Funnest Places in San Diego for Kids and Familys
California is known every bit the mecca of celebrity culture in the U.s. and in some ways, it is; this is where you'll notice Hollywood, after all! But there's a lot more than to this big American state than famous faces, motion picture studios and the amusement parks that go with them. It's also dwelling to Silicon Valley, the global headquarters of many big tech companies. And don't forget the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
There's also some fantastic natural beauty on offering in California. There are giant redwoods to see, deserts and rock formations, and fantastic beaches along the coast. It'south domicile to sweeping landscapes, vineyards, and a collection of cities that are as famous as the state itself: think San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Packed full of culture and good food, the best places to visit in California are fascinating to explore.
20. Santa Cruz [Meet MAP]
flickr/Josta Photo
Located on the northern shore of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz lies just to the south of San Jose and San Francisco. Known for its beautiful embankment boardwalk and counterculture scene, the city is a very pleasant place to spend some fourth dimension, with lots of incredible scenery nearby.
Life in 'Surf City' revolves around its beaches and boardwalk, which concenter everyone from families and students to hippies, surfers, and street performers. As such, there is a very youthful and maverick experience about town, with watersports such every bit paddle boarding, sailing, and surfing to be enjoyed.
Likewise its wonderful waterfront, Santa Cruz also has a fun and lively downtown home to a plethora of swell restaurants, shops, and bars. In addition, the nearby Natural Bridges State Beach and Big Bowl Redwoods Land Park are both well worth visiting for their lovely nature trails and spectacular scenery.
19. Sonoma Valley [SEE MAP]
flickr/torbakhopper
Part of the San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma Valley lies merely to the north of the city, not far from San Pablo Bay. Home to lovely rural landscapes, the fertile valley is renowned for its vineyards and wineries. It was actually here that California's world-famous vino industry began.
Much more than relaxed and laidback than the glitzy and glamorous Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley is a pleasant and picturesque place to visit. In the boondocks of Sonoma, you can find a number of excellent restaurants serving upwards local delicacies, besides every bit tasting rooms where y'all tin sample some of the region's fine wines.
Scattered around the Valley of the Moon (as it is also known) are sprawling estates and quaint wineries. Hiking and cycling are popular pastimes while taking a balloon ride higher up Sonoma Valley allows you to savour in the splendid scenery below.
18. Santa Monica [See MAP]
flickr/Airwolfhound
Bordered on iii sides by Los Angeles, Santa Monica is a laidback beachfront urban center that offers a welcome respite from sightseeing effectually the home of Hollywood. Developed as a seaside resort town in the early 20th century, SaMo has long been a popular tourist destination due to its sun, sea and sand.
Jutting out into the Pacific is the bustling Santa Monica Pier, which sports a huge Ferris Wheel and old-fashioned amusement park. While this is great fun for the whole family, plenty of other activities can be enjoyed forth its expansive beachfront, such as swimming, volleyball, and surfing.
Besides its gold sands, Santa Monica has a thriving alternative scene for visitors to delve into, with little art galleries and street murals to be found at the Bergamot Station Arts Middle. A wealth of cracking bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels are also scattered well-nigh boondocks catering to every upkeep and clientele.
17. Palm Springs [Run across MAP]
flickr/jalbertgagnier
Palm Springs is a year-circular desert playground on Interstate 10, connecting the Los Angeles surface area with Arizona. Habitation to many celebrities over the decades, Palm Springs is a good place to golf in the wintertime when temperatures are cooler than in summer.
The city, once popular with college students on bound intermission, is known for its mid-20th century modern architecture featured in many homes and business organisation buildings. This architectural manner is celebrated annually with Modernism Week. Sonny Bono, one-half of the defunct Sonny and Cher singing duo, once served equally major of this southern California city.
While the desert haven city once attracted Hollywood flick stars in the 50s and 60s, Palm Springs now appeals to all kinds of tourists and travellers and is home to a sizeable retiree population. There'due south hiking in the nearby desert and San Jacinto Mountains as well every bit a plethora of museums to explore.
16. Joshua Tree National Park [Run into MAP]
flickr/Joshua Tree National Park
Lying to the east of Los Angeles at the bespeak where the Colorado and Mojave Deserts come across, Joshua Tree National Park is dwelling house to incredible wilderness and spectacular scenery. Named later the distinctive tree-like Yuccas that dot its diverse desert landscapes, the park has long been popular with nature lovers and outdoor aficionados.
Exploring the national park's mountains, canyons, and rock formations really is a treat, with plenty of scenic trails and climbing routes snaking through the rugged scenery. As two separate desert ecosystems prevarication inside the park, there is lots of various animal and flora on show. Coyotes, rattlesnakes, and gilt eagles tin all be spotted from time to time.
While hiking, rock climbing and camping ground are all popular, the park'due south dramatic geography and odd-shaped Joshua Copse make for some incredible photos. Such is the majesty and mystique of the Mojave Desert that U2 famously named one of their best-selling albums, The Joshua Tree, after it.
xv. Laguna Beach [SEE MAP]
dreamstime/© Falcon1708
Set in a very scenic spot along southern California's Pacific coastline, Laguna Beach is a cute place to visit with a very Mediterranean await and experience. While it is abode to lots of cute beaches and luxury resorts, the popular seaside resort urban center is particularly known for its thriving artistic community.
Gorgeous public sculptures and fine art galleries can be plant around boondocks, with quaint cottages and creative-looking homes and houses dotted hither and there. Every summer, it hosts many fantastic events, such equally the Festival of Arts, Sawdust Festival, and Pageant of the Masters, where artists showcase their latest creations.
Laguna Beach itself is just equally impressive as its many artworks. Secluded coves and golden sands line the rugged cliffs that tumble downwards to the Pacific. While its many trails and paths are perfect for hiking or cycling, its wild waters concenter surfers, and in that location is some exceptional scuba diving to be had beneath the waves.
fourteen. Anaheim-Disneyland [SEE MAP]
© dreamstime
Office of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Anaheim is known for one thing and one thing just: Disneyland. Nonetheless, this does it a major injustice. Over the years, it has slowly grown into the largest urban center in Orangish County and so has much more going for it.
Habitation to a various range of neighbourhoods, Anaheim has pockets of nifty bars, restaurants, and shops, with many of these to be establish amassed around downtown. It's also a swell identify to visit if you desire to spotter baseball or hockey; both the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are based hither. In add-on, it boasts a large convention centre and hosts many events and competitions throughout the twelvemonth.
Its main depict is admittedly Disneyland, which attracts millions of visitors every yr with its exhilarating rides and plethora of amusement opportunities. Fun for all of the family, the major tourist destination is home to shops, restaurants, and hotels, with another theme park and spa located inside the resort.
13. Carmel-by-the-Sea [SEE MAP]
dreamstime/© Vampy1
Located just to the south of Monterey Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea lies along California's Pacific Coast Highway in a very scenic spot. Surrounded past dramatic cliffs and verdant hills, the oceanside town has long been popular among artists, writers, and poets due to its spectacular natural setting.
The former artists' colony has a very quaint look and feel; this is in big part due to its mannerly cottages and atmospheric old houses. Its rich artistic heritage is still on prove in the numerous art galleries and studios dotted almost town. Fine restaurants, cosy cafes, and bazaar shops abound, and there are lots of lovely inns and B&Bs for visitors to stay at.
At the eye of the small town is the cute white-sand Carmel Beach which over the years has been replicated and reproduced in countless paintings and artworks. While information technology is often shrouded in mist, its sumptuous setting and vehement sunsets go far very pop amidst locals and out-of-towners alike.
12. Channel Islands [Encounter MAP]
dreamstime/© Ldionisio
Strung out forth southern California's scenic coastline, the Channel Islands are a small archipelago of 8 islands surrounded by the sparkling Pacific Ocean. 5 of the Channel Islands lie within a national park of the same name that protects and preserves its sensitive ecosystems. With rugged canyons, jagged cliffs, and pristine beaches, they are a fantastic place to explore.
While two of the islands are inaccessible to citizens (as they are used by the United states of america Navy), fishing, scuba diving, and sailing are permitted in their surrounding waters. The only inhabited isle is Santa Catalina, abode to the small town and hamlet of Avalon and Two Harbors.
The island has been a tourist resort since the 1920s, with chewing gum magnate William Wrigley kicking off the tourism movement. Catalina Island is, however, likewise a pop twenty-four hours trip destination since it'south just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles.
It's a skillful place to ride glass-bottom boat to explore reefs and former shipwrecks; snorkeling and scuba diving also are pop activities. Native Americans accept lived on the island for viii,000 years; yous tin can learn more near them and the island'due south history at the Catalina Island Museum. Surprisingly, the island even boasts a small-scale population of American bison that were brought to the island during the filming of a movie.
11. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks [SEE MAP]
flickr/footloosiety
These two national parks are located adjacent door to each other in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, and both are famous for their enormous giant sequoia trees. These trees tin grow to exist more than 300 feet (ninety meters) tall and their trunks tin be every bit much equally 100 anxiety (30 meter) wide.
Sequoia National Park, which was established in 1890, is also home to Mount Whitney, which is the highest point in the contiguous United States. Interestingly enough, Kings Canyon boasts the deepest canyon in America.
The parks are also dwelling to a lot of wildlife species, including bobcats, gray foxes, bears and mule deer. If they're lucky, visitors might fifty-fifty be able to spot bighorn sheep or mount lions. Both parks are popular with backpackers and hikers, and at that place are fourteen campgrounds available for visitors.
10. Redwood National Park [Run across MAP]
flickr/Byron Hetrick
Home to some of the tallest and oldest copse on Earth, Redwood National Park lies on California's Pacific Coast in the northwest of the state. Established in 1968, the park protects the towering trees and the diverse ecosystems found in the quondam-growth forests.
While the mountains, rivers, and gorges dotting the region make for a fine sight, it is the enormous redwoods that are the star attraction. These magnificent copse often tower over a hundred meters, and some are more than two thousand years old. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding below them is an awe-inspiring experience as natural history lies all around you.
Redwood National Park's rugged coast boasts some particularly dramatic scenery. Here, you tin go kayaking and whale watching, with the redwoods forming a beautiful backdrop to the secluded coves and beaches along the park'due south shores.
9. Santa Barbara [SEE MAP]
Fix in a scenic spot between the steep slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Bounding main, Santa Barbara is 1 of California's most pleasant and picturesque coastal cities. As it boasts a majestic mount backdrop, beautiful beaches, and a sunny climate, information technology is often billed every bit the 'American Riviera'.
Besides its breathtaking setting, the urban center itself looks a treat. Lush parks and mannerly Spanish-style buildings dot the palm tree-lined streets. Of its many attractions, the Old Mission is the most famous and impressive due to its lovely compages, blossom-filled garden, and centuries-old artworks. As it is besides home to exquisite restaurants, boutique shops, and art galleries, Santa Barbara is oft seen equally an upmarket destination.
Lying merely 160 kilometers to the northwest of LA, it makes for a fantastic day trip or weekend getaway, with many festivals and cultural events held here throughout the year. Whether information technology'due south hiking along the scenic coastline, surfing at the beaches, or visiting the nearby vineyards and wineries, Santa Barbara certainly has something that appeals to everyone.
viii. Napa Valley [SEE MAP]
flickr/alihamdany
Located in California'due south Bay Area, Napa Valley has long been a popular tourist destination and is famed for its cute landscapes and world-form wineries. Driving around its rolling hills and fertile vineyards is the all-time way to explore the region's sights and scenery, although the roads can get quite busy in the summer months.
While nigh people come up to sample the valley'southward delicious wines, many gourmet restaurants, swish bistros, and award-winning spas are likewise dotted about. As such, it is a wonderful place to relax and unwind, with plenty of bazaar hotels and luxury resorts to indulge yourself at. Napa also offers first-class hiking, golfing, and horseback riding, while hot air balloon rides above its idyllic countryside make for an unforgettable feel.
The most popular thing to do is embark on a wine tasting bout. The region has more than 200 wineries for you to choose from. Gear up amongst row upon row of grapevines, the gorgeous estates are lovely to visit. Sampling some of the excellent local wines in the sunshine is what Napa Valley is all nearly.
Adaptation: Where to Stay in Napa Valley
7. Big Sur [See MAP]
dreamstime/© Luckyphotographer
Located betwixt the Carmel Highlands and San Simeon, Big Sur is a large, rocky stretch of the Californian Coastline. True to its proper name, Large Sur covers a rather large expanse of the coast; although it doesn't have any official boundaries, it lines around 70 miles (110 km) of the California'south famous Highway 1.
The area is a magnet for travelers on road trips, who are attracted past the incredible jagged rocks, towering redwood trees and breathtaking beaches along the route. More than only cute scenery for driving through, the area also provides plenty of top hiking opportunities which wind their style through the several country parks encompassed by Big Sur. These are home to sights, such as the iconic Bixby Bridge and rock towers at Pfeiffer Embankment.
Big Sur'southward towering seaside cliffs and sea views take acquired an virtually mythic reputation. As such, millions of people visit the region each yr for its ballsy wilderness, stunning views, and ample outdoor recreation opportunities.
6. Lake Tahoe [SEE MAP]
flickr/marcomassarotto
The largest tall lake in Due north America, Lake Tahoe lies high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, straddling the California and Nevada state line. Long a popular tourist destination, its beautiful blue waters lend themselves perfectly to all kinds of outdoor activities, while a number of towns and cities dot its scenic shores.
Sparkling in the sunday, Lake Tahoe stands out delightfully against the purple mountains and forests that surroundings it. The lake became a vibrant winter sports destination after the 1960s Wintertime Olympics were held in Squaw Valley on the North Shore. Summer brings hiking in the mountains and gunkhole trips on the lake, also as days spent lazing on the shore, swimming, and BBQs.
Lake Tahoe is a great place to relax, unwind, and immerse yourself in nature, but it too has some pretty towns and cities to detect. The Nevada side of the lake attracts gamblers due to its many casinos, while Tahoe City and S Lake Tahoe have lovely beaches. In add-on, Reno isn't too far away if yous want to caput to a larger city at some point.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe
5. San Diego [Encounter MAP]
flickr/Republic of chad McDonald
Often called 'America's Finest City', sun-kissed San Diego is dwelling house to miles of golden sands, a laidback surfer culture, and many world-class attractions. The second-largest urban center in the country, it lies on Southern California's breathtaking coastline, just n of the Mexican border.
While lounging on beautiful beaches such as Mission Beach and La Jolla Shores is a must when in boondocks, San Diego likewise boasts fantastic museums and historical sights. Many of these are in Balboa Park, which is also abode to the world-famous San Diego Zoo. In addition, Downtown has plenty of great shops, restaurants, and bars, besides as numerous beautiful old buildings – such as Mission San Diego de Alcala – which highlight the city's rich Spanish heritage.
San Diego's warm climate lends itself perfectly to all kinds of outdoor activities, with swimming, surfing, and watersports being very popular. Hiking and cycling along the stunning coastline is also a lovely pastime, and Tijuana is just a curt bulldoze away should you feel like a day trip to Mexico.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in San Diego
See also: Top San Diego Attractions
4. Death Valley [SEE MAP]
Home to a harsh and unforgiving surroundings, the fittingly named Death Valley lies in the arid Mojave Desert. Gear up in a national park of the aforementioned name, the valley boasts awe-inspiring landscapes and spectacular scenery.
From snow-capped mountains to colorful sand dunes, the unique desert landscapes of Death Valley are like no other place in California. Places of interests include the scenic vista of Zabriskie Point and historic sites similar Scotty's Castle, the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns and ruins of ghost towns.
The park is besides habitation to the arid Badwater Basin, which is the everyman point in North America, as well equally the fiery Furnace Creek – 1 of the hottest places on Earth. At that place are as well towering mount ranges as well as epic dunes, steep gorges, and life-giving oases.
Numerous hiking trails and mount bike paths weave their way around the park's diverse desert landscapes, too. Equally Death Valley covers a vast expanse, it's a skilful idea to stock up on water and gas before entering the national park.
3. Los Angeles [Run into MAP]
flickr/bossco
The 2d-largest city in the Us, Los Angeles is located in southern California surrounded by the Pacific Coast, mountains and valleys. Known as the City of Angels, the city offers a wide range of attractions and beaches, including wild-and-crazy Venice Beach and Malibu, the sandy playground favored by movie stars.
Travelers to L.A. can discover some of the best-known amusement parks on the planet hither, including Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. Los Angeles is too one of the best places in the Usa to become in search of celebrities. Tourists tin wait for celebrity homes or shop at the designer stores in Beverly Hills that cater to the stars. And in L.A., travelers can likewise visit and eat at the same famous restaurants that the celebs and the rich and famous dine at.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Los Angeles
See also: Top L.A. Attractions
2. Yosemite National Park [Run across MAP]
flickr/Dawn
One of the most famous and pop national parks in the Usa, Yosemite is visited by millions of people every year. Located in the western part of the Sierra Nevada mount range, the park is dwelling house to some of the country'southward well-nigh impressive and recognizable vistas.
Attractions include Glacier Point, with incredible views of the Yosemite Valley, the nature center and Yosemite Museum and historic places similar the LeConte Memorial Lodge and the Ahwahnee Hotel.
Tucked abroad among its mighty peaks, sweeping canyons, and countless verdant forests are countless lakes and streams, as well as a myriad of scenic trails and paths. Hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding around the remote wilderness is a please. The park is most known for its gigantic granite domes and cliffs, which make for distinctive and dramatic sights.
Besides the hulking El Capitan and huge Half Dome, the park also boasts groves of the giant sequoia and a number of towering waterfalls. Of these, Yosemite Falls is the most spectacular: it plunges 739 meters down the steep rockface.
1. San Francisco [Run into MAP]
One of the nearly famous and photogenic cities in the world, San Francisco is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, iconic sights, and open, accepting culture. Assail a peninsula with the beautiful San Francisco Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, it is i of the States' nigh popular tourist destinations.
Often shrouded in mist, San Francisco'southward many hills are home to a myriad of diverse neighbourhoods where gorgeous streetscapes with lovely old Victorian architecture on show. Superb theaters and museums tin be establish effectually Union Square, while Fisherman'due south Wharf is the tourist center of the city. This is abode to Pier 39, which boasts great shopping, dining, and entertainment options, as well every bit sunbathing seals and views of the bay. From here, you can take trips to Alcatraz Isle and its famous federal prison house (now as museum).
A very vibrant all the same sophisticated place, San Francisco truly has something for everyone to enjoy and taking a ride on 1 of its cable cars is simply a must. These shoot you to the acme of its steep hills where you tin can enjoy in the breathtaking views of the city and bay below and see the iconic Gold Gate Bridge stretching away into the altitude.
Adaptation: Where to Stay in San Francisco
Encounter also: Elevation San Francisco Attractions
Map of California
Source: https://www.touropia.com/best-places-to-visit-in-california/
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