Map view
Disneyland, Anaheim
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Oct
- Disneyland is a theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, and was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company
- It is the only theme park designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, which opened in 1955
- Disneyland Park consists of nine themed "lands" and a number of concealed backstage areas
- The themed lands are: Adventureland, Bayou Country, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Main Street, U.S.A., Mickey's Toontown, New Orleans Square, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and Tommorrowland
Disney California Adventure, Anaheim
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Oct
- Disney California Adventure is a theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim
- The park is themed after Disney's interpretation of California, by the use of Disney, Pixar and Marvel properties
- Disney California Adventure is divided into nine themed lands; Buena Vista Street, Hollywood Land, Avengers Campus, Cars Land, San Fransokyo Square, Performance Corridor, Pixar Pier, Paradise Gardens Park, and Grizzly Peak
#16 in Best Theme Parks in the USA
Seacliff State Beach, Aptos
- Seacliff State Beach is a state beach park on Monterey Bay, in the town of Aptos
- Seacliff includes picnic tables, and fire pits, and is also a popular place for surfing and fishing
- The beach is most known for the concrete ship SS Palo Alto lying in the water
- The unfinished ship was hauled to Seacliff Beach in 1930 by the Cal-Nevada Company, beached, and turned into an amusement center, complete with a ballroom, a cafe, a 4-foot heated pool, and carnival booths
- The company went bankrupt after two seasons, though, and the ship was stripped
- Nowadays, it is now permanently closed to the public
#50 in Best Beaches in the USA
Catalina Casino, Avalon
- The Catalina Casino is an entertainment facility in Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, off the coast of Los Angeles
- It is the largest building on the island and the most visible landmark in Avalon Bay when approaching the island from the mainland
- The large building contains a movie theater, ballroom, and formerly an island art and history museum
- Contrary to the common English usage of the word casino, this has never been a facility for gambling
Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- Pfeiffer Beach is a beach located in the Big Sur region
- One of the most distinctive characteristics of Pfeiffer Beach is its purple sand, which is created by the presence of tiny garnet particles mixed with the regular sand
- The beach is famous for Keyhole Rock, a natural rock formation that creates a dramatic archway through which waves crash
#19 in Best Beaches in the USA
Bixby Bridge, Big Sur
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- Bixby Bridge is on the Big Sur coast of California, is one of the most photographed bridges in California due to its aesthetic design
- It is a reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch bridge
- Before the opening of the bridge in 1932, residents of the Big Sur area were virtually cut off during winter due to blockages on the often impassable Old Coast Road
- The bridge was the longest concrete arch span in the California State Highway System when it was completed, and was the highest single-span arch bridge in the world, and it remains one of the tallest
Carmel River State Beach
- Carmel River State Beach is a state park at the mouth of Carmel Valley, featuring a 1-mile-long (1.6 km) protected beach with a lagoon formed by the Carmel River
- The lagoon attracts many migratory birds, and is popular with scuba divers and kayakers, who can access the notable kelp forests in the area
#60 in Best Beaches in the USA
Garrapata State Park, Carmel
- Garrapata State Park is a state park located along the Big Sur coast
- The park features a diverse landscape that includes rugged coastal cliffs, beaches, and steep mountains
- The park offers several hiking trails, which provides views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Pacific Ocean
- The park is home to various ecosystems, including deep redwood canyons and wildflower meadows
Point Lobos, Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Point Lobos and the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a state park
- Adjoining Point Lobos is one of the richest marine habitats in California
- The sea near Point Lobos is considered one of the best locations for scuba diving along the California coast
- Point Lobos features a number of hiking trails, many alongside the ocean, and a smaller number of beaches
- The historic Whalers Cabin, built by Chinese fishermen and later used by Japanese and Portuguese fishermen, is now a museum
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park
- Santa Cruz Island is the largest island in California and the most extensive of the eight islands that make up the Channel Islands archipelago, located off the coast of California
- The island is part of Channel Islands National Park and is known for its diverse ecosystems, featuring a variety of habitats that support over 60 endemic plant and animal species, including the island scrub-jay
- Santa Cruz Island has a rich history, with archaeological evidence suggesting it has been inhabited for at least 9,000 years
Coronado Beach
- Coronado Beach is a beach located in the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay
- It is situated adjacent to the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a historic beachfront hotel
- Coronado Beach offers a variety of recreational activities, including swimming, beach volleyball, and sunbathing
#12 in Best Beaches in the USA
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Crescent City
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is a state park known for its old-growth redwood forests
- The park is the last in a series of redwood parks that stretch along the coast
- It covers approximately 10,000 acres and features lush rainforests, with many trails for hiking
Dante's View, Death Valley National Park
- Dante's View is a viewpoint terrace at 1,669 m (5,476 ft) height, overlooking Death Valley
- The best time to visit Dante's View is in the cooler morning hours, when the sun is in the east
- Dante's View is part of the Black Mountains, a part of Amargosa Range, that was geological Mesozoic volcanoes
- The crust ruptured because of this force, and as a result, lava erupted
Glass Beach, Fort Bragg
- Glass Beach is a beach adjacent to MacKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg, named from a time when it was abundant with sea glass created from years of dumping garbage into an area of coastline
- A dump site began in 1906, when this beach became full in 1949, the dump was moved north to what is now known as "Glass Beach", which remained an active dump site until 1967
- The pounding waves broke down the glass and pottery and tumbled those pieces into the small, smooth, colored pieces that often become jewelry-quality, which cover Glass Beach and the other two glass beaches (former dump sites) in Fort Bragg
- Collecting is discouraged by State Park Rangers on the section of "Glass Beach" adjacent to the state park, where they ask people to leave what little glass is left for others to enjoy
Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont
- Coyote Hills Regional Park is a regional park which was dedicated to public use in 1967, and is located in Fremont
- The Coyote Hills themselves are a small range of hills at the edge of the bay, which afford tremendous views of the bay, three of the trans-bay bridges (Dumbarton Bridge, San Mateo Bridge, and the Bay Bridge), the cities of San Francisco and Oakland, the Peninsula Range of the Santa Cruz Mountains
- There is a substantial network of hiking trails in the park, and 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to cyclists
- Programs at the main shellmound site allow visitors to see a reconstructed tule house, shade shelter, pit house, and sweat lodge
Gracianna Winery, Healdsburg
- Gracianna Winery is a family-owned winery located in the Russian River Valley of Healdsburg
- It is known for focusing on crafting high-quality wines from small lots
- The winery produces a variety of wines, many of which have received numerous awards from prestigious wine competitions
- Gracianna Winery is recognized for its intimate tasting experiences, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the scenic surroundings and learn about their winemaking process
Heavenly Gondola, Heavenly Mountain Resort
- The Gondola at Heavenly is a scenic gondola ride located at the Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California
- The gondola spans approximately 2.4 miles (about 4 kilometers) and takes around 15 minutes to travel from the base in Heavenly Village to the summit
- Midway through the ride, passengers can stop at an Observation Deck situated at an elevation of 9,123 feet (2,780 meters)
- The observation deck offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains, making it a popular spot for photos
- At the top, visitors can also access several hiking trails during the summer months or visit the Tamarack Lodge
Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt Redwoods State Park
- The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic highway running through Humboldt Redwoods State Park
- The 31-mile stretch parallels Highway 101 and offers a picturesque route lined with towering coastal redwoods, some of the tallest trees in the world
- Originally part of Route 101 until a freeway bypass was created in 1960, the road was initially built as a stagecoach and wagon road in the 1880s
Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park
Best time to visit: March-May, Oct-Nov
- The Cholla Cactus Garden is located within Joshua Tree National Park, and is a garden primarily dominated by the teddybear cholla cactus, known for its dense, fuzzy appearance that can appear inviting but is actually quite prickly
- The garden features a short, flat loop trail that is about a quarter-mile long, allowing visitors to stroll through the dense thickets of cholla
- The area also offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains
McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- McWay Falls is an 80-foot-tall (24 m) waterfall on the coast of Big Sur, that flows year-round from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, into the Pacific Ocean
- The only other tidefall in California is Alamere Falls
La Jolla Cove
- La Jolla Cove is a small cove with a beach that is surrounded by cliffs in La Jolla
- The area is protected as part of a marine reserve and is popular with snorkelers, swimmers and scuba divers
- While the beach has only a small dry sand area at high tide, during very low tides, tide pools are revealed at the cove
- There are hundreds of sea lions that call La Jolla Cove home, sometimes being seen in the deeper-water parts of the cove or basking on rocks
#18 in Best Beaches in the USA
Heavenly Mountain Resort, Lake Tahoe
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Heavenly Mountain Resort is a ski resort located on the California–Nevada border in Lake Tahoe
- It has 97 runs and 30 lifts that are spread between California and Nevada and four base facilities
- The resort boasts the highest elevation of the Lake Tahoe area resorts with a peak elevation of 10,067 ft (3,068 m)
Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe–Nevada State Park
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Sand Harbor is an area within the Lake Tahoe–Nevada State Park, located on the shore of Lake Tahoe
- It is renowned for its gently sloping sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and unique rock formations, making it a popular destination for various recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, and scuba diving
#22 in Best Beaches in the USA
Kings Creek Falls Trail, Lassen Volcanic National Park
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Kings Creek Falls Trail is located in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- The trail takes hikers through flower-filled meadows and dense forests of pine and fir
- It culminates at Kings Creek Falls, a waterfall that is one of the highlights of the park
Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Petersen Automotive Museum is an automobile museum located in Los Angeles
- It is renowned for its extensive collection, featuring over 250 rare vehicles, making it one of the largest automotive museums in the world
- The museum is dedicated to the exploration and presentation of the automobile and its impact on society, culture, and history
USS Iowa Museum, Los Angeles
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The USS Iowa Museum is a maritime museum located at the Port of Los Angeles
- It is housed within the historic battleship USS Iowa (BB-61), which has been transformed into a museum to showcase naval history and the life aboard a battleship
- The museum opened to the public in 2012 and offers visitors an in-depth look at the ship's history and its role in various naval operations
Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Griffith Observatory is a public observatory located in Los Angeles, in Griffith Park
- It educates visitors to observe and understand the sky, and they can look through telescopes to observe celestial objects
- The observatory also hosts various exhibits related to astronomy and space science
- Another feature is the the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, which offers live shows and educational programs
- The observatory is renowned for its views of the Los Angeles skyline and the Pacific Ocean
#6 in Best Museums in the USA
Getty Center, Los Angeles
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Getty Center, in Los Angeles, is a campus of the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust
- Opened in 1997, it is well known for its architecture, gardens, and views overlooking Los Angeles
- The center branch of the museum features pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; and photographs from the 1830s through present day from all over the world
- Among the artworks on display is the Vincent van Gogh painting Irises
#7 in Best Museums in the USA
#15 in Best Museums in the USA
La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The La Brea Tar Pits are a paleontological site located in Hancock Park, Los Angeles
- The area is renowned for its fossil deposits, primarily from the Pleistocene epoch, also known as the Ice Age
- The tar pits consist of natural asphalt that has seeped to the surface, creating thick, sticky pools that have trapped and preserved a variety of prehistoric animals over thousands of years
- Over 100 excavations have been conducted at this site, yielding a diverse array of fossils, including those of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and other extinct species
Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Hollywood Sign is an American landmark and cultural icon overlooking Hollywood, Los Angeles
- It was originally erected in 1923 as a temporary advertisement for a local real estate development, but due to increasing recognition, the sign was left up
- Among the best-known landmarks in both California and the United States, the sign makes frequent appearances in popular culture, particularly in establishing shots for films and television programs set in or around Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park in Los Angeles County
- It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood film studios still in use
- It is the first of many full-fledged Universal Studios theme park resorts located across the world
- As of 2021, Universal Studios Hollywood contains ten rides, seven shows, and two play areas
- Each lot features a collection of rides, shows and attractions as well as food, beverage, and merchandise shops
El Matador State Beach, Malibu
Best time to visit: Aug-Sept
- El Matador State Beach is a picturesque beach located in Malibu, known for its natural beauty
- The beach features dramatic rock formations, sea caves, and a long stretch of sandy shoreline
- El Matador is ideal for sunbathing, exploring tide pools, and enjoying scenic walks along the coast
#15 in Best Beaches in the USA
Mono Lake
- Mono Lake is a saline soda lake in Mono County, formed at least 760,000 years ago as a terminal lake in an endorheic basin
- The lack of an outlet causes high levels of salts to accumulate in the lake which make its water alkaline
- The desert lake has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp, which thrive in its waters, and provides critical habitat for two million annual migratory birds that feed on the shrimp and alkali flies
- Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake
Gray Whale Cove State Beach, Montara
- Gray Whale Cove State Beach is a coastal California State Park between Pacifica, California, and Montara, California
- It features a sheltered cove surrounded by abrupt cliffs, with trails connecting to nearby Montara Mountain and McNee Ranch State Park
- The beach is named for the frequent sightings of gray whales, especially during their migration seasons
#47 in Best Beaches in the USA
17-Mile Drive, Monterey
Best time to visit: April-early June
- 17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline
- The drive passes famous golf courses, mansions and scenic attractions, including the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock and the 5,300-acre Del Monte Forest of Monterey Cypress trees
Jarvis Estate, Napa
Best time to visit: March-early May, Aug-Oct
- Jarvis Estate is a renowned winery located in Napa Valley, particularly noted for producing ultra-premium wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, all sourced from its own estate vineyards
- The winery's winemaking facility is unique, as it is housed entirely within a 45,000 square foot cave, which is tunneled into the scenic Vaca Mountains
Pine Ridge Vineyards, Napa
Best time to visit: March-early May, Aug-Oct
- Pine Ridge Vineyards is a winery located in the Napa Valley
- Established in 1978, the vineyard focuses on producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux-style wines
- The winery is known for its picturesque setting, nestled beneath a ridge of pines, offering views of the surrounding landscape
Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley
- Palisades Tahoe is a ski resort in the western United States, located in Olympic Valley
- It was the host site for the 1960 Winter Olympics
- The Palisades Tahoe resort is the largest skiing complex in the Lake Tahoe region, and is known for its challenging terrain
#12 in Best Ski Resorts in the USA
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Best time to visit: Jan-April, Nov-Dec
- The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the world's largest rotating aerial tramway, located in Palm Springs
- It spans over 2.5 miles and ascends from the desert floor to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains, providing views of the surrounding landscape
- At the summit, visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities, including hiking and sightseeing, as well as dining options with panoramic views
Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, Redwood National and State Parks
Walk difficulty: easy
- The Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail is a scenic 1.5-mile (2.5 km) loop located in Redwood National and State Parks
- The trail offers a walk through a mixed forest of towering redwoods and other coniferous trees
- The trail provides an intimate experience with ancient redwoods, some of which exceed 300 feet in height, and features diverse ecosystems, including an understory of various plants and wildlife
California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento
Best time to visit: April-June, Sept-Nov
- The California State Railroad Museum is a museum that interprets the role of railroads in the Western U.S., and features 21 restored locomotives and railroad cars, some dating back to 1862
- Other exhibits show how the influence of railroads changed American society, influencing travel, commerce and daily life, as well as the lives of railroaders and the diversity of people who work on railroads
San Diego–Coronado Bridge
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The San Diego–Coronado Bridge, commonly known as the Coronado Bridge, connects the city of San Diego with Coronado Island
- The bridge is approximately 2.12 miles long and features a vertical clearance of about 200 feet, allowing large vessels to pass underneath
- The bridge was constructed over nearly two years and officially opened to the public in 1969
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, San Diego
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a scenic coastal park located in San Diego, along the Point Loma Peninsula
- The park features dramatic sandstone cliffs that rise above the Pacific Ocean, providing panoramic views and making it a popular spot for watching sunsets
- The park's coastal environment supports diverse marine life, making it a great location for exploration during low tide
Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Cabrillo National Monument is located in San Diego, where it commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States, on September 28, 1542
- Visitors to Cabrillo National Monument can explore various attractions, including The Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which has been a San Diego icon since 1854
Balboa Park, San Diego
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Balboa Park is a historic urban cultural park in San Diego,
- Placed in reserve in 1835, the park's site is one of the oldest in the United States dedicated to public recreational use
- The park hosts various museums, theaters, restaurants, and the San Diego Zoo
USS Midway Museum, San Diego
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The USS Midway Museum is a historical naval aircraft carrier museum in San Diego, located at Navy Pier
- The museum consists of the aircraft carrier Midway, and the ship houses an extensive collection of aircraft, many of which were built in Southern California
- The USS Midway was the United States' longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, from 1945 to 1992
#65 in Best Attractions in the USA
#13 in Best Museums in the USA
Lombard Street, San Francisco
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- Lombard Street is an east–west street in San Francisco, that is famous for a steep, one-block section with eight hairpin turns
- The famous one-block section is claimed to be "the crookedest street in the world"
- The design, built in 1922, was intended to reduce the hill's natural 27 percent grade, which was too steep for most vehicles
San Francisco Cable Cars
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- The San Francisco cable car system is the world's last manually operated cable car system and an icon of the city of San Francisco
- Of the 23 cable car lines established between 1873 and 1890, only three remain
Exploratorium, San Francisco
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- The Exploratorium is a museum of science, technology, and arts in San Francisco
- Exhibits cover a range of subject areas, including human perception, the life sciences, physical phenomena (such as light, motion, electricity, waves and resonance, and magnetism), local environment (water, wind, fog, rain, sun, and other elements, as well as cityscape, landscape, and the flora and fauna of the Bay) and human behavior
#33 in Best Museums in the USA
Pier 39, San Francisco
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- Pier 39 is a shopping center and attraction located on a pier in San Francisco that features a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options
- Visitors can enjoy views of the San Francisco Bay, including landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz Island
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide (1.6 km) strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean
- It also carries pedestrian and bicycle traffic
- At the time of its opening in 1937, it was both the longest and the tallest suspension bridge in the world, titles it held until 1964 and 1998 respectively
- Recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Wonders of the Modern World, the bridge is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco and California
#36 in Best Attractions in the World
#6 in Best Landmarks in the World
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- Alcatraz Island is a small island 1.25 miles (2.01 km) offshore from San Francisco
- The island was developed in the mid-19th century with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, and a military prison
- In 1934, the island was converted into a federal prison, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
- The strong currents around the island and cold water temperatures made escape nearly impossible, and the prison became one of the most notorious in American history
- The prison closed in 1963, and the island is now a major tourist attraction
#18 in Best Attractions in the USA
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- Golden Gate Park is a large urban park located in San Francisco
- It is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, even larger than New York City's Central Park
- Notable institutions feature in the park, such as the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, which includes a planetarium and natural history museum
#28 in Best Attractions in the USA
Winchester Mystery House, San Jose
Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Oct
- The Winchester Mystery House is a mansion in San Jose, that was once a personal residence
- The Victorian and Gothic-style mansion is renowned for its size and its architectural curiosities and for the numerous myths and legends surrounding the structure and its former owner
Chamisal Vineyards, San Luis Obispo
- Chamisal Vineyards is a winery located in the Edna Valley, near San Luis Obispo, established in 1973
- It was the first vineyard planted in this region, which is known for its cool climate ideal for growing premium grape varieties
- The vineyard specializes in producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
- Visitors can enjoy tastings that showcase their diverse wine portfolio, often accompanied by views of the surrounding landscape
Santa Monica State Beach
Best time to visit: Sept-Nov
- Santa Monica State Beach is a California State Park located in the city of Santa Monica
- The beach has parks, picnic areas, playgrounds, as well as, the Muscle Beach, bike rentals, concessions, a few hotels, a bike path, and wooden pathways
- Visitor activities include volleyball, surfing, stand up paddleboarding, and swimming
#11 in Best Beaches in the USA
Tokopah Falls, Sequoia National Park
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: June-Aug
- Tokopah Falls, also known as Tokopah Valley Falls, is a waterfall located in Sequoia National Park
- It has a height of 1,200 feet (approximately 370 meters) and is considered one of the tallest waterfalls in the park
- The falls can be accessed via the Tokopah Falls Trail, which is a hike along the Kaweah River
- Along the way, visitors can enjoy diverse landscapes, including giant forests, rocky areas, and meadows
Congress Trail, Sequoia National Park
Walk difficulty: easy
Best time to visit: June-Aug
- Congress Trail is a scenic hiking trail located in Sequoia National Park
- It begins near the General Sherman Tree, which is the largest tree on Earth by volume
- Hikers can enjoy views of several giant sequoias, including the President Tree, which is the third largest tree in the world
- The trail takes you through groves of these ancient trees, offering a unique opportunity to experience some of the tallest living organisms on Earth
General Sherman Tree Trail, Sequoia National Park
Walk difficulty: easy
Best time to visit: June-Aug
- The General Sherman Tree Trail is a hiking route located in Sequoia National Park
- The trail leads to the General Sherman Tree, which is recognized as the largest living tree in the world by volume
- The giant sequoia is estimated to be around 2,100 years old, standing at 275 feet tall and measuring 37 feet in diameter
Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma
Best time to visit: June-Oct
- Gundlach Bundschu Winery is a historic winery located in Sonoma County
- It is recognized as the oldest continuously family-owned winery in the state
- Established in 1858, it has been focusing on producing high-quality wines from the estate vineyard known as Rhinefarm
- The winery offers wine tastings, vineyard tours, and live music events
Pope Beach, South Lake Tahoe
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Pope Beach is a beach located on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe
- It is known for its shallow waters, making it ideal for families with children
- The sandy beach is well-suited for picnicking and barbecuing
- Visitors can enjoy swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking in the surrounding areas
- The beach is set against a backdrop of native pine trees and offers views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains
#17 in Best Beaches in the USA
Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
- Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop is a scenic hiking route located within the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in Del Mar
- Hikers can enjoy views of the San Diego coastline, including its beaches, sandstone cliffs, and diverse coastal vegetation
- The trail offers a mix of inland paths and beach access
Treasure Island Beach
- Treasure Island Beach is a picturesque beach located in Laguna Beach
- It features a sandy bottom and can experience strong shorebreak surf, making it popular for beachgoers who enjoy swimming and sunbathing
- The beach is a popular spot for photography, especially due to its scenic landscapes, including a naturally occurring cliffside arch
#37 in Best Beaches in the USA
Venice Beach
- Venice Beach includes a promenade that runs parallel to the beach, the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Muscle Beach, and the Venice Beach Recreation Center with handball courts, paddle tennis courts, a skate dancing plaza, and numerous beach volleyball courts
- It also includes a bike trail and many businesses on Ocean Front Walk
- The basketball courts in Venice are renowned across the country for their high level of streetball; numerous professional basketball players developed their games or have been recruited on these courts
#13 in Best Beaches in the USA
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
Best time to visit: May, Sept
- Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada mountains
- The valley is about 7.5 mi (12.1 km) long and surrounded by high granite summits such as Half Dome and El Capitan, and densely forested with pines
- Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and is a big attraction, especially in the spring, when the water flow is at its peak
Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park
Best time to visit: May, Sept
- Glacier Point is a viewpoint above Yosemite Valley in the U.S. state of California
- The point offers a view of several of Yosemite National Park's well-known landmarks, including Yosemite Valley, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and Clouds Rest
Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park
Best time to visit: May, Sept
- Tunnel View is a scenic viewpoint located in Yosemite National Park
- Since its opening in 1933, it has offered visitors iconic, expansive views of Yosemite Valley, making it one of the park's most renowned viewpoints
- For many arriving by road, this is the stunning first view, upon suddenly exiting the long and dark tunnel, of Yosemite Valley and its setting
Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park
Best time to visit: May, Sept
- Horsetail Fall, located in Yosemite National Park, is a seasonal waterfall that flows in the winter and early spring
- The fall occurs on the east side of El Capitan
- For a couple of weeks around mid-February, the fall may be lit up by the setting sun, creating the illusion of a blazing waterfall
- This evening spectacle, which lasts around 10 minutes in good viewing conditions, is commonly referred to as the "firefall"
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite National Park
Walk difficulty: easy
Best time to visit: May, Sept
- Lower Yosemite Falls Trail is a scenic trail located in Yosemite National Park, offering views of both Lower Yosemite Falls and Upper Yosemite Falls, making it a popular spot for photography and sightseeing
- Visitors can walk to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, where they can experience the powerful rush of water, especially during spring when the falls are at their peak flow