Located on the West Coast of the United States, California is a state people associate with beaches, national parks, sunshine and unforgettable road trips. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and bordering Mexico, Arizona and Nevada, the Golden State has long fascinated visitors from all over the world.
The number of places worth visiting in California is almost overwhelming. Whether you love big cities, beaches, deserts, mountains, theme parks, history or spectacular drives, there is something here for just about everyone. The real problem is figuring out how to see everything this enormous state has to offer.
Choosing only ten places is difficult, and of course every Top 10 list is subjective. But if you don’t know California well and are wondering where to start, these ten attractions offer a great introduction to the incredible variety of the Golden State.
1. Death Valley National Park
If you love surreal landscapes and endless horizons, Death Valley National Park deserves a place on your California itinerary. One of the best ways to experience Death Valley is by car, stopping at viewpoints and other attractions along the way. During the hottest months, however, those stops should be carefully planned. Temperatures here can be extreme, and summer daytime highs regularly exceed 110°F (43°C). Fortunately, many of Death Valley’s most impressive sights can be reached relatively easily from the main roads and parking areas. Even simply driving through the park is an experience. At times, Death Valley feels less like California and more like another planet. The climate here should never be underestimated, so check current weather and park conditions before visiting, carry plenty of water and prepare appropriately for the desert.
2. San Francisco
Every state has its icons, and California has one of the most recognizable in the world: the Golden Gate Bridge. But San Francisco is about much more than its famous red-orange bridge. Its steep hills, historic cable cars, flower-lined curves of Lombard Street, distinctive neighborhoods, vibrant culture and beautiful Victorian architecture combine to create a city unlike any other in California. San Francisco’s location also makes it an excellent starting point for exploring Northern California. Nearby possibilities include the towering redwoods of Muir Woods, waterfront Sausalito, the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma, and the beautiful towns and coastline around the Monterey Peninsula. There is a lot to see in California, but personally, I wouldn’t leave San Francisco out of a first West Coast itinerary.
3. Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood was a wonderful discovery for me. If you love movies, this is one California attraction you shouldn’t miss. The park combines rides, shows, movie-themed attractions and special effects, but the highlight for me is the Studio Tour. It takes you through parts of a real working movie studio, past sets and locations used in film and television, with plenty of surprises along the way. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter brings Hogwarts and Hogsmeade to life with themed attractions, shops, restaurants and entertainment. Depending on current attractions and productions, you’ll also encounter familiar worlds and characters from movies and television throughout the park. Even if you’re not normally a theme-park person, seeing how Hollywood creates some of its movie magic makes Universal Studios an especially interesting Los Angeles experience.
4. Highway 1 and Big Sur
California was made for road trips. Few places offer such a variety of landscapes from behind the wheel: deserts, mountains, forests, golden hills and dramatic stretches of Pacific coastline. And among California’s scenic roads, Highway 1 is the star. The highway follows much of the California coast, but its most legendary section runs through Big Sur. Here, cliffs plunge toward the Pacific, roads twist high above the ocean and almost every turn seems to reveal another spectacular view. One of Big Sur’s most recognizable landmarks is Bixby Creek Bridge, which has appeared in countless photographs, postcards and movies. Another beautiful stop is Pfeiffer Beach, known for its dramatic rock formations and patches of purple-colored sand. Highway 1 isn’t simply a road connecting one destination with another. The drive itself is the attraction. Because closures and road repairs are not uncommon along Highway 1, always check current road conditions before setting out.
5. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of California’s greatest natural treasures. Towering granite formations, waterfalls, giant sequoias, alpine lakes, forests, valleys and scenic roads create some of the most spectacular landscapes in the state. Yosemite is enormous, however, and distances can be deceptive. Getting around takes time, and some roads and areas are seasonal or may be affected by weather conditions. This is one place where planning ahead makes an enormous difference. Don’t try to squeeze Yosemite into a rushed visit simply to say you’ve been there. Give yourself enough time to stop, walk and actually experience the landscape around you.
6. Bodie State Historic Park
Did you grow up watching Westerns? Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to walk through an authentic California mining town from the Old West? Then go to Bodie. Once a booming gold-mining town in the Sierra Nevada region, Bodie became notorious for its rough reputation. Today, it is preserved as a state historic park and one of California’s most fascinating ghost towns. Walking through Bodie feels like stepping into another era. Many buildings remain standing, and their interiors still contain furniture, household objects and other reminders of the people who once lived there. Rather than being reconstructed into a polished tourist attraction, Bodie has been preserved in a state of “arrested decay,” which is exactly what makes it so atmospheric. For anyone fascinated by California history and the Old West, Bodie is unforgettable.
7. Joshua Tree National Park
California’s desert offers another completely different landscape at Joshua Tree National Park. Its strangely shaped Joshua trees, enormous boulder formations and wide-open desert scenery create a landscape that can feel wonderfully surreal. The park is relatively easy to explore by car, and many viewpoints, rock formations and short trails can be reached from the main roads. But don’t let easy road access make you underestimate the desert. Temperatures can be extreme, distances are significant and services inside the park are extremely limited, so bring plenty of water and everything else you may need. Joshua Tree proves just how dramatically California’s landscape can change within only a few hours of its coastal cities.
8. Disneyland Resort
California has no shortage of theme parks, but Disneyland has something none of the others can claim: this is where Disney’s theme-park story began. Disneyland Park in Anaheim opened in 1955 and was the only Disney theme park personally overseen by Walt Disney. Today, Disneyland Resort includes two parks: Disneyland Park, home to many of the classic attractions and lands associated with Disney, and Disney California Adventure Park, which offers a different collection of themed lands, rides and entertainment. You can visit just one park or combine both, but either way, allow plenty of time. There is far more here than you can experience in a couple of hours. Children certainly aren’t required. Plenty of adults come to Disneyland simply because they grew up with Disney and want to experience the original park for themselves.
9. San Diego
Southern California has several major cities, but San Diego has a character all its own. Its coastal location and generally mild climate make it easy to spend time outdoors, whether you’re exploring beaches, waterfront neighborhoods or the city’s many parks and attractions. Balboa Park alone can occupy a large part of a visit, with its museums, gardens and beautiful architecture. San Diego also offers historic neighborhoods, a lively downtown, miles of coastline, hidden coves and plenty of opportunities to simply enjoy Southern California life. And then there is the San Diego Zoo, one of the city’s best-known attractions. San Diego is relaxed, colorful and easy to enjoy, and, for many visitors, it becomes one of their favorite California cities.
10. Sequoia National Park
There is something humbling about standing next to a giant sequoia. Sequoia National Park, in California’s Sierra Nevada, protects some of the largest trees on Earth. Walking among them makes it difficult to appreciate their scale until you stop, look upward and realize just how tiny you are by comparison. The park’s most famous resident is the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest known living single-stem tree by volume. But don’t make the mistake of seeing General Sherman and immediately leaving. The surrounding groves and mountain scenery are part of the experience. After California’s beaches, cities, deserts and coastal highways, ending this list among giant sequoias seems appropriate. Few places demonstrate the extraordinary variety of California better.
