California stretches from foggy redwood groves on the Oregon border to sunny beaches near the Mexican border. Wherever you live in the world, California should be on your bucket list. Here are the places I would recommend you see in California, based on my life spent living here.
This guide generally flows from north to south by region, providing expanded context, history, cultural details, and practical tips.
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- Tips for International Travelers
- Far North & Shasta–Cascades
- North Coast
- Wine Country & Bay Area North
- San Francisco
- Monterey Bay & Central Coast (North)
- Big Sur & Central Coast (South)
- Sierra Nevada & High Country
- Deserts & Inland
- Greater Los Angeles & Orange County
- San Diego
- Practical Planning
- Final Note
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Tips for International Travelers
- Entry: ESTA or visa required, depending on nationality. Carry a passport valid for the length of stay.
- Cellular data: load an eSIM card for the USA before your flight.
- VPN: Use a VPN for extra security.
- Transportation: Renting a car is the easiest option; public transit is limited outside cities.
- Currency: USD; credit cards widely used. Expect sales tax added at checkout, which varies by area.
- Tipping: 15–20% for restaurants, $1–2 per bag for bellhops, $3-5 for housekeeping.
- Connectivity: SIM/eSIM available; Wi-Fi is expected in hotels.
- Power: 120V, type A/B plugs; bring an adapter.
- Health: Sun protection and hydration are critical; wildfire smoke can affect air quality.
- Scale: California is huge; pick one or two regions rather than trying to see it all.
Far North & Shasta–Cascades
California Coastal Redwoods
1) Redwood National & State Parks
Redwood National & State Parks protects nearly half of the remaining old-growth coastal redwoods. These giants, some more than 2,000 years old and over 350 feet tall, thrive in the foggy microclimate. Beyond trees, the parks protect prairies, rivers, and 40 miles of rugged coastline. Roosevelt elk graze meadows; tide pools reveal sea stars and anemones. The scenic Newton B. Drury Parkway and Howland Hill Road offer drives through cathedral-like groves. Best time: summer for access, fall for lighter crowds. Lodging is limited; book Crescent City or Arcata early.
Burney Falls
2) Waterfall Loop & Shasta Lake Caverns (Redding Region)
Near Redding, the Waterfall Loop is a day-long road trip to a cluster of waterfalls accessible, including Burney Falls, McCloud Falls, and Hedge Creek Falls. Burney’s 129-foot curtain is called the “eighth wonder of the world” by Theodore Roosevelt. Nearby Shasta Lake Caverns are toured by boat across the reservoir, then by bus to the limestone entrance. Spring runoff makes waterfalls most powerful; autumn brings colorful foliage.
Mount Lassen
3) Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a unique park that preserves all four types of volcanoes: shield, plug dome, cinder cone, and stratovolcano. Lassen Peak erupted in 1915, leaving lava rocks and steaming fumaroles. Hydrothermal areas like Bumpass Hell bubble with mud pots and sulfur vents. Summer wildflowers cover meadows; winter supports snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Park roads often open fully only in July. Interpretive centers and ranger walks explain the geothermal activity.
North Coast
Mendocino Headlands State Park
4) Mendocino Coast
The Mendocino Coast offers a mix of windswept bluffs, quaint villages, and marine reserves. Mendocino village charms with Victorian architecture and artists’ galleries. Glass Beach in Fort Bragg sparkles with wave-polished glass fragments from old dumps. Whale festivals celebrate gray whales passing November–April. Kayak tours explore sea caves; state parks like Russian Gulch feature waterfalls and campsites. Stormy winter seas create dramatic wave watching.
Wine Country & Bay Area North
Castello di Amorosa, Calistoga
5) Napa Valley & Sonoma County
Over 400 wineries in Napa Valley & Sonoma County showcase Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Napa is polished with Michelin dining, while Sonoma retains a relaxed farm-town feel. Hot-air ballooning over vineyards is a memorable splurge. Harvest (Aug–Oct) brings grape stomps but also heavy traffic; reserve tastings early. The Napa Valley Wine Train adds dining with views. Lodging spans luxury resorts to rural B&Bs.
Point Reyes Lighthouse
6) Point Reyes National Seashore
The Point Reyes National Seashore is a peninsula split from the mainland by the San Andreas Fault. Point Reyes hosts tule elk, elephant seals, and hundreds of bird species. The 1870 lighthouse is reached via 300 steps. Popular hikes include Alamere Falls, which drops to the beach. Dress for fog and wind year-round. Winter is ideal for wildlife, spring for wildflowers.
San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin end
7) Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937. It symbolized hope during the Depression and WWII. Walk or cycle the bridge for bay views, then continue to Marin Headlands for the classic postcard shot. Interpretive displays explain its engineering challenges, including fog, tides, and wind. Best times: mornings for clear views, evenings for city lights.
Alcatraz Inmate Narators
8) Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island has been home to military forts, a federal penitentiary, and Native American occupations. Alcatraz layers history on a small rock. Highlights include the cellblock tour and views back to the skyline. Evening tours add atmosphere. Tickets often sell out weeks in advance; book early.
Monterey Bay & Central Coast (North)
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
9) Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, surf culture blends with carnival rides at the historic Boardwalk. In winter, Mavericks is world-famous for its waves. The adjacent lighthouse houses a surfing museum. Natural Bridges State Beach offers tide pooling and monarch butterfly clusters from October to January. University of California, Santa Cruz overlooks the town in a redwood grove.
Lover’s Point
10) Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea
Monterey was once the capital of Spanish California. Cannery Row, immortalized by Steinbeck, now hosts shops and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, famous for jellyfish and sea otters. Carmel charms with galleries, cottages, and a dog-friendly beach. The 17-Mile Drive passes Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Lone Cypress. Point Lobos Reserve, south of Carmel, is one of California’s richest marine habitats.
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Pinnacles National Park
11) Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National Park is known for its rising spires and caves, which attract hikers and rock climbers. Look for California condors soaring overhead. Spring brings carpets of wildflowers. Note: East and West entrances don’t connect by road; plan accordingly.
Big Sur & Central Coast (South)
12) Highway 1 through Big Sur
Highway 1 from Carmel to Big Sur is the quintessential California drive, hugging cliffs for 90 miles. Stops include Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls plunging to the beach, and viewpoints for migrating whales. Lodging options range from campgrounds to high-end resorts. Rockslides can close the road; check road conditions.
13) Hearst Castle (San Simeon)
Hearst Castle, William Randolph Hearst’s extravagant estate designed by Julia Morgan, includes 165 rooms, gardens, and two ornate pools. Art spans Egyptian statues to Renaissance ceilings. The visitor center museum adds context. Tours book quickly.
San Juan Bautista
14) California Missions: San Juan Bautista & La Purísima Concepción
California has 21 different missions left over from the Spanish colonization of the state. Some have been completely reconstructed, and others are better preserved. I recommend two of them in particular. Mission San Juan Bautista sits on the San Andreas Fault and retains its original adobe structures and its town plaza. La Purísima, near Lompoc, is a fully restored mission complex with living history demonstrations. These illustrate colonial, indigenous, and ranching histories.
15) Solvang
Solvang is a Danish heritage town with half-timbered shops, windmills, and pastries like aebleskiver. Mission Santa Inés anchors the edge of town. The Santa Ynez Valley offers wineries, cycling, and horseback riding.
16) Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara has been dubbed the “American Riviera” for its climate and red-tiled architecture. Mission Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf, and the County Courthouse tower offer history and views. The Funk Zone mixes tasting rooms and street art. Whale-watching tours peak in winter and spring.
Sierra Nevada & High Country
17) Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a clear alpine lake straddling California and Nevada. In winter, ski resorts like Palisades Tahoe host world-class events. Summer brings boating, swimming, and the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail. Emerald Bay is the iconic photograph. Elevation may affect visitors; hydrate and pace yourself. In the winter, the roads to Lake Tahoe can be packed with skiers on the weekends.
18) Bodie State Historic Park
Bodie State Historic Park is an authentic ghost town left in “arrested decay” with saloons, houses, and a schoolhouse frozen in time. Once home to 10,000 during the Gold Rush, it now preserves over 100 buildings. Dirt roads can be rough; check conditions before visiting.
19) Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, with El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point, creates one of the world’s most photographed landscapes. Peak waterfall flow is May–June. Tioga Road crosses the high country in summer, connecting Tuolumne Meadows. Entry reservations may apply. The park is very busy in summer but can be virtually empty in winter.
20) Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are home to giant sequoias, including the General Sherman Tree, and have canyon depths that rival the Grand Canyon. Roads are steep; allow time. Watch for wildlife crossings, and carry chains in winter. Backcountry trails lead to alpine lakes and granite domes.
Deserts & Inland
Badwater Basin, Death Valley
21) Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in the United States. At 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is North America’s lowest point. Temperatures hit global records. Visit Artist’s Palette, Dante’s View, and Zabriskie Point. Spring wildflowers bloom after rare rains. Carry ample water and fuel.
View from the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
22) Palm Springs & Coachella Valley
Palm Springs is a desert resort known for mid-century modern architecture, spas, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Indian Canyons features palm oases with petroglyphs. The Coachella Festival each April transforms the valley with music and art.
Joshua Tree National Park
23) Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park features jumbled boulders and spiky Joshua trees that create a surreal desert scene. Rock climbing, stargazing, and photography are major draws. Fall through spring is safest; summer temperatures soar above 100°F.
24) Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
California’s largest state park showcases slot canyons, desert badlands, and spring wildflowers. The 130 Galleta Meadows metal sculptures depict prehistoric creatures and add whimsy to the desert.
Greater Los Angeles & Orange County
La Brea Tar Pits
25) La Brea Tar Pits (Los Angeles)
La Brea Tar Pits, in the heart of LA, still bubble up Ice Age fossils. The museum displays mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves. Excavations continue today, viewable through observation windows. Great family-friendly science stop.
26) Los Angeles Studio Tour
No one should come to Los Angeles without taking at least one studio tour. After all, it is movies and TV that put this city on the map. Warner Bros., Paramount, and Universal tours reveal soundstages and sets. Guides explain production tricks and let visitors step onto active backlots. Universal adds theme-park rides, while Warner Bros. and Paramount are more film-education oriented.
27) Santa Monica Pier & Beach
Santa Monica Pier & Beach features Pacific Park amusement rides, an aquarium, and fishing off the pier. The adjacent Marvin Braude Bike Trail runs 22 miles along the LA coast. Parking fills early on weekends; use bikes or rideshare if possible.
28) Disneyland Resort (Anaheim)
I probably don’t need to tell you that Disneyland is in California. Opened in 1955 as Walt Disney’s original theme park, Disneyland now includes Disneyland Park and California Adventure. Attractions range from Sleeping Beauty Castle to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Book tickets and reservations early. Consider multi-day passes for full coverage.
San Diego
29) Balboa Park & San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park holds 1,200 acres of gardens and museums from the 1915 Panama–California Exposition. The San Diego Zoo pioneered cageless exhibits and hosts 12,000 animals. Allow a whole day for the zoo alone.
30) San Diego Zoo Safari Park
On 1,800 acres northeast of town, San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an open-range park that houses giraffes, rhinos, and cheetahs in savanna-style habitats. Tram tours simulate an African safari. Conservation programs are world-renowned. Book behind-the-scenes tours for closer views.
Practical Planning
Seasonality: Coastal fog is common in summer; deserts are best Oct–Apr; Sierra passes open late spring.
Reservations: Yosemite entry, Alcatraz, Hearst Castle, Disneyland, and many wineries need timed reservations.
Driving: Distances are vast; plan regional loops instead of crossing the state in one day.
Closures: Check Caltrans for Highway 1, and NPS/state parks for fires, snow, or road work.
Accessibility: Many sites have ADA trails and viewpoints; verify in advance.
Final Note
California is my favorite state. We can argue about which are its 30 best attractions, but this is definitely a state worth your time. It has 7 national parks, 280 state parks, movie studios, theme parks, high tech, and gorgeous scenery. What is your favorite must-see part of California
