Situated in the southwestern region of the United States (the so-called SouthWest), California is the land of beaches, natural parks, sunshine and road trips. Facing the Pacific Ocean and bordering Mexico, Arizona and Nevada, the Golden State have always fascinated tourists and visitors from every corner of the world: there are many places of interest and attractions that can satisfy the most diverse needs, the problem is exactly how to plan to see all that this great state has to offer.
In this article, however, we will focus on a much more difficult task: to make a Top 10 list of the most important things to see (or do) in California, a practically impossible task both for the difficulty of narrowing down to 10 the incredible amount of attractions available and for the subjective tastes that always influence a selection of this kind.
However, for those who have little knowledge of this state and do not have a clear idea of what to see, a Top 10, even if subjective, can represent a good starting point to explore the thousands of wonders of this legendary American state. Let’s hope that we succeed at least decently in this endeavor of introducing top 10 California attractions that you must visit!
Yosemite National Park
A must-see in California, Yosemite Park is among the state’s great natural wonders, where massive rock monoliths, roaring waterfalls, giant sequoias, glistening alpine lakes, lush valleys and scenic roads create a panorama that is hard to miss. The whole natural area is very large and it takes time to move around the park, and certain roads and entrances close at specific times of the year, so planning is a must.
Universal Studios in Los Angeles
For many, this theme park is a real discovery and if you are a movie lover, you cannot miss it. What awaits you here are rides, scenic reconstructions, shows, 4D projections and various tours of the most famous Hollywood movies, the surprise and the special effect are on the agenda so get ready to be amazed.
The tour inside the movie sets is unforgettable, and will allow you to enter real scenes with lots of scenic effects and surprise shots. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has recently been added, featuring 2 attractions which are dedicated to the saga of the wizard of Hogwarts, along with shows, stores and themed restaurants. Some of the other films that are the main protagonists of this beautiful park are King Kong, Waterworld, Jurassic Park, Transformers, Despicable Me, Kung Fu Panda, The Simpsons, etc…
San Diego
There are many cities in California, but there is only one that can compete with the charm of San Francisco, San Diego. Located on the coast, in a unique geographic position that ensures a wonderful climate (the best in the state), San Diego has many attractions: from the family amusement parks of SeaWorld and Legoland to the popular city zoo and museums of Balboa Park, from the vibrant Downtown to the beautiful beaches and hidden coves, from picturesque neighborhoods to historic attractions.
Disneyland Park
When it comes to amusement parks, California is the second largest only to Florida (which, with Orlando, can claim to be the true capital of American entertainment); and whether you are on vacation with or without children, a trip to Disneyland, the first Disney theme park ever created, is highly recommended.
This park is split into two parts: Disneyland Park, the most traditional part, which was designed by Walt Disney and is also the most famous, and Disney’s California Adventure, which focuses on the natural beauty of California and has attractions with a higher adrenaline level. You can opt to visit only one part or both, but in any case be ready to spend a lot of time in this park, since there are so many things to do.
Joshua Tree National Park
In addition to Death Valley, the California desert hosts another beautiful national park, called Joshua Tree National Park, a deserted land where trees with twisted shapes similar to cacti (Yucca) and rocky clusters lying on the ground like tombstones provide a surreal and very impressive scenery. Crossing the park with a rented car is pretty easy and there are several interesting points near the road or rest areas easy to reach.
Naturally, as in all deserts, you must pay attention to weather conditions and local wildlife, so you should be well prepared before visiting this amazing national park.
Bodie State Historic Park
Have you been growing up with Spaghetti Western movies? Or have you simply been curious about what it’s like to walk freely through an authentic, perfectly conserved western town? If you love the old west, then you can’t find anything better than Bodie, a former mining town in the Sierra Nevada mountains that was at one time a favorite destination for outlaw cowboys.
The ghost town of Bodie is now a real open-air museum, where you can enter some of the old buildings and observe the original furniture and accessories of the interiors. There is even a small museum where there are some memorabilia and historical evidence of some importance for the town.
San Francisco
Like any U.S. state, California has its symbols and the famous red bridge of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, is without doubt one of the most distinctive. Located on the bay of the same name, Frisco, as the inhabitants affectionately call it, is certainly the town that exerts the greatest charm on travelers and it is not only for its famous bridge.
The diverse hills, the continuous ups and downs, the historic cable cars, the twisty flowery Lombard Street, the characteristic neighborhoods, each with their own distinct and well-marked personality, the lively culture and the refined Victorian architecture are just some of many ingredients capable of creating a mix that turns the city on the bay into an attraction not to be missed.
Furthermore, San Francisco, with its privileged location, is an optimal base for easy excursions in the surrounding area, such as the great redwood forest of Muir Woods, which has been immortalized in the movie Planet of the Apes, or the elegant Sausalito, which has been dubbed the Portofino of California, or the wine area of Napa and Sonoma, or the coastal gems of the Monterey Peninsula; in other words, not including San Francisco in your West Coast trip plan means giving up a lot and you should not do that at all.
Highway 1 and Big Sur
California is famous as one of the most ideal states for an on-the-road trip, and actually the variety of landscapes it offers (desert moors, coastal routes, golden hills and mountainous stretches) is a real blessing for those who love traveling by car. However, among all the scenic roads in California, one stands out from the others: the infamous Highway 1, a panoramic road overlooking the Pacific Ocean that, between cliffs and bridges hanging over the sea, offers breathtaking views.
This road (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) goes along almost the entire California coast (from San Diego to the north of San Francisco), but without doubt the most fascinating stretch is the one in the Big Sur area, where there is the famous Bixby Bridge, which has been portrayed in many photos and postcards. This is also the area where you can find one of California’s most scenic beaches, Pfeiffer Beach, which is famous for its violet-colored sand and the typical stacks.
Death Valley National Park
If you love natural oddities and views in which the horizon stretches as far as the eye can see, Death Valley is the national park you shouldn’t miss. This is a park to be crossed by car in full on-the-road style, making strategic stops along the way, true “touch and go” stops, giving you just enough time to take a few photos and get back in the car right away so as not to be too affected by the high temperatures (we are in the hottest place in the States!).
Fortunately, Death Valley’s notable points can be enjoyed for the most part at a short distance from the parking areas, besides a fascinating aspect of this park is the very act of crossing it by car, creating the impression of penetrating into the depths of the earth or of having suddenly landed on another planet. Death Valley’s climate is not to be taken lightly, therefore visiting the park requires some precautions; so it is better to be ready before you visit the park, do some research on where to sleep and etc.
Sequoia National Park
This is another natural wonder that is a bit of a regular on many West Coast tours. Sequoia National Park is situated at the back of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in eastern California, to the south of Yosemite Park. Like its name suggests, the main attraction of this natural area are the giant sequoias, which not only dominate the park’s forest but also those in the surrounding areas (Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument).
The most famous of these towering trees is the General Sherman Tree, which stands 2700 years old, 83 feet tall and 31 feet in girth. But this park, and adjacent Kings Canyon, are home to many other attractions besides the redwoods.
