If you are heading out on a west coast road trip this summer, or simply want to enjoy the best that the summer months have to offer, make sure to stop by the Sunshine State. Beautiful sunsets, picturesque wineries, delicious foods and the best beaches await you in California. Soak up the rays and experience the Californian lifestyle while making sure to stop by these sites.
National Parks
California hosts some of America’s most beautiful national parks. Whether you camp for the weekend or visit for a hike, these parks will be worth your while.
- Redwood National Park: Get lost in the towering redwood trees and end up on Enderts Beach for a swim.
- Sequoia National Park: Host to some of the world’s largest sequoia trees. Be sure to pay General Sherman a visit—he’s a 275 ft. tall sequoia that is thought to be over 2,000 years old.
- Yosemite National Park: Experience three of the world’s ten largest waterfalls, the largest single piece of exposed granite, and the beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
- Death Valley: The ominously beautiful Death Valley is one of the world’s most extreme environments, and has been named the hottest place on earth by the World Meteorological Organization (temperatures reached a world record of 134 degrees Fahrenheit in 1913).
Cities to Visit
To truly experience Californian life requires that you visit some of their bright and bustling cities.
- Los Angeles: Stargaze in Hollywood and look for familiar names along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Head to La Brea Tar Pits to teach your kids about natural history and archaeology, and then to Universal Studios for some amusement park fun.
- San Francisco: Drive, walk or bike across the iconic Golden Gate bridge, hang out at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, and ride the high hills in a cable car. For a spookier adventure, take a ferry to nearby Alcatraz Island and tour the famous penitentiary that shut down in 1963.
- San Diego: for cultural tourism like art centres, museums, or visiting Balboa Park and the famous San Diego zoo, this city is sure to satisfy anyone’s vacation standards.
- Santa Monica: This coastal city is home to the famous Santa Monica pier, which itself houses the Pacific Park amusement park. You may also choose to spend the day on Venice Beach where you can enjoy street performances or bike along the shore.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe sits along California’s northern border with Nevada. During the summer this area is popular for all kinds of watersports, swimming, hiking and all forms of outdoor relaxation.
Napa Valley
Any wine fan would be remiss not to visit the beautiful wineries of California, especially those that sit in the renowned Napa Valley. Wine tours can be taken by train for a chance to admire the shining countryside while relaxing between tastings.
Big Sur
This is one of the most popular regions in California. 90km long along the central west coast of the state, this area is full of beautiful cliffs, lighthouses, and Bixby Bridge—the tallest single-span bridge in the world!
