Exploring California: 15 Must-Visit Places and What to Do There

California is one of the most visited places in the United States, and as a born and bred Californian, I think it’s easy to see why.

Although my opinion may be a little (a lot) biased, California is known all over the world for its beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cities. Visitors flock here to catch a glimpse of the world-famous Hollywood sign or the unmatchable natural beauty in Yosemite National Park (my home!)

California has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for mountains, beaches, deserts, cities, or any combination in between, here are 15 must-visit places for anyone coming out to the Golden State.

If you’d like to book any activities, adventures, travels, etc here or anywhere else in California, shoot me an e-mail and let me help!

1. San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and popular cities in Northern California. Located just outside of Silicon Valley, the tech hub of the world, SF is known for its iconic landmarks, steep hills, and colorful houses. This is also one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world, with the Castro being home to some of the most iconic gay events like San Francisco Pride and the Fulsom Street Fair.

Outside of the themed events, here are some experiences you can try out for yourself year-round:

Take a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. So recognizable, in fact, that so many people attended its 50th anniversary in 1987 that the bridge flattened and lowered down 7 feet.
Visit Alcatraz Island, which was once a federal prison and is now a National Historic Landmark. Although known for its time housing some of the most notorious prisoners in history, Alcatraz was also home to the Pacific Coast’s first lighthouse, first activated in 1854.
Explore the famous Fisherman's Wharf, which offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions. While you’re here, take a drive up and down Lombard Street, which is said to be the most crooked street in the world due to its eight sharp hairpin turns in one block. Due to the steepness of the hill, the street is thought to be so crooked as a safety measure.

2. Los Angeles

If you’ve never heard of Los Angeles, you’ve never heard of California. Los Angeles is basically the only thing people even think of when it comes to California. LA plays home to the state’s largest city, known for Hollywood and all things media, unbeatable beaches, and vibrant culture.

Also, spoiler alert: LA is nowhere near SF, so don’t expect to see both places in one day! That said, here are some things to do in LA:

Visit the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, which features more than 2,600 stars honoring celebrities in the entertainment industry. While you’re at it, you can also hike up to the Hollywood sign, which was actually created as a real estate advertisement.
Take a tour of Universal Studios Hollywood, one of the most popular theme parks in the world. I mean, you can visit Hogwarts and call the Ministry of Magic from your phone here, which should be reason enough!
Explore the Getty Center, which is a free museum that features beautiful architecture, gardens, and a vast collection of art. To help combat the wildfire dilemmas that often plague California, goats are rented every spring to eat the brush around the surrounding hills.

3. San Diego

*Photo by* *Alejandro Luengo* *via Unsplash*

If you don’t go to San Diego, you’re literally missing out on America’s Finest City. I could also hold another bias toward this city, as it is my current home at the time of this writing. This beautiful Southern California coastal city has some of the most incredible beaches in the world and also boasts some amazing museums, parks, and attractions.

The freeway system is actually extremely convenient here, so while you’re in town, consider the following options:

Explore Balboa Park, which was built as a labor of love for the city and offers museums like the Museum of Us (with the unforgettable cannibal exhibit), the Air and Space Museum, and the San Diego Zoo, to name a few. Visitors can (and should) consider the Balboa Park Explorer Pass, which offers either one-week passes to all museums, annual passes to all museums, or 4-museum passes if you’d like to choose only a few. None of these passes included access to the zoo.
Try out Belmont Park or San Diego Sea World if you’re looking for some rollercoaster action or some thrills. Belmont Park is free to enter and you only have to pay for the rides you do. The most popular rollercoaster here is the Giant Dipper, which underwent a $2 million dollar restoration in the 90s.
Any beach here will do. Really, any beach here will do. However, if you’re looking for something a little more “risqué,” check out Blacks Beach, which is San Diego’s nude beach. Although there is quite the hike getting down there, it’s a great place to surf and bird watch, even if you choose to keep your clothes on.

4. Lake Tahoe

*Photo by* *Tim Peterson* *via Unsplash*

A lot of people forget about the mountains in California, and Lake Tahoe is no exception. This stunning alpine lake sits on the border of California and Nevada (where you can also gamble, should you please) and is known for its clear blue water and awesome views of the surrounding Sierra Nevadas.

If you head out to this beautiful California gem, here are a few things you should do:

Enjoy a nice parasail over the lake. This might not be the best option for those afraid of heights, but those who like a little thrill will love the views you can get from anywhere between 400 to 1200 feet in the air. There are a few places that offer the option, so check them out to see which one best suits your needs and budget.
Visit the Emerald Bay State Park, which features hiking trails, camping sites, and beautiful scenery. Apart from the glacier-carved granite, this state park also plays home to California’s first underwater park, which opened to the public in 2018 for a maritime heritage underwater trail to showcase Tahoe’s historical recreational watercraft and barges.
Take a ride on the Heavenly Gondola, which offers breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. This is also a great spot for skiing during the winter months, if that’s something that suits you. The gondola covers 2.4 miles of cable in 11 minutes and 45 seconds, covering an average of 1,200 feet per minute, making it among the fastest in North America.

5. Napa Valley

*Photo by* *Sebastien Gabriel* *via Unsplash*

Napa Valley is a world-renowned wine-growing region located in Northern California, known for its vineyards, wineries, and beautiful landscapes. Although their wine has made a name for itself around the world, it actually only accounts for 4% of California’s wine production and only .04% of the world’s wine. Who would have thought, since it hardly seems like a wine menu is without at least one bottle from the region?

To experience the wine for yourself among other adventures, here are some ideas for a Napa visit:

Visit some of the world-famous wineries such as Robert Mondavi Winery, Castello di Amorosa, and Beringer Vineyards. These are only a few of around 400 wineries or so in the area (not even touching what’s going on next door in Sonoma), and the wine industry here goes back to 1858 — just about as long as California’s been an official state.
Enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards and beautiful countryside. This is definitely not something people immediately think of when it comes to Napa, but those who know the region well know this is an awesome option. Check the directory for options.
Explore the beautiful downtown Napa, which offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions. The downtown area may not have gotten its first traffic light until 1972, but it’s gone on to act as a great representation of all the vibrant culture in Napa.

6. Yosemite National Park

*Photo by* *Daniel Cultrera* *via Unsplash*

My home! Yes, born and raised, although not in the park itself, but just south in a wee little town called Oakhurst. Just in case you didn’t know, Yosemite National Park is a stunning natural wonder located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, known for its waterfalls, valleys, and granite cliffs.

This is a place that can’t be explained, but simply must be witnessed. While you’re here, consider the following:

Explore Yosemite Valley, which features stunning waterfalls, rock formations, and wildlife. Among these is Yosemite Falls, which is the tallest in North America and among the tallest in the world. During your exploration, you should also stop in Curry Village to do all the touristy things, and splurge on a lunch in the Ahwahnee Hotel.
Hike Half Dome, which is among the most iconic natural landscapes within Yosemite Valley (and arguably the world). This granite dome has cables and boards carefully placed up the back to help climbers up, but be careful and move slowly! From the valley floor, be sure to look for the face of the woman on the rock, who’s thought to be based on a Native American legend involving the separation of two lovers (with the other lover being El Capitan right across the way.)
Visit Mariposa Grove, which features over 500 mature Giant Sequoias. Located in the southern portion of Yosemite (near Oakhurst!), the grove is found right after you enter the park and includes the legendary Grizzly Giant, which stands over 200 feet tall and is believed to be upward of 3000 years old. It also includes the California Tunnel Tree, popular for being able to drive through the trunk and take a picture.

7. Monterey

*Photo by* *Jeffrey Eisen* *via Unsplash*

My second home! After growing up in Yosemite and before living in San Diego, I spent 15 years in the beautiful coastal city of Monterey, located in Central California, known for its beautiful beaches, seafood, aquarium, and acting as the backdrop for HBO’s Big Little Lies (although, I’m sorry to say, that bridge they drive over is actually in Big Sur [keep reading] and their houses are mostly in LA.)

Regardless, Monterey Bay is a perfect weekend getaway, and while you’re in town, here are some things to do:

Explore Cannery Row, which was originally made famous by the John Steinbeck novel of the same name. Here’s where you’ll find the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. The aquarium is known for many things, among them the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch for a guide to sustainable eating.
Walk around downtown and look for places like California’s First Theater and the first safe inside the Joseph Boston Store. While you’re there, you can also check out the Robert Louis Stephenson House, which is thought to be haunted. Louis Stephenson is famous for books like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Treasure Island, which was thought to be written about the nearby Point Lobos Reserve.
Gawk over the houses, the beach, and a beautiful stretch of the California Highway 1 coastline. Houses on the border of Pacific Grove especially are quite impressive, and you can also venture over into the 17-mile drive, which includes the 250-year-old Lone Cypress Tree.

8. Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a beautiful coastal city located in Southern California, known for its Spanish colonial architecture, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture. The oldest human fossils found in the US were excavated around 30 miles from downtown Santa Barbara, which is always a fun fact to carry.

Besides that, here are a few things you can actually check out and do in Santa Barbara:

Visit the Santa Barbara Mission, which is a beautiful historic landmark and offers guided tours. The mission was rebuilt and restored twice, once in 1812 and again in 1925 due to the earthquakes California is known for.
Take a stroll along the beautiful Santa Barbara Pier, which offers stunning ocean views and delicious seafood restaurants. When it opened in 1872, it was the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco. While you’re in the area, feel free to lounge around on beaches like Arroyo Burro Beach, East Beach, and Butterfly Beach.
Visit the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which features over 78 acres of native plants, hiking trails, and stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains. With over 1,000 plants, trees, and flowers to help exemplify the beauty, take in some views of the surrounding Santa Ynez mountains and Santa Barbara’s Channel Islands while you’re at it.

9. Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert city located in Southern California, known for its hot springs, golf courses, and mid-century modern architecture. It’s also a gateway to Coachella Valley, which is known for its massive music festival (you may or may not have heard of it.)

Although it’s hot and dry, here are some great activities for you to try out while you’re here:

Visit the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which offers breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley and the surrounding mountains. The tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car and drops you off at the top of the 8500-foot Mount Station for the apex of some of the best mountain views you’ll ever see.
Explore the Palm Springs Art Museum, which features a variety of contemporary and modern art collections. First founded in 1938, this massive museum also includes the 433-seat Annenberg Theater, which is a great place for live performances and events.
Relax in one of the many hot springs and spas located throughout the city. There are about 15 or so to choose from, and each offers a unique and memorable experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

10. Joshua Tree National Park

*Photo by* *Cedric Letsch* *via Unsplsh*

Joshua Tree National Park is a beautiful desert wonder located in Southern California, known for its unique rock formations, Joshua trees, and stunning landscapes. It feels almost like you’re on Mars, and it’s hard to believe a place like this actually exists on our planet (let alone in a state that also houses places like Yosemite.)

To get the most out of an inspiring visit to Joshua Tree, here are some tips for things to do:

Hike the Hidden Valley Trail, which offers stunning views of the rock formations and wildlife. This easy 1-mile loop is accessible to all, but you should note that dogs are not accepted on the trail.
Rock climb or boulder at one of the many popular climbing spots in the park. Among the more popular are the Jumbo Rocks, which are frequented in part due to their ease of access. They’re also fun to play around on for people who aren’t rock climbing pros and simply want an intro to bouldering.
Stargaze at night, as Joshua Tree National Park is known for its clear and starry skies. The park was awarded a Dark Sky Park status from the International Dark-Sky Association and is regularly among the top national parks to visit for stargazing.

11. Santa Cruz

Another great Central California location is none other than Santa Cruz, known for the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Santa Cruz Beachwalk, and surfing culture. Santa Cruz is sort of a niche world all in its own and offers an eclectic gathering of people, places, and things to do.

While you’re here, consider these options to fill your time:

Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which features classic rides and attractions, as well as a beautiful beach. As with Belmont Park in San Diego, the boardwalk is free to enter and you only pay for what you want to do. It also offers a Giant Dipper of its own, which has been featured in movies like “The Lost Boys,” “Sudden Impact,” and “Dangerous Minds.”
Explore the Natural Bridges State Beach, which offers stunning ocean views, tide pools, and a natural bridge rock formation across a section of beach. It’s also a great place to see monarch butterfly migrations, as the natural bridge acts as a safe haven for them during the winter.
Go zipling through the Santa Cruz Redwoods. This was something I tried out for my 27th birthday, and it was awesome. With 6 ziplines and a maximum height of 150 feet during a 2-hour adventure, this is a great option for anyone seeking a little thrill.

12. Big Sur

*Photo by* *Spencer Davis* *via Unsplash*

Big Sur is one of the most jaw-dropping coastal regions in Central California, just south of Monterey Bay. This area is known for the rugged coastline (that sometimes falls into the ocean, be careful during rainstorms), hikes within the redwood forests, and impeccable views of the ocean and coast. Oh, and, of course, that bridge (pictured), made extra famous by Big Little Lies.

Be mindful when you visit Big Sur, and that’s all I have to say about that. With that in mind, consider the following:

Visit McWay Falls, a stunning waterfall that falls onto a pristine beach below. This is located in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and the waterfall dumps into the ocean during high tide. The cove that the waterfall is in is relatively inaccessible, so it’s safer to take your pictures from a distance.
Explore any of the hikes. There’s the Tanbark Tin House that explores an abandoned house at the top of the ridge, Cone Peak, and Pfeiffer falls, just to name a few. Check out the list and explore the many hikes right at your fingertips.
Stop in for a lunch at Nepenthe. This is one of the few places to do so in Big Sur that doesn’t require you to bring in food for yourself, and offers some of the best views from a restaurant in the whole state. “Nepenthe” is a Greek word for “no sorrow,” and you’ll certainly forget all your sorrows and cares during any time spent here.

13. Pismo Beach

*Photo by* *Tim Mossholder* *via Unsplash*

Pismo Beach is my favorite vacation spot in all of California, and I have no problem saying it. It’s known for its pristine beaches, sand dunes, and a plethora of outdoor recreation, as well as playing home to San Luis Obispo’s Cal Poly college.

To me, this is quintessential California beach town, so while you’re here, consider the following:

Explore the beautiful sand dunes at the Pismo State Beach, which offers stunning views and outdoor recreation such as dune buggy riding and horseback riding. Check out the ATV rentals for an awesome off-roading adventure (but be careful!) You can also take that horseback ride during the sunset, which is sure to become a core memory.
Relax on one of the many beautiful beaches, such as Shell Beach or Avila Beach. These other beaches are connected to Pismo and all easily accessible to each other. They showcase both the glitz and glam and the natural side of California. During low tide, you can also visit the caves on Pismo Beach.
Visit Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo. This kinda-cool, kinda-gross alley is full of people’s bubblegum, covering a 15-foot high by 70-foot length wall. No one really knows how it started, but it’s been around for at least 50 years, and includes at least two pieces of gum from yours truly.

14. Humboldt County

Humboldt County is a beautiful coastal region located in Northern California, known for its stunning redwood forests, pristine beaches, and charming small towns. Those who enjoy a little 420 probably know Humboldt County as a top producer of cannabis in the state.

Even if that’s not your thing, there’s still plenty to check out, like:

The majestic old-growth redwood forests at the Redwood National and State Parks, which offer hiking, camping, and stunning scenic drives. This plays home to the largest remaining contiguous old-growth coastal redwood forest (try saying that five times fast) in the word, with over 17,000 acres of forest never being logged. The Avenue of the Giants scenic drive is a must!
Visit the charming coastal towns of Arcata and Eureka, which are known for their Victorian architecture, art galleries, and local cuisine. Eureka is also known as the “Victorian Seaport,” with more Victorian buildings per capita than anywhere in California. Among the Victorian homes is the Carson Mansion, which was the insporation for Duckberg, the hometown of Scrooge and Donald Duck.
Relax on the pristine beaches of Trinidad, Moonstone Beach, or Big Lagoon, which offer beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and opportunities for outdoor recreation such as surfing, fishing, and kayaking. The best time to visit is during the low tide, otherwise you run the risk of getting trapped against the cliffs.

15. Death Valley National Park

*Photo by* *Johannes Plemio* *via Unsplash*

Death Valley National Park is a stunning desert wonderland located in Eastern California, known for its extreme temperatures, stunning landscapes, and unique geology. This is the hottest, driest, and lowest point in North America, but we’ll talk about that more in a minute.

This is truly a place that’s a sight to see, so while you’re here, consider the following:

Visit Badwater Basin, the actual lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, and walk on the salt flats that cover the basin. There’s a collection of salt along the ground from temporary lakes formed from runoff rain, and after the water evaporates, the salt and minerals are collected and left behind.
Hike to Zabriskie Point, which offers stunning panoramic views of the park's unique rock formations and canyons. The most prominent view comes from Manly Beacon, standing at 823 feet tall and named after one of the first gold rush 49ers to visit the area.
Watch the sunset or stargaze at Dante's View, which offers breathtaking views of the park and its surrounding mountains. As a polar opposite to Badwater Basin, this peak sits at a 5,575 foot elevation and is great in either day or night. Death Valley, too, is an International Dark Sky Park, so this is a great place to humble yourself under the Milky Way.

So... Where to First?

This hardly even scratches the surface on all the incredible things California has to offer. Most people think we’re only made up of LA, San Diego, and San Francisco (and yes, I know they’re on this list, and still for good reason), but there’s so much more to the Golden State than what frequently makes the media.

Whatever the climate, whatever the culture, whatever the landscape, California has it all, and it’s worth every penny.

Have you been to California before? Where are some of your favorite places? Anything on the list I missed? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments!