California best places to visit
If you’re like me, and vacations equal endless days of being on the beach (and maybe a great happy hour or two), then you’re going to love this. I decided to create a list of the best places to vacation in California. All these vacation destinations are in Southern California. San Diego is one of my favorite places and I’m ready to tell everyone about my experience. Why? Because knowing how to pick the best places to visit can make all the difference. When I was planning my trip, there were a few things I didn’t know about San Diego that would have made my trip even better. So, here’s your guide to the best places to visit in Southern California:
California is one of the best places to vacation. California has established itself as a leading tourist destination in the US. The state’s gorgeous beaches, winter resorts, and national parks are fantastically famous all across the world for being idyllic getaways.
California is a state with a lot of options. There are beaches, mountains, deserts, and everything in between. It’s a great place to visit if you want to do some hiking or if you just want to hang out by the pool. If you’re looking for some outdoor activities, California has it all: from mountaineering to surfing and backpacking to snorkeling. There are also plenty of opportunities for more relaxing getaways as well.
If you’re visiting California for the first time, here are some of our favorite places:
The Golden Gate Bridge: This iconic bridge is located in San Francisco and crosses over into Marin County. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area and offers magnificent views from either side of the bay. You can even take a ferry across during your visit!
Disneyland Resort: This theme park has been around since 1955 and offers everything from rides like Space Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean to shows like Fantasmic! You’ll never run out of things to do at this park—you’ll just want more time!
The Getty Center: The J. Paul Getty Museum has one of the finest collections of art in the world—and it’s free! The museum is located on
Mammoth Lakes
The Eastern Sierras are a magical and underrated California vacation destination that are filled with endless adventure. One of the biggest reasons that people travel here is because of the epic ski resort, but Mammoth offers plenty of adventure all year long. You can ski and snowboard at Mammoth Mountain, one of the top resorts in the country, hike around the impressive Devil’s Postpile National Monument, go fishing in the region’s many lakes, and never find a bad view on the hiking trails. Summer activities include boating, camping, golfing, and paddleboarding, and Mammoth Brewing Company is worth a stop after your adventures.
ADVERTISEMENT
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is a fun and laid-back beach destination that’s perfect for a couple’s or family vacation. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is always a fun stop, and the Mystery Spot is another popular destination. Don’t miss the tide pools at Natural Bridges and spend your weekend with plenty of beach time and good food. While on vacation in Santa Cruz, check out West Cliff Drive, Roaring Camp Railroads, Wilder Ranch State Park, and the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.
ADVERTISEMENT
Big Bear Lake
For a Southern California vacation that is far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, head to Big Bear Lake. Here you can go boating in the summer and go skiing or snowboarding the winter. It’s a wonderful change of scenery if you are used to big-city life a breath of fresh air from the cities’ crowds and smog.
ADVERTISEMENT
Paso Robles
Wine country regions always make excellent California vacations, but one of our ultimate favorites is Paso Robles. Here you’ll find lots of vineyards and also the Firestone Walker Brewing Company for beer lovers. This area is near San Luis Obispo, and arts and nature-loving mid-sized town that it worth visiting during your Paso Robles vacation too. The famous Hearst Castle isn’t’ far away and worth a drive if you’re interested in taking a tour to learn about this famous local family and be impressed with architecture and décor.
ADVERTISEMENT
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is an ultimate beach getaway if you’re looking for a sunny coastal town vacation. It’s about 45 minutes from the northern part of San Diego, so it’s possible to squeeze both of these destinations into a week-long trip. Laguna Beach isn’t as overdeveloped as many other parts of Orange County, which gives it a relaxing and artsy vibe. In fact, there are some exciting art festivals to check out here in the summer and galleries in town to check out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Carlsbad
Carlsbad is a town in the San Diego region of California and home to lots of attractions the whole family can enjoy. Plan a vacation here to visit the LEGOLAND California Resort, SEA LIFE Aquarium and even take rides in historic biplanes. Air and walking tours are popular here, as well as paddleboard lessons, go-kart racing, and the Flower Fields with their 50 acres of colorful flowers on the coastline’s hillside.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lake Tahoe
There’s truly nothing like a Lake Tahoe vacation, regardless of when you visit during the year. This is an epic place to plan a week of skiing, but it’s also fun for a summer vacation filled with white-sand beaches and views of the Sierra Nevada mountains. There are lots of quaint towns to visit around the lake, although must of the activity and accommodations are in the town of South Lake Tahoe.
ADVERTISEMENT
San Diego
San Diego is famous for its year-around perfect weather, so there’s no bad time to plan a vacation here. Lots of people from cold climates visit in the winter to get some fun in the sun. There are lots of microbreweries here to give you a locals-only vibe during your trip and also plenty of beach opportunities nearby. Top ways to spend a family vacation in San Diego include the USS Midway Museum, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and SeaWorld San Diego.
ADVERTISEMENT
Yosemite National Park
There are lots of National Parks that you can visit on vacation in California, but Yosemite is by far one of the most impressive ones. The mountains are absolutely enormous, the lakes reflect their magnitude perfectly, and the hikes and rock climbs are some of the most famous ones in the world. Come here to be impressed with the sheer size of what nature can do and to also have all the amenities you need nearby to be comfortable. There are a couple hotels and campgrounds to stay at here and shuttle buses to keep the crowds manageable. To beat the crowds the best though, visit in winter and brave the cold to see the mountains capped with snow and far less people on the roads and trails.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay is a perfect vacation destination if you’re looking to slow down the pace of life and relax in a quiet seaside town. It’s an idea place to go sailing, and there are local companies that will take you out on the water from the marina. Doran Beach is a beautiful place to take a stroll, and you can also visit the sites of the creepy Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Birds, including the Potter Schoolhouse and St. Teresa of Avila Church.
