Ahh, the Golden State. Most people automatically think of Hollywood or the beaches when they think of California, but the state offers much more than that. From arid deserts covered in sand dunes to alpine lakes, with unique and exciting getaway destinations and world famous national parks, you can find plenty of things to do in California.
We’re breaking the state up into two sections: Northern California includes everything from Monterey and Fresno and up. Southern California is everything south of that point. Read on to find a list of all the best things to do in California.
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Things To Do In Northern California
- Take a hike through a redwood forest
- Take a walk in the canopy of the redwoods 50 to 100 feet high along suspension bridges at Trees Of Mystery in Klamath
- Search for the worlds oldest tree in the Methuselah Grove in the White Mountains (its exact location is a secret!)
- Visit the State Capitol in Sacramento
- Step back in time at the Sacramento Historic District and Old Sacramento Waterfront
- Go panning for gold like the 49ers
- Spend the night in a haunted hotel at The Historic Cary House Hotel in Placerville
- See Tule Elk and elephant seals and eat fresh oysters at the Point Reyes National Seashore and Tomales Bay
- Get lost in a fern lined canyon and follow the stream to Gold Bluffs Beach
- Head to Calistoga for a relaxing mud bath
- Take a walk over the Golden Gate Bridge
- See one of America’s most infamous prisons at Alcatraz Island
- Visit the Conservatory of Flowers or see Bison grazing in the meadow at Golden Gate Park
- Visit the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco
- See San Francisco’s historic Chinatown with the Dragon Gate, red lanterns, and get a fortune cookie from the landmark Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
- Get a world-famous sourdough bread bowl full of creamy clam chowder at the original Boudin Bakery
- Take a tour of San Francisco by hopping on one of the historic cable cars
- See some of America’s most beautiful waterfalls and geologic formations at Yosemite National Park
- Hit the slopes at Mammoth Mountain
- Learn about all four types of volcanoes, see boiling mud pots, and go fishing at Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Visit the California State Railroad Museum to see how the rail helped shape the history of our state
- Step inside the largest single cave chamber in California at Moaning Caverns – it’s big enough to hold the Statue Of Liberty!
- See the stalactites and stalagmites of Mercer Caverns
- See some of the west coasts most stunning views on a Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
- Explore the remains of California’s Gold Rush-era ghost towns
- Go wine tasting in California’s most notable wine country, Napa Valley
- Soak in natural mineral bath at one of California’s Hot Springs
- Visit Mono Lake, one of the oldest lakes in North America, and see the Tufa towers
- Explore one of California’s most beautiful lakes at Lake Tahoe and enjoy the beaches, ski resorts, and other recreational activities
- Visit one of California’s many State Parks to explore nature or historic sites
- See some of America’s most beautiful spots at one of California’s National Parks
- Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium and stroll Cannery Row & Fisherman’s Wharf
- Take in the scenic coastal views on 17-Mile Drive in Monterey and stop at the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course
- Tour the oldest operating lighthouse in California dating back to 1855 at Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove
- See one of America’s strangest mansions with doors and staircases that lead to nowhere at Winchester Mystery House in San Jose
- Take a train ride through the redwood forest at Santa Cruz’s Roaring Camp Railroad
- Spend a day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a beachside amusement park that dates back to 1907
- Go camping on the beach along the rugged natural coastline
- Visit Gilroy, the Garlic Capital Of The World and attend the Garlic Festival
- Take an RV road trip to visit some of California’s best waterfalls
Things To Do In Southern California
- Visit the Happiest Place On Earth, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim
- Watch the Disneyland fireworks from a rooftop bar
- Take the kids to Legoland for all things Lego plus tons of fun rides
- Take a stroll down Olvera Street in Los Angeles
- Wander through exquisite landscapes at the Huntington Library and Gardens
- Browse the museum and gardens at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles
- Indulge in all the food you fancy at Grand Central Market in Los Angeles
- Wander through the giant dioramas at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles
- Learn all about the prehistoric past of dinosaurs at the La Brea Tar Pits
- Visit the California Science Center to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour
- Experience a live performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Take a ride at the thrill capital, Six Flags Magic Mountain
- See General Sherman, the world’s biggest tree, located in Sequoia National Park
- Visit the hottest, driest, and lowest national park at Death Valley
- Go rock climbing at Joshua Tree National Park
- Learn to catch a wave with a surf lesson in Surf City aka, Huntington Beach
- Hop on a charter boat and go whale watching to get an upclose view of Southern California marine life
- Go to a grunion run
- Go fishing at Irvine Lake
- Go snorkeling or diving at Crystal Cove’s Marine Protected Area
- See a Broadway Productions at Segerstrom Center for the Arts or the Pantages Theatre
- See a beachside pirate’s tower at Victoria Beach in Laguna
- Go gallery hopping in Laguna Beach to browse the artwork
- See a concert at the House Of Blues
- Catch a hockey game at the Honda Center
- See a rodeo at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park
- Visit a local farm and pick your own produce, flowers, or pumpkins
- Get a dose of island life and spot a wild buffalo at Catalina Island
- Take a seaside roller coaster ride at the Santa Monica Pier
- Drive the California section of historic Route 66, beginning in Santa Monica
- Experience the magic of Hollywood at Universal Studios
- Visit LA Live and check out the Grammy Museum
- Attend the annual New Year’s Rose Parade
- See 4,000 animals at the San Diego Zoo
- Have an overnight safari at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
- Explore the 1,200 acre historic urban park with gardens and attractions at San Diego’s Balboa Park
- Spend a day at the races at Del Mar
- Step on board a military aircraft carrier at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego
- Meet the dolphins and orcas at SeaWorld San Diego
- See where the first European stepped foot on America’s west coast at Cabrillo National Monument
- Take a peek at the universe at Griffith Observatory
- Take a hike or horseback ride to the iconic Hollywood sign
- See the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Visit The Last Book Store in Los Angeles, full of books built in an old bank
- Have a hot dog at the world famous Pink’s Hot Dogs in LA
- Take a hot air balloon ride over Southern California’s wineries in Temecula
- Hike one of the most popular long distance trails, the Pacific Crest Trail
- Hike Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states
- See if you can find all the quirky metal sculptures in Anza Borrego
- Explore a remote island packed with natural landscapes and wildlife at Channel Islands National Park
- Get a southern California classic burger and fries at In-N-Out
- Learn to ski or snowboard at one of SoCal’s local ski resorts like Bear Mountain or Snow Summit
- Visit Santa’s Village at SkyPark in Lake Arrowhead
- Ride an aerial tram to the top of a mountain in Palm Springs and explore Mount San Jacinto
- Spend a weekend lounging poolside at one of Palm Springs best pools
- See flourishing fields of the California State flower at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
- Spend a day at the oldest theme park in the US at Knott’s Berry Farm – visit in October to attend the ever-popular Knott’s Scary Farm
- Soak up the sun at one of SoCals best water parks, Wild Rivers
- Take a ride on the big orange balloon at the Orange County Great Park
- Visit one of the most beautiful castles in California at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, then go see the elephant seals and explore the beaches
- Explore the Central Coast’s Danish Themed Town in Solvang
- Visit an abandoned resort town at the Salton Sea
- Take a Haunted Encounters tour of the Queen Mary in Long Beach
- Go apple picking in the fall in Oak Glen or Julian
- Go off-roading on the sand dunes of Glamis or Pismo
- Go glamping on the coast or in the mountains
- Kick off a roadtrip to explore the California Missions in San Diego at Mission San Diego de Alcala
- Attend one of the world famous music festivals like Coachella or Stagecoach
- See a baseball game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim
- Head to the Balboa Fun Zone to have a Balboa Bar and take a Ferry Ride
- Take a horseback ride on the beach
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