Things to do in California, Vibrant cities, beaches, amusement parks, and natural wonders like nowhere else on earth make California an interesting land of possibilities for travelers. The gateway cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles are home to some of the state’s most famous landmarks, from the Golden Gate Bridge to Hollywood and Disneyland.
But the national parks covering mountains, forests, deserts, coastal areas and islands offer their own outstanding experiences. The tallest and largest trees on Earth, the largest alpine lake in North America, and the famous landmarks of Yosemite, offer once in a lifetime opportunities for outdoor adventure.
1 San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most beautiful cities in America, San Francisco should be on everyone’s must-see list. The ocean and hills provide a stunning natural setting, but quaint neighborhoods, historic sites, green spaces, inspiring cultural institutions and a relaxed attitude make this city special.
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is one of the major landmarks and what many people come to mind when they think of the city and even California. The orange frame against the blue waters of San Francisco Bay, or the area that often pops out of the mist, is an unforgettable sight. You can appreciate the bridge from afar or, for a more personal experience, drive, walk, or even bike over it.
If you have time to explore the city and get a little exercise, check out some of the sights on foot. Families traveling with kids will find a world of activities to keep young and even older kids entertained when working with kids in San Francisco.
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2 Unique things to do in California Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park in Northern California is one of the most beautiful and most visited national parks in the United States. Mountains, valleys, rivers and spectacular waterfalls have attracted tourists, artists and athletes here for decades. The most important sights and things to do in Yosemite National Park are in Yosemite Valley.
Carved by glaciers during the last ice age, granite walls and towering waterfalls are some of the most outstanding features in the park. This is where you’ll find big-name attractions, like Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and El Capitan.
Unique things to do in California Yosemite National Park
Beyond the canyon are Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, both of which provide access to alpine areas, lookout points, and incredible views. Sometimes overlooked by tourists but worth visiting are the giant sequoias too. The largest stand is located in the southern part of the park, in Mariposa Grove.
One of the best ways to explore Yosemite is to venture out into the landscape on an incredible hiking trail. These range from easy-going routes along streams and lakes to life-changing routes that will take you to the top of mountain peaks and to the sites of famous landmarks. If you’re looking to spend a few nights and want to set up here for a while, you’ll also find several excellent campgrounds in Yosemite and the surrounding area.
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3 Tourist attractions in California Disneyland
Disneyland, located in Anaheim, is California’s premier family destination and has been for decades. This massive amusement park is home to all kinds of rides, games, shows and entertainment, complete with restaurants and hotels.
This park is a combination of theme rides and recreated worlds and cultures. You can have shows and other entertainment designed for both children and adults. Long line ups and wait times have been mitigated somewhat by the invention of passes, which give you “return times” to various attractions. However, when the kids are out of school, for summer, Christmas, spring break or any other holiday, you can be sure that the park will be very busy.
Keep in mind that there is more to Disneyland than the parks. The entire Disneyland resort experience includes hotels, dining, shopping, and Disney Adventure Park in the Downtown Disney District. Although the parks are definitely here to see, there is something for everyone in the family.
Official Site: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/
4 Fun things to do in California for adults Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park has some of California’s most inhospitable terrain, with extreme heat leaving this desert region astonishingly beautiful. Salt fields, dry steep lands, sand dunes, mountains, and lakes below sea level create a unique landscape in this remote valley. Visitors can drive through the park and stop at the lookout, hike short trails, see the ruins of the canyon’s former industry, and paddle across the shallow Badwater Lake, if there is anyone in the lake at the time. Have water
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5 Unique places to visit in California Big Sur
This scenic stretch along California’s central coast offers visitors the opportunity to get back to nature. Camping and hiking are two of the most popular activities in the area, and Garapata State Park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park are some of the best places for these activities.
Big Sur begins four miles south of Carmel in Yankee Point and extends along Highway No. 1 to Salmon Cove, 17 miles north of San Samon. There are great views over the picturesque shoreline from Highway 1. With 220 miles to the east stretches the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Ventana Forest, a surreal forest.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a great place for hikers, sunbathers, and those looking for a nature escape. The park has camping facilities and, for anyone looking for a little more comfort, Big Sur Lodge offers a peaceful retreat in a great location. One of the highlights in the park is Pfeiffer Falls, which is accessible by the Valley View Trail. A branch from this trail leads to the valley’s viewpoint with views extending to the ocean and the Big Sur River valley.
Garrapata State Park is another popular area of Big Sur. The main attraction here is Garpata Beach, a long, wide, crescent-shaped stretch of golden sand. The waves here can be big, and it may not be the best for swimming, but it is great for a walk and soaking up the sun. For those looking to get in a little exercise, the day hiking trails in the park also provide spectacular views of the beach, mountains, and redwoods.
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6 Attractions in California for families Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and is a popular year-round vacation destination. The blue lake, with its turquoise coves and surrounding mountain scenery, is a summer playground for boaters, beach-goers, campers, and nature lovers.
You’ll find excellent hiking trails for all abilities along the mountains and shoreline. Campgrounds are also excellent in this area, with many in beach locations or wooded areas. Most of the summer action is centered around the town of South Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is also California’s premiere skiing destination with several popular ski resorts. During the winter, skiers from across the United States descend on the area to take advantage of the incredible terrain and great snow conditions.
7 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
Home to the largest trees on Earth, a visit to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is a bucket-list itinerary. The sequoias here are some of the largest living things in the world, and many of them are over 2,000 years old, with some more than 3,000 years old.
These adjacent parks cover an area of mountains with majestic granite peaks, deep gorges, lakes, rivers and forests, but they are quite distinct from each other. If you plan to visit both parks, you will need at least two days.
Although both parks are home to giant sequoias, Sequoia National Park is arguably the best place to visit these ancient wonders. Easy walking trails, many of them meander through the trees, and provide easy access to major sites. The park is also home to Mt. Whitney, which at 14,495 feet is the tallest mountain in the US (besides Alaska).
You can find some beautiful campgrounds in Sequoia National Park, many of which are well-located for visiting trees and other attractions such as Morro Rock and the famous giant sequoias known as the famous Sherman Tree.
Kings Canyon National Park is more rugged and wild, with jagged peaks, roaring rivers and remote sections where you can escape the crowds and enjoy nature. This is a popular park for hiking. You’ll also find some incredible campgrounds in Kings Canyon close to the trees, in the Grant Grove area, and in the Cedar Grove area at the far end of the 26-mile Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.
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8 Unique places to visit in California Redwood National & State Park
Walking through a forest of vast redwoods, more than 300 feet above you, feels like entering another era. Descendants of trees from the Jurassic period, these are the tallest trees on the planet, and they are truly one of California’s greatest treasures.
These jointly managed parks, which include Redwoods National Park, Jedehiah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, are spread along a spectacular portion of the Northern California coast. Each offers something a little different, but in all of them you can find great hiking trails and beautiful campgrounds.
9 Place to visit in northern California Joshua Tree National Park
This park is truly a jewel in the desert. Joshua’s trees bring a kind of magic to this moon-like landscape, where towering stone and rock formations create unique shapes that capture the imagination. The park covers 800,000 acres and offers a wide variety of diversity that includes more than just Joshua trees.
The Chola Cactus Garden, where the Chola hillside stretches endlessly along the mountains, the ruins of the historic Key Ranch, the towering palms of the Lost Palms Oasis, and the more than 5,000 feet vistas at Keys View are just a few of the highlights. If you’re going to stay for a while, you may want to consider spending the night under the stars and trees at one of the spectacular campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park.
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10 Tourist attractions Universal Studios Hollywood
This amusement park and movie studio is one of California’s most popular attractions, and an ideal location for families with older children and teens. The rides and sets are based on famous movies, from shockingly realistic simulator roads to roller coasters and much more.
You can tour the giant set on organized studio tours. Some of the most popular experiences in the park are the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Fast and Furious – Supercharged and The Walking Dead attractions. You’ll also find food, shows, unique shopping opportunities, and various events held throughout the year.
11 unique places to visit in California SeaWorld San Diego
This theme park is a classic family destination, attracting people from all over the western United States. Orca and dolphin shows, opportunities for encounters with some favorite marine life, and thrill rides are the main attractions. San Diego’s SeaWorld is strategically located along the coast in Mission Bay.
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12 Historical places to visit in northern California Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle, officially known as the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument. It was begun in 1919 and built over a period of 28 years. Resulting in a mix of architectural styles that made it quirky at the same time. and made it beautiful. Built by newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, the 165-room palace was never completed. It sits atop a hill at an elevation of 1,600 feet and offers spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Lucia Range.
One of the major attractions here is the huge collection of art. At one time, the palace was home to the largest private zoo in the world. This day, zebras and other exotic wildlife can be seen roaming the grounds. The palace is located approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The drive time from either city is about four hours.
Official site: http://hearstcastle.org/
13 Tourist attractions in California Santa Catalina Island
Part of the Channel Islands, Santa Catalina is located 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles. The island is a popular destination with boaters and day trippers. Avalon is the main population center and is where most of the work is concentrated. At the other end of the island is the very small village of Do Harbour.
While most people come to Santa Catalina Island and enjoy the day off. Other popular things to do include glass bottom boat tours, scuba diving, kayaking, and parasailing. You can reach the island by ferry from San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach and Dana Point.
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14 Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park, made up of five separate islands, is a great place to see wildlife and a little unspoiled nature. The islands are accessible only by park concession boats and planes, or by private yachts. You can learn about current conditions and arrange transportation to the mainland visitor centers located in Ventura and Santa Barbara.
Official Site: http://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm