Places to visit on your trip to California
California considered by most to be one of the most popular states to visit in the U.S. and there’s a good reason for it. In the Golden State you’ll find a wide variety of attractions and enough sites to keep anyone busy for a lifetime.
In southern California, families, friends, and visitors of all types can have a blast at Disneyland or live the life of luxury in Hollywood. The central coast has some of America’s most unique and popular cities.
Even though the movies might make California seem like all movie stars. What truly makes California special is its outstanding natural beauty. Spectacular sights are around every corner in California’s national parks and scenic coastline. Some of them deserve a trip all their own.
Disneyland Park
It’s sometimes called the “Happiest Place on Earth. It’s the most popular attraction in California. One of the most popular in America and even the entire world. Disneyland is a theme park in Anaheim, California that is part of the larger Disneyland Resort.
Themed areas include Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land, Critter Country, Mickey’s Toontown and Star Wars galaxy’s Edge.
Fantasyland attractions include Alice in wonderland and Peter pan’s Flight. Tomorrowland experience Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage or take an exhilarating space coaster ride on Space Mountain.
Take a Stroll down Main Street with its small-town charm. Enjoy dining and shopping.
Hollywood
This district of Los Angeles made famous by the movie industry and resulting film culture, has gone on to be one of the most popular American attractions and cultural wonders. The historical center of movie production since the creation of the motion picture.
Some of the famous landmarks and attractions in Hollywood include various movie studios, the enormous Hollywood Hills sign, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Enjoy exploring and learning more about the world’s most famous sidewalk.
Visitors enjoy touring movie studios and bus tours of Homes of the Stars.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
Sitting on 100 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this may be the most scenic presidential museum in the nation. A walk through the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum main galleries offer a look at Reagan’s upbringing and early career.
A few of the permanent exhibits go beyond Reagan himself too. There’s a scaled replica of the Oval Office, an exhibit about the Secret Service. The Air Force One Pavilion which contains the actual airplane that served seven U.S. Presidents.
The Reagan Library contains the record collections of the Reagan Administration, 1981-1989; California Governor Reagan’s papers, 1967-1975 and privately donated personal collections.
Yosemite National Park
The grand majestic land known as Yosemite is one of the most visited national parks in America. Yosemite’s natural beauty unmeasured and the region recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, streams, Giant Sequoia groves, and its wildlife.
Within Yosemite National Park the most popular area is the seven-mile-long strip called Yosemite Valley. Near some of the major viewpoints and hiking and climbing destinations.
The Yosemite Valley is where you’ll find famous views of places like Half Dome, El Capitan, and Glacier Point. This is a popular destination for sightseers, hikers, photographers, and climbers. Looking for a guided tour Yosemite Hospitality, the park concessioner, offers tours year-round. All tours begin in Yosemite Valley.
San Francisco
San Francisco is home to some of America’s most iconic landmarks, exciting neighborhoods, and all-around fun places to visit. The “grand daddy” of San Francisco attractions is the Golden Gate Bridge. Both ends of the Bridge touch the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Enjoy picturesque trails and vista points in one of the world’s largest national parks in an urban area.
An enticing but more challenging site to visit in San Francisco, the infamous Alcatraz Island. A few of the must-sees in San Francisco include Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street, the Haight-Ashbury area, and Chinatown.
Besides visiting the popular attractions and neighborhoods, no visit to San Francisco is complete without a ride on the old trolleys.
San Diego
The bustling city of San Diego has something for everyone including endless beaches, nightlife, attractions, amusement parks, and even a few historic sites. Spend a day soaking up the sun at one of the city’s more than 60 beaches.
The most popular attractions in San Diego Sea World San Diego, the city’s famous aquarium and marine park, and the San Diego Zoo where 4,000 rare and endangered animals live representing more than 800 species.
Visitors to San Diego will have a full itinerary as the list of activities and attractions is long, but a few more favorites include Balboa Park the nation’s largest urban cultural park.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
The largest living tree in the world, the General Sherman tree and the Giant Forest Museum are in the Sequoia National Park. There are many things to do at these two parks which lie side by side. The dramatic landscape testifies to nature’s size, beauty, and diversity. Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees.
Kings Canyon National Park known for its huge sequoia trees. The gigantic General Grant Tree in Grant Grove. To the east Cedar Grove surrounded by towering granite canyon walls. From here, trails lead to Zumwalt Meadow along the Kings River, and to Roaring River Falls.
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is a large double-jointed pier in Santa Monica, California. This bustling wooden wharf is the place to be with fantastic views of the bay and the mountains. The Santa Monica Pier offers a wide range of activities for the whole family.
The Pier’s Pacific Park a full amusement park combined with plenty of restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. Enjoy the entertaining arcade with more than 200 games. Pacific Park’s solar-powered Ferris wheel makes it the only one of its kind in the region.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Fun is always in season at California’s original theme park. Explore 160 acres of world-class rides, shows, restaurants. Attractions in four themed areas: Ghost Town, Fiesta Village, The Boardwalk and Camp Snoopy.
The Xcelerator, which goes from 0 to 82 mph in a little more than two seconds. If you like spinning rides, try the Sol Spin, which features six rotating arms that go up to six stories high.
Families with little kids, meanwhile, will love the Camp Snoopy area, devoted to low-key rides and the Peanuts gang.
During November and January Knott’s Berry Farm filled with the joy of the Holiday Season, as it transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm! A place to make holiday memories with the entire family.
Death Valley National Park
Much like some of California’s other attractions, Death Valley is a household name, and, in some ways, it stands up to its reputation. It is a national park in California and Nevada east of the Sierra Nevada. Death Valley National Park is also the largest national park in the lower 48 states. The name Death Valley has something to do with the fact that it is the hottest and driest national park.
Visitors to Death Valley can sightsee by automobile, four-wheel drive vehicle, bike or mountain bike, and hiking. The park is normally visited from October to May due to extreme temperatures in the summer.
Enhance your experience of Death Valley by joining a ranger-guided tour, nature walk, patio talk, or night program. Death Valley has a variety of campgrounds from primitive to full hook-up.
Things to do in California
The old saying goes that “everything is bigger in Texas,” but California might want to claim that title for itself. The Golden State is home to the largest population in the United States. It has some of the largest and most visited parks, bridges, cities, museums, zoos, and other attractions in the country.