Let us help you make plans to explore California. Below, we share our top tips and highlights from our travels to cities and great places in the golden state of California. Check out our resources to plan your future travel adventures.
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Introduction to California
Are you ready to explore California? California offers an endless array of possibilities for exploration and adventure. From the sandy beaches of Santa Monica to the majestic trees in Sequoia National Park, California has something for every type of traveler. With our first-hand experiences in the state, we can confidently guide you on your journey to discover all California offers.
As avid travelers, we know the value of learning about a destination through personal accounts and stories. On this page, you’ll find links to our adventures in California and accompanying podcast episodes where we share our experiences and insights.
Our top articles on visiting great places in California
Andrade – A Traveler’s Guide to Andrade California
Auburn – The Best Things To Do in Auburn California
Bard – A Traveler’s Guide to Bard California
Big Sur – 25 Best Things To Do in Big Sur(Guest post for The Discovery Nut)
Death Valley – 6 Awesome Death Valley Sand Dunes – Your Complete Guide
Death Valley – The Best Time To Visit Death Valley
Death Valley – Mind-Blowing Fun Facts and Top Tips
Death Valley – One Day Death Valley Itinerary – 9 Awesome Stops
Death Valley – Packing List For Your Death Valley Visit
Death Valley – Where To Stay In Death Valley
Death Valley – Ubehebe Crater
Death Valley – Zabriskie Point Sunset
El Capitan State Beach (Santa Barbara County)
Kings Canyon National Park – Your Guide To The Best Campground in Kings Canyon
Lake Tahoe – 2 Day Lake Tahoe Itinerary
Sequoia – The Best Campground in Sequoia National Park
Sequoia – Scenic Drive and Best Viewpoints
Solvang – Perfect Day Trip to Solvang – The Danish Capital of America
Winters – The Best Things To Do in Winters, California
Hiking Adventures in California
Thousand Oaks – Wildwood Regional Park Hike to Lizard Rock
Winter Activities in California
Podcasts – Our Top Podcast Episodes on Great Places in California
Death Valley – 10 Things To Do in Death Valley (Part 1)
Death Valley – 10 Things To Do in Death Valley (Part 2)
Death Valley – Places Near Death Valley
John Muir Trail – Hiking The John Muir Trail
Lone Pine – Lone Pine California
Manzanar – Manzanar National Historic Site
Mojave – Our Mojave Road Trip
Nevada City – Nevada City Celebrates Victorian Christmas
Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara ON the beaten path
Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara OFF the beaten path
Sequoia National Park – Sequoia National Park (Part 1)
Sequoia National Park – Sequoia National Park (Part 2)
Simi Valley – Grandma Prisbrey‘s Bottle Village
Solvang – Solvang – The Danish Capital of America
California Travel Videos
Alabama Hills, CA – Mobius Arch | Eastern Sierra Visitor Center | Lone Pine
Anaheim – Disneyland California Adventure Vlog
Anza Borrego – The Beauty of the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail in Anza Borrego State Park
Anza Borrego – Stunning Anza Borrego Hiking Experience – South Fork Palm Wash Canyon Trail
Buellton – A Cowboy Christmas – Festive Holiday Fun in Buellton, California
Calico Ghost Town – Experience An Old West Mining Town
California Mission Walkers | Oceano to San Luis Obispo Mission
California Mission Pilgrimage Walk 2022 – Santa Barbara to Ventura
California Mission Pilgrimage Walk 2023 – Santa Barbara to Ventura
California Mission Pilgrimage Walk 2024 – Santa Barbara to Ventura
Cholame – James Dean Memorial in Cholame, California
Clovis, CA & Harvest Host Experience
Coachella – The Perfect Getaway at Coachella Lakes RV Resort: A Campground Review
Death Valley – Artists Palette Drive
Death Valley – Badwater Basin – The Lowest Point in North America
Death Valley – Dante’s Peak Hike
Death Valley – Devil’s Golf Course
Death Valley – Harmony Borax Works
Death Valley – Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Death Valley – Natural Bridge Hike
Death Valley – Unforgettable Journey to Racetrack Playa and More Desert Adventures
Death Valley – Scotty’s Castle Bad News
Death Valley – Surprising Spring Water Miracle – Badwater Basin Lake
Death Valley – Zabriskie Point
Eagle Rock – Bob Baker Marionette Theater – Halloween Spooktacular Puppet Show
Fillmore – Kenney Grove Park – Camping
Joshua Tree National Park – Maze Loop Trail
Kings Canyon National Park – Buena Vista Hiking Trail
Lake Cachuma RV Camping Experience
Lassen Volcanic National Park Exploration Plus A Stop At Honey Lake
Lassen Volcanic National Park RV Camping – Mt Lassen Shingletown KOA
Lassen Volcanic National Park – Climbing A Volcano – Our Cinder Cone Hike
Lassen Volcanic National Park – Top Things To Do
Lava Beds National Monument – Nearby RV Camping at Eagles Nest RV Park
Lava Beds National Monument – Captain Jack’s Stronghold and Canby’s Cross
Lava Beds National Monument – Exploring Five Amazing Caves
Lava Beds National Monument – Petroglyph Point
Lone Pine – Boulder Creek RV Resort | Family Fun Camping
Lone Pine – Museum of Western Film History
Lone Pine – Historic Water Levels at Owens Lake, California – Lone Pine Surprise
Long Beach – An Exciting Day Out for All Ages – Visiting the Long Beach Aquarium
Los Angeles – Experiencing Culture and Beauty at The Getty Museum
Los Angeles – Journey to the La Brea Tar Pits: Step into an Ice Age Fossil Wonderland
Manzanar National Historic Site | Japanese WWII Relocation Center
Medicine Lake – Unexpected Adventures: Our Journey to Medicine Lake, California
Mojave Desert Weekend Roadtrip | Peggy Sues 50s Diner | Nipton | Kingman, AZ
Moorpark, CA – Christmas Lights | Neighborhood Holiday Light Display
Moorpark – Underwood Farms Fall Festival
Mount Whitney Portal – Owens Lakes – Lone Pine
Nevada City – Step Into The Charming Victorian Christmas Wonderland!
Niland – Salvation Mountain – Experience Whimsical Art and Spirituality in California’s Desert
Oceano – Pismo Oceano Pacific Dunes RV Camping
Palm Springs – Search Family History and Exploring Downtown
Paso Robles – Tobin James Winery & Chapel Hill
Pinnacles National Park Hiking – Condor Gulch Trail Adventure
Pinnacles National Park – Nearby Camping at Yanks RV Resort in Greenfield
Redding – RV Camping in Redding, CA – Boulder Creek RV Resort
Redding – Sundial Bridge, Redding, and RV Repair: Road Trip Adventures in California
Salton Sea Adventure – Exploring California’s Largest Body of Water
Salton Sea – Discovering the Hidden Treasures of Bombay Beach, California
Santa Barbara Camping – Sun Outdoors | Airstream Life
Santa Barbara Cemetery | Gravesites of famous people (Alan Thicke, Fess Parker and more)
Santa Barbara County – El Capitan State Beach Camping
Santa Barbara County – Lake Cachuma | Chumash Painted Cave SHP
Santa Barbara | Historic Adobe Location | Genealogy Finds Family Home
Santa Barbara – Inspiration Point Hike
Santa Barbara – One Day Getaway
Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park Review
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park – Old Stagecoach Road Hike
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve | Camping in San Diego County
Santee Lakes Camping | Airstream Maintenance | Travel Gremlins
Sequoia National Park – Cahoon Meadow Hike
Sequoia National Park – Congress Trail Hike
Sequoia National Park – General Sherman Hike from Lodgepole Campground
Sequoia National Park – Lodgepole Campground
Sequoia National Park – Lodgepole Campground – After The Storm (2023)
Sequoia National Park – Tokopah Falls Hiking
Sequoia National Park – Wuksachi Lodge Visit
Simi Valley – Challenger Park Open Space Loop Trail Hike
Simi Valley – Grandma Prisbey’s Bottle Village
Simi Valley – Hummingbird Trail in Simi Valley – Hiking Adventures
Simi Valley – Mount McCoy Hike
Simi Valley – Why the Santa Susana Railroad Depot Is Worth Your Visit
Simi Valley – Tapo Canyon Trail – Hiking
Simi Valley – Ventura Vikings – USHPL Hockey in Simi Valley, CA
Simi Valley – VFW Museum Donation – Sharing Military History
Solvang, California | Danish Capital of America
Solvang – Julefest Celebration
Thousand Oaks – Wildwood Park Hike to Lizard Rock
Tule Lake National Monument – WWII Segregation Center
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge – Birding Paradise in Northern California
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Visit California – Key Facts
- California is the most populous state in the United States, with over 39 million residents.
- The capital of California is Sacramento, but Los Angeles and San Francisco are more well-known cities.
- The state is home to many popular tourist attractions such as Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
- California has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters in most areas.
- Hollywood, located in Los Angeles, is considered the center of the American film industry.
- Wine lovers can visit Napa Valley or Sonoma County to experience some of the best wineries in the world.
- You’ll find just under a dozen national parks in California. These include Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Other less well-known but equally stunning national parks in California include Death Valley National Park, Redwood National and State Parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and Channel Islands National Park. Plus, there are numerous national monuments and sites managed by the National Park Service.
Top Tour Books for Exploring California
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Road Trip Guide
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Road Atlas
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Full-Color Guide
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Travel Resources for Visiting California
Expedia – Our most used resource for flights, hotels, and rental cars. We recommend Expedia as a one-stop shop for making travel arrangements.
Omio – Book trains, buses, or flights across multiple destinations with a single platform. Compare routes, schedules, and prices on Omio.
Rent Cars with Discover Cars – Explore your destination with a rental car. Use Discover Cars to compare options from multiple providers, ensuring you find the best price and vehicle type to suit your travel needs.
Welcome Pickups offers convenient airport and port transfers, with professional drivers ensuring a smooth and hassle-free start to your trip. They also provide private drivers for personalized sightseeing tours, allowing you to explore destinations comfortably and at your own pace.
Viator for Tours – Find curated tours from experienced local guides to make the most of your visit to a destination
Travel Insurance Master – Travel Insurance Master offers comprehensive travel insurance solutions, ensuring peace of mind with coverage for trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage.