places to visit in california
Places to Visit in California
If you want to see the best of California, just hit Highway 1, and travel along this picturesque route by the Pacific Ocean. Read ahead to discover some of the best places to visit in California, both on the coast, and off it.
California is one of the most beautiful states in America. The temperate climate, the abundant nature, the charming cities, and the vibrant culture, all make it a great place to live in, and to visit. Because of the moderate temperatures, you can visit California any time of the year. However, I would recommend visiting California during the spring or summer seasons, to experience it at its best.
California has a lot to offer. It has a rich natural diversity, ranging from the beaches of Southern California, to the snow-peaked mountains of the Sierra Nevada, to the wine country in the central valley, and the granite mountains and waterfalls in Yosemite. So, if you want to frolic in the sun and sand, or ski on the snowy mountain slopes, or hike along some nature trails, or even taste some wine, you can do it all only in California.
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Lake Tahoe
The beautiful Lake Tahoe nests in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, on the border of California and Nevada. It is one of the largest lakes in America, being 22 miles in length, 12 miles in width, and 1,645 feet deep. Owing to this, the lake never freezes, even during the extremely cold winters of the Sierra. There are many ski resorts near the lake, including Heavenly Mountain Resort, Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, and Squaw Valley, where you can try some skiing and snowboarding. You can also indulge in some gambling in one of the casinos that line the border in Nevada. There are also a lot of water sport activities like boating and sailing that you can enjoy during the spring and summer seasons.
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Napa Valley
This is the wine country of California. It is home to some of the best wineries in America, and produces some of the best wines in the world, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Merlot. If you love wine, or nurture an ambition to become a connoisseur of wine, this is the place for you. The Napa Valley Wine Auction takes places in June every year, whose proceeds go towards benefiting many charities. Napa county has many cultural events all through the year. There are various fairs organized throughout the year, and there is also the Festival del Sole, which is food, wine, art, and music festival held in many places all around the valley.
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Mendocino
North of the Napa Valley, along the Pacific coast, is the quaint little town of Mendocino. The weather here is chilly, and the coastline is engulfed in fog most of the time, but this only adds to the unique nature of this town. This is a perfect place for laying back. But, you can also unwind by taking a walk along the trails of The Mendocino Headlands State Park. Another place you can visit while you are here is Fort Bragg, which is located 10 miles north of Mendocino. It hosts the beautiful Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, and the popularly known Skunk Train (named thus by the locals, because the oil used in the train engines emitted a peculiar smell when it burned). You must take a ride on this historical train, which travels from Fort Bragg to the town of Willits, through the grand Redwood Trees of California.
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Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is the perfect place to get away from the frenetic pace of city life. The Yosemite Valley is surrounded by imposing granite mountains and beautiful waterfalls. The best time of the year to visit Yosemite is in summer, when the snow has melted, and the amazing flora and fauna comes to life. You can just choose to kick back and relax amidst the peaceful surroundings, or participate in one of the many activities Yosemite has to offer, like hiking, rock climbing, river rafting, kayaking, biking, etc. Some of the key features of Yosemite National Park include El Capitan, Half Dome, Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, Bridal Veil Falls, Vernal Falls, and Yosemite Falls.
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San Francisco
I love this city because it has such a different feel from all the other cities in America. There are also a lot of tourist attractions in the city - The Golden Gate Bridge, The Museum of Modern Art, The Golden Gate Park, Crissy Fields, Fisherman's Wharf, Twin Peaks, Coit Tower, the historical Cable Cars, Union Square, Lombard Street, and so on. The list is endless. The city also boasts of a rich, vibrant culture, and an ethnic mix unlike anywhere in the world. San Francisco is not only a great place to visit, but also an awesome place to live in, owing to the high standard of living, and the wonderful climate it has to offer.
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Monterey Bay
The famous 17 mile drive down south from San Francisco takes you to Monterey Bay. It is a bay along the central coast of California, in the Pacific Ocean. Monterey bay is well-known for its abundant marine life, making it a center for marine biology. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-visit place. It is an extension of the bay, and reflects the vast number of species present in the sea waters of the bay. The city of Santa Cruz in Monterey Bay is a great place for surfing, and features the Santa Cruz Wharf and Light House.
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Carmel
South of the Monterey Bay is the quaint little town of Carmel. Popularly known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, it has a European charm to it. This place experiences cool summer-like Mediterranean climate. The best time of the year to go here is the months of September and October. This is a place dedicated to the field of arts, be it fine art, theater, literature, or music. It hosts several amazing art galleries, and is host to many artists. Another interesting nugget about Carmel is that it is extremely dog-friendly. In fact, there are more dogs in Carmel than there are people!
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Big Sur
When you travel on Highway 1, twelve miles south of Carmel, you reach the breathtakingly beautiful area of Big Sur. Located along the Pacific coast, it offers stunning views of the ocean, the cliffs, and the mountains. There are not many places where you can stay in Big Sur, but it is a great place for camping, and there are many campgrounds available. Another attraction of Big Sur is the historical Bixby Creek Bridge, which is a truly amazing structure.
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Los Angeles
Los Angeles, The City of Angels, is home to Hollywood, making it one of the most glamorous cities in the world. It is commonly called the Entertainment Capital of the World. Its attractions include Disneyland, Universal Studios, the Hollywood Sign, Rodeo Drive, Sunset Boulevard, Getty Center, The Kodak Theater, Staples Center, and The Dodger's Stadium. Los Angeles is also big on sports, and hosts the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers, and The Los Angeles Dodgers.
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San Diego
This beautiful city along the Pacific Ocean features the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego SeaWorld. It is home to many popular museums like the San Diego Museum of Art, and the San Diego Natural History Museum. San Diego is also known for its beautiful beaches and moderate temperatures, making it a great place for swimming and frolicking in the water. Other places to visit are Balboa Park, Belmont amusement park, the Mission San Diego de Alcala, and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
There are many more places to choose from if you are looking to go to a vacation in California. Though one thing is for sure, whatever you choose to do, where ever you choose to go, you are guaranteed to have a great time.