Best Things to Do in California: 24 Unforgettable Places and Experiences

California is the kind of destination that makes choosing an itinerary almost unfair. One trip can take you from foggy Pacific beaches and glamorous cities to giant redwoods, desert landscapes, mountain lakes, vineyards, and some of the most famous national parks in the United States.

Whether you are planning your first California vacation, a road trip, or a longer West Coast adventure, there is far more to see than Los Angeles and San Francisco.

From watching the sunset at Big Sur to exploring Yosemite Valley, here are the best things to do in California for an unforgettable trip.

1. Explore San Francisco

San Francisco is one of California’s most recognizable cities, and it deserves more than a quick stop.

Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, explore Fisherman’s Wharf, ride a historic cable car, wander through Chinatown, and visit colorful neighborhoods such as Haight-Ashbury and North Beach.

For a quieter experience, head toward the city’s waterfront parks or watch the fog roll across the Golden Gate.

If San Francisco is on your itinerary, you can also explore our guide to the best things to do in San Francisco for more ideas.

2. Visit Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one of California’s crown jewels.

The park is famous for enormous granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, meadows, and dramatic mountain scenery. Yosemite Valley is the easiest place to begin, with iconic views of Half Dome and El Capitan.

Some of the most popular experiences include:

• Hiking to Yosemite Falls
• Photographing Tunnel View
• Exploring Yosemite Valley
• Visiting Mariposa Grove
• Hiking around Glacier Point
• Watching sunset over the granite cliffs

Give Yosemite at least two or three days if your schedule allows. Trying to squeeze the park into a few hours can leave you seeing the scenery through a car window, which is a terrible way to meet Yosemite.

3. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway

Few American road trips are as scenic as California’s Pacific Coast Highway.

The coastal route offers dramatic cliffs, ocean views, beaches, charming towns, and countless opportunities to pull over for photographs.

One of the most spectacular sections runs through Big Sur, where mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.

Make stops at places such as:

• Bixby Creek Bridge
• McWay Falls
• Pfeiffer Beach
• Big Sur coastline
• Carmel-by-the-Sea
• Monterey

Allow extra time for this drive. The best part isn’t reaching the destination quickly. It’s discovering the viewpoint you almost didn’t stop for.

4. Spend a Day in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is enormous, diverse, and packed with things to do.

Visit Hollywood, walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, explore Griffith Observatory, and enjoy the views over the city. Then head toward Santa Monica for the beach and famous pier.

Other worthwhile areas include:

• Venice Beach
• Beverly Hills
• Downtown Los Angeles
• Malibu
• Silver Lake
• West Hollywood

Los Angeles is also a great starting point for exploring Southern California.

5. See the Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign is one of California’s most recognizable landmarks.

You can photograph it from several parts of Los Angeles, but hiking in the surrounding hills provides a completely different experience.

The Griffith Observatory area is particularly useful for combining city views with Hollywood Sign photographs.

For the best experience, go earlier in the day or around sunset, while keeping an eye on trail conditions and weather.

6. Relax in Santa Monica

If you want a classic California beach experience, Santa Monica is hard to beat.

Walk along the beach, explore the pier, cycle along the waterfront, or simply sit near the Pacific and watch the sunset.

The combination of ocean views, palm trees, restaurants, and walkable streets makes Santa Monica one of the easiest places to enjoy a relaxed California afternoon.

7. Explore Disneyland in Anaheim

For families, Disney fans, and anyone who never really stopped loving theme parks, Disneyland is an obvious California highlight.

Spend a day exploring classic attractions, or plan a longer visit to experience both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

If you are planning a dedicated Disneyland trip, our Ultimate 3-Day Disneyland Itinerary can help you organize your time.

8. Visit Joshua Tree National Park

California’s landscape changes dramatically when you head into the desert.

Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unusual Joshua trees, enormous boulders, desert scenery, and spectacular night skies.

Popular activities include:

• Hiking
• Rock climbing
• Scenic drives
• Stargazing
• Sunrise photography
• Sunset watching

The park is particularly magical around sunrise and sunset, when the desert rocks take on dramatic shadows and warm tones.

9. Discover Death Valley

Death Valley feels almost like another planet.

It is famous for extreme desert landscapes, salt flats, colorful mountains, sand dunes, and enormous open spaces.

Visit places such as:

• Badwater Basin
• Zabriskie Point
• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
• Artists Drive
• Dante’s View

Important: Death Valley can become dangerously hot. Check conditions before visiting, carry plenty of water, and avoid strenuous hiking during extreme heat.

10. Walk Through Sequoia National Park

Some trees are impressive. Giant sequoias are difficult to comprehend until you stand beside one.

Sequoia National Park is home to enormous trees, including General Sherman Tree, one of the world’s largest trees by volume.

Take time to explore the Giant Forest, walk beneath the massive trees, and enjoy the mountain scenery.

It is one of those California experiences where photographs don’t quite communicate the scale.

11. Explore Redwood National and State Parks

Northern California offers a completely different atmosphere.

Redwood forests are cool, quiet, and filled with trees that seem to disappear into the sky.

Redwood National and State Parks protect some of the world’s tallest trees. Scenic drives, hiking trails, and forest walks make this region perfect for travelers who prefer nature over crowded attractions.

Pair the redwoods with a Northern California road trip for an unforgettable experience.

12. Visit Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea

Monterey and Carmel make an excellent combination for a coastal getaway.

Monterey is known for its waterfront, marine life, and famous aquarium. Carmel-by-the-Sea offers charming streets, galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and a beautiful beach.

The area is also an ideal stop along a Pacific Coast road trip.

For travelers interested in slower European-style escapes, our guide to Slow Travel Italy: One Perfect Week in Lucca offers another kind of relaxed itinerary inspiration.

13. Explore San Diego

San Diego combines beaches, sunshine, parks, food, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Spend time at:

• La Jolla
• Coronado
• Balboa Park
• Old Town
• Mission Beach
• Torrey Pines

La Jolla is particularly popular for coastal scenery and wildlife viewing, while Balboa Park is ideal for museums, gardens, and architecture.

14. Watch the Sunset at Big Sur

Big Sur deserves its own spot on any California itinerary.

The combination of steep cliffs, ocean, forests, and winding roads creates some of the state’s most dramatic scenery.

Stop at viewpoints, explore short trails, and make time for sunset.

Just remember that coastal conditions and road closures can change, so check current conditions before driving.

15. Explore Lake Tahoe

California isn’t only about beaches.

Lake Tahoe sits in the Sierra Nevada and offers spectacular mountain scenery around a deep blue alpine lake.

In summer, enjoy:

• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Beaches
• Scenic drives
• Paddleboarding
• Mountain biking

In winter, the surrounding region becomes a major destination for skiing and snowboarding.

16. Visit Palm Springs

Palm Springs is perfect for travelers who want sunshine, architecture, pools, and desert scenery.

Explore its mid-century modern architecture, ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, relax by a pool, or use the city as a base for exploring nearby desert landscapes.

It makes a particularly good weekend getaway from Los Angeles.

17. Walk Through California’s Gold Country

For something beyond California’s famous coastal destinations, explore Gold Country.

Historic towns such as Nevada City and Grass Valley offer preserved buildings, independent shops, restaurants, and a glimpse into California’s Gold Rush history.

This region works particularly well for travelers who enjoy history and smaller towns rather than major attractions.

18. Visit Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park is one of California’s less obvious adventures.

Located off the Southern California coast, the islands offer hiking, kayaking, wildlife watching, snorkeling, and beautiful coastal scenery.

Because access requires planning, the islands can feel much more remote than mainland California.

If you’re looking for unusual destinations, you may also enjoy our list of 21 Unique Destinations You Never Knew Existed.

19. Explore Sacramento

California’s capital doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.

Sacramento’s Old Sacramento Waterfront offers historic buildings, museums, restaurants, and riverfront scenery.

The city is also useful as a base for exploring parts of Northern California and the Sierra Nevada.

20. Visit Hearst Castle

Perched above the Central Coast, Hearst Castle is an extravagant historic estate built by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst.

The estate is known for its elaborate architecture, artwork, gardens, terraces, and spectacular views.

It makes a fascinating stop between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

21. See the California Coast at Point Reyes

Point Reyes National Seashore offers dramatic cliffs, beaches, forests, wildlife, and hiking trails.

Visit the famous lighthouse area, explore coastal trails, and keep an eye out for wildlife.

It is an excellent escape from San Francisco when you want ocean scenery without heading all the way down the coast.

22. Take a Scenic Road Trip

California is arguably best experienced by car.

Instead of staying in one city, build a road trip around several regions. A classic route could include:

San Francisco → Monterey → Big Sur → Santa Barbara → Los Angeles → Palm Springs → San Diego

Another option is to travel inland toward Yosemite, Sequoia, Lake Tahoe, or the desert parks.

If road trips are your thing, check out our Route 66 Road Trip Guide and Ultimate Road Trip Checklist before hitting the highway.

23. Enjoy California’s Food Scene

California’s food culture is as diverse as its geography.

You can find excellent Mexican food in Southern California, fresh seafood along the coast, farm-to-table restaurants in wine country, Asian cuisines in major cities, and everything from casual food trucks to Michelin-starred dining.

Don’t leave without trying some classic California-inspired dishes, especially fresh fish tacos, avocado-based dishes, sourdough in San Francisco, and fresh produce from local markets.

24. Watch a California Sunset

This might sound simple, but don’t underestimate it.

California has hundreds of spectacular places to watch the sun disappear over the Pacific.

Try:

• Santa Monica
• Malibu
• Big Sur
• La Jolla
• Coronado
• Carmel Beach
• Point Reyes

Sometimes the most memorable California experience costs absolutely nothing.

Best Time to Visit California

California can be visited throughout the year, but the ideal season depends heavily on where you’re going.

Spring is excellent for wildflowers, pleasant temperatures, and many coastal destinations.

Summer is ideal for beaches and mountain destinations, although popular national parks can become crowded.

Fall brings pleasant weather, changing landscapes in mountain regions, and excellent conditions for road trips.

Winter is perfect for Southern California beaches and desert destinations, while mountain areas offer skiing and snow.

Because California is so large, don’t assume the weather will be the same everywhere. A cool morning in San Francisco can coexist with intense heat in the desert several hours away.

How Many Days Do You Need in California?

For a first visit, 7 to 10 days gives you enough time to experience one region without spending your entire vacation driving.

For example:

7-Day California Itinerary

Days 1–2: San Francisco
Day 3: Monterey and Carmel
Day 4: Big Sur
Day 5: Santa Barbara
Days 6–7: Los Angeles

For a longer trip, add Yosemite, San Diego, Joshua Tree, Napa Valley, or Sequoia National Park.

Trying to see the entire state in one week, however, is a recipe for spending your vacation collecting highway miles.

California Travel Tips

Before your trip, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Rent a car if you’re planning a road trip or visiting national parks.
• Book popular accommodations early, particularly during summer.
• Check park conditions before visiting national parks.
• Carry layers because temperatures can change dramatically.
• Don’t underestimate driving distances.
• Reserve popular attractions when advance reservations are required.
• Bring water for desert destinations.
• Allow extra time for scenic coastal drives.
• Keep valuables out of your vehicle when parking in busy tourist areas.
• Check wildfire, weather, and road conditions before heading into remote areas.

Final Thoughts

The best things to do in California depend on what kind of traveler you are.

Want beaches? Head to Santa Monica, San Diego, Malibu, or the Central Coast. Love nature? Yosemite, the redwoods, Sequoia, Joshua Tree, and the Channel Islands are waiting. Prefer cities? San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego offer completely different experiences. And if road trips are your idea of vacation perfection, California gives you an almost ridiculous amount of coastline and scenery to work with.

The real magic is combining several of these experiences into one journey. Start with a city, follow the coast, disappear into the mountains, and finish beneath a desert sunset. California isn’t one destination. It’s practically a collection of vacations wearing the same state outline.