One of the most famous states in America and a popular tourist destination, California welcomes many visitors from around the country and the world every year. These visitors come to visit some of California’s unique attractions, such as Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, the beaches of Santa Monica, and more. With this in mind, it is vital to plan the best way to visit California.
It’s a wonderful feeling when you plan a trip, and then all goes well. You have good weather, your luggage arrives with no problems, the hotel staff is friendly, there are no major disasters. There is nothing better than traveling to a new land and hoping it all goes right, especially when that land happens to be California! The best way to visit California is to be ready and open to adventure; California offers much in the way of opportunity for fun-inclined visitors.
Here is a list of seven things to do when you visit California:
Spend Time at the Beach
Few vacation destinations offer more than one beach. Venice Beach and Hollywood Beach are among the most famous of California’s beaches in Los Angeles. There are also beaches for surfing aficionados, like Huntington Beach and San Onofre State Beach, romantic spots for couples like Lovers Point Park, family-friendly options like Santa Cruz Boardwalk, historical sites like Fort Ross, eco-friendly attractions like Crystal Cove State Park, and even nude beaches or clothing-optional like Black’s Beach near La Jolla.
No matter what kind of beach person you are, there’s a California beach that will satisfy you. If you have the time, be sure to hit multiple beaches during your visit. And in case you don’t know, when it comes to sunscreen lotion, ignore the warnings on the back- better safe than sorry!
California has plenty of good golf courses, but if you are only in California for a short time, it doesn’t make sense to try and play all the courses. Take advantage of one or more of the three championship-level courses in Palm Springs: The Palmer Course at Desert Willow, Tahquitz Creek Golf Club, and Bermuda Dunes Country Club. Farther south down Interstate-10 is the Nicklaus Tournament Players Club at Firestone (located near La Quinta). Once you get to San Diego, check out Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla.
Palm Springs is only about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, but it can seem like you’re in another world. Palm Springs was the playground of the rich and famous for much of its modern history, and that’s evident when you visit. There are plenty of luxury hotels like The Saguaro, which offers beautiful poolside bungalows as well as spas to help you relax after a round of golf or shopping spree at El Paseo.
You’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of affordable options, too, including simple motel rooms and affordable suites at places like Best Western Palm Desert Hotel and Suites.
Fill Your Tummy With Food Trucks
Food Truck events are one of the best ways to try some of the newest and most innovative food options in an open-air, picnic-style setting. Every area has unique flavors that reflect its culture and heritage, but all share this common denominator: they’re fantastic! The best way to visit California is to decide which type of cuisine you want to sample. South American? Check out Lupita’s on Manhattan Beach Pier. Afghani? Karama Kitchen in Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station Arts Center is a good bet. Suppose you think you can eat it or drink it even if it’s coffee. In that case, there’s probably a food truck event somewhere in California that specializes in it, including a Chinese buffet at Phoenix Restaurant or a raw vegan experience at Lovelikealive.
The best breakfast restaurant is in Los Angeles, but there are plenty of options to choose from in California, no matter where you are. From the Valley to the Bay Area, the choices are endless.
No matter how many times you visit California or what time of year it is, there will always be something interesting going on at festivals, parades, fairs, music events like Coachella and Lollapalooza, sports competitions like Ironman triathlons and America’s Cup, Indoor shooting range, cultural happenings like Chinese New Year or Los Angeles’ Nisei Week.
There are so many events in California that it would be impossible to list them all here. If you’re not sure what kind of event or festival might occur during your visit, pick one at random. You never know when luck may strike! A quick Google search will turn up hundreds of possibilities, each offering something different to the active vacationer.
Go Wine Tasting
California is one of the most famous wine-producing regions globally. The best way to visit California is to get a taste of California wines by visiting some of the wineries. You’ll find that several wineries offer tours or wine tasting even if they don’t have their own vineyards! Some great places to try California wines include Three Wine Co. in Paso Robles, White Rock Vineyards near LAX, Big Horse Winery and Stables in Temecula Valley, Lemoncello Winery in Orange County, Baily Vineyard and Winery in Napa Valley, Domaine Carneros on the Sonoma Coast and Castoro Cellars at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater.
If you’re looking for something a little different than just tasting wine, try Black Dragon Meadery in San Francisco. Mead is an alcoholic beverage made from honey that has been popular throughout history and still is today. If you’re not into wine or mead, don’t panic! California also has plenty of craft breweries and microbreweries for beer lovers who want to try something new. Whatever your cup of tea, there’s a craft brewery in California that will satisfy you. Take a tour at Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles, Hangar 24 Craft Brewery in Redlands, or Bottle Logic Brewing in Anaheim.
Cruise the Pacific Coast Highway
Even if you had unlimited time and resources, it would not be easy to visit all of California’s scenic wonders in one vacation. Fortunately, you don’t have to – the best way to visit California is to take a day trip along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) instead! You can start your journey at Santa Monica Pier and continue through Malibu before crossing Orange County.
After visiting Newport Beach (and perhaps catching some surfers in action), continue on your way toward San Diego County, where you’ll find La Jolla Cove and Del Mar Beach before reaching Torrey Pines State Reserve. From there, you can choose to either head north or south; both offer equally amazing views outside mansions, waterfront homes, miles of coastline, state parks, and seaside towns. If you go north, you’ll likely see whales (in the winter) on your way to Marin County. If you head south instead, San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach are some of the friendliest small towns in California!
Urgent care centers are for when you need medical attention but aren’t sick enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room. Most urgent care centers in California can handle flu symptoms, insect bites, minor lacerations, and animal bites (wild animals can carry rabies), among other ailments.
Playing Tennis
With world-class beaches, championship-level golf courses, and hiking trails at every turn, it’s easy to forget that California also offers some of the best tennis courts in the country. Rackets up! If you happen to be staying at a hotel with a court on-site, great grab your racquet and head out for an hour or so before sitting down for lunch or dinner.
Tennis is one of the things to do in Phoenix with kids, so it’s always a great way to spend some quality time together. If your hotel doesn’t have a court, you can always try one of the public courts in town; most cities offer at least one or two free or very cheap tennis courts that are open to the public. Whether you’re looking for an indoor or outdoor court, California has something to meet everyone’s needs. Be sure to bring your tennis shoes so you don’t slip when you’re lining up a shot!
When many people think of California travel, they imagine beautiful weather and amazing beaches, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg! The best way to visit California is to discover that Cali has some great theater offerings as well. With so many shows on tour throughout the year, you’re never more than two hours away from experiencing Broadway first-hand.
Even if you’ve already seen several shows on Broadway in New York City or elsewhere, there’s nothing quite like seeing them in person. Whether you’re visiting San Diego, Anaheim, Sacramento, or Fresno, there’s always an amazing show to see if you know where to look, and the best way to visit California is to have one that you’ll love!
With summer almost upon us, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll wear when the weather warms up! If you’re buying a gift, chances are it’s going to be a piece of jewelry. The best way to visit California is shopping for jewelry; there are always plenty of independent shops that sell anything from wedding rings and diamonds to midi rings, gold chains, and a key ring bracelet.
Some people like bracelets or earrings, while others prefer pendants or necklaces. Regardless of which type of jewelry is your favorite, though, you can always find a wide selection at one of California’s many independent shops.
Take To The Skies With a Wing Walking Experience
Give your feet and your stomach a rest from all that walking! The best way to visit California is by taking flying lessons. If you’re starting as a novice, check out one of the many flight schools in Orange County, including Factory Five Racing, which offers a hub to fly packages for those who want to pilot an airplane or understand California laws before buying their own. For those who already have some experience under their belt, there’s also Sky Combat Ace, which allows you to take control of current former military aircraft like the A-4 Skyhawk or even go wing walking on biplanes at Air Combat USA.
It is advisable to have personal insurance before you go, but if you don’t and something happens to the plane and its occupants, there is always someone responsible, even when flying your aircraft. California Aircraft provides Liability Insurance for those who fly their planes as part of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).
Hike Through California’s Redwood Forests
If you’re looking for activities in Northern California, the best way to visit California is to head up to Redwood National Park, where ancient redwoods tower overhead. One of the best things about these hikes is that they’ve been designed so that anybody can complete them.No hiking or camping experience is necessary!
You’ll be able to see both old-growth and second-growth forests on the Eccentric – 17 Mile Drive Trail, which will take you through coastal fog along Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. There are also several other trails in this park, including Ten Taypo Creek Trail and Stout Grove Loop Trail, where you might be lucky enough to spot some Roosevelt Elk. If you’re looking for an easier trail, try Lady Bird Johnson Grove instead; this dedicated grove is surrounded by the tallest trees in all the park!
As long as there have been postcards depicting California, images have been taken in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is one of the most famous national parks in California, and the best way to visit California is to visit the region.
Yosemite is divided into three unique areas: Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows. Each area offers something different to the visitor, and it’s important to check them all out if you can! Check out Maswik Lodge in Yosemite Valley for spectacular views of Half Dome and Glacier Point, Ahwahnee Hotel on Glacier Point Road for fantastic views of Half Dome from every angle, or Wawona Hotel on South Wawona Rd. for an authentic 1920s experience.
The best way to visit California is to embrace the state’s diversity. There are so many activities in California that it can be overwhelming – in a good way! The West Coast has everything from the magnificence of Yosemite National Park to the surfing beaches of San Diego, so pack your bags and get ready for an adventure!