California

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Hiker stands amidst a field of wildflowers on the rolling Carrizo Hills

Nathan Yan / Stocksy United

Overview

Twinkling cities, misty redwood forests, sun-kissed beaches, a creative local food scene and an adventurous attitude: California is instantly captivating.

01 / Attractions

Must-see attractions

Yosemite National Park
Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada
Yosemite means "killer" in the Indigenous Miwok language, and in today's parlance it's indeed an impressive, awesome site. Everywhere you look in Yosemite…
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco
When Frederick Law Olmsted, architect of New York's Central Park, gazed in 1865 upon the plot of land San Francisco Mayor Frank McCoppin wanted to turn…
Alcatraz
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Alcatraz: for over 150 years, the name has given the innocent chills and the guilty cold sweats. Over the decades, it’s been a military prison, a…
Exploratorium
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Is there a science to skateboarding? Do toilets really flush counterclockwise in Australia? At San Francisco's hands-on science museum, you'll find out…
Balmy Alley
The Mission, Dogpatch & Potrero Hill
Since at least the 1980s, if you stroll through San Francisco's Mission District you've likely noticed the neighborhood's profusion of colorful murals and…
Knott’s Berry Farm
Orange County
What started as a simple berry farm is now a sprawling 160-acre operation with rides, live shows and lovable Peanuts characters roaming the grounds. Knott…
Venice Boardwalk
Venice, Marina Del Rey & Playa del Rey
Prepare for a sensory overload on Venice's Boardwalk, a one-of-a-kind experience. Buff bodybuilders brush elbows with street performers and sellers of…
Haight Street
The Haight & Hayes Valley
Was it the fall of 1966 or the winter of ’67? As the Haight saying goes, if you can remember the Summer of Love, you probably weren’t here. The fog was…

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02 / Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

California has a reputation for sunshine, beaches and palm trees, but there's much more to see in the Golden State. Here are California's top things to do.

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Best Places to Visit

From cosmopolitan cities to epic natural wonders, California has it all, and the state's best places appeal to travelers of all sorts.

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Best Time to Visit

From avoiding the crowds to getting the best budget deal, here's what's happening through the seasons in California.

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Things to Know

California's sun-drenched parks, beaches and cities are a huge draw for tourists but where to begin? Here's what you need to know before you go.

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Transportation

California may be besotted with cars but that's not the only way to see the Golden State. Here's everything you need to know about getting around California.

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Free Things to Do

California attracts travelers with expensive tastes but there's plenty to do here on a budget. Here's our round-up of the best freebies in the Golden State.

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Money and Costs

California has a lot to offer travelers and unfortunately, the price tag to match. But there are ways to visit on a budget if you know how!

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Best Road Trips

These ultimate California road trips take you from sea to mountains and through desert and redwoods.

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