Planning a trip to California? Then don’t forget to check out these impeccable places to visit in California that we are going to share with you in this blog.
Also known as the Golden State, California resides in the western regions of the U.S. Its east coast meets with Nevada and Arizona, north to Oregon, and south to Mexico. The state is known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. It is home to the second-most visited theme park worldwide, filled with thrilling rides, heavenly beaches, and so much more, making it a perfect weekend destination for everyone.
The state also holds a reputation for being a surfer’s heaven, and why should it not be? After all, California boasts some beautiful beaches and the second-deepest lake, Lake Tahoe. Not just that, the state is also famous for its diverse taste in music, unique urban hotspots, and burgeoning nightlife. But all these are just the tip of the iceberg!
Let’s delve deeper and learn about these amazing tourist places in California that one must cross off their list when they visit the place for the first time.
Best Places to Visit in California
1. Disneyland
The number one pick on our list is Disneyland, a land of dreams for adults and a happy place for toddlers. Located in Southern California, this is the original Disney theme park designed by Walt Disney. The place is all about indulging in lifetime experiences such as California’s style of thrilling rides, spectacular parades, eye-catching fireworks, vibrant cuisine, lots of entertainment, and so much more.
The Disneyland Resort is actually categorized into two parts: One is Disneyland Park, and the other is Disney California Adventure Park.
The former boasts nine must-see lands that transport you into an entirely different world: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Critter Country, Frontierland, Mickey’s Toontown, Main Street, U.S.A., and New Orleans Square. Additionally, you can immerse yourself in a dash of French flair at Red Rose Taverne or browse for Disney-themed apparel.
Conversely, Disney California Adventure Park boasts some fun and stomach-churning rides for adventure enthusiasts. The major ones include Incredicoaster, Soarin’ Around the World, and Radiator Springs Racers.
And lastly, end your day with the most beautiful fireworks show at night while having the joy of ice cream on your side.
Visiting hours
- Weekdays: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
- Weekends: 8 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Ticket Price: $96/day for tourists and $92/day for California residents. Check for detailed pricing.
2. Hollywood
Hollywood in Los Angeles represents more than life for the entertainment industry and captivates tourists with its landmarks such as the Dolby Theatre, the Walk of Fame, Hollyhock House, the TCL Chinese Theatre, the Museum, and so much more.
Initially, people from the West migrated to California in pursuit of wealth in a lucrative field. But within a short span of time, the place became the home of the glamor world, a beacon of hope for emerging actors for their next big break, a beacon of optimism for musicians to discover the onlookers who resonate with their taste in music, and a one-concert away from landing a big television break.
But these are not the only reasons why Hollywood is one of the most beautiful places in California. People also come here because of the retro-cool bars, velvet-roped discos, and mouthwatering local eateries.
And the one fun fact about this place is that Hollywood received its name from an agent who owned an estate by that name. Today, it serves as a landmark with a view of Griffith Park.
Check out for all upcoming events at West Hollywood, LA.
3. Coffee at Long Beach Café
Long Beach is located in Los Angeles County and is famous for its lively art, music shows, food, and beverages.
So why are we primarily focused on Long Beach Coffee? Doesn’t it sound ordinary? Yes, it might be to the outsiders, but only the locals know that the place has some of the finest coffee shops where you can sit and relax while sipping coffee along with your favorite side dish.
Two of the most well-known Long Beach coffee shops are Rose Park Roasters and Steelhead Coffee. Starting at the Rose Park Roasters, the cafe is hugely known for its wide selection of coffee from Columbia and baked goods. Whereas Steelhead Coffee is popular for its finest coffee beans.
So, next time you are in Los Angeles, CA, don’t forget to explore these coffee gems.
4. Wine Country
Also known as the premier wine-growing region, Wine Country is located in the northern San Francisco Bay Area. Because of its nutrient-rich soil and cool ocean gusts, the place provides the best environment for growing grapes. And where there is a grape, there is a wine. Because of this, the state’s wine country has received international recognition.
Other than the wine-tasting experience that takes place in its local vineyards, the place is also famous for its elite resorts, cultural heritage and architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants, world-class cuisine, and so much more.
If you are planning to visit Wine Country, save the entire day and immerse yourself in places such as Glass Beach, Castello di Amorosa, Buena Vista Winery, and Bothe Napa Valley State Park. In fact, Napa Valley solely boasts family-owned wineries with 1700+ venues, allowing you to experience their signature flavors.
Best time to visit: Autumn
5. Lake Tahoe
Residing in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake and also one of the most pure freshwater lakes in the world, with a purity of 99.994%. It is also the largest Alpine lake on the North American continent, and it stretches 22 miles with a 12-mile width. Thus, making it a great tourist attraction for visitors to California.
Families from within the state and across the borders come to this famous vacation spot to enjoy the crystal-clear blue water, scenic views, and outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, snowboarding, and more.
For instance, the nearest hiking destination is Mount Rose, at 8260 ft. Not just that, you would find various exotic casinos and opulent resorts where you could just sit and relax.
Some of the other major attractions at Lake Tahoe are Emerald Bay State Park, Vikingsholm, Sand Harbor, Tallac Historic Site, local restaurants at Heavenly Village, and Eagle Falls. Needless to say, there are endless things to do at Lake Tahoe.
Best time to visit: Spring and Fall
6. Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is located in the South San Francisco Bay Area of California. It is home to more than 6,600 renowned tech companies, including Apple, Netflix, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and many more. These companies range from swarming startups to Fortune 500 companies.
It is the same place where legends like Steve Jobs or Bill Gates have made history and opened the doors for more such entrepreneurs who share the same vision. If you are a tech enthusiast and want to see the places where technology has created history, then don’t forget to stop by Silicon Valley Garages.
Some of the other key tech attractions over here are Lick Observatory, NASA Ames Research Center, Steve Jobs Garage, HP Garage, Apple Park, Adobe Semaphore, and many more.
And if you get tired after endless hours of visiting tech campuses and museums, you can stop by Gourmet Haus Staudt and Beer Garden Staudt, where you can taste the finest craft beer. Or taste cuisine at Calafia Cafe, made by Google’s first executive chef.
7. Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is the epitome of architecture in California and one of the most outstanding works of architecture in the United States. It spans 4200 feet over the Golden Gate Strait.
Its imposing red-orange piers soaring above the water grab the attention of every passerby. The zillions of vehicles that cross it annually vouch for the legendary bridge’s reliability after it passed the elephant test upon construction in 1937.
Because of this bridge, it has become easier and more convenient to travel from San Francisco to Marin County. They no longer need to take the boat service and waste several hours to reach their destination.
Initially, when the Golden Gate Bridge was built, it held the title of being the highest and longest suspension bridge, but since then, so many other structures have upheld those titles. But the place is still California’s landmark and is a must-see if you are planning to travel to California.
Summing up
So, that is all about the best 7 places to visit and explore in California if you are going for the first time. If you are planning to extend your trip a few more days in the state, then there are plenty of other good places to go.
For example, there is the Pacific Coast Highway that gives you the bumpy coastal sights of the Pacific Ocean; then there is Santa Monica Pier, where you can take adventurous rides or capture beautiful photographs; then there is Lombard Street, famous for its zigzag route; giant redwood trees, aka the largest trees in the world; and so much more.
The moral of the story is that California offers a diversified and interesting range of options for all sorts of people. Its scenic beauties, glamourous Hollywood culture, well-preserved nature, ancient wineries, and thrilling rides make it a must-visit destination. So, don’t miss out on it.
Having said that, we are taking a leave now.
If you want to share some personal California must-visit places recommendations, feel free to post them in the comments section below. We would be glad to hear about them.
