald Bay with scenic surroundings and a stunning blue-green lake. This is also where you’ll find Vikingsholm, an old Scandinavian-inspired mansion. Vikingsholm is considered to be one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States.
2. Joshua Tree National Park
Unfortunately, Joshua Tree National Park is easily overlooked among America’s major national parks. And that’s really a shame because Joshua Tree National Park is one of the very best places to visit in California!
The national park is located in the wilderness where two very different deserts meet. In the north is the lush and high Mojave Desert and in the south is the dry and low Colorado Desert. The name of Joshua Tree National Park comes from the fascinating Joshua trees that can be found everywhere in the park along with giant boulders and rock formations.
In Joshua Tree National Park there are also plenty of hiking trails and rich wildlife with bighorn sheep, coyotes, rattlesnakes, and many other species. The most popular things to do in Joshua Tree National Park include Hidden Valley and Keys View, from where you can see all the way to Mexico on a clear day.
3. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a charming coastal town with surf-friendly conditions, wide sandy beaches, and an amusement park on the beach. It is especially the nearly 100-year-old Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park that attracts lots of visitors.
The main attraction of the amusement park is the Giant Dipper, a wooden slide that is the fifth oldest functioning slide in the United States! Santa Cruz Downtown is also worth a visit with small cozy shops and eateries.
4. Los Angeles
Another of the best places to visit in California is … virtual drum roll … Los Angeles! Surprise Surprise! You probably already knew that Los Angeles would be mentioned on this list – just like on any other list of the best things to do in California. Well but let’s get back to the matter.
Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second-largest city in the United States. LA is home to many great world-famous celebrities, just as many of the biggest sights in Los Angeles are also world-famous!
Visit Hollywood with lots of movie studios, the stars of the Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood Sign. But you can also experience Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, the Griffith Observatory, and many other world-famous sights.
5. Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore is located on a peninsula and is separated from the rest of Marin County by the San Andreas Fault. The peninsula offers beautiful coastlines, deserted beaches, green wilderness, deep forests, and rich wildlife.
When visiting Point Reyes National Seashore there’s a good chance that you’re lucky enough to spot elephant seals, bears, or a moose. If you’re very lucky (as in extremely lucky), you may also see a whale or two swimming in the blue sea.
Make your way past Point Reyes Lighthouse, located right on the seafront with a great view of the Pacific Ocean that seems endless. I would also recommend seeing the Cypress Tree Tunnel, a beautiful tunnel with lots of Monterey Cypress trees.
6. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is very similar to Yellowstone National Park but is easily overlooked due to its smaller size. The volcanic activity of the national park can be experienced by the bubbling mud puddles, steaming geysers, and the nasty stench of sulfur and eggshells.
There are plenty of opportunities to go hiking in the lunar landscape and enjoy beautiful views, spot wildlife, or go hiking in the lush forest with mountain streams and ponds. Lassen Volcanic National Park is a great alternative to Yellowstone National Park in the state of Wyoming. I must admit, though, that Yellowstone is a hundred times better!
7. Solvang
Solvang is a Danish city strangely located in sunny California. The architecture in Solvang is inspired by Denmark and there are lots of Danish flags, old mills, half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, Danish names, and traditional Danish food. Solvang is one of the best places to visit in California if you’re Danish or just want some European atmosphere.
I myself am a Dane and to be completely honest with you, Solvang is just built on a fantasy about Denmark. Most of the traditional food doesn’t even taste like in Denmark, many of the Danish names are misspelled and it’s also rare to find such an old town in Denmark. Despite that, Solvang is still a very cool place to visit in California. After all, it’s a piece of Denmark in the great United States.
8. Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego and is a beautiful seaside resort next to the Pacific Ocean. Here there’s a pleasant and mild climate, scenic bays, long sandy beaches, idyllic parks, and impressive art.
There are also lots of great restaurants and shops with a great vibe. The laid-back and relaxing atmosphere creates the perfect setting for a wonderful time by the coast. As you can see, Laguna Beach has everything your heart desires if you want the perfect beach vacation in California.
9. Lava Beds National Monument
Lava Beds National Monument is an area with hundreds of underground caves as well as craters and countless strange formations. These strange formations were formed by lava from volcanic eruptions somewhere between 10,500-65,000 years ago! So, they’re insanely old! It’s a pretty great sight in California and it’s fascinating to experience what the powerful forces of nature are capable of!
You can explore the caves and the underground passages on your own, but remember to be prepared for the trip. It is necessary to bring a flashlight, but if you forgot, you can borrow one for free at the visitor center. In addition to the exciting underground caves, there are also plenty of hiking trails outside the caves.
10. Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is home to the huge Sequoia trees that are among the largest trees in the world! Many of them are more than 2,000 years old and some are even more than 3,000 years old. It’s extremely fascinating! The trees are insanely huge in height and width, and they’re almost unrealistically large for someone like me from Denmark.
The highlight of Sequoia National Park is General Sherman, the largest single-stemmed tree in the world measured by mass. However, other trees are taller, wider, and older than General Sherman, but none of them have the same extreme mass. Sequoia National Park really is a must-see in California!
11. Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park is the neighboring park to Sequoia National Park and also has a large number of Sequoia trees. In Kings Canyon, however, nature is rawer and wilder with rugged mountain peaks and rushing rivers. It isn’t the best park in California to see Sequoia trees, but it’s still worth a visit!
There aren’t as many tourists in Kings Canyon National Park as in the other parks, but that just means there’s a greater chance of having it for yourself. Many people visit Kings Canyon to go hiking while enjoying the beautiful scenery in quiet surroundings.
12. San Francisco
It probably doesn’t come as a huge shock that San Francisco is one of the best places to visit in California! San Francisco is one of the most charming cities in the United States and is full of life and happy days. I truly believe that almost everyone who has visited this city loves it!
When visiting San Francisco, it is of course a must to visit the city’s world-famous landmark Golden Gate Bridge, which stretches beautifully across the bay. Other exciting sights include the Alcatraz Prison, Cable Cars, the Seals at Pier 39, and the curvy Lombard Street. San Francisco also has several unique neighborhoods that you shouldn’t miss either, some examples are Chinatown and Castro.
Read also: 15+ Very Best Things to Do in San Francisco
13. Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles were first established as a national park in 2013 and are thus one of the youngest national parks in the United States. One of the reasons for the area’s new title is that the endangered California condor should have a safe home in a protected area. The National Park is of volcanic origin and consists mainly of wild rock formations, dry landscapes, natural caves, and hiking trails.
You should be aware that Pinnacles National Park has two entrances that aren’t connected and require a lot of driving. The most popular and most beautiful entrance is the eastern one. Pinnacles aren’t that big or known yet, but it provides a wonderful free space in nature where you can escape from the crowds.
14. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is part of the Channel Islands archipelago and is located only about 29 miles (47 kilometers) southwest of Long Beach, California. This idyllic island is a perfect place to visit in California if you need to get away from the tourist crowds on the mainland. Or maybe you just need to get away from the stress of Los Angeles.
After an hour of sailing, it suddenly feels like you’re on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean. When visiting Catalina Island, you can spend time enjoying the beach, hiking, water sports, or something completely different. If you want to visit Catalina Island, you can board a ferry from Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point.
15. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of the most scenic and popular national parks in the entire United States – and it’s certainly not without reason. It is definitely one of the very best places to visit in California and should be on everyone’s bucket list!
Yosemite National Park is full of magnificent mountains, lush valleys, huge trees, rushing rivers, and powerful waterfalls as far as the eye can see. One of the main attractions in the park is Glacier Point, from where you can enjoy an extremely spectacular view of the Yosemite Valley. Also, don’t miss the popular Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome.
Yosemite National Park also has rich wildlife including black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and several other animal species!
16. Santa Barbara
Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Santa Barbara is an idyllic coastal town that has been nicknamed the American Riviera. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara has an ultimate holiday atmosphere in the most beautiful surroundings. Here there’s a pleasant climate, wide sandy beaches, tall palm trees, and romantic houses in Spanish colonial style.
Wander around the popular wooden pier Stearns Wharf or enjoy the beautiful views from the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Other popular things to do in Santa Barbara include Old Mission, State Street, and a wine tasting at a winery in the Santa Ynez Valley.
17. Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Humboldt Redwoods State Park is the largest park with Redwood trees in California, making it one of the best places to visit in California! The state park has a large number of huge sequoia redwood trees that are among the largest trees in the world!
What makes Humboldt Redwoods State Park so special is that you can actually experience seven out of ten of the largest trees in the world right here in the park! It’s crazy, I know!
It is very common for redwood trees to grow 200 to 240 feet (61 to 73 meters) tall, but a few extraordinary redwood trees actually grow as high as 350 feet (106 centimeters) tall! So look forward to being amazed by the enormously tall trees! Oh, by the way, don’t miss the Avenue of the Giants, a beautiful road surrounded by giant trees.
18. Pacific Coast Highway
You’ve probably already heard of the Pacific Coast Highway, one of the most scenic drives in America and one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the entire world! The Pacific Coast Highway is definitely one of the very best places to visit in California and also one of the best things to do in the US!
The Pacific Coast Highway climbs along the dramatic cliffs of the Pacific Coast and leads through unspoiled countryside, charming towns, lush vineyards, and extraordinary vantage points. One of the most beautiful places on the Pacific Coast Highway is in Big Sur with the world-famous Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls, and a large colony of free elephant seals.
Read also: Itinerary: 20 Best Things to Do on Pacific Coast Highway
19. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Located near the Pacific Coast Highway, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a large and scenic park. Tall redwood trees, flowing rivers, cascading waterfalls, and stunning vantage points are just some of the things that await you in the park.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is definitely the perfect place for a hike! One of the best hiking trails is the Valley View Trail that leads past Pfeiffer Falls, the highest waterfall in the park at a height of 60-feet (18-meters). Also, don’t forget to make your way past Pfeiffer Beach, known for its special rock formation Sun Portal.
20. Bodie
Bodie is just one of many ghost towns in California, but in this town, the time has stood still since the late 1800s. The old gold digger town is extremely well preserved and there are still more than 100 buildings left. However, it’s only 5 percent of the city’s original size once housed 10,000 people in its heyday.
Life in Bodie was dramatic with robbers, prostitutes, and more deaths a week than can be counted on one hand. When the gold rush was over, the population almost left the city from one day to another. Today it’s possible to get a unique insight into the well-preserved old houses, shops, salons, the church, the school and so on.
Although Bodie is one of the slightly unusual places to visit in California, it is still not a place to miss! Visiting Bodie is like stepping into a real western city that stands desolate and untouched in the mountains of California.
21. Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is a desolate desert landscape that is believed to be the driest and warmest place in all of North America! And yes, it’s really extremely hot and it’s not without reason that the warmest temperature ever on earth has been measured here. The name Death Valley may not sound especially inviting. But it’s one of the best things to do in California, and you shouldn’t miss it!
During a visit to Death Valley National Park, you’ll probably feel like you’re dying of a heat stroke, but it’s very special and fun to experience the extreme heat! Try to enjoy the beautiful views of the desolated mountains, desert dunes, dried-up salt flakes, and desert plants. Also, remember to make your way past Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the United States.
22. Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks consists of four contiguous state and national parks, including Redwood National Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
Inside the parks, you can experience a large number of Redwood trees that are among the tallest and oldest trees in the world! Some of the Redwood trees are actually more than 350 feet (106 meters) tall. It’s absolutely insane!
The three tallest trees in the world actually stand right here in Redwood National Park. Hyperion is the tallest tree with a height of 380 feet (116 meters) which makes it the tallest tree in the world! Hyperion is so big that it’s taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York and Big Ben in London! Who would have thought that? However, you’ll probably have a hard time finding the tree as the site is kept secret for protection.
The giant and impressive Redwood trees are one of the greatest treasures in California. This lush forest area with four parks is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
23. Long Beach
Long Beach is the fifth-largest city in California and boasts one of the largest ports in the world. The beautiful sunshine town offers lots of lovely beaches, quiet marinas, tasteful restaurants, great shops, wild nightclubs, and exciting sights.
When visiting Long Beach don’t miss the Aquarium of the Pacific, considered to be one of the best aquariums in California. Another major attraction in Long Beach is the Queen Mary, an old retired ocean liner of a size that was – and still is – very impressive.
24. Route 66
You’ve probably already heard of the legendary road that goes all the way from Chicago to Los Angeles. Route 66 takes you on a journey back to the historic United States with American diners, classic cars, motels, and neon lights.
Route 66 in California leads right through the Mojave Desert as well as high mountains, lush valleys, and of course the terminus at Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. However, many of the most iconic sights are located on Route 66 in Arizona, but if you continue the road trip you’ll get there very soon. You simply can’t be near Route 66 in the United States without driving on this historic and iconic highway!
25. San Diego
San Diego is the second-largest city in California and is located just north of the Mexican border. In San Diego, you can enjoy the lovely warm weather, miles of sandy beaches, family-friendly attractions, and tasteful Mexican food.
The major attractions in San Diego include the USS Midway Museum, Balboa Park, La Jolla Cove, and the Torrey Pines State Reserve. But hey, don’t visit the famous SeaWorld, even though it seems cute with orcas and dolphins.
SeaWorld is notorious for its bad conditions for the animals, and no matter what some people say, orcas and dolphins don’t do well in captivity. They suffer every single day just because the visitors want to be entertained with living beings. It’s seriously heartbreaking and not okay at all! So please don’t support SeaWorld – you must be better than that!
26. Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is the oldest state park in California and is another park with an impressive number of Redwood trees. This is actually where you’ll find the largest collection of Redwood trees south of San Francisco. So if you aren’t going to drive further up in California, it may be a good idea to visit this state park in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Like I said before, the giant Redwood trees are among the tallest trees in the world. Some of them are actually taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York and Big Ben in London! It’s crazy, I know! In addition to the impressive trees, Big Basin Redwoods State Park also offers a great drive with many breathtaking and beautiful viewpoints along the way.
27. Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a high-tech area in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area and is home to some of the largest computer and electronics companies in the world. This is where you’ll find some of the most famous corporate headquarters, such as Google’s headquarters, Googleplex!
Silicon Valley is also where you’ll find the headquarters of Apple, Facebook, Facebook, Electronic Art, Netflix, Adobe, eBay, and several other big companies. In Silicon Valley, you’ll also find the famous Stanford University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world! Take a walk on campus and enjoy the atmosphere taken straight out of a real Hollywood movie.
28. Mono Lake
Mono Lake is a large and old saltwater lake located in the middle of the desert near Yosemite National Park. The lake used to be much larger than today, but the enormous water consumption for the people of Los Angeles has depleted the lake considerably.
The lowered water level has meant that wild and special tufa formations have emerged from the water. And today the tufa formations are the biggest attraction of the lake. Mono Lake may not be the most beautiful and breathtaking lake, but it’s a great place to stop by if you’re nearby anyway.
29. Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming little artist town on the Pacific Coast Highway in California. Here you’ll find lots of exciting galleries, small shops, and cozy restaurants. When visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea, it’s like stepping into a small fairytale town with romantic houses, beautiful scenery, and a laid-back atmosphere without any stress at all.
The laid-back and idyllic atmosphere of Carmel has attracted many artists and rich people over time. One of the most famous is the actor and film director Clint Eastwood, who served as a mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea in the late 1980s.
30. Monterey
Monterey is a beautiful seaside resort along the Pacific Coast Highway and is one of the best places to visit in California! The biggest attraction in Monterey is the Monterey Bay Aquarium, considered to be one of the best aquariums in the world. However, it’s a crazily popular attraction in California, so be sure to book your tickets in advance!
When visiting Monterey, it’s also nice to take a walk along Cannery Row with a myriad of shops, restaurants, and hotels in old canned fish factories. The bay off Monterey has rich wildlife, and if you’re very lucky you may spot sea lions, seals, or otters.
From Monterey Harbor, you can also take part in Whale Watching Tours with great chances to see magnificent whales, dolphins, and orcas.
31. Napa Valley
Napa Valley is the most famous wine region in the United States and is located in a beautiful landscape with hundreds of wineries in the rolling hills. Several of the wines produced in the valley are considered to be among the best in the world! Therefore, it is obvious to visit one of the many wineries to taste the world-famous wines that taste delicious.
If you’re willing to pay for an extraordinary thing to do in the Napa Valley, board the exclusive Napa Valley Wine Train. The train runs through the beautiful valley and offers breathtaking views along the way. Onboard the train you can eat a 3-course menu while enjoying various delicious wines from Napa Valley.
32. Sonoma Valley
Sonoma Valley is another well-known wine region in the United States. In the Sonoma Valley, however, there are hardly as many tourists as in the nearby and famous Napa Valley.
In this wine region, the locals are quiet and peaceful, and nature is wilder. Well, and then it’s generally cheaper to stay in the Sonoma Valley – a huge plus! Of course, you can’t miss a wine tasting at one of the wineries during your visit to the Sonoma Valley.
33. Malibu
One of the very best places to visit in California is the beach town of Malibu. This beautiful city attracts surfers from all over the world with its famous surfing coast. One of the best places to see the surfers in action is at Surfrider Beach. You can also go for a walk on Malibu Pier or Zuma Beach, two other popular things to do in Malibu.
Malibu is also known for being home to many of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood, living along the coast or in the mountains. One of the best places to spot a Hollywood star is at Malibu Country Mart. If you’re very lucky you might spot Kendall Jenner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston, or another celebrity on shopping.
34. Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is a huge castle on a hilltop in the San Simeon area with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. This exclusive castle is among one of the greatest attractions in California and was built by the wealthy newspaper mogul, William Randolph Hearst.
The castle is built in Mediterranean style and has an impressive number of around 144 rooms, 3 swimming pools, several large gardens, and an impressive art collection. Hearst Castle is so huge that there are several different guided tours around the castle. Each tour lasts around 2-3 hours including the bus ride up the mountain.
Hearst Castle is one of the best and most popular places to visit in California, so it might be a good idea to book your tickets in advance – just to be sure!
35. Muir Woods National Monument
The Muir Woods National Monument is located a few miles north of San Francisco. And is a great alternative if you don’t have the time to visit the great national parks of California. This park isn’t particularly large, but you can still see the huge redwood trees up close. Many of the trees in the Muir Woods National Monument are up to 246 feet (75 meters) tall and some of them are more than 1,000 years old.
Note that the park quickly gets crowded in the summer due to the size and the location close to San Francisco. It may be a good idea to arrive early in the morning to avoid the worst crowds.
36. Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a wonderful oasis in the middle of the Californian desert with a myriad of palm trees, golf courses, hotels, restaurants, and shops. It is almost a rock-solid winner if you want to be sure that there’s sun at your holiday destination. In Palm Springs, the sun shines no less than 350 days a year!
Don’t forget to hop on Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the largest rotating cabin lift in the world. The tramway leads all the way up to Mount San Jacinto State Park with lots of spectacular 360-degree views along the way.
Inside the state park, on top of the mountain, nature is unique with wonderful and liberating fresh air. Go for a hike on one of the great hiking trails while enjoying the breathtaking views of the area.
So, that’s all on this list of the very best places to visit in California. What are your favorite things to do in California? What are you looking forward to on your trip to California? Feel free to leave a comment.
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We plan a trip to San José, California because of its diversity, beautiful scenery, and exceptionally high outputs. San Jose is a creative and thriving high-tech culture epicenter. We booked a flight to San Jose to explore the city’s economic hub and cultural traditions. After reading your blog we are excited to visit San Jose.