California is the perfect place to visit if what you’re after is a bit of diversity in your itinerary. From exciting cities to charming vineyards and towering snow-capped peaks, it’s almost impossible to believe so much beauty can fit into a single place.
Simply put, you could easily dedicate an entire year to exploring the Golden State and still not get to see a quarter of the beauty it has to offer. So if you’re planning a visit and trying to decide what to see and do, chances are you’re currently having a really hard time narrowing down the options.
The good news? Cali isn’t going anywhere. So my biggest recommendation would be to focus on a few main places instead of trying to tick off everything on the list. If you’re visiting for the first time, here are the main spots you definitely don’t want to miss out on during your visit!
Places in California You’ve Got To Visit At Least Once
1. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
Home to the largest sequoia trees in the world, this stunning national park will make you feel as though you’re walking inside a storybook forest. Picture views of humongous natural canopies backdropped by snowy mountain peaks and you’ve got a pretty good image of what a visit to Sequoia National Park is all about!
In case you didn’t know, sequoias are the biggest trees in the world. Redwoods can grow taller. But sequoias win in overall size. In fact, General Sherman, the name given to the biggest tree on the planet resides inside Sequoia National Park!
Seeing groves of sequoias is the main highlight during a visit to this majestic national park. But it also has more surprises on the menu for its visitors, including the highest peak and one of the deepest canyons inside the continental USA. The Great Western Divide is also set here, providing some of the most jaw-dropping views of mountains in the distance!
2. McWay Falls
A road trip through Big Sur is a bucket-list-worthy item in itself. But if you don’t have time to do the entire trip, an absolute must-do in your list should be witnessing the beauty of McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
This stunning 80 feet high waterfall cascades down into a gorgeous beach tucked inside a hidden cove, making the view a sight you aren’t bound to forget anytime soon. Accessing McWay falls requires hiking a relatively short and gentle trail, making it a perfect place to stop and stretch your legs after a drive!
3. Lake Tahoe
Imagine a dreamy alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains and you’ve got yourself a pretty good picture of what a day spent at Lake Tahoe is all about. Being one of the largest lakes in the USA, Lake Tahoe is home to a myriad of fun activities
During the summer months, Lake Tahoe’s waters become the stars of the show, with beach activities and watersports turning into the main thing to do for visitors and locals alike. Think paddleboarding, hiking to hidden beaches, or kayaking as a few examples of the activities on offer here – all of which come with stunning views of the lake and the Sierra Mountains off in the distance!
Winter brings in mountain activities. During the colder months, people flock to Lake Tahoe’s world-class ski resorts in search of some serious fun in the snow. If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your jam, though, there are plenty of things to do here, including skating, snowshoeing, and hiking!
4. Joshua Tree National Park
California’s desert adventures are unparalleled, and one of the best places to experience them is Joshua Tree National Park. Located exactly on the spot where the Colorado and Mojave deserts meet, this alluring national park is a combination of two entirely different ecosystems that, put together, create the quirkiest landscape you could think of!
Joshua Tree is a mecca for outdoor activities, with hiking, rock climbing, biking, and horseback riding being just a few of the activities on the menu. As if that weren’t enough, it’s also considered one of the best places in the USA for clear night skies, making stargazing here an absolute dream!
5. Napa Valley
Napa Valley is THE place to go if you’re eager to experience California’s love for great wine. Picture rolling hills dotted by quaint
Naturally, the main thing to do while in Napa is to go on a vineyard-hopping adventure. If you’re new to wine-tasting, a great option for you is Beringer Estate. For special occasions worth splurging on, Inglenook, which is a Francis Ford Coppola Estate, is a must, and for the most Instagram-worthy spots, Chateau Montelena is your go-to!
6. Channel Islands National Park
Commonly dubbed the Galapagos of North America, Channel Islands National Park is one of the most unique places in the world
Made up of five remote islands, the Channel Islands is a haven for incredible views. While here, you’ll get to see jutting rock cliffs, untouched beaches, isolated ocean views, and wildlife sightings you can’t find anywhere else in the world!
Getting to the Channel Islands can be a bit tricky, as the only way to access them is via plane or boat. The easiest islands to get to are Anacapa Island and Santa Cruz, which you can access year-round. The remaining three islands are a bit trickier to get to, but with a little planning, you can find boats on a seasonal basis.
I hope this list of the best destinations in California helped you plot the ultimate bucket list. With so many incredible things to do spread all over the state, choosing where to go can be a pretty difficult feat, but these places are a great way to start exploring the Golden State!
Have you ever been to any of these California destinations? What was your experience like? Let me know all about it in the comment section below!
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