top of page
Search

California: West Coast Wonderland

Fountain with blue and yellow colorful tile and a tower and palm trees in the background.
Balboa Park California Tower

California is my home state. There's too many things to talk about in terms of California. I'm going to have to write specific posts about different regions later. I grew up in San Diego, which I've deemed as the best city in the U.S. When you live in San Diego, you can be at the desert in the morning for sunrise, drive up to the mountains for some lunch and apple pie, then go to the beach and watch the sunset, and finish the night off grabbing a cocktail in the city, all in one day. I love San Diego. Beyond that I just love California.


If you are city-lover you can head up to Los Angeles, stop by Disneyland on the way, of course, and explore the great food options across LA County. In terms of big cities in California, I prefer San Francisco to LA. You can walk across the Golden Gate bridge and grab a sundae at Ghirardelli's. There are many unique spots in San Francisco, one of the memories that stand out to me, on one of my trips there, was visiting Alcatraz. It was so interesting!

Fountain with golden statue on top of it and an wall covered in flowers in the foreground with green covered hills and water in the distance.
View of the coast from Hearst Castle

If you are looking for more calm nature vibes, head down the coast from San Francisco to Big Sur and Cambria. Near Cambria is one of my favorite places I've ever visited in the U.S. which is Hearst Castle. It has such amazing architecture and design. I've been there a couple time and I would go again in a heartbeat.


Speaking of nature, California has NINE National Parks. All the CA National Parks offer different things. If you want to be surround by giant trees, there's Redwood National Park and Sequoia National Park. If you love admiring trees and mountains, there's also Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. If you like being in the desert, there's Joshua Tree National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and Death Valley National Park (bring some extra water.) Lastly if you're more of a coastal person, you can check out Channel Islands National Park.



There's honestly too much to do in California. It's truly a west coast wonderland.


 
If you want to visit California, here's a list of possible things to see and do:

  1. Explore National Parks: California is home to several stunning national parks, including Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and Death Valley. Each park offers unique landscapes and outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and wildlife viewing.

  2. Visit San Francisco: Explore iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman's Wharf. Don't forget to ride a cable car and explore the vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown and the Mission District.

  3. Discover Los Angeles: Visit Hollywood to see the Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, and Griffith Observatory for a stunning view of the city. Spend time in Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica Pier for a taste of LA's diverse culture.

  4. Wine Tasting in Napa Valley: Take a scenic drive through Napa Valley and Sonoma County to explore some of the world's finest wineries. Enjoy wine tasting tours and gourmet dining experiences surrounded by beautiful vineyards.

  5. Relax in Lake Tahoe: Experience outdoor adventures in Lake Tahoe, including skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking, boating, and swimming in the summer. The crystal-clear waters and picturesque mountains make it a perfect year-round destination.

  6. Disneyland Resort: Have a magical time at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, home to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Enjoy thrilling rides, meet your favorite Disney characters, and watch spectacular parades and fireworks shows.

  7. Explore the Coastal Highway: Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) for breathtaking views of the California coastline. Stop at coastal towns like Big Sur, Monterey, and Santa Barbara for charming shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities.

  8. Experience Silicon Valley: Visit tech giants like Apple, Google, and Facebook headquarters in Silicon Valley. Explore the Computer History Museum in Mountain View and learn about the innovations that shaped the digital age.

  9. Enjoy Beach Life: California boasts some of the best beaches in the world. Relax on the sandy shores of Malibu, Laguna Beach, or Santa Cruz, and enjoy surfing, sunbathing, and beach volleyball.

  10. Indulge in Culinary Delights: Experience California's diverse culinary scene, from gourmet restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles to food trucks and farmers' markets offering fresh, locally sourced ingredients.


If you want more suggestions on what to do in California, I suggest you check out their tourism website.

Comments

bottom of page