Known for its perfect weather, breathtaking landscapes, and trendsetting culture, the Golden State has plenty of things in store of the adventurous tourist.

It’s is known to be a state where you can find Mickey Mouse, and even get to touch an Orca whale. Here, you can marvel at the beauty of the redwoods before you witness the world’s most natural landscapes.

California is a place where you won’t be short of memorable experiences, and here is our list of the best things to do in California for your dream vacation:

Admire the Beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge

As cliche as it might sound- when you come to visit, swing by and witness the magical sight of the Golden Gate bridge. It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in San Francisco, and one of the top things to do when you’re in California. So you better not miss it, if you can.

If you want to see more spectacular sights, going to Vista Point is well worth the effort because you will be rewarded by stunning views of this iconic engineering achievement, and the San Francisco Bay.

You can easily access Vista Point by car via the northbound US 101, or you can walk and take a short hike up the hillside.

Drop by Venice Beach

Los Angeles is known as pristine beaches and Venice Beach is a perfect example. In the summer season, the beach houses street performers, cyclists, swimmers, roller skaters, and sunbathers.

It’s also where the popular Muscle Beach is found, a spot where bodybuilders would usually flex their muscles and show it off in an open beach gym.

Spend the Day at Disneyland

The Disney World in Florida is one of the top tourist attractions in the US, but there’s also the Disneyland located in Anaheim, California. It houses one of the largest tourist attractions in California, and if you’re visiting the state, then you mustn’t skip it.

Going to Disneyland is perhaps one of the coolest places to go when you’re in California. The amusement park is made up of two separate parks with a shopping district located in the same neighborhood.

There are also local hotels that have direct access to the area as well. In the main street, you find many themed areas there as well, where you can easily go back in time in the early 1900s.

Visit Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is another great attraction California has to offer. It’s found in the northernmost section of the state, on the border with Nevada.

The best part is that there are so many activities to do all year round. During the summer season, the place is perfect for hiking, sunbathing, a slew of water sports, and other fun outdoor activities.

Read More: 7 Best Places to Visit in California USA

In the winter months, Lake Tahoe comes alive with activities like snowmobiling and skiing.

Another interesting fact about Lake Tahoe is that it’s actually one of the biggest natural lakes in the world. Pretty cool, right?

See the tallest trees in the world at Redwood Natural Park

Found in the northernmost portion of California, it is where old-growth forests are found with the tallest and biggest trees in the world.

The natural park is vastly populated by coastal redwoods, which is also known as sequoia trees- the only surviving species of the sequoia genus.

The tallest among them stands approximately 400 meters tall, and about 30 feet in diameter.

Go-Wine Tasting at Napa Valley

Napa Valley is known as one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world, and a favorite weekend destination for both locals and tourists.

It’s also where you can find fine restaurants, fun outdoor activities, and shops. But mostly, people go here to experience the wine.

All in all, Napa Valley is made up of approximately 450 vineyards and 14 regions, with a wide variety of offerings.

The best time of the year to visit is during the fall, where you would have the chance to see the winery in action. This is also called as the “crush” season.

Hike the Yosemite National Park

One of the most popular national parks in the state is the Yosemite National Park. Over the last couple of years, it has been increasingly crowded especially during the summer.

The most ideal times to visit is during the spring or fall, where you can usually go out and hike its trails!

If you’re up for it, you can also take the Half Dome hike. But you have to plan in advance for you to be able to secure a booking permit. Check out the best national parks in California.

Explore the Big Sur

If you only have to pick a few places to go to California, then Big Sur should be on top of your list.

For instance, if you took a day trip in San Francisco and you want to see one of the most captivating parts of the state for just a limited amount of time, then it’s certainly an excellent option. It has one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world.

Whether you want to drive the whole area along the Pacific Coast Highway, or just want to make a quick stop and be captivated by its beauty, it’s a place where you could come to see and experience it all- the azure waters, the bluffs, and the sky.

Witness the Unique and Colorful Sand of the Glass Beach

Before 1967, batteries, cars, and bottles where unceremoniously pushed over the cliffs, and into the ocean. It’s a fairly common practice back then, to dispose of the trash on the coastline of Northern California.

However, surprisingly, mother nature responded to this abuse by giving a smooth, colored glass treasure, with stunning rainbow colors in Glass beach.

Look for ruby reds that are taken from auto taillights and sapphire gems that came from apothecary bottles.

Over to You

Whether you’re an outdoor junkie, a sun worshipper, or just love to enjoy California’s quirky attractions, the Golden State surely has something for you.

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