Cool places to vacation in california
The places that I have vacationed in California, have been awesome! Some of the best times in my life have been with my friends and family. There are so many things and places that everyone needs to see, but here is a list of some of the best spots and activities when people ask me where to travel:
California is one of the most beautiful and diverse locations you can choose to visit. Whether you’re looking for a serene family vacation, foodie getaway, or party animal excursion, California will have something that appeals to your tastes and personality. Here are some of our favorite places to visit in California.
There’s no shortage of cool places to vacation in California: from the beach to the mountains, you’ll find a little bit of everything.
San Diego is one of our favorite cities for its incredible weather and proximity to the ocean. The weather is almost always perfect, and you can walk along miles of sandy beaches or climb up a mountain and look down on the city as it lies below you. There are also tons of great restaurants and bars in San Diego if you’re looking for some fun things to do while you’re there.
If you’re looking for something a little more remote, Big Sur might be your best bet. It’s about an hour south of Carmel-by-the-Sea and about two hours south of San Francisco. Big Sur is one of those places where you can just get away from everything for a little while—and that’s exactly what we recommend doing when you visit!
California is a state that has something for everyone, from the adventurer to the foodie. If you’re looking for a vacation that will make your heart sing and give you memories that will last a lifetime, then look no further than these five California destinations:
1) San Francisco – If you want to see some of the best views in America, then this city is for you. It’s also home to some of the best restaurants in the world!
2) Yosemite National Park – If you love hiking, then this national park is one of the best places in California to take on a challenging hike.
3) Santa Cruz – This beach destination is known for its surfing as well as its beautiful weather. Just make sure not to forget your sunscreen!
4) Los Angeles – The entertainment capital of America has something for everyone, including amazing beaches and incredible shopping opportunities. You’ll never run out of things to do here!
5) Palm Springs – This desert town is known for its beautiful scenery and rich history, but it’s also got some great hotels where you can relax after spending all day exploring nearby attractions like Joshua Tree National Park or Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (which happens every April).
1. The San Francisco Bay Area
When the afternoon sun shines on the hillsides or the fog rolls in from the Pacific Ocean over the Golden Gate Bridge, this breathtaking city has a mystical beauty. Visitors are awed by San Francisco’s picture-perfect scenery, from the curves of Lombard Street to the elegant Victorian houses and marvelous bay views.
San Francisco packs an incredible number of tourist attractions into just seven by seven square miles. It’s a small, walkable city as long as you don’t mind steep streets or hopping on a cable car.
Whichever way you get around San Francisco, it’s fun to explore the historic neighborhoods: Chinatown, a bustling area of shops and authentic Chinese restaurants; North Beach (Little Italy); and Fisherman’s Wharf, a popular waterfront tourist destination.
Today, San Francisco is California’s most sophisticated city, a place to enjoy world-class opera and ballet, a wide range of theater performances, and gourmet dining. The city has an impressive assortment of top restaurants offering local, as well as global cuisine and trendsetting menus.
The hip and edgy Mission district is the place to try up-and-coming restaurants or sample ethnic cuisine, relax in a coffee shop, and browse unique shops. The stylish Hayes Valley neighborhood is renowned for its restaurants, as well as fancy retail boutiques.
Across the San Francisco Bay (just a 30-minute Bart train ride away) are the university town of Berkeley, with its high-caliber cultural attractions and acclaimed gourmet restaurants, and the multicultural city of Oakland with interesting museums, historic theaters, lively neighborhood events, and summer festivals.
Nature lovers can drive 30 miles south of San Francisco (via the scenic Highway One) to Half Moon Bay. Tucked away behind rolling hills, this oceanfront town fronts a stretch of wild, rugged Pacific coastline. It’s a great place for walking along the beach, hiking, golfing, fishing and bird-watching, or to enjoy a seafood meal by the harbor.
About 17 miles farther south is Pescadero, a rural community with many small farms; a bird sanctuary at the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve; and a goat dairy (Harley Farms), which has a cheese shop and hosts gourmet garden picnics.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in San Francisco: Best Areas & Hotels
2. Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Pasadena
Los Angeles epitomizes the seductive image of sunny Southern California with its wide, palm-fringed boulevards; exclusive designer boutiques; trendy restaurants; and sun-drenched sandy beaches. Despite being a sprawling urban metropolis, the city enchants visitors with its pleasant neighborhoods and interesting tourist attractions.
The city built up during the film industry boom of the 1920s and 30s and is still synonymous with Tinseltown glitz and glamour. The famous neighborhood of Hollywood has many iconic sights, including the Walk of Fame lined with star plaques honoring prominent movie directors, actors, and musicians.
Those intrigued by the idea of spotting Hollywood stars should head to their stomping grounds on Rodeo Drive, lined with haute couture boutiques; the exclusive Beverly Hills and Bel Air neighborhoods; and the Chateau Marmont hotel on Sunset Boulevard. The sophisticated neighborhood of Franklin Village in Hollywood is also a good place for celebrity sightings.
Favorite beaches are the eclectic Venice Beach, a fun-loving scene of rollerbladers, cyclists, joggers, and street performers, and the 3.5-mile Santa Monica State Beach (15 miles from Los Angeles, accessible by the Expo Metro line), which has an iconic pier and a beachfront path for walking and cycling. The town of Santa Monica is brimming with fashionable shops and a variety of restaurants, some with ocean views.
Besides movie stars, beaches, fine dining, and shopping, Los Angeles is also known for its art scene and cultural offerings. The city boasts world-class museums and performance venues such as the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the Walt Disney Concert Hall (classical music performances), and the Hollywood Bowl (pop music concerts).
Near the pleasant small town of Pasadena (11 miles from Los Angeles) is the Huntington Botanical Gardens, filled with 16 different themed gardens, including a Desert Garden, an authentic Japanese Garden, and a Shakespeare Garden featuring plants cultivated in Renaissance England.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Los Angeles: Best Areas & Hotels
3. San Diego: Sunshine, Beaches, and Spanish Architecture
With its balmy year-round climate, San Diego is the place to experience California’s laid-back lifestyle of sun-drenched days at the beach and fun-loving outdoor adventures. Ranking high on the list of top tourist attractions are gorgeous sandy beaches that feature pristine scenery and almost year-round sunshine.
The main tourist attractions in San Diego proper are Balboa Park, an expansive green space with ravishing gardens and several museums; the historic Gaslamp Quarter, which is full of boutiques, art galleries, and good restaurants; and the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, where museums, retail shops, and restaurants occupy the old adobe buildings.
Families with young children will enjoy the city’s kid-friendly attractions, as well as the family-friendly resorts. The top things to do in San Diego with kids include visiting San Diego Zoo; watching the dolphin and whale shows at SeaWorld; exploring the playgrounds at Balboa Park; admiring colorful sea life at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla; and spending time at The New Children’s Museum.
As the state’s oldest city, San Diego has the original Spanish mission (founded in 1769). Registered as a National Historic Landmark, the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá was the birthplace of Christianity in California. The adobe building complex features a distinctive campanario (bell wall) and a courtyard garden filled with tropical flowers and bougainvillea. The visitor center and gift shop are open every day. Mass is celebrated twice daily and several times on Sundays.
Several nearby destinations are good day trips from San Diego. For sunbathing and shopping, La Jolla (14 miles north of San Diego’s downtown) is prized for its sandy beaches, as well as its quaint downtown full of gourmet restaurants, art museums, performing arts, and antiques shops.
Another worthwhile excursion from San Diego is the Mission San Juan Capistrano, in a tranquil setting 66 miles north. For the taste of a different culture, travelers can visit Tijuana in Mexico, just 20 miles south of San Diego.
Slightly farther away (within two hours of San Diego) are many wonderful weekend getaway destinations such as the dreamy Catalina Island and the mountain resort of Idyllwild.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in San Diego: Best Areas & Hotels
4. Yosemite National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Mother Nature’s most striking creation, the Yosemite Valley is surrounded by sheer granite cliffs and domes that were carved by glaciers millions of years ago. When John Muir discovered Yosemite in the 1860s, he described it as the “grandest of all special temples of Nature” and helped to establish the area as a protected national park.
Today around four million visitors annually come to admire Yosemite’s jaw-dropping natural splendor. This national park in California’s High Sierra has been protected since 1864 and visiting Yosemite is one of the top things to do in California.
This vast wilderness of 1,200 square miles was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and boasts 800 miles of hiking trails. One of the most awe-inspiring hikes of the legendary Pacific Crest Trail is found along the gushing Tuolumne River.
Every area of the park is dazzling, from its expansive meadows, free-flowing waterfalls, and crystal-clear streams to the giant sequoia tree groves. The park has incredible biological diversity, with more than 400 different animal species, including 262 species of birds.
The most emblematic sights of Yosemite are Yosemite Falls, an amazing 2,425-foot waterfall, and Half Dome, the sheer-faced granite mountain. The trail to the top of Yosemite Falls and the all-day trek up to Half Dome are among the most challenging hikes in Yosemite, suitable for those in good physical fitness.
Easier trails include the hike to Vernal Falls footbridge and the loop around Mirror Lake, a pleasant spot sheltered by granite walls.
Yosemite National Park has two historic lodges (The Ahwahnee and the Wawona Hotel) and the modern Yosemite Valley Lodge. Visitors can also choose from hotels located in the nearby towns outside of the park such as Oakhurst, Groveland, and El Portal.
For those who prefer camping, there are rustic cabins and campgrounds throughout the park. It’s recommended to make reservations for all types of overnight accommodations, including cabins and campsites, well in advance.