The most complete guide to the best adventures and things to do in California. Listing hundreds of places, fun things, things to do, and best adventures to try. Be sure to check out our section on California camping for information about camping locations and lots of helpful camping tips. This article is primarily targeted toward US-based readers.
Take a hike through Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is one of America’s oldest national parks, located in eastern California. The park covers an area of nearly 1,200 square miles, which includes Yosemite Valley and other areas. Yosemite National Park has many hiking trails that take you through alpine meadows and forests with stunning views of waterfalls and mountains. Some of the popular hiking trails include Tioga Pass Trail and John Muir Trail.
Go camping at Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California near Palm Springs. It has several campsites available for visitors who want to stay overnight at this beautiful national park. Visitors can camp at several campsites within the park including Black Rock Campground or Cottonwood Campground. Some other attractions within Joshua Tree National Park include climbing rocks and rock formations such as Cathedral Rock and Keys View Observation Point where visitors can get panoramic views of surrounding areas such as the San Andreas Fault Line from atop its peak.
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park is a United States National Park, located in the state of California. It comprises three separate areas, the North Coast Redwoods District, the South Coast Redwoods District, and the Redwood Creek, each with its own vegetation and wildlife. These three units were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. The redwood trees are the world’s tallest trees, reaching up to 380 feet (115 meters). They can live for 2,000 years or more. The giants have been attracting visitors since ancient times and have been admired for their size, beauty, and longevity.
Redwood forests once covered large portions of northern California but logging operations cleared most of them away during the 19th century. In 1918 President Woodrow Wilson set aside a chunk of land as a national park, which was expanded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 and again by President Richard Nixon in 1968 into what is now Redwood National Park.
Hiking
One of the most popular outdoor activities in California is hiking. With so many trails and mountains, there is no shortage of hiking opportunities. If you’re looking for a challenging hike, try Mount Diablo or Mt Tamalpais. If you just want a relaxing stroll through nature, try Saddleback Mountain or Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
Bicycling
Californians love bikes and there are plenty of places to ride them! The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most popular spots in California because it offers beautiful views as well as challenging climbs and descents. Other good spots include Point Reyes National Seashore, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is known for its great exhibits and animal encounters with sea otters, penguins, and touch pools. But it also offers amazing underwater adventures like scuba diving, snorkeling, and even overnight trips aboard research vessels that explore deep waters off California’s coast.
Hearst Castle in San Simeon
Hearst Castle was once only open by appointment only, but now anyone can visit this historic mansion on the Central Coast of California without having to wait weeks or months in advance before they can see it up close. The castle was built in the 1920s by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who lived there until his death in 1951. Now it’s open to the public as a state historic park, where visitors can see the beautiful architecture and art collections inside.
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