California is a popular holiday spot in the United States. With millions of visitors every year, it is a hot spot for tourists worldwide. It does not matter if you want to hit the trail, swim with dolphins, or experience some fine dining and nightlife; there are plenty of places that will have you coming back for multiple visits.
Read on to discover the best places to visit in California.
1. San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is a world-famous city located in northern California. It’s best known for being a center of culture and art, being home to both the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, the steep rolling hills that give it a unique look, and the large number of diverse neighborhoods.
With impressive landmarks like Union Square, Lombard Street, the Ferry Building Marketplace, and Alcatraz Island within walking distance, it’s easy to spend days or even weeks exploring this unique city.
2. Napa Valley Wine Region
Napa Valley is located directly north of San Francisco in the northern part of California. It’s recognized as one of the largest wine regions in the United States, if not the world. With more than 500 wineries sitting on acres and acres of beautiful land, there are endless ways to experience Napa Valley Wine Country.
3. Yosemite National Park
Established in 1890, Yosemite National Park is spread across 761,268 acres of central California. With landmarks like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls all sitting within its borders, it is pretty straight forward easy to see why it is one of the most visited parks in the United States.
4. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is recognized as one of the world’s leading centers of arts, culture, fashion, media, international trade, and higher education. There are endless activities available for anyone from its expansive beaches to famous landmarks like Universal Studios Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, Chinatown, Griffith Park, Dodger Stadium, Santa Monica Pier, and Venice Beach living in or visiting Los Angeles.
5. San Diego
San Diego is located on the very southern tip of California, directly above Mexico. It is known for being one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the entire country, second only to Orlando. It is easy to see why with attractions like SeaWorld, Balboa Park, Old Town, Legoland, La Jolla Cove, San Diego Zoo, and the Gaslamp Quarter.
6. Death Valley National Park
Located in Southeastern California near the Nevada border, Death Valley is one of the hottest places on earth thanks to its record high summer temperatures that sporadically exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 degrees Celsius). Despite this harsh environment, there’s an abundance of things to see and do in Death Valley National Park.
7. City of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, with its unique architecture, art scene, beaches, national parks all within driving distance, it’s easy to see why Santa Barbara welcomes more than 3 million visitors each year. Famous landmarks include the Santa Barbara Zoo, Stearns Wharf, and the Museum of Natural History.
8. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe welcomes millions of tourists to its shores for skiing, snowboarding, swimming, or just general sightseeing. There are plenty of popular destinations like Heavenly Ski Resort, Casinos, and the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, all within proximity.
9. Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes boasts of an average high temperature that’s 20 degrees cooler than anywhere else on earth in the summertime. More than two miles above sea level, Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort sits at the base of several peaks, including the White Mountains and Mammoth Mountain itself.
10. Monterey
Monterey is located along the southern central California coast just north of Big Sur. It’s home to several famous beaches, state parks, national wildlife refuges, aquariums, and historical landmarks. With its moderate climate and beautiful landscape, it’s easy to see why Monterey has been a top tourist destination for more than 100 years.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, California has plenty of exciting things to do and places to visit. If you want to discover the best places to visit in California, use a trusted platform like AmericanOtels to find the perfect accommodation and make your trip as fun and memorable as possible.