f you have come this far looking for places to visit in California, we can only tell you one thing: get ready to discover a unique place. And it is the third largest state in the United States, which brings together large metropolises such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, natural wonders such as the Yosemite and Sequoia parks, beautiful beaches bathed by the Pacific and, above all, an endless leisure offer; It is without a doubt, one of the most complete and visited destinations in the country as well as, we are sure, a destination that you will not easily forget.
To enjoy the tourist attractions of California, we recommend taking a rental car route of 10 days to two weeks, leaving from San Francisco and ending in San Diego or Los Angeles, or a circular route passing through the west coast of the United States and back. , in the interior visiting the different national parks.
Although it is always a good time to visit California, the best months are April, May, June, September and October, times during which you will avoid extreme temperatures in places like Death Valley, and accommodations have more affordable prices.
1. San Francisco
Spending two or three days in San Francisco, located on a beautiful bay and our favorite city in the country, is one of the best things to do in California .
Its European-style buildings, its diversity and good atmosphere make it a perfect destination for travelers who travel the West Coast and want to enjoy a few days of relaxation walking through neighborhoods such as the Castro, Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown or Fisherman’s Wharf, visiting the famous Alcatraz prison or crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
To complete this list of places to see in San Francisco, we recommend you follow these guides to San Francisco in one day , San Francisco in two days and San Francisco in 3 days without forgetting to try some of its gastronomic specialties such as clam chowdee in one of the best restaurants to eat in San Francisco .
2. Yosemite
One of the best excursions from San Francisco for one or two days is a visit to Yosemite Park, one of the most emblematic parks to visit in the United States .
Located in central California, about 4 hours by road from San Francisco, this park impresses with its beautiful glacial valley surrounded by imposing mountains, such as the famous El Capitan and Half Dome, from which fantastic waterfalls emerge.
After enjoying the views from its viewpoints such as Tunnel View or Glacier Point and doing some hiking, we suggest you go to its redwood forest to feel tiny next to these enormous trees.
3. Napa Valley, one of the places to visit in California
If you are a lover of wines and wine tourism, you cannot miss a visit to the Napa and Sonoma valleys, located one hour north of San Francisco and another of the most fashionable places to visit in California.
Thanks to its rich lands, altitude and climate, these valleys produce some of the most recognized wines in the world such as Cabernets, Merlots and Chardonnays, which have given it international fame and made it a great tourist attraction.
4. Lake Tahoe
On the border between California and Nevada is Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the United States and one of the most beautiful landscapes to see in California.
This enormous freshwater lake, surrounded by green forests and with the backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, is characterized by the clarity of its waters and its intense blue color that delights all travelers who visit it.
Among its jewels stands out Emerald Bay, a small bay on the shore of the lake that is surprising for its emerald color and for having a small island in the center, known as Fanette Island.
This area is perfect for spending a few relaxing days in the mountains enjoying cycling and hiking routes or practicing some water sports such as kayaking in its beautiful lake.
5. Big Sur
Traveling the winding Highway One, which borders the Pacific Coast on the stretch that connects San Francisco with Los Angeles, known as Big Sur, is one of the best experiences in California.
This legendary road passes between steep cliffs, hidden beaches like Piedras Blancas with sea lions resting in the sand, great viewpoints of the Pacific Ocean, vertiginous bridges like Bixby Creek and charming towns like Carmel.
But it’s not all landscapes in Big Sur, although there are impressive places: once you get close to Los Angeles, we recommend taking a relaxing swim on the famous beaches of Malibu and Santa Barbara and feeling like you’re in a television series.
6. Los Angeles
Los Angeles, famous for being the mecca of Hollywood film studios and the residence of millionaires, is another of the essential places to see in California where many actors from all over the world travel hoping to fulfill their dream of working on a big movie. and one day win the precious Oscar award, although very few achieve it.
Another important thing is to know that when you arrive, you will probably not find a city that is very pleasant at first sight nor very friendly to walk around, although this is compensated by an endless range of leisure activities and extensive beaches where you can sunbathe or surf.
Among the most interesting places to visit in Los Angeles are the Walk of Fame, Santa Monica, the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood studios and Beverly Hills, where movie stars live in large mansions.
You can search for hotels on booking.com where you can get the perfect stay at an affordable price.
