12 Best Places To Visit In California
Widely known as the epicenter of celebrities, filmmaking, and amusement parks, California is indeed the land of the famous. But beyond the well-known faces and movie studios, the US State of California is also home to a rich backdrop of history, technological innovation, natural beauty, and iconic landmarks. From Silicon Valley to the Golden Gate Bridge to the renowned Giant Redwood trees, California is packed with culture, tasty food, possibility, and plenty of exciting adventures. The article lists the 12 Best Places to Visit in California.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the nation's second-largest city and undoubtedly the most visited major city in California. Surrounded by mountains, valleys, and the Pacific Coast, Los Angeles is a central spot for a wide variety of attractions, parks, beaches, museums, tours, restaurants, shops, and more! This city of four million and its surrounding areas are home to such amusement parks as Universal Studios Hollywood, and Disneyland (in nearby Anaheim). It is the heart of Hollywood and the American film industry. Tourists can visit the city's neighborhoods, such as Beverly Hills, for celebrity sightings or take a tour of any major film studios. And a photo op on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is surely not to be missed!
San Francisco
Renowned for its iconic sights, its vast scenic beauty, and even its infamously cool climate, San Francisco is one of California's most well-known destinations. Positioned between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, this northern California city is amongst the United States' most popular tourist destinations. The city's steep hills, iconic cable cars, and stunning homes (often with charming Victorian architecture) make a walk or a drive a visually exotic experience, while an assortment of museums, theatres, shopping retailers, and unique restaurants ensure an outing in San Francisco is an exceptional one. Tourists can congregate at Union Square or the famed Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, site of magnificent views of the Bay, sunbathing sea lions, great dining options, and the Golden Gate Bridge. And, of course, any visitor should make sure to see the infamous Alcatraz Island and Penitentiary firsthand, an iconic historic landmark that has uniquely shaped American popular culture.
Death Valley
An unforgiving and harsh desert environment, Death Valley lies in the Death Valley National Park in the Mojave Desert. With truly spectacular scenery and landscapes that include multicolored sand dunes and snow-capped mountain peaks, the views in Death Valley are unlike any other in the State. Besides the natural wonders, tourists can enjoy human marvels like the historic Spanish villa Scotty’s Castle (though it has been closed due to flooding since 2015) and the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns. Death Valley is also home to the lowest point in North America - the barren Badwater Basin and Furnace Creek - one of the hottest places on Earth.
San Diego
The home of miles of beaches, golden sand, and a famous surfing scene, San Diego has been affectionately called “America’s Finest City.” The state’s second-largest city, this Southern California metropolis is just a 30-minute drive from the Mexican border and the city of Tijuana. Although lounging on the beach is certainly a must-do activity, San Diego is also a culturally and historically rich city with fantastic museums, attractions, and historical sights. In Balboa Park, tourists get to see the world-renowned San Diego Zoo (first opened in 1916), while a visit to the ocean life-oriented theme park and aquarium Sea World will satisfy guests of all ages. In the downtown, an assortment of restaurants, bars, shopping centers, and beautiful historic buildings populate the scenery, while the esteemed San Diego Comic-Con occupies the city’s convention center every July. Naturally, spending time outdoors is always required when in San Diego, with plenty of swimming, surfing, hiking, cycling, and boating opportunities.
Napa Valley
Famed for its world-class wineries and breathtaking landscapes, Napa Valley is one of California's Bay Area's most popular tourist sights. With rolling hills and fertile vineyards, tourists and even locals flock to try the region's delicious wines, gourmet cafes, and restaurants and even take a relaxing spa session or two. Napa Valley offers plenty of luxury resorts, boutique shops and hotels, golf courses, horse ranches, and hiking trails. For the very adventurous, hot air balloon rides provide an exquisite and unforgettable view. And without a doubt, the region's more than 200 wineries will provide ample opportunity for any visitor to enjoy local wines and the California sunshine!
Santa Barbara
Just 160km northwest of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is an ideal destination for a weekend getaway or day trip. Located between the Pacific Ocean and the slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the City of Santa Barbara is a picturesque and pleasant coastal paradise, informally known as the “American Riviera.” Many cultural events and festivals are held throughout the year, while an abundance of beautiful parks, beaches, and vineyards make a day in the City never a dull one. Charming old-style Spanish architecture next to palm tree-lined streets and boulevards makes walking or driving through town a most beautiful trip, with plenty of photo opportunities. In short, any visitor to Santa Barbara will never have a shortage of activities and scenic views.
Channel Islands
Along California’s southern coastline, the Channel Islands are a series of eight small islands in the Pacific Ocean. With beautiful beaches, rugged canyons and cliffs, and trails galore, these often-forgotten gems of California are an extraordinary place to discover and explore. Five of the Islands lie within the Channel Islands National Park, which officially protects the local ecosystem, while two are inaccessible due to their use by the United States Navy. Only Santa Catalina Island has permanent residents, with a population of 4,000. A tourist resort since the 1920s, Catalina Island, is a popular day trip from Los Angeles, just 35 kilometers away. Fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, hiking, rock climbing, and animal watching are among the many activities available in the area. A place of settlement for indigenous people, tourists will also not want to miss a visit to the Catalina Island Museum, which details Channel Island’s history and geographic significance.
Carmel-By-The-Sea
Situated on California’s Pacific Coast Highway and just south of Monterey Bay, Carmel By The Sea is a charming town with radiant scenery. With cliffs, hills, and vast vistas of the Pacific, this oceanside settlement has been a popular destination for tourists and a creative place of influence for artists and writers for many decades. A former artists’ colony, Carmel By The Sea is filled with charming old houses and cottages, as well a plethora of locally-owned galleries and artists’ studios. With cute inns, boutique stores, small cafes, and unique California dining, tourists to this town will leave with a most memorable photogenic experience. And of course, the famed and beautiful white sand of Carmel Beach will undoubtedly leave its mark, as an unforgettable sunset creates imagery like no other.
Laguna Beach
Tourists who descend on Laguna Beach, one hour south of Los Angeles, will be treated to a beautiful locale with a very Mediterranean feeling. A host of luxury resorts and stunning beaches, this seaside city is also known for its bustling and thriving artistic community. An array of art galleries and public sculptures can be seen all around town, while the local residences are works of art in themselves. Charming and quaint cottages dot the landscape, while local artists and other craftspeople highlight their work at the many arts festivals held throughout the year. Among those of note include the Sawdust Festival and the Pageant of the Masters. The eponymous Laguna Beach cannot be forgotten, with its spectacular views of rugged cliffs, golden sands, and secluded coves. The tourists and residents can enjoy its pristine waters and take advantage of all the opportunities like surfing, scuba diving, and old-fashioned swimming.
Joshua Tree National Park
Spanning an area of 3,199.6 sq. km, Joshua Tree National Park lies 205 kilometers east of Los Angeles and includes portions of both the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. A stunning habitat for a wide array of animals like coyotes, eagles, and rattlesnakes, the park's floral and faunal diversity is astounding. Named after the unique Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia) that populate much of the landscape, a visit to this park will satisfy all tourists with a profound love of nature. Visitors must explore the park's rock formations, mountains, and canyons and then spend the remaining time camping under the stars in one of California's most special places.
Palm Springs
Known for its modern architecture, Palm Springs is a desert-resort city situated within the Coachella Valley of the Colorado Desert. Popular among golfers and outdoor enthusiasts, the town has a sizeable retiree population who stay for moderate temperatures. With a plethora of museums, galleries, restaurants, shops all around, and the San Jacinto Mountains in the background, Palm Springs is a relaxing and culturally rich city that represents some of California's very best.
Santa Monica
A beachfront city on Santa Monica Bay, the city of Santa Monica is a laidback community surrounded by the larger Los Angeles metropolitan area. For visitors and residents alike, it is a welcome break from the busyness of downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood. Sought after for its beaches and hot sun, Santa Monica was developed as a modern settlement in the early 20th century, as Los Angeles also grew rapidly. Tourists can enjoy beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean at the Santa Monica Pier and partake in several beach activities like swimming, surfing, and volleyball. A ride on the Ferris wheel provides fantastic views, while the arts-inclined tourist will surely relish the plethora of local galleries and street murals across town. In addition to this, a wealth of shops, restaurants, bars, and themed hotels and a stay in Santa Monica will surely be amongst the most memorable of any visit to California.
