25 Best Places to Visit in California: Ultimate Travel Guide

I have always had a deep affection for California. From the first time I drove along the Pacific Coast Highway with the windows down and Tupac blasting on the radio, I knew this wasn’t just a state—it was a feeling. After spending years exploring every corner of the Golden State, I’ve put together this guide to share my favorite spots with you.

Having lived in both NorCal and SoCal (yes, that debate is real!), I’ve had the privilege of experiencing California not as a tourist, but as someone who calls this diverse playground home. From your first to fifteenth visit, this guide will help you find places that may change your life, as they did mine.

Northern California: Where Giants Roam

1. Redwood National Park: Standing Among Giants

We drove five hours north of San Francisco just to stand among these ancient giants, and trust me—it was worth every minute. Walking through Redwood National Park feels like stepping into another world, one where humans are just tiny visitors in an ancient realm.

During our last visit in spring 2024, we hiked the Lady Bird Johnson Grove at sunset, and the light filtering through the towering redwoods created what locals call “cathedral light.” It’s a spiritual experience that no photo can capture.

Local Tip: Visit on weekdays if possible. We found Saturdays overwhelmingly crowded, but had trails almost to ourselves on a Tuesday in May.

2. San Francisco: Hearts and Fog

I’ll never forget my first view of the Golden Gate Bridge emerging from the fog. Despite visiting dozens of times, that sight still gives me goosebumps. San Francisco isn’t just a city—it’s a collection of unique neighborhoods, each with its personality.

While tourists flock to Fisherman’s Wharf (and yes, the sea lions are cute), I always tell friends to explore the Mission District for incredible murals and the best burritos you’ll ever taste. My personal favorite spot? Golden Gate Park on a Sunday when they close the roads to cars. Rent a bike and explore the hidden gardens—you’ll feel miles away from the city.

Food Recommendation: Skip the sourdough bread bowls (sorry, not sorry) and head to Swan Oyster Depot for the freshest seafood. Arrive early—I once endured a 2-hour wait, but I would gladly repeat the experience.

3. Napa Valley: Beyond the Wine

Look, I enjoy wine as much as the next person, but Napa Valley is so much more than just wine tasting. Last fall, my partner and I splurged on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, floating over the patchwork of vineyards as the morning fog lifted. It was one of those moments that makes you realize how beautiful our world really is.

For something entirely different, we visited during harvest season and actually joined a grape stomp at a small family vineyard. I still laugh thinking about how purple my feet were for days afterward!

Budget Tip: Wine tasting can add up quickly. Many vineyards charge $50+ per tasting, but if you buy a bottle, they’ll often waive the fee. You can share tastings with a friend to sample more varieties without incurring significant costs.

Central California: The Heart of the Golden State

6. Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea: Coastal Magic

When I need to clear my head, I drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea. This small coastal town feels like it was plucked from a fairytale, with cottage-style homes and no street addresses (seriously—residents pick up their mail at the post office because houses don’t have numbers!).

Last winter, we rented a tiny cottage just blocks from Carmel Beach and spent mornings watching dolphins play in the surf while drinking coffee from Carmel Bakery. The 17-Mile Drive gets all the attention, but the true magic happens when you wander the side streets of Carmel, discovering hidden courtyards and secret gardens.

Dog Owners Rejoice: Carmel is perhaps the most dog-friendly town I’ve ever visited. Most restaurants have water bowls, and Carmel Beach allows dogs to run off-leash. My Golden Retriever thinks the area is basically heaven.

8. Yosemite National Park: Nature’s Cathedral

I’ve visited Yosemite in every season, and each visit shows me something new. Standing in Yosemite Valley looking up at El Capitan makes you realize how small we humans really are. The first time I saw Half Dome, I cried—not even embarrassed to admit it.

While summer brings crowds, my favorite time to visit is early October. The summer tourists have left, the weather is still pleasant, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch the first dusting of snow on the mountain peaks while hiking in a t-shirt. Pure magic.

Hiking Recommendation: Skip the crowded valley floor and head to Tuolumne Meadows for the day. The Cathedral Lakes trail gives you all the Yosemite beauty with a fraction of the people.

Southern California: Sun-Soaked Adventures

11. Los Angeles: Beyond the Hollywood Sign

I lived in LA for three years, and I’m still discovering new corners of this sprawling city. While Hollywood receives most of the attention, neighborhoods such as Silver Lake, Highland Park, and Echo Park truly embody the essence of LA.

What is one of my most cherished memories of Los Angeles? One of my favorite LA memories is watching an outdoor movie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where we spread blankets among the headstones of old Hollywood stars and watched classic films under the stars. The experience is peculiar and captivating in a uniquely LA manner.

Traffic Truth: No one likes LA traffic, not even Angelenos. Plan your days around neighborhoods rather than trying to zigzag across the city. I once made the rookie mistake of scheduling breakfast in Santa Monica and lunch in Pasadena—don’t be like me!

12. San Diego: California’s Perfect Weather

“The weather is perfect today,” said every San Diegan, every day of the year. With 266 sunny days annually, it’s difficult to pick a bad time to visit this southernmost California city.

We spent a weekend in La Jolla last summer, watching sea lions bask on the rocks and kayaking through sea caves. For dinner, we grabbed fish tacos from a tiny stand and ate them on the beach while watching the sunset. Some experiences are worth more than five-star restaurants, and that simple meal ranks among my best California memories.

Beach Recommendation: Skip the crowded La Jolla Cove and head to Windansea Beach instead. The rock formations create natural tide pools that are perfect for exploring, and the crowd is mostly locals.

13. Joshua Tree National Park: Desert Dreamscapes

The first time I drove into Joshua Tree, I felt like I’d landed on another planet. The twisted Joshua trees against the stark desert landscape create a scene that’s both beautiful and slightly eerie.

We spent a night camping under the clearest night sky I’ve ever seen—the Milky Way stretched from horizon to horizon, and we counted dozens of shooting stars while sipping bourbon around the campfire. These are the nights that stay with you forever.

Stargazing Tip: The dark sky at Joshua Tree is a disappearing resource. If you visit during a new moon, you’ll see stars like you’ve never seen before. Bring red-light headlamps to preserve your night vision.

Off the Beaten Path: California’s Hidden Gems

19. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: The Other Tree Giants

While redwoods get a lot of attention, the giant sequoias of Sequoia National Park left me equally speechless. Standing next to the General Sherman Tree—the largest living thing on earth by volume—is a humbling experience.

We visited during a winter snowfall, and the contrast of red bark against pristine white snow created scenes that looked like Christmas cards. The parks were nearly empty, and we had most trails to ourselves. The trade-off? Chains were required for driving and many facilities closed. The solitude makes the experience worthwhile.

Photography Tip: The massive size of these trees is nearly impossible to capture in photos. Include a person in your shots to show scale, or try shooting upward from the base of a tree to capture its impressive height.

21. Death Valley National Park: Beauty in Extremes

Don’t let the ominous name fool you—Death Valley is breathtakingly beautiful. We visited in February, a time of pleasant temperatures, and the breathtaking landscape left me in awe. From the alien terrain of Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America) to the rainbow-colored hills of Artists Palette, this park showcases nature at its most dramatic.

Our most magical moment? Hiking into Mosaic Canyon, where marble walls have been polished smooth by flash floods over millennia. Running your hands along these cool, smooth surfaces feels like touching time itself.

Safety First: It’s crucial to emphasize that Death Valley poses a significant risk during the summer months. When we visited in February, it was a pleasant 75°F (ca. 24 °C). Summer temperatures regularly exceed 120°F (ca. 49 °C), and cell service is spotty at best. Visit between November and March, and always carry more water than you think you’ll need.

Practical Information: Making Your California Dream Real

California Road Trip Itineraries: The Ultimate Freedom

There’s something uniquely American about the road trip, and nowhere delivers better than California. The Pacific Coast Highway deserves every bit of its legendary status—I’ve driven it at least a dozen times and still find new viewpoints that make me pull over in awe.

For first-timers, I recommend taking at least 10 days to drive from San Francisco to San Diego, allowing time to explore Big Sur, Santa Barbara, and the beach towns of Orange County along the way. While a convertible is optional, it is highly recommended!

Road Trip Tip: Download offline maps before setting out. Significant stretches of Highway 1 lose cell service, especially around Big Sur. I learned this lesson the hard way and ended up navigating by the sun like some modern-day explorer.

California with Kids: Creating Family Memories

Traveling California with kids doesn’t have to mean theme parks (though Disneyland is pretty magical). Some of our family’s favorite memories come from tidepooling at Crystal Cove State Park, where my niece discovered her first sea anemone and couldn’t stop talking about it for weeks.

Yosemite’s Junior Ranger program turned what could have been “boring hiking” into an exciting adventure for my friend’s kids. They still wear their badges proudly two years later.

Family-Friendly Hack: Many museums and attractions offer free admission for kids on specific days. The San Diego Natural History Museum has free Tuesdays for county residents, but the secret is they rarely check ID. Not that I’m suggesting anything…

Conclusion: Your California Story Awaits

California isn’t just a destination—it’s a feeling, a lifestyle, and potentially a lifelong love affair. After years of exploring this incredible state, I’m still discovering new corners that surprise and delight me.

Whether you’re drawn to the ancient forests of the north, the dramatic coastline of the central region, or the sun-soaked beaches of the south, California rewards those who approach it with an open heart and curious spirit.

I hope this guide helps you create your own California stories. The kind you’ll tell for years to come, starting with “Remember when we…”

Because that’s the real magic of California—it gives you memories that last long after your tan fades.

What California destinations are on your bucket list? Drop me a comment below, and I’d be happy to share more recommendations