California is a vibrant playground of adventures and iconic spots waiting to be discovered. Or re-discovered! From sun-drenched beaches to majestic redwoods and on to urban amazements, there is a thrill for every family member. Let’s take a look at some of the golden opportunities in the Golden State.
1. Los Angeles
Exploring Los Angeles is a must-do in Southern California! Find your favorite’s star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame and come face to face with dinosaurs at La Brea Tar Pits. The Beverly Hills sign is waiting for your IG shot. Downtown LA is a living architectural museum, with Gehry designs cozying up to mid-century jewels.
Don’t miss Olvera Street, where the City of Angels was born as a Mexican Pueblo in 1781. The fiesta atmosphere is intoxicating! The food – sensational!
You can’t ask for a more family friendly museum than the Getty Center. Tickets are FREE, but must be reserved online. The Center features art from the Middle Ages through today in a wonderland setting complete with tram. Families are provided with activities for the children, including “I Spy” games and Art Detective Cards. These are fun for adults, too!
Griffith Park is filled with adventures for the whole family. The Planetarium is a movie star – La La Land; Terminator; Jurassic Park! Most people will recognize it immediately. The Park also includes the Autry Museum of the American West (the Cowboy Museum), the LA Zoo, and the Hollywood sign. And there are acres of trails and open spaces for just enjoying nature, your friends and family, and your life.
2. Venice Beach
Ok, it’s technically part of LA proper, but Venice Beach is a world of its own. Built around canals like its namesake Italian city, this area boasts quaint and pricey coffee shops and boutiques and beautiful strolling spots over and between bridges. But it is the 2+mile beachwalk that really attracts people.
Beginning at the Santa Monica pier (itself iconic), the walk takes you through Muscle Beach, an amazing “outdoor gym” where you may spot the next Arnold. The sands are white and wide along the ocean side of the walk. The landslide is, well, wonderful chaos. Hippies never left the planet. They came to Venice Beach and set up shop, selling baubles and bangles, tourist gadgets and wonderful hand-made treasures.
You can walk this expanse or rent a bike, scooter, skates, and other means of individual transport, including pedicabs! And remember to slow down for celebrity sightings!
3. San Francisco
California’s other metropolis, San Francisco, is 8 hours by car and a world away from LA. Its iconic attractions will keep you busy for as long as you want. Ride as many cable cars as you can. Wander along the Wharf for the best fresh seafood and the worst tourist traps. Hike up Lombard Street- huff puff- the crookedest street in the world.
Golden Gate Park is a world of its own, and includes the renown de Young Museum, home to over 27,000 global works from the 17-21 centuries. ChinaTown whisks you seamlessly into yet another world and its ancient mysteries. Golden Gate Bridge has to be walked to be appreciated. Are you old enough to remember Haight Ashbury? It’s still there, not quite as it was, but still a living memory for some of us. A visit to this city isn’t complete without a trip to the infamous prison island, Alcatraz. If you’re lucky, the fog will roll in while you’re there.
4. Marin County
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco is Marin County and the dreamy little town of Sausalito. Its waterfront shopping area is a treat for all ages. The creative and chaotic houseboats (not all of them legal) will make you wonder if you could live like that.
Sausalito is the gateway to the inspiring Muir Woods National Monument, where you can wander among old growth redwoods. Muir Woods is right next to Mt. Tamalpais State Park. Mt. Tam offers breathtaking views from the summit, but the trail is challenging. More moderate trails yield their own visual treasures.
The other stunning view in Marin County is a human effort. The Marin Civic Center is a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece in pink and blue. “Other-worldly” is the word frequently used to describe it.
5. Death Valley National Park
Death Valley has claimed its share of human life in its past. Even today, it can be an ominous adventure if you are unprepared. Known for its scorching heat and status as the driest place in North America, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts fascinating geological features and a rich history.
Park Rangers are always ready to help you navigate the Park and increase your knowledge. When I was a kid, my family went here frequently at night. The Milky Way is just beyond your fingertips when viewed from this remarkable desert.
6. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Falls, towering at 2,425 feet, is North America’s tallest waterfall, with its upper, middle, and lower cascades creating a stunning sight. Half Dome is another iconic spot in the Park, especially the view from Mirror Lake. For an eye-filling panorama of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Valley, head to Wawona Tunnel View, a vista made famous by photographer Ansel Adams.
While these spots are popular for a reason, don’t forget the rest of the Park. Its acres of trees and glades offer hours of forest bathing and communing with nature. But book online early to guarantee your entrance to this popular park.
7. California’s Wine Country
Did someone say wine? California has several top-notch wine regions, each worthy of exploration and respect. Beginning in the south near Santa Barbara, the coastal mountains boast lovely, small vineyards perfect for a turn off the highway respite.
The crown jewels are the Napa Valley and Sonoma areas. You can take train, bus, and limo tours of these areas – no DUI. And some tour companies get you discounts at the wineries. But driving yourself guarantees you won’t miss anything. BTW, you’ll be traveling in the highest priced agricultural land in the US. Since Napa Valley wines scored their first international awards in Paris in 1976, the price of land in Napa Valley exploded to over $310,000 per acre! It’s settled at around $200,000 now.
Plan to start your day in one of the towns – Healdsburg, Napa, Calistoga – picking up a lunch basket, water, and snacks. Many of the wineries have beautiful areas for picnics. Grab a handy map – yes, the paper kind – at any of the stores. Ready, set, go.
8. Monterey Bay and Sea Life
Home to the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey is a great area to nest in for a bit. Cannery Row (yes, the John Steinbeck one) mixes history with family-friendly restaurants, shops, and hotels. For the freshest seafood, don’t miss Fisherman’s Wharf.
The 17-mile Drive, which winds along the coast through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, and by the iconic Lone Cypress of Monterey, is one of California’s most scenic highways. It is a private road, so there is a toll. The southern access, Carmel-by-the-Sea, is known for its fairly tale atmosphere.
Just beyond Carmel is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. If you like your sea animals in the wild, this is the place for you.
9. Lake Tahoe
Year-round outdoor adventures abound at Lake Tahoe, a pristine water haven straddling the California-Nevada border. The winter wonderlands include top ski resorts like Heavenly and Squaw Valley. During the warmer months, water sports take the lead. There are hiking and biking trails galore. There aren’t many spots that don’t offer spectacular views of the Lake and the surrounding mountains.
In case you’re in danger of overdosing on natural beauty, the town of South Lake Tahoe offers a great indoor adventure: gambling in legendary casinos like Bally’s and the Golden Nugget.
10. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Located between Death Valley and Yosemite are two National Parks that are home to some of Earth's largest and oldest trees. In Sequoia National Park, you can walk among the giant sequoias, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree by volume in the world. Kings Canyon’s landscapes of deep valleys, rugged peaks, and roaring rivers are thought by some to rival Yosemite.
The parks are also great for hiking, with trails like the Congress Trail and Zumwalt Meadow Trail offering breathtaking views at every turn. Whether camping, picnicking, or just exploring, these parks provide an awe-inspiring experience in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains.
11. Theme Parks
We would be totally remiss not to mention California’s theme parks in this story. Florida’s Walt Disney World may dwarf it, but California’s Disneyland is Uncle Walt’s original dream. There is something warm and intimate about the first-born Disney park that features Disney creations that both Boomers and babies recognize.
And now, a second park next door, Disney California Adventure, offers Disney, Pixar, and Marvel creations to cater to the audiences that prefer a bit more excitement in their theme parks. Shows, rides, food, and memories are stuffed into both parks.
A sometimes overlooked park is Knott’s Berry Farm, the first California theme park. Originally the Knott family farm, it is now home to rides, shows, and attractions inspired by California’s history and culture. But the big draw has always been the food. Mrs. Knott’s fried chicken and boysenberry pie are treasures matched only by California’s gold!
If you’re a movie lover, Universal Studios Hollywood is for you. Not only do you go behind the scenes of many of your favorite movies, but the attractions are movie-based as well.
Six Flags Magic Mountain is called the Thrill Capital of the World, thanks to its 19 world-class, fastest roller-coasters in the world. Adrenaline junkies love this place!
Final Thoughts
There it is — the ultimate California adventure list! From seaside to mountains, wine tasting to wild roller coasters, there's always something shining in the Golden State. We know you’ll have your camera. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
