The 27 Must-Visit Places in California (By a Local)

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California has hundreds of great locations and attractions to visit. It can feel impossible to narrow down the most essential places to see! 

Luckily for you, I’ve lived here my whole life and want to help you choose the absolute best places to visit in California. From beaches and redwood forests to wine country and national parks, I’ve been to every place on this list and can tell you why they deserve a spot on yours. 

Let’s explore the best destinations the Golden State has to offer!

27 Best Places to Visit in California

📺 Prefer watching a video? Click to play a 5-minute video by Jericha (another one of Travel Lemming’s California locals!) rounding up her 25 favorite places to visit 👇:

Yosemite National Park

California’s most famous park has iconic granite rock faces, gorgeous waterfalls, and hundreds of hiking trails.

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Best Hotels Near Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the most-visited places in California, attracting thousands of tourists for its jaw-dropping beauty, thundering waterfalls, and epic hiking trails. 

Start in Yosemite Valley, where you can float down the river, picnic in meadows, and watch rock climbers ascend famous rock faces like El Capitan. 

You can also rent bikes in the valley, eat at restaurants in Curry Village, and even stay overnight at one of the popular campsites — just be sure to book ahead! 

Choose from hundreds of famous Yosemite hikes, like the Half Dome Cables or the Nevada Falls trail. You may also want to snag a multi-day backpacking permit and get lost in the woods for a few days.

👉 Pro Tip: If you are backpacking anywhere in the park, you must have a bear canister to store your food in. Yosemite National Park has black bears that aren’t afraid to confront you if they smell food.

San Diego

Go surfing, shopping, boating, and more in this sunny SoCal city. Or, take a day trip into the nearby desert or to the Mexican border.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Where to Stay in San Diego 

San Diego is the second most populous city in California, and it has a vibrant fusion of California-Mexican culture. Because of its proximity to the Mexican border, San Diego is the best place in California to get Mexican food. 

San Diego is famous for its nearly year-round sunshine and good weather, making San Diego’s beaches some of the best in the country. Sunbathe next to sea lions in La Jolla, catch some killer waves in Oceanside, or explore the picturesque island of Coronado. 

👉 Here are some other popular tourist attractions in San Diego:

• Visit the gardens and museums of Balboa Park 
• Admire the Spanish-style architecture in Old Town 
• View incredible wild animals at the huge San Diego Zoo 
• Go to a Padres baseball game 
• Party at the trendy bars and dance clubs of the Gaslamp District 
• Hike on the coastal bluffs of Torrey Pines Natural Reserve 
• Surf at one of the many beaches

Lake Tahoe

A perfect Sierra Nevada mountain town for paddle boarding, boating, and other water activities. Come winter, the ski slopes attract visitors from around the world.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe 

Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, full of things to do for the whole family. Some of my favorites include going kayaking on the lake, hiking in the surrounding mountains, and visiting local breweries. 

Tahoe is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Water spots dominate in the summer, while Tahoe’s ski resorts are world-famous in the winter. Many of the towns around the lake offer gear rentals and guided activities. 

Because Lake Tahoe is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Tahoe’s hiking trails are some of the best in the state. Mt. Tallac is a popular day hike, while the Tahoe Rim Trail is a 2-week thru-hike that circles the whole lake. You can easily do a section of it if you’re short on time.

Disneyland

The “happiest place on earth” has nostalgic parades and rides for guests of all ages.

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Where to Stay in Disneyland 

Located in Anaheim, Disneyland is the premier amusement park in the United States. 

The park has two sections — Disneyland and California Adventure. Disneyland’s rides are geared more towards small children, while California Adventure has more intense rides for older thrill-seekers. 

Guests can also enjoy delicious food and desserts throughout the park. Try the Dole Whip pineapple ice cream at the Adventureland Tiki Room or a satisfying churro from a street trolley.

A trip to Disneyland usually means spending all day at the park. To make the most out of your trip, stay at the nearby Disneyland Resort or another close hotel, and enter the park as soon as it opens. You will also bypass long wait times this way. It’s one of my best Disneyland tips!

San Francisco

Bike along the Golden Gate Bridge or ride a trolley car in this famous Northern California city.

📍 Google Maps | Where to Stay in SF

San Francisco is one of the oldest cities in California and one of my favorite places to visit. Even though I grew up in LA, I took regular trips to San Francisco and quickly fell in love with the City by the Bay. 

San Francisco is artsy, futuristic, bohemian, and down-to-earth all at once. It has beautiful natural landscapes, with beaches and parks scattered throughout the city. It’s also been crowned one of the food capitals of the United States, with hundreds of top-notch restaurants and bars. 

👉 Here are some popular tourist attractions in San Francisco:

• Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge 
• Get a delicious chocolate ice cream cone from Ghirardelli
• Ride throughout the city in a cable car 
• Take a boat cruise to Alcatraz Island 
• Eat a yummy sourdough bread bowl from the pier
• Visit Fisherman’s Wharf to see historic boats 
• Drive down the steep Lombard Street
• Have a picnic in Mission Dolores Park

Palm Springs

A popular desert town for shopping and golfing that is also a favored escape for Hollywood celebrities.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Where to Stay in Palm Springs 

Welcome to perhaps the most popular desert town in California. Palm Springs is a favored escape for Hollywood celebrities, so keep an eye out while you’re there! 

Palm Springs visitors love to golf and shop ‘til they drop at the many stores in downtown. Stay at one of the many fancy resorts and get a nice poolside tan while you wait for a delicious cocktail.

Summertime often brings temperatures of over 100 degrees, so visit during the other seasons for the most enjoyable experience. See my guide to unique things to do in Palm Springs to get planning!

June Lake

Lounge lakeside, kayak, or drive the scenic June Lake Loop in this Eastern Sierra town.

📍 Google Maps  

Only 20 minutes from Mammoth Lakes, June Lake is a popular destination for fishing and lakeside lounging in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains.

The crystal clear waters of June Lake are surrounded by snow-capped mountains, making the area look surreal. There are several crowded boat ramps in the area, but I recommend finding a remote part of the lake and lounging in a lake raft. 

You can also bike or drive the 16-mile June Lake Loop for incredible views. Afterwards, hit up the local brewery in town for some of the best beer in the state. 

If you are an avid fisher, then June Lake should be on your bucket list. There is enough trout to go around!

Big Sur

This huge stretch of California’s central coast is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, with rugged cliffs, hidden beaches, and campsites and lodges right on the beach.

📍 Google Maps 

Big Sur is the quintessential California road trip. Jagged cliffs tower over ocean vistas as you drive along the Pacific Coast Highway.

“Big Sur” generally refers to the rugged stretch of coastline between Carmel and San Simeon. It takes about 4 hours to drive the whole thing, but the most popular spots are in the northern half. Don’t miss viewpoints like the Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls, and the small town of Big Sur. 

Cell service in Big Sur can be minimal. There are also some road closures in the area, so check the road conditions before you go!

Los Angeles

Visit California’s largest city, home to the entertainment industry and so much more.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Where to Stay in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the largest city in California. This sprawling metropolis could take weeks to explore! 

Some of the more popular areas to visit include Santa Monica, Hollywood, Downtown LA, Venice Beach, and Beverly Hills. This is where you will find the bulk of LA’s tourist attractions. 

👉 Here are some popular tourist attractions in Los Angeles:

• See celebrity stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 
• Hike to the Hollywood Sign 
• Shop at designer stores on Rodeo Drive 
• Visit Olvera Street downtown for Mexican food and souvenirs 
• Take studio and backlot tours at famous media companies 
• Catch a baseball game at Dodger Stadium 
• Shop at the trendy boutiques and thrift stores on Melrose Ave 
• Surf and suntan at Manhattan Beach

Wrightwood

Ski during the winter or hike Mount Baden-Powell in the summer in this quiet mountain town.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Wrightwood is a great alternative to popular ski towns in California — it’s less crowded but still offers local attractions and activities for nature lovers. Wrightwood receives most of its visitors at Mountain High Ski Resort in the winter months.

Summer and fall are also great times to visit outside of ski season. Hike Wrightwood’s Mount Baden-Powell, one of the highest mountains in the San Gabriel Mountains. There are also great mountain biking trails and various campgrounds.

After you’ve explored the great outdoors, stop by the Wrightwood Brewery or the Wrightwood Inn Bar to relax with a cold beer.

Joshua Tree National Park

View desert wildlife, rock climb, camp, or hike in the popular national park.

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Where to Stay in Joshua Tree 

Joshua Tree National Park showcases some of the best California desert landscapes.  

Some of the best things to do in Joshua Tree include rock climbing and hiking. Popular trails around the park guide you through hundreds of iconic Joshua Trees, cholla cacti, and desert wildflowers. I also recommend tent camping inside the national park to witness an amazing desert sunset and millions of bright stars in the open night sky. 

Rock climbers from all over California dream of climbing some of the hundreds of routes in the park. Even if you don’t rock climb, you are still guaranteed to see some climbers in action anywhere in the park!

Sierra Nevada Mountains

Hike some of California’s highest mountains and explore a wonderland of alpine lakes, mountain wildflowers, and national parks.

📍 Google Maps

The Sierra Nevadas are a mountain lover’s sanctuary. This massive mountain range is home to 3 national parks, tons of classic California mountain towns, and the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mt. Whitney. 

The western side of the Sierra Nevada is where most visitors enter from because it’s closer to San Francisco and Sacramento. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of hikes, quaint towns nestled in the foothills, and national parks like Sequoia and Kings Canyon. 

The Eastern side of the Sierras is more rugged, and it’s my absolute favorite place to visit in California. Lone Pine is a good base to hike many mountains in the area. From this mountain town, you can access the Mt. Whitney and Mt. Langley trailheads. The popular Big Pine Lakes and Palisade Glacier trailheads are also just a short drive away.

👉 Pro Tip: Camp for free in the Alabama Hills Recreation Area in Lone Pine. Be aware of hot summer temperatures.

Death Valley National Park

The lowest and hottest point in the United States.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Where to Stay Near Death Valley

Death Valley National Park is one of the hottest deserts in the world. This area holds the record for the hottest air temperature at 134.1 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also home to the lowest point in the United States, the salt flats of Badwater Basin. 

It’s safe to say, summer visits to Death Valley should be limited. Visiting here in the fall, winter, and spring will give you a much more pleasant experience. 

Bring a sled to slide down the park’s endless sand dunes, or lace up your hiking boots to climb the highest peak in the park, the 11,043-foot Telescope Peak. Don’t miss the pastel colored rocks of Artists Palette or the magical sunrise views at Zabriskie Point.

Santa Cruz

A laid-back Northern California town best suited for beachgoers, forest campers, and music lovers.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Where to Stay in Santa Cruz 

Santa Cruz is just over an hour from San Francisco, but it feels miles away from the big city. 

This may be due to Santa Cruz’s popularity as a surfing destination – check out Steamer Lane to catch some surf pros in action. Or maybe the town draws such a large crowd of vagabonds and free spirits due to its live music scene and high-quality weed. 

Santa Cruz is one of the best places in California to seriously chill. Spend the day lounging on the beach, walking a forested path in the redwoods, or cruising the old-school Santa Cruz Boardwalk Amusement Park, one of the coolest theme parks in California.

Check out the surf shops and boutiques in Pleasure Point, or make a dinner reservation at one of the farm-to-table restaurants in Soquel. Is live music more your thing? The Blue Lounge, The Abbey, and The Catalyst are venues worth checking out.

Napa Valley

Taste some of the finest California wines in Napa Valley.

📍 Google Maps 

Napa Valley is a wine lover’s paradise. Only an hour north of San Francisco, this area is most popular among adult tourists who wish to visit the area’s 130+ wineries. 

Wine tasting here can be expensive, ranging from $40 – $80+ for a single tasting. But the area’s prestigious reputation keeps visitors coming back year after year. 

Visiting with kids? There are some things to do for the whole family, such as hot air balloon rides over vineyards and exploring the shops and boutiques of downtown Napa. 

The perfect day in Napa Valley consists of a spa treatment in the morning, wine tasting in the afternoon, and live music during dinner. If you’re on an extended stay, explore the area’s hiking trails and bike tours.

Santa Monica

Stroll along the boardwalk and go for a ride on the ferris wheel at the famous Santa Monica Pier.

📍 Google Maps 

Santa Monica is a great place to visit with the family or for date night in Los Angeles. After a day of sunbathing on the Santa Monica beach, visit the small amusement park on top of the pier.

A visit to the Santa Monica Pier is one of the best things to do in Santa Monica. There’s great shopping and restaurants nearby, or you can pick up a hot dog and ice cream at the concession stand on the pier. 

If you like to fish, make sure to bring your rod because fishing off the pier is super popular. There are also benches on the pier so you can relax and watch the surfers below.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Hike to alpine lakes and visit the world’s largest tree.

📍 Google Maps | Website 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are home to extensive alpine hiking trails, tons of species of native wildlife, and huge groves of sequoia trees — the largest trees in the world. 

Sequoia is a great park to visit with kids, because many of the trails are easy. Visit the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest tree at 275 feet tall and 36 feet wide. There are plenty of other things to do in the park as well, like the Moro Rock hike and the Amphitheater Point viewpoint.

Kings Canyon is more rugged, favored by multi-day hikers and backcountry campers. There are less tourist attractions here, so it’s a great place to escape into the wilderness — but you’ll need to plan in advance to secure permits. 

📚 Related Reading: Should you visit Yosemite or Sequoia?

Catalina Island

Discover a unique island off of the Southern California coast where you can scuba dive, paraglide, jet ski, kayak, and hike.

📍 Google Maps 

Escape busy city life with a trip to Catalina Island. The small island’s many activities attract thousands of visitors each year.

Catalina is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday or to have a quiet, work-free coastal getaway. Take a short ferry ride to the island port and get ready for a day of fun, good food, and relaxation.

Some of the best Catalina Island activities include scuba diving, paragliding, jet skiing, kayaking, and hiking. Avid backpackers also love the Trans-Catalina Trail, a 38.5-mile hike along the coast of the whole island.

Idyllwild

A sleepy California mountain town with great hiking trails and great pizza.

📍 Google Maps 

Nestled in the San Jacinto mountains, Idyllwild is a quaint mountain town in Southern California. The most popular attraction is hiking to the top of Mount San Jacinto, but visitors also love the cute downtown village.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, camping, and rock climbing in San Jacinto State Park. Other things to do in Idyllwild include eating delicious pizza in town, shopping at the Idyllwild record store, and grabbing a drink at the town brewery.

Because Idyllwild is so off-the-beaten-path, it’s a great place to spot native wildlife. Keep your eye out for the deer and owls that frequent this small mountain town!

Morro Bay

A sleepy fishing village along California’s central coast where you can go kayaking, hiking, shopping, bird watching, and more.

📍 Google Maps

Visit idyllic Morro Bay on California’s central coast. This little fishing town has over 6 miles of shoreline for visitors to relax, all with spectacular views of the area’s namesake, Morro Rock — a massive rock formation on the beach. 

Morro Bay is less than 4 hours from Los Angeles and is the perfect quiet getaway from the big bustling city. This preserved seaside town offers activities year-round such as kayaking, hiking, shopping, bird watching, and more.

Relax on the beach during the day, then catch a movie at the Bay Movie Theater after dinner and drinks. Morro Bay has good weather all year, so anytime you choose to visit is a good time. To get planning, see my guide to the best things to do in Morro Bay.

Sonoma County

Take the road less traveled through vineyards, farmland, small towns, and rugged coastal beaches. 

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Where to Stay in Sonoma County 

Sonoma County is an idyllic section of Northern California, and it’s an excellent place for a road trip. You can visit small countryside towns, excellent wineries, ancient redwoods, and windswept beaches all in a day’s drive. 

Some of the best things to do in Sonoma revolve around eating and drinking. The area is full of local farms, ranches, and high-end farm-to-table restaurants. Sonoma County’s wineries are often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Napa Valley, but the wine is often just as good (and less expensive). 

Many visitors come to Sonoma for the natural beauty. Float or paddle down the Russian River, visit one of the 26 beaches along the Sonoma Coast, or go hiking on one of the many forested trails.

Santa Barbara

Surf some of California’s best waves or experience the foodie scene in this college town.

📍 Google Maps 

Santa Barbara is a quaint beach city offering fine art museums, beautiful hiking trails, and classy food and wine experiences.

Want to experience the famous California surfing culture? Head to the local favorite East Beach for some of the best surfing around. 

More of a foodie? State Street has the best restaurants in the area. 

Love history? Visit the old Santa Barbara Mission, founded in 1820. A trip to Santa Barbara is also not complete without visiting Stearns Wharf, the oldest pier in California.

Mammoth Lakes

An alpine mountain town in California’s Eastern Sierra Mountains with plenty of climbing routes, snowboarding opportunities, and hot springs soaks.

📍 Google Maps | 👉 Where to Stay in Mammoth Lakes 

California mountain junkies adore Mammoth Lakes. Mammoth is situated along Highway 395 and has two distinct seasons: summer (hiking and rock climbing season) and winter (skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing season).

There are so many fun things to do in Mammoth Lakes, like hitting the slopes of Mammoth Mountain. Or, melt your worries away in a hot spring (Wild Willy’s Hot Spring is one of the best). Don’t leave Mammoth Lakes without visiting the Devil’s Postpile National Monument.

There’s free BLM land surrounding Mammoth Lakes for campers and van-lifers to take advantage of, but most Mammoth visitors stay in a rented home or chalet near the mountain.

👉 Pro Tip: The iOverlander app is the best way to find free BLM land to camp on around the U.S. The interactive map is even available offline. 

Redwood National Park

Visit the largest concentration of coast redwood trees, the tallest tree in the world.

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Where to Stay in Redwood National Park 

Northern California’s Redwood National Park has the tallest trees in the world, some of which are taller than 370 feet. With over 200 miles of trails in the park, many visitors choose to camp for multiple days to experience as much of the park as possible.

Redwood topped my list of California’s best national parks. The park is rarely crowded, there are incredible coastal and forest views, and the hiking trails underneath the towering redwood trees are easy enough for visitors of all abilities. 

You may even be lucky enough to spot some elk, whales, seals, and seasonal wildflowers while on a scenic drive throughout the park. Redwood National Park is Northern California at its finest.

Angels Camp

Dive into California’s gold rush history in this historic boomtown.  

📍 Google Maps

Angels Camp is nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada — aka, Gold Country. Here, historic towns create an authentic picture of what 1800s California was like. These small towns are often left off the tourist radar, but it’s an area brimming with activity. 

Be sure to visit Columbia State Historic Park. You can pan for (fool’s) gold, ride horse-drawn carriages, and walk among historical re-enactments of life in the 1850s. 

Nearby, the town of Murphys has excellent local wineries with tastings at a very affordable price. More serious gold prospectors should visit Jamestown, where local tour guides will take you to a nearby river to search for real gold. 

Hollywood

Hike to the Hollywood Sign or walk the path of the stars in this touristy Los Angeles neighborhood. 

📍 Google Maps

Hollywood is one of the most touristy areas of Los Angeles, and for good reason. Hollywood is full of fantastic activities that showcase Southern California’s buzzing entertainment industry. 

Take a walk down the Hollywood Walk of Fame to find stars engraved with the names of famous celebrities. Or, check out the TCL Chinese Theater to see cement handprints from famous actors. 

You can’t miss the Hollywood Sign. You can spot it from anywhere in town, but the best viewpoints are from the Griffith Observatory or Lake Hollywood Park. 

Huntington Beach

Visit the home of California surfing. 

📍 Google Maps

Huntington Beach is the epitome of a Southern California beach town. This sunny coastal city just south of LA is famous for its wide, expansive beach with some of the best waves in the state. 

Most of the things to do in Huntington Beach revolve around surfing. Every summer, Huntington Beach hosts the US Open of Surfing, where hundreds of surfers come to compete. 

Missing the competition? Don’t fret. Visitors can check out the International Surfing Museum or the Surfing Walk of Fame in downtown Huntington for some year-round surfing action. Plus, no matter when you visit, you’re bound to see plenty of people hitting the waves.

Want More? Listen to Laura’s California Podcast Episode!

If you liked this post, you’ll love Laura’s California episode on the Travel Lemming Podcast. It’s available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts (just search “Travel Lemming California”). 

Laura talks about places to visit in California at minute mark 18:43. 

Laura & Betty also discussed the best things to do in California (08:32), safety in California (23:56), how to get around California (32:08), California travel tips and etiquette (37:56), why more people should visit California (03:19) and all the other common questions about travel to California.

Download now and remember to listen to the entire episode before you arrive in California.

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Have a blast exploring some of the best places to visit in California! 

Now that you’re ready to pack your bags, check out my guide on the best time to visit California to plan the perfect trip. 

–Laura McFarland contributed to this guide