Top 10 things to do in California travel guide | discover the top picks with personal experience
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In this blog, we’ll show you the Top 10 things to do in California. Also, share your California experience or suggestions in the comments below.
Discover the top 10 things to do in California, from breathtaking national parks and scenic coastal drives to iconic cities, theme parks, and hidden gems. Explore stunning beaches, adventure trails, and must-visit attractions. Plan your ultimate California getaway today!
Here are our top ten picks:
NUMBER 10: San Diego
- Explore stunning beaches and scenic coastal views.
- Visit the famous San Diego Zoo.
- Enjoy vibrant nightlife and delicious seafood.
- Discover Balboa Park’s museums and gardens.
San Diego is known as one of the most laid-back cities in the U.S. Sunny beaches, beautiful parks, and a warm climate offer a relaxing experience. Visit Balboa Park, which features an array of art galleries, museums, and gardens, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Drive to the beautiful Coronado, a peninsula connected to San Diego by the impressive Coronado Bridge, or visit La Jolla Cove for amazing ocean views.
Charming downtown neighborhoods, such as Little Italy and the historic Gaslamp Quarter, offer a great dining experience and endless nightlife possibilities.
San Diego is also a great destination for history buffs. The first settlement in California is located in Old Town San Diego, which is full of old-style buildings, authentic restaurants, and museums.
San Diego is the birthplace of naval aviation and is home to the USS Midway, a decommissioned aircraft carrier that is now a museum.
Check out our Top 10 San Diego Travel Guide for more information.
NUMBER 9: Imperial Sand Dunes
- Experience thrilling off-road adventures.
- Explore vast, scenic desert landscapes.
- Enjoy sandboarding on massive dunes.
- Capture stunning sunset photography.
Located on the border with Arizona and Mexico, California offers a unique attraction: a 45-mile-long sand dune field.
Something you would expect to see in the Sahara, not in North America, right?
The Imperial Sand Dunes, also called the Algodones Dunes, were formed by the sands of an ancient lake that, of course, no longer exists. The dunes can reach heights of 300 feet or more, creating the illusion of an endless landscape.
The dunes are a popular spot for off-road enthusiasts, and over one million people visit them every year. You can simply drive through the dunes and stop at Osborne, or plan a camping expedition—either way, visiting the dunes is a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Imperial Sand Dunes are also a common filming location for famous Hollywood movies, such as Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Don’t miss the nearby Salton Sea—a unique, shrinking saline lake. Once a popular vacation spot in the ’50s and ’60s, it now has a ghost town-like shoreline.
NUMBER 8: Palm Springs
- Relax in luxurious resorts and spas.
- Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
- Explore scenic hiking trails and oases.
- Visit mid-century modern architecture spots.
Palm Springs is a desert resort city located in Coachella Valley. It is known for its year-round sunshine, boutique hotels, festivals, great recreational opportunities, and, of course, palm trees.
The city became a popular getaway for Hollywood stars in the 1930s and later developed into one of the best vacation spots in California.
Palm Springs is home to numerous luxury resorts, charming hotels, and over 100 golf courses, and it is often referred to as the golf capital of the world.
Downtown Palm Springs will impress you with its mid-century modern architecture, vibrant art scene, and great restaurants—although you can expect to wait in line for a table, especially on weekends.
Did you know that Palm Springs has over 50,000 pools—more pools per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.?
Don’t forget to visit Palm Springs’ surroundings, including the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which is the world’s largest rotating tramcar. You can also see the giant palm trees in the beautiful Thousand Palm Oasis or take an interesting and unique windmill tour.
NUMBER 7: Orange County
- Relax on stunning beaches like Laguna Beach.
- Visit Disneyland for a magical experience.
- Explore vibrant dining and shopping scenes.
- Enjoy outdoor adventures and scenic trails.
Orange County is a large metropolitan area located south of Los Angeles and a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, high-end shopping and dining, and other attractions.
Disneyland, the second most visited theme park in the world, is located in Anaheim, Orange County.
Some of the best places to visit in Orange County include Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach—great spots for surfing or spending a relaxing day at the beach. You’ll find many interesting and unique shops and restaurants in Orange County, such as handcrafted churros, ice cream made with liquid nitrogen, and many other places perfect for your next most-liked Instagram photo.
Check the description for a list of interesting places in OC.
While Orange County is known for its relaxed atmosphere, it is also home to many Fortune 500 companies.
NUMBER 6: Los Angeles
- Visit Hollywood and the Walk of Fame.
- Explore iconic beaches like Santa Monica.
- Tour world-famous museums and attractions.
- Enjoy vibrant nightlife and gourmet dining.
Los Angeles is the biggest city in California, known for its good climate, ethnic diversity, and, of course, the entertainment industry.
Some of the best places in and around Los Angeles include the famous Santa Monica Pier, free-spirited Venice Beach, Hollywood with Universal Studios, and Beverly Hills with the world’s most expensive shopping street, Rodeo Drive. Downtown Los Angeles also has a growing culinary scene and attractions such as OUE Skyspace LA, a glass slide at the top of the U.S. Bank Tower.
Los Angeles is home to over 800 museums and art galleries, such as LACMA and the Getty Museum. In fact, LA has more museums per capita than any other city in the world. Los Angeles is spread out and known for its slow traffic. The average traveler experiences over 72 hours of traffic delays per year, so be prepared to be stuck in traffic often.
Speaking of roads, did you know that the famous Route 66 ends at Santa Monica Pier?
If you have time, you can also visit the nearby Channel Islands, a group of eight islands just off the coast of Los Angeles.
Check out our Top 10 Los Angeles Travel Guide for more information. Most Santa Barbara attractions are conveniently located near each other, so you can easily explore the beautiful streets and amazing beaches of Santa Barbara on foot.
Visit Mission Santa Barbara, a magnificent church built in 1820, or Stearns Wharf, a pier with numerous restaurants, specialty shops, a Sea Center and Museum of Natural History, and, of course, amazing views of the beaches and the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains.
NUMBER 4: National Parks
- Explore Yosemite’s waterfalls and scenic trails.
- Discover Joshua Tree’s unique desert landscapes.
- Hike through the stunning Redwoods forests.
- Experience wildlife and breathtaking views.
California is home to some of the most exceptional national parks and preserves in the U.S.:
- Joshua Tree National Park, located at the crossroads of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, features a surreal geologic landscape and rich cultural history.
- Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth, is located in the northern Mojave Desert. Don’t miss Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, with an elevation of 282 feet below sea level.
- Mojave National Preserve, located between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, is home to the breathtaking Kelso Dunes.
- Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, offers amazing hikes through waterfalls, sequoia groves, streams, meadows, and beautiful granite mountains.
- Redwood National Park, located on the coast of Northern California, is home to the world’s tallest trees. If you don’t have time to drive all the way north but still want to see giant trees, you can visit Sequoia National Forest, located about 200 miles from Los Angeles.
If you plan to visit more than one national park, make sure to keep your receipts. Once you’ve spent over $80, you can redeem them for an annual pass, which grants access to all U.S. national parks.
NUMBER 3: Pacific Coast Highway
- Enjoy stunning ocean views on a scenic drive.
- Explore charming coastal towns and beaches.
- Visit iconic stops like Big Sur and Malibu.
- Capture breathtaking sunset photography spots.
What better way to explore California than by taking a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway? Of course, there are faster ways to travel from one point to another in California, but Pacific Coast Highway—also referred to as California State Route 1—offers an unforgettable journey, showcasing everything from hidden beaches full of seals and seagulls to breathtaking views at Big Sur, jagged sea cliffs, and other surprises.
You can take the epic Highway One between San Francisco and Los Angeles and stop at one of these must-visit places:
- Big Sur and McWay Falls
- Ragged Point
- Elephant Seal Vista Point
- Hearst Castle
Of course, there are many other incredible attractions and hidden gems along Pacific Coast Highway.
NUMBER 2: San Francisco
- Walk across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
- Explore Alcatraz Island’s historic prison tours.
- Ride the famous cable cars through the city.
- Discover Fisherman’s Wharf and delicious seafood.
San Francisco is the cultural and financial center of Northern California. The city sits on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay and is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks:
- Golden Gate Bridge – one of the most famous bridges in the world
- Steep rolling hills with historic cable cars
- Alcatraz Island – home to the infamous Alcatraz Prison
- The largest Chinatown outside Asia
- Many other world-renowned attractions
Don’t miss Silicon Valley, the global innovation hub and home to the world’s largest high-tech companies.
Check out our Top 10 San Francisco Travel Guide for more information.
NUMBER 1: Napa Valley
- Tour world-renowned wineries and vineyards.
- Enjoy wine tasting in scenic landscapes.
- Relax in luxurious spas and resorts.
- Explore charming towns like St. Helena.
Located about an hour’s drive from San Francisco, Napa Valley is one of the world’s premier wine regions. While large-scale wine production didn’t begin until the 1960s, Napa is now home to over 400 wineries.
But the experience goes beyond just wine—Napa Valley is a top destination for:
- Romantic getaways
- World-class dining experiences
- Concerts and events
- And, of course, wine tasting
In recent years, Napa Valley has grown even more popular due to its luxurious accommodations, incredible dining options, and proximity to San Francisco, making it easily accessible to both international and domestic travelers.
Take the three-hour Wine Train, a 36-mile round-trip journey from Downtown Napa to St. Helena and back, or enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful rolling hills from a hot air balloon. You can also explore the nearby Sonoma Valley, another stunning wine region, also known as the birthplace of California’s wine industry.
Making the Most of Your Top 10 things to do in California
Do you have a favorite destination, or have you visited any of the places we featured in this blog? Share your experience in the comments below!
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Thank you, and that wraps up Embark on an Unforgettable Rome Bike Tour. Do you agree with the places we chose, or is there somewhere you visited that you feel should be on the list? leave us a comment.
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frequently asked.
What are the must-visit national parks in California?
Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Sequoia National Park are some of the most popular parks to visit for hiking, sightseeing, and nature lovers.
What are the best beaches in California?
Some of the best beaches include Malibu, Santa Monica, Huntington Beach, and Laguna Beach, known for their beauty and activities.
What can I do in San Francisco?
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge, take a tour of Alcatraz Island, ride the iconic cable cars, and explore Fisherman’s Wharf for fresh seafood.
What is there to do in Los Angeles?
Explore Hollywood, visit the Getty Center, enjoy Santa Monica Beach, or take a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood for entertainment.
What are the top attractions in San Diego?
San Diego offers beautiful beaches, the famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and vibrant nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter.
