Things to do in California

Los Angeles Highlights

1. Explore Hollywood

Location / Neighborhood: Hollywood, Los Angeles

Best for: First-time visitors, couples, families, sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; individual attractions may charge admission

Walk along Hollywood Boulevard, spot famous names on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and see landmarks such as the TCL Chinese Theatre.

For a wider view of Los Angeles, head into the surrounding hills for viewpoints towards the Hollywood Sign. You can also combine Hollywood Boulevard with Sunset Boulevard, Griffith Park or an evening show to see more than the area's best-known landmarks.

If you want to stay close to the area, our vacation rentals near the Hollywood Sign make a convenient base for exploring Hollywood and central Los Angeles.

2. Experience Universal Studios Hollywood

Location / Neighborhood: Universal City, Los Angeles

Best for: Families, movie fans, theme park lovers

Estimated Time Needed: Full day

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Universal Studios Hollywood combines a working movie-studio setting with rides and immersive entertainment.

Major attractions are inspired by films and franchises, while the Studio Tour offers a look at sets and production areas around the Universal lot. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter add immersive themed areas alongside the park's more traditional attractions.

3. Visit Santa Monica Pier

Location / Neighborhood: Santa Monica, Los Angeles County

Best for: Families, couples, coastal sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; rides and attractions require separate payment

Santa Monica Pier combines classic seaside entertainment with excellent views of the Pacific.

Ride the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park, walk along the waterfront or continue onto the broad sands of Santa Monica State Beach. The pier is also associated with the western end of historic Route 66, making it a fitting stop on a wider American road trip.

4. Visit Griffith Observatory

Location / Neighborhood: Griffith Park, Los Angeles

Best for: Families, couples, astronomy, city views

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Free general admission; some experiences require a fee

Griffith Observatory overlooks Los Angeles from the slopes of Mount Hollywood, with astronomy exhibits, telescopes and panoramic views across the city towards the Hollywood Sign.

Its terraces become particularly impressive around sunset, when you can watch daylight fade across Los Angeles before the city lights appear below.

If you want to stay close to the area, our vacation rentals near Griffith Observatory make a convenient base for exploring Hollywood, Griffith Park and central Los Angeles.

5. Spend the Day in Malibu

Location / Neighborhood: Malibu, Los Angeles County

Best for: Couples, beach days, coastal drives, sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; parking may apply

Malibu is made for relaxed days along the Southern California coast.

Explore beaches such as Zuma Beach, enjoy oceanfront dining or follow scenic stretches of the Pacific Coast Highway through the area. Point Dume is especially worthwhile for a coastal walk, with clifftop viewpoints overlooking the Pacific and surrounding beaches.

Orange County Highlights

6. Visit Disneyland Resort

Location / Neighborhood: Anaheim, Orange County

Best for: Families, couples, Disney fans

Estimated Time Needed: Full day or longer

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Head to Anaheim for one of California's most famous family attractions.

Disneyland Resort combines Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, with rides, character experiences, themed lands, restaurants and nighttime entertainment. Highlights range from classic Disneyland attractions to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Cars Land, so allowing more than one day gives you much more time to explore both parks.

If you want to stay close to the parks, our vacation rentals near Disneyland provide a convenient base for family trips to Anaheim.

7. Discover Laguna Beach

Location / Neighborhood: Laguna Beach, Orange County

Best for: Couples, families, beaches, coastal walks

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; parking may apply

Laguna Beach combines small coves, sandy beaches, galleries and a relaxed coastal town center.

Spend the day moving between beaches, exploring tide pools or following clifftop paths overlooking the Pacific. Heisler Park is particularly good for a gentle coastal walk, with landscaped gardens and viewpoints above several small coves.

8. Spend a Day at Knott’s Berry Farm

Location / Neighborhood: Buena Park, Orange County

Best for: Families, teenagers, thrill rides

Estimated Time Needed: Full day

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park combines large roller coasters with family attractions and its historic Ghost Town area.

It is particularly useful for families looking to add another theme-park day around an Anaheim stay. Ghost Town gives the park a character of its own, with Old West-style buildings and classic attractions sitting alongside its modern thrill rides.

San Diego Highlights

9. Explore Cabrillo National Monument

Location / Neighborhood: Point Loma, San Diego

Best for: Families, couples, history, coastal scenery

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Park entry fee applies

Cabrillo National Monument sits at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula and offers sweeping views across San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Walk the coastal trails, visit the historic Old Point Loma Lighthouse or head down towards the tide pools when conditions are suitable. Its elevated position also makes it a particularly good place for watching ships enter San Diego Bay and enjoying wide coastal views on clear days.

10. Explore Balboa Park

Location / Neighborhood: Balboa Park, San Diego

Best for: Families, couples, museums, gardens

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; individual attractions may charge admission

Balboa Park is one of San Diego's best places for combining culture, gardens and family attractions.

The enormous park contains museums, landscaped spaces, performance venues and striking Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Highlights include the Botanical Building area, Spanish Village Art Center and a collection of museums covering everything from science to photography and aviation.

11. Explore La Jolla Cove

Location / Neighborhood: La Jolla, San Diego

Best for: Couples, families, wildlife, kayaking

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; activities may charge a fee

La Jolla Cove is one of San Diego's prettiest stretches of coastline.

Walk along the cliffs, look for wild sea lions and seals or take to the water for swimming and kayaking when conditions allow. Kayak trips can also explore the surrounding coastline and sea caves, giving you a very different perspective from the paths above.

Always keep a respectful distance from resting wildlife.

12. Visit the USS Midway Museum

Location / Neighborhood: Downtown San Diego waterfront

Best for: Families, history, aviation

Estimated Time Needed: 3–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Step aboard the historic USS Midway aircraft carrier on San Diego's waterfront.

The museum includes restored aircraft, flight-deck areas and exhibits exploring life aboard the enormous ship. You can walk through crew spaces below deck before heading onto the flight deck for close-up views of aircraft and San Diego Bay.

13. Visit LEGOLAND California

Location / Neighborhood: Carlsbad, San Diego County

Best for: Families, younger children, LEGO fans

Estimated Time Needed: Full day

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad is particularly suited to families with younger children.

The resort combines LEGO-themed rides, interactive attractions and enormous models built from millions of LEGO bricks. Miniland USA is one of its most distinctive areas, recreating recognizable American landmarks and city scenes in miniature LEGO form.

14. Explore the Fleet Science Center

Location / Neighborhood: Balboa Park, San Diego

Best for: Families, school-age children, science

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, the Fleet Science Center is packed with interactive science exhibits.

Its hands-on approach makes it particularly suitable for families looking for an indoor break between Southern California's outdoor attractions. The center also has an enormous dome-screen theater, making it easy to extend the visit with an immersive film experience.

15. Explore Old Town San Diego

Location / Neighborhood: Old Town, San Diego

Best for: Families, couples, history, culture

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; individual attractions may charge admission Old Town San Diego State Historic Park explores the city's early history through preserved buildings, museums, shops and restaurants.

It is easy to wander around at your own pace and works particularly well as a family-friendly afternoon away from San Diego's beaches and theme parks. Historic adobe buildings and demonstrations help show what life in early San Diego looked like before the modern city developed around it.

Palm Springs and Inland Southern California Highlights

16. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Location / Neighborhood: Palm Springs, Coachella Valley

Best for: Families, couples, mountain scenery

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Ticket fee applies

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway climbs from the desert floor into the mountains of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

Temperatures at the top can be dramatically cooler, with hiking trails and sweeping views across the Coachella Valley. The tram cars rotate during the journey, giving passengers changing views of the rocky canyon and desert below as they climb.

17. Hike in Mount San Jacinto State Park

Location / Neighborhood: Mount San Jacinto, Palm Springs area

Best for: Hiking, nature, active travelers

Estimated Time Needed: 2 hours to full day

Cost / Entry: Park access may be free; tram or parking fees may apply

Escape the desert heat of Palm Springs for mountain scenery, pine forests and hiking trails around Mount San Jacinto.

The aerial tramway provides one of the easiest ways to reach the higher elevations. From the Mountain Station area, routes range from short walks through Long Valley to much more demanding mountain hikes.

18. Visit Joshua Tree National Park

Location / Neighborhood: Joshua Tree, Southern California desert

Best for: Hiking, road trips, photography, stargazing

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Park entry fee applies

Joshua Tree combines unusual rock formations, desert scenery and its distinctive namesake trees.

Daytime activities range from hiking and rock climbing to scenic drives, while the clear desert skies make it particularly impressive after sunset. Hidden Valley, Keys View and Cholla Cactus Garden are useful stops for seeing several different sides of the park in one visit.

19. Explore Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Location / Neighborhood: Borrego Springs, Southern California

Best for: Hiking, road trips, photography, stargazing

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; some facilities may charge fees

Anza-Borrego offers vast desert landscapes away from Southern California's busier coastal destinations.

Hiking, scenic drives and seasonal wildflowers are among the highlights, while the lack of major cities nearby also makes it a strong stargazing destination. The Borrego Badlands provide some of the park's most dramatic scenery, especially when viewed from elevated overlooks.

20. See Salvation Mountain

Location / Neighborhood: Niland, near the Salton Sea

Best for: Road trips, photography, unusual attractions

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Free

Salvation Mountain is a colorful piece of folk art rising from the desert near the Salton Sea.

The hillside is covered with painted patterns, religious messages and bright colors, creating one of Southern California's more unusual roadside stops. Artist Leonard Knight spent years developing the site, transforming the desert hillside with paint, adobe and other materials.

21. Go Stargazing in the California Desert

Location / Neighborhood: Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Anza-Borrego

Best for: Couples, families, astronomy, photography

Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours after dark

Cost / Entry: Free; park entry may apply

California's deserts offer some outstanding opportunities to see the night sky away from major cities.

Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Anza-Borrego are all excellent places to stay after sunset and watch the stars above the desert landscape. On clear, moonless nights, the lack of major light pollution can reveal far more stars than you would normally see from California's cities and coastal resorts.

22. Visit Temecula Wine Country

Location / Neighborhood: Temecula Valley

Best for: Couples, adults, wine lovers

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Tastings and tours require payment

Temecula offers vineyards and wineries within easy reach of many Southern California destinations.

Spend a day visiting tasting rooms, exploring the countryside or combining wine tasting with restaurants and Old Town Temecula. Early-morning hot-air balloon flights are another popular way to see the vineyards and surrounding hills from above.

Central Coast Highlights

23. Visit Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Location / Neighborhood: Santa Barbara

Best for: Couples, families, gardens, nature

Estimated Time Needed: 1.5–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden showcases plants and landscapes native to California across peaceful gardens and walking trails.

Its foothill setting gives you mountain views alongside woodland, wildflower and canyon landscapes. Different sections showcase habitats from across California, making the garden as educational as it is relaxing to explore.

24. Explore Channel Islands National Park

Location / Neighborhood: Offshore from Ventura and Santa Barbara

Best for: Adventure, hiking, kayaking, wildlife

Estimated Time Needed: Full day

Cost / Entry: Boat transportation fee applies

The Channel Islands feel surprisingly remote despite sitting just off the Southern California coast.

Boat trips take visitors towards rugged islands where activities include hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and wildlife watching. The islands are home to species found nowhere else, including the island fox, while sea caves and undeveloped coastlines add to their sense of isolation.

There are very limited services once you arrive, so bring everything you need for the day.

25. Explore Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Location / Neighborhood: Carmel, Monterey County

Best for: Hiking, couples, photography, wildlife

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Vehicle or parking fee may apply

Just south of Carmel, Point Lobos combines forest trails, rocky headlands and clear coastal coves.

Keep an eye on the ocean too, where wild sea lions, seals, otters and migrating whales may sometimes be spotted. The Cypress Grove and Sea Lion Point trails are particularly good options when you want impressive scenery without committing to a long hike.

26. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway

Location / Neighborhood: California coast

Best for: Road trips, couples, coastal scenery

Estimated Time Needed: Full day to multi-day trip

Cost / Entry: Free to drive; fuel and parking costs apply

A California road trip does not get much more iconic than the Pacific Coast Highway.

The route passes beaches, cliffs, coastal towns and dramatic stretches of scenery, with Big Sur among its most memorable sections. Build plenty of time into the journey for viewpoints, beaches and towns along the way rather than treating it simply as a drive between destinations.

Road conditions and closures can affect parts of the route, so check your planned section before setting out.

27. Discover Big Sur

Location / Neighborhood: Big Sur, Central Coast

Best for: Couples, road trips, hiking, photography

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; individual parks may charge entry

Big Sur is one of the most dramatic sections of California's coastline.

Drive between rugged cliffs, forests and ocean viewpoints, stopping at landmarks such as Bixby Creek Bridge and coastal parks along the route. McWay Falls is another standout stop, where water drops towards a secluded cove surrounded by steep coastal scenery.

Allow extra time for spontaneous stops and check current road conditions before travelling.

28. Explore Carmel-by-the-Sea

Location / Neighborhood: Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey Peninsula

Best for: Couples, coastal walks, shopping, sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to explore

Carmel is a small coastal town known for its beach, galleries, unusual cottages and attractive streets.

It also makes an excellent stopping point when exploring Monterey, Point Lobos or the northern end of Big Sur. Ocean Avenue leads through the compact center towards Carmel Beach, making the town particularly easy to explore on foot.

29. Drive the 17-Mile Drive

Location / Neighborhood: Monterey Peninsula

Best for: Couples, road trips, coastal views, golf fans

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Vehicle entry fee applies

The 17-Mile Drive follows a scenic route around the Monterey Peninsula.

Ocean viewpoints, rocky shoreline, golf courses and famous landmarks such as the Lone Cypress make it well worth adding to a Monterey or Carmel stay. Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay and several coastal lookout points provide plenty of reasons to stop rather than drive the route in one go.

30. Visit Hearst Castle

Location / Neighborhood: San Simeon, Central Coast

Best for: History, architecture, couples, sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Tour fee applies

Hearst Castle sits high above California's Central Coast near San Simeon.

Tours explore lavish rooms, terraces, gardens and pools created for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. The outdoor Neptune Pool and richly decorated indoor Roman Pool are among the estate's most recognizable features, while the hilltop setting provides sweeping views towards the Pacific.

San Francisco and Bay Area Highlights

31. See the Golden Gate Bridge

Location / Neighborhood: San Francisco and Marin County

Best for: First-time visitors, couples, families, photography

Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to visit; parking or transport costs may apply

Few California landmarks are as recognizable as San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.

See it from viewpoints around the bay, walk or cycle across it, or combine your visit with nearby Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Crissy Field provides a particularly good waterside perspective, while viewpoints north of the bridge offer a classic panorama with San Francisco in the background.

32. Visit Alcatraz Island

Location / Neighborhood: San Francisco Bay

Best for: History, couples, families with older children

Estimated Time Needed: 3–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Ferry and admission ticket required

Take a ferry across San Francisco Bay to explore one of America's most famous former prisons.

The visit combines the prison complex and its history with excellent views back towards San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Inside the cellhouse, the audio experience brings stories from former prisoners and correctional officers into the visit.

Ferry spaces can fill during busy periods, so booking ahead is sensible.

33. Explore Fisherman’s Wharf

Location / Neighborhood: Northern waterfront, San Francisco

Best for: Families, first-time visitors, food, waterfront sightseeing

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to explore

Fisherman's Wharf is one of San Francisco's liveliest visitor areas.

See the wild sea lions around Pier 39, browse waterfront shops and restaurants or use the area as a starting point for cruises across the bay. You can also continue on foot towards Ghirardelli Square or hop aboard one of San Francisco's famous cable cars nearby.

34. Explore the Exploratorium

Location / Neighborhood: Pier 15, San Francisco

Best for: Families, children, science, interactive learning

Estimated Time Needed: 3–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

San Francisco's Exploratorium turns science into a hands-on experience.

Hundreds of interactive exhibits explore subjects including light, sound, human perception and physics, making it particularly good for curious kids. Its location at Pier 15 also puts you directly on the Embarcadero, with views across San Francisco Bay between exhibits.

35. Walk Through Muir Woods

Location / Neighborhood: Marin County

Best for: Couples, families, nature, walking

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission and transport or parking fees may apply

Muir Woods National Monument protects a beautiful stand of old-growth coastal redwoods just outside San Francisco.

Walking trails wind beneath enormous trees, making it one of the easiest places to experience a California redwood forest on a Bay Area trip. Some of the redwoods here have stood for centuries, and the shaded forest floor feels remarkably removed from nearby San Francisco.

Parking and shuttle reservations are required, so organize transport before setting out.

36. Explore Point Reyes National Seashore

Location / Neighborhood: Marin County, Northern California coast

Best for: Hiking, wildlife, couples, photography

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; some facilities may charge fees

Point Reyes National Seashore protects a rugged section of Northern California coastline north of San Francisco.

Spend the day following coastal trails, visiting windswept beaches or heading towards the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse. Wildlife sightings can include tule elk, elephant seals and migrating whales, depending on the area and time of year.

Keep to marked routes and give all wildlife plenty of space.

Wine Country and Northern California Highlights

37. Explore Napa Valley

Location / Neighborhood: Napa Valley, Northern California

Best for: Couples, adults, wine lovers, food

Estimated Time Needed: Full day

Cost / Entry: Tastings, tours and transport fees apply

Napa Valley is one of America's best-known wine regions.

Visit vineyards and tasting rooms, enjoy long lunches overlooking the countryside or turn the journey itself into part of the experience aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. Towns such as Yountville and St. Helena are worth leaving time for too, particularly for restaurants, boutiques and relaxed walks between winery visits..

38. Discover Sonoma

Location / Neighborhood: Sonoma County

Best for: Couples, adults, wine, food, countryside

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; tastings and tours may charge fees

Neighboring Sonoma provides another excellent base for exploring Northern California wine country.

The region combines vineyards with historic towns, restaurants, farms and a generally relaxed countryside atmosphere. Sonoma Plaza is a natural starting point, surrounded by historic buildings, restaurants, tasting rooms and independent shops.

39. See the Redwoods of Northern California

Location / Neighborhood: Northern California redwood country

Best for: Families, couples, nature, road trips

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Individual parks may charge entry or parking fees

Northern California contains some of the tallest trees on the planet.

Redwood National and State Parks protect huge areas of ancient forest, with scenic drives and walking trails that pass directly beneath the towering trees. Farther south, the Avenue of the Giants offers another memorable drive through miles of redwood country.

40. Visit the General Sherman Tree

Location / Neighborhood: Northern California

Best for: Hiking, geology, nature, outdoor adventures

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Park entry fee applies

Lassen Volcanic National Park brings a very different landscape to Northern California, combining mountain scenery with evidence of the volcanic forces beneath the region.

Trails lead past steaming ground, bubbling mud pots and other hydrothermal features, while Lassen Peak dominates much of the surrounding landscape. Bumpass Hell is one of the best-known areas for seeing the park's geothermal activity up close.

Yosemite, Sierra Nevada and Eastern California Highlights

41. Explore Yosemite National Park

Location / Neighborhood: Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada

Best for: Families, couples, hiking, photography

Estimated Time Needed: Full day to several days

Cost / Entry: Park entry fee applies

Yosemite is one of California's essential outdoor destinations, known for towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, forests and spectacular viewpoints.

See landmarks such as El Capitan and Half Dome, walk through Yosemite Valley or follow one of the park's many hiking trails. Tunnel View is a particularly memorable first stop, with a sweeping panorama across the valley towards El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall.

42. Spend a Day at Lake Tahoe

Location / Neighborhood: Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada

Best for: Families, couples, watersports, mountain scenery

Estimated Time Needed: Full day

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; activities and parking may cost extra

Lake Tahoe sits high in the Sierra Nevada and offers completely different experiences according to the season.

Summer brings beaches, hiking, kayaking and boating, while winter transforms the surrounding mountains into a major skiing and snowboarding destination. Emerald Bay is one of the lake's standout areas, combining brilliant blue water with mountain scenery, hiking trails and elevated viewpoints.

43. Walk Among Giant Sequoias

Location / Neighborhood: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Best for: Families, couples, hiking, nature

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Park entry fee applies

California is home to some of the largest trees on Earth.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks provide opportunities to walk among enormous trees throughout Giant Forest and other sequoia groves. Short trails allow you to get surprisingly close to these ancient giants, while longer routes take you into quieter sections of the forest.

44. Ski or Snowboard at Lake Tahoe

Location / Neighborhood: Lake Tahoe

Best for: Families, couples, groups, winter sports

Estimated Time Needed: Full day

Cost / Entry: Lift pass and equipment fees apply

Winter transforms Lake Tahoe into one of California's premier mountain destinations.

Numerous ski areas surround the lake, offering terrain for everyone from first-time skiers to experienced riders. Heavenly, Northstar and Palisades Tahoe are among the major resorts, each offering a different mix of slopes and mountain scenery.

1. Hike to Yosemite’s Waterfalls

Location / Neighborhood: Yosemite National Park

Best for: Hiking, families, couples, photography

Estimated Time Needed: 2 hours to full day

Cost / Entry: Park entry fee applies

Yosemite's waterfalls are particularly impressive when snowmelt increases flows during spring and early summer.

Trails range from straightforward valley walks to demanding climbs towards waterfalls and elevated viewpoints. Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall and Vernal Fall all offer very different experiences, so you can choose a route that suits the time and energy you have available.

46. Explore Death Valley National Park

Location / Neighborhood: Death Valley, Eastern California

Best for: Road trips, photography, hiking, desert scenery

Estimated Time Needed: Full day

Cost / Entry: Park entry fee applies

Death Valley is a landscape of salt flats, colorful mountains, sand dunes and extreme desert scenery.

Highlights include Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point and Artist's Drive, although visitors should take the desert heat particularly seriously during summer. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and the elevated panorama from Dante's View reveal two completely different sides of the park.

47. Explore Bodie Ghost Town

Location / Neighborhood: Bodie, Eastern Sierra

Best for: History, road trips, photography

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Bodie State Historic Park preserves the remains of a former gold-mining town in a state of arrested decay.

Old homes, stores and other buildings provide a fascinating glimpse into California's Gold Rush era. Rather than being rebuilt as a polished attraction, much of Bodie has been deliberately preserved as it was left, which gives the town its distinctive atmosphere.

48. See Badwater Basin

Location / Neighborhood: Death Valley National Park

Best for: Road trips, photography, unusual landscapes

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Included with park entry

Badwater Basin in Death Valley sits 282 feet below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America.

Its vast salt flats create one of California's most distinctive landscapes. Walking a short distance away from the parking area gives you a much stronger sense of the enormous scale and unusual salt formations covering the basin.

Things to Do in California With Kids

49. Explore the California Science Center

Location / Neighborhood: Exposition Park, Los Angeles

Best for: Families, school-age children, science

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free general admission; some experiences require a fee

The California Science Center is packed with hands-on exhibits covering subjects such as space, engineering, ecosystems and the human body. Interactive displays make it particularly good for children who prefer doing something rather than simply looking around a museum.

Its location in Exposition Park also makes it easy to combine with other nearby attractions. Allow a few hours if you want time to explore the main galleries without rushing.

50. Visit Discovery Cube Orange County

Location / Neighborhood: Santa Ana, Orange County

Best for: Families, younger children, interactive learning

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Discovery Cube Orange County turns science into a series of hands-on challenges, experiments and interactive exhibits designed largely with children in mind.

Topics range from weather and engineering to healthy living and the environment, giving families plenty to explore indoors. It is particularly useful when you want a break from theme parks or need an activity for a hotter or wetter day in Southern California.

51. Explore the California State Railroad Museum

Location / Neighborhood: Old Sacramento

Best for: Families, train enthusiasts, history

Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

The California State Railroad Museum brings the state’s railway history to life through restored locomotives, passenger cars and exhibits exploring how rail travel helped shape California.

Children can get close to enormous historic trains while adults have plenty of social and engineering history to explore too. Combine the museum with a walk around Old Sacramento for an easy family day in the state capital.

52. Spend the Day at Gilroy Gardens

Location / Neighborhood: Gilroy, Northern California

Best for: Families, younger children, gentle rides

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Gilroy Gardens is designed particularly well for families with younger children, combining rides and play areas with landscaped gardens and unusual trees. The atmosphere is generally gentler than California’s major thrill-focused theme parks, making it a useful option for children who are not ready for large roller coasters.

Check seasonal opening dates before travelling, as the park does not operate on the same schedule throughout the year.

53. Visit Kidspace Children’s Museum

Location / Neighborhood: Pasadena

Best for: Younger children, families, hands-on play

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Admission fee applies

Kidspace Children’s Museum focuses on active, hands-on learning, with play spaces that encourage children to climb, build, experiment and explore. Indoor and outdoor areas make it particularly suited to younger families looking for something beyond Southern California’s larger theme parks.

Comfortable clothes are a good idea, as many of the activities are designed around movement and practical play rather than traditional museum displays.

Unique and Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to Do in California

54. See the Tufa Towers at Mono Lake

Location / Neighborhood: Eastern Sierra

Best for: Photography, road trips, unusual landscapes

Estimated Time Needed: 1–3 hours

Cost / Entry: Free to explore; some access or parking fees may apply

Mono Lake is one of California’s most unusual natural landscapes, best known for the limestone tufa towers rising from its shoreline. Follow the paths around the South Tufa area for some of the clearest views of the formations against the water and surrounding mountains.

Early morning and late afternoon usually provide softer light for photography, while the Eastern Sierra setting makes it easy to include on a longer road trip.

55. Walk Along Glass Beach

Location / Neighborhood: Fort Bragg, Mendocino County

Best for: Coastal walks, photography, road trips

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Free

Glass Beach near Fort Bragg is known for pieces of smooth sea glass scattered among sections of its rocky shoreline, created from discarded glass that was gradually worn down by the Pacific.

Today it forms part of a scenic stretch of Northern California coast. Enjoy the views and photograph any glass you find, but leave it where it is so the remaining pieces stay part of the beach.

56. Explore Lava Beds National Monument

Location / Neighborhood: Northeastern California

Best for: Adventure, geology, unusual day trips

Estimated Time Needed: Half to full day

Cost / Entry: Park entry fee applies

Lava Beds National Monument contains one of California’s most unusual underground landscapes, with lava-tube caves formed by past volcanic activity. Visitors can explore several caves of varying difficulty as well as volcanic terrain and historic sites above ground.

Bring suitable footwear and a reliable light source if you plan to enter the caves, and choose a route that matches your confidence and experience underground.

57. Explore the Alabama Hills

Location / Neighborhood: Lone Pine, Eastern California

Best for: Road trips, photography, hiking

Estimated Time Needed: 2–4 hours

Cost / Entry: Free

The Alabama Hills combine rounded rock formations with enormous views towards the Sierra Nevada, creating one of Eastern California’s most distinctive desert landscapes.

Short walks lead to formations such as Mobius Arch, while scenic roads pass through areas used as filming locations for generations of movies and television shows. Visit around sunrise or sunset for cooler conditions and particularly dramatic mountain views.

58. See the Trona Pinnacles

Location / Neighborhood: Mojave Desert, near Ridgecrest

Best for: Photography, road trips, unusual landscapes

Estimated Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Cost / Entry: Free

The Trona Pinnacles rise unexpectedly from the desert floor in a collection of strange limestone spires, some reaching several stories high. Their remote Mojave setting makes the landscape feel almost otherworldly and very different from California’s better-known national parks. Access involves travelling away from major highways and can include an unpaved approach road, so check road and weather conditions before setting out.

Seasonal Events

California hosts major sporting, music, film and cultural events throughout the year, with some of the biggest taking place around Palm Springs and Southern California. If an event is important to your trip, check the current dates before booking accommodation or travel.

Palm Springs International Film Festival

The Palm Springs International Film Festival brings screenings, premieres and special events to venues across Palm Springs. Held during the winter season, it is easy to combine with restaurants, desert sightseeing and other attractions around the Coachella Valley.

BNP Paribas Open

The BNP Paribas Open brings leading international tennis players to Indian Wells in the Greater Palm Springs area. Visitors can attend individual sessions or build several days of tennis into a longer California stay, with Palm Springs, La Quinta and surrounding desert communities providing convenient bases.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Coachella is one of California’s best-known annual music events, taking place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Alongside major music performances, the festival is known for large-scale art installations and attracts visitors from around the world to the Coachella Valley.

Accommodation around Indio, La Quinta and Palm Springs can become particularly busy around festival weekends, so planning ahead is sensible.

La Jolla Concours d’Elegance

La Jolla Concours d’Elegance brings classic, vintage and luxury cars to an oceanfront setting in San Diego. The event can easily be combined with La Jolla Cove, coastal walks and restaurants around the neighborhood, making it a good addition to a spring trip to Southern California.

Plan your California trip

California covers everything from major cities and Pacific beaches to desert landscapes, mountains and wine country, so choosing the right area and time of year can make planning much easier.

Use these guides and collections to start building your trip:

• The best time to visit California
• California villas for families
• Vacation rentals near Disneyland California

Where to stay in California

Choosing where to stay depends heavily on the experiences you want to prioritize.

Stay around Anaheim for Disneyland, Los Angeles for city sightseeing, or choose coastal destinations for beaches and Pacific views. Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are well suited to desert trips, while Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes and Big Bear provide a completely different base for mountain adventures.

Wine-country destinations such as Temecula and Paso Robles work particularly well for slower countryside stays, while Monterey provides easy access to California’s Central Coast.

Our California vacation rentals include homes for couples, families and larger groups across destinations throughout the state. Top Villas currently lists California properties in areas including Anaheim, Big Bear Lake, Joshua Tree, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Malibu, Mammoth Lakes, Monterey, Palm Springs, San Diego and Temecula.