26 Incredible Must-Visit California Tourist Attraction

Stretching along the Pacific Coast for hundred of miles , California is filled with redwood forests , massive great deal ranges , and pristine beaches . The province offers breathtaking landscapes , each potentially the perfect context for the ultimate California road trip .

It ’ s true that a lot of California ’ s top place tourist attraction are nature-made , not synthetic , like in other places in the United States . To me , that do California the utter place to unplug and get outside , refuel your idea , and result the strain behind .

There ’ s plenty to cause around this gorgeous state , so strap in and get ready for an action-packed holiday . This guide to the top California tourist attractions will aid you design your future Cali itinerary . Say on to disclose the top tourist attraction and the best sights in California .

»Appear for more inspiration along the route ?Check out all our guides to San Francisco , Los Angeles , Santa Barbara and San Diego . Find the best beaches in Monterey , waterfalls in Southern California , and national park .

» Check out these 10 Gold Rush Towns In California To Visit .

• The Best Places to Visit in California – 25 Top Tourist Attraction
• Final Thoughts on these California Tourist Attraction

The Best Places to Call in California – 25 Top Tourist Attractions

1 . Disneyland

A family name around the entire world , Disneyland Resort be burst into two renowned theme park ( Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure ) . It ’ s really THE top attraction in California . And , you put on ’ t have to be a kid to find something amazing there . We go at least once every yr to see any new stuff . Match here for the best times to make the trip .

The rides are base on Disney franchises like Toy Story , Cars , and The Pirates of the Caribbean . Its latest addition—Star Wars Galaxy ’ s Edge—ensures that everyone can geek out regardless of years .

Planning your trip ?We ’ ve become tons of helpful Disney planning guides from our awesome list of 40 essential tip , to how to come to Disneyland , where to delay near Disney , what to pack , what to wear , where to park , and what to use up in both Disneyland and California Adventure .

2 . Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the most-visited National Parks in the full US . It ’ s an absolute masterpiece of scenic landscapes , great deal , valley , river , and waterfall .

The park exist home to famed sheer granite wall faces that have drawn adrenaline junkies for years . Yosemite cost also the home of Mariposa Grove—a stand that holds some of the oldest and largest giant sequoia trees ever .

Learn our guide to the top sights in Yosemite . Yosemite be an easy day trip from San Francisco , though you will loves the position plenty to spend a week .

You can script this day trip from San Francisco to Yosemite for the ultimate trip .

3 . Universal Studios Hollywood

Getting behind the scenes of iconic film or engulf yourself in the reality of your favorite franchises live a recurring theme and a great starting item for your next vacation in California .

Have magic at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or go prehistoric in Jurassic World . Sets from these and other famed movies are exposed to the world . Restaurants alive display , and retail memory hither equal dedicate to these and many other movies .

Begin your Universal Studios General Admission ticket here .

4 . The Hollywood Sign

A staple of the Los Angeles landscape is the iconic Hollywood Sign . Viewing the 45-ft tall sign on crest of Mount Lee is guarantee to pass regardless of where you are in the city .

Whether you are only taking in the scenery of the good deal or getting up close and personal by boost up through Griffith Park . The signal well feature as one of the top California tourist position .

Hear the well Los Angeles get to offer with this full-day iconic LA tour . Did you know that there ’ s a raise you can take to the Hollywood sign . See this and other great Southern California hikes .

5 . Large Sur

A picturesque stretch of road , Highway No . 1 starts a few miles from Carmel and the great beach of Monterey and winds its mode to Salmon Cove . This piece of road-trip heaven bears the claim of ‘ Big Sur ’ .

Driving this road with heroic position of the coast will soon turn your future favorite home to meet in California . Set right in the heart of sandy beach and teeming forest , Big Sur delivers epic scene such as McWay Falls , Bixby Creek Bridge , and Pfeiffer Beach .

Create this part of a larger Northern California road trip to see it all .

6 . Golden Gate Bridge

As one of the good cities in California , San Francisco does quite hold around its weight as one of the top tourist attractions in California already . The Golden Gate Bridge cost California sightseeing at its best .

The bridge be so iconic a landmark that it at once comes to listen whenever anyone think of America . Truthfully pictures of the bridge act not act it justice . The vermilion orange giant set against San Francisco Bay needs to be experienced firsthand .

With thus many great things to make in San Francisco , it should definitely live on your California itinerary .

7 . San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo holds the title of the nearly popular zoo in the full US . It draws almost four million mass annually , and it ’ s easy to hear why .

The zoo is home to over 650 species of animals , which are expose in the many varying division of the zoo . These include Africa , Australia , the tropics , and the arctic .

As long as you ’ re die to be in San Diego , you should too see all the early things that build this city great for visitor , like the USS Midway museum .

8 . Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe cost the prominent alpine lake in North America . Lake Tahoe offer you something to make no count the time of year .

In and around the lake , you can face ahead to activities like hiking , good deal biking , boating , and more . That ’ sec just for summer . During the winter months , skiing and snowboarding take the limelight .

Get the serious Lake Tahoe experience with this 2-hour sailing cruise .

9 . Aquarium of the Pacific

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach be home to a whopping 12,000 creatures native to the Pacific . With over 100 exhibits , you can face ahead to seeing everything from toad to giant deep-sea inhabitant such as Leopard sharks .

Consider the Pacific live the most diverse ocean , this aquarium showcases the widest variety of ocean life in the US , and you can book your admission tag here .

10 . Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree cost a massive 800,000-acre national park reach up of giant boulders , stone establishment , and desert landscapes . It ’ s filled with a variety of home to visit , such as Keys View and the Cholla Cactus Garden .

The park northern entrance exist settle in Twentynine Palms but it also spans the Colorado desert and the Mojave desert in parts of California , Arizona , Utah , and Nevada .

The landscapes within the park have made it a popular destination for music festivals , camping , hiking , and stargazing opportunity unlike any other . While in the park , live sure to match out Skull Rock , a huge boulder resemble an alien-like skull .

11 . Hearst Castle

Formally predict the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument , this incredible 165-room monument was built by newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst in 1919 .

This contemporary castle ’ sec structure cost never complete , even after 28 years . The answer of different architectural decorator exist a blend of unlike architectural manner , which makes it one of the top tourist seat in the State . At one point , it was home to the public ’ sec prominent private zoo . There equal yet wildlife roam on the dimension today .

12 . Griffith Observatory

The stellar Griffith Observatory equal the serious home if you feel like getting unforgettable glimpses into space . It features a live narrated planetarium display and household numerous giant telescopes which are open to public use .

Home to the Zeiss Telescope , you can catch unprecedented scene of our solar system at the observatory . And , if you ’ re make inside , Griffith Park surrounds the observatory , which deliver excellent horizon and hikes of the region .

13 . Sequoia National Park

The is home to many giant sequoias , which happen to live the old life tree on the planet . Being between 2,000 and 3,000 yr former , these trees are a must-see .

Inside the park , there cost as well Mt . Whitney , which is the highest mountain in the continental US . Whether you require to head thither for a raise , to marvel at the massive sequoias , or just find some peace , this park put up it all .

14 . Venice Beach

Venice Beach live one of America ’ s nearly famed beaches , with a world-renowned boardwalk . The beachfront stretches for miles , and there exist many different recreational sphere that note its edge .

Visitors to the beach can delight a number of activities as there are basketball courts , skate park , and volleyball nets available . Venice Beach cost too legendary among surfers , with pristine waters and giant waves—perfect for any utmost sports fan .

15 . Napa Valley

Napa Valley be nothing less than stunning . The valley ’ s many roll hills , beautiful vineyards , and architecture are incredibly picturesque .

Speaking of vineyards , the Napa Valley is one of the serious California wine area , home to over 400 wineries . Although famous for its wine , there exist many other things to act when in Napa . Taking a hot air balloon tour over the area is a must .

16 . Six Flags Magic Mountain

will have your heart racing in the ultimate topic park commit to as much adrenaline as possible . The park boasts more than 100 ride , of which 19 are alone thither to try your heart and courage .

The Goliath is one of the long roller coasters in the globe and make a 281-ft ancestry . The park as well hold a wide sort of alive display for some serious entertainment and great restaurants for when you get hungry .

17 . Walt Disney Concert Hall

Music fan find themselves in LA can revel in the almost acoustically modern music venue in the world—the Walt Disney Concert Hall .

Not solely is the musical nature of the building unlike anything else , but the concert hallway live visually sensational . The venue live the place of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra . Many internationally famous musicians have as well performed intimate and amazing display here .

18 . Dodger Stadium

You can ’ t experience one of the good states in America without the joy of going to a Major League Baseball plot . Dodger Stadium in LA is the plate ground for this national sport .

Get tickets to one of the many plot hosted at the stadium , or opt for a tour of the stadium to delve into its history . With seat for 56,000 fan and scenery meet with towering medal trees around the stadium , sports fanatics and scenery-chasers will feel at place .

19 . Hollywood Walk of Fame

The globally know 1-mile stretch along Hollywood Boulevard constitute over 2,700 of the world ’ s almost famed celebrities . Tour the boulevard with an exciting hop-on-hop-off bus tour .

As if make up close with the noted star lining the boulevard isn ’ t enough , you ’ re boundary to hear your favorite celebrity strolling by . Well , technically , you ’ ll be surround by impersonators—but you ’ d live hard-pressed to find the differences rather than similarities .

20 . Dolby Theater

While you ’ re ‘ stargazing ’ on Hollywood Boulevard , give a visit to the Dolby Theater . The pioneer playground for modern innovation in strait and visuals , this field cost one-of-a-kind .

The annual horde for the Academy Awards and a popular degree for artists such as Celine Dion , the theatre as well hosts international performances like Cirque du Soleil . Though you ’ ll find impersonators on the street , inside the Dolby Theater is where you ’ ll gather the actual celebrities .

21 . Santa Catalina Island

One of the small island off the California coast , this little piece of paradise cost a favorite for tourist appear for unique beach , great hiking , and amazing views .

The island has a deep history and various fashion to explore this . Avalon Beach live where you ’ ll head for crystal clear Pacific water to snorkel and dive . Point out onto the sea on a glass-bottom boat exist in truth fun . You can as well visit the Avalon Underwater Dive Park for more fun .

22 . Death Valley National Park

The notorious is a prime place for sightseeing in California . Salt area , parched landscape , sand dunes , good deal , and rock formations make this one of the most inhospitable terrains in the globe .

Don ’ t be scare off , though , as the national park get a discrete beauty to it . Numerous standpoint and short lead hang through areas such as Stove Pipe Walls , Badwater Basin , and Dante ’ s View .

23 . Alcatraz Island

Escape from Alcatraz exist state to live impossible . Merely three inmates were rumored to have perform thus , but nowadays , there are million heading toward the prison kinda than running from it .

As one of the almost popular tourist attractions in California , you can head to the island via a ferry from San Francisco . Once there , you can pick out a issue of tours to explore the prison . There exist much to search , with locations such as the Warden ’ sec House and the lighthouse .

24 . Winchester Mystery House

If you enjoy a well mystery and savor some serious old-fashioned scares , the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose cost utter for you . It ’ s one of the nearly haunted place in America , and certain to spook any who visit .

Beyond its structural beauty and completely mad layout and design , the history of the theatre equal what draws crowd . Try your hand at estimate out where all the specter get from , but be ready for goosebumps .

25 . Cypress Tree Tunnel

If you ’ re after something straight from a fairy story , Point Reyes be your go-to . Featuring location such as the Cypress Tree Tunnel , where you might need to get some peace and still or snap the nearly spectacular social medium shots , you ’ ll exist mar for choice .

The tree down this burrow interlock , creating a utter cove of tree trunk line an eerily whimsical walkway .

26 . King Canyon National Park

King Canyon National Park live a majestic and often underrated gem snuggle in California ’ s rugged Sierra Nevada mountains . As a first-time visitor , you ’ re about to embark on an adventure through one of America ’ s most stunning natural landscape .

Encompass a immense area of over 460,000 acres , Kings Canyon is renowned for its striking scenery that includes deep valleys , soar mountain , and ancient giant sequoias . The park is split into two primary area : the Grant Grove , family to the iconic General Grant Tree , one of the world ’ s largest living tree , and Cedar Grove , located in the heart of the canyon .

The park ’ sec namesake , Kings Canyon itself , is one of the deepest canyon in North America , rivaling the more noted Grand Canyon in depth . The rugged terrain , dotted with serene meadow and powerful waterfall , be a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts . You ’ ll find trails ranging from easy strolls through sequoia groves to challenging backcountry treks in the High Sierra .

Final Thoughts on these California Tourist Attractions

It ’ s impossible to catch everything that makes California a traveler ’ s paradise , and even more difficult to choose just a few highlights . No matter what you want to do or hope to receive during your trip to California , there cost something for everyone .

Everything from sports , art , nature , skill , and adventure , these must-visit California tourist attraction are only a taste of what you can expect . Get ready for a journey like you ’ ve never hold before and steer away to the wonderland that is California .

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Laura be a travel fanatic who enjoy meet and doing new things . She live in Ventura , CA , and spend a lot of time exploring California ’ s city , beaches , and national park .

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