Top 10 things to do in California

The City by the Bay is simply unmissable while you’re exploring California, with plenty to tempt every interest. Sail across the bay to Alcatraz to discover life in the notorious island prison and soak up some views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Or head to Haight-Ashbury, the heart of America’s ‘counterculture’ in the 1960s, discover street art in the Mission District, taste street food in China Town, see the crooked curves of Lombard Street, the colourful Victorian houses known as the Painted Ladies or check out one of the many museums and art galleries around Golden Gate Park.

Hooray for Hollywood, as well as the other famous sites that make up the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. Get a taste of the silver screen, whether that’s at a visit to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, checking out the stars’ handprints by the TCL Chinese Theatre or a tour to see the famous Hollywood sign in the hills. There are the studio theme parks to discover too, or spy some actual stars at the Griffith Park Observatory. Looking for something a bit different? Step back in time at the La Brea tar pits or venture aboard the Battleship USS Iowa Museum.

The state’s second largest city, San Diego might not have the iconic attractions of LA and San Francisco, but there’s a relaxed, outdoorsy atmosphere that makes it just as enjoyable. Home to 1200-acre Balboa Park, the sprawling botanic gardens and a string of beaches, you can also discover Old Town San Diego on a trolley tour or by wandering around the streets, the location of the first European settlement in California. It’s also one of the best places in California to go whale-watching – visit in summer and you could be lucky enough to spot a blue whale.

Yosemite National Park

One of the most popular national parks in the US, Yosemite is home to some truly spectacular scenery including the iconic granite peaks of El Capitan and the towering Bridalveil Fall. But between these stand-out highlights, there’s plenty more to discover as you explore, from the giant and ancient sequoia trees, idyllic lakes, lush forests and mountain panoramas. Don’t miss Tunnel View, looking out to Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan and Half Dome, the unforgettably photogenic view of one of America’s most majestic wildernesses.

The Pacific Coast Highway stretches from Washington state to Oregon and for 655 miles through California. But its this southern section that’s deservedly the most famous stretch, especially Big Sur, the dramatic coastline which inspired Jack Kerouac, with its sheer cliffs and quiet coves. Along the way, take a short detour down scenic 17 Mile Drive, which twists through the Monterey peninsula, connecting to Highway 1 and chic Carmel; look out for the lone Cypress on the way, one of the route’s landmarks.

Known for its wide sandy beaches, Santa Barbara is just as tempting whether you’re planning to get out on the water or sit back and watch the sunset, with a side helping of history and a laid-back vibe. Home to the oldest working pier in California, you’ll also find a strong Spanish influence and wine production that rivals Napa Valley nearby – follow the town’s urban wine trail to discover some of the best at around 20 different tasting venues. Popular with everyone from artists to hikers, surfers to whale-watchers, this is the California that the Beach Boys sang about.

Calico

California’s Gold Rush is famous, but the state also enjoyed its own Silver Rush a few decades later, with several towns preserved as they were during the 19th century. Calico, a once-thriving centre of silver mining, is one of the best of these ghost towns. The mining town was founded in 1880 after silver was discovered but abandoned when prices dropped during the 1890s. Today visitors get a glimpse into Old West life, with the chance to step inside an old mine, see historic buildings frozen in time, and pan for precious metals. Further inland, Bodie Historic State Park is another boom-and-bust town which thrived after gold was discovered in 1875, with a population of around 8,000 people at its peak, most of whom had left before the turn of the century.

California is the best place in the US to see the country’s jaw-droppingly tall redwoods, some stretching over 250ft high and almost 1,000 years old. And you’ll discover a series of memorable locations to stand dwarfed under these leafy giants across the whole state. Muir Woods is an easy day trip from San Francisco, while Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park are both just outside Santa Cruz. To the north of San Francisco, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is home to some of the oldest in the Grove of Titans, with an elevated walkway high above the forest floor, as well as Avenue of the Giants, a stretch of historic highway that’s surrounded by Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

There’s barely a corner of California without unforgettable scenery, but the turquoise waters of Lake Tahoe have to be among the loveliest. The largest Alpine Lake in North America, the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains are reflected in the still, clear lake and it’s as tempting for those who are looking to get active as for those who want to soak up the views before relaxing at a local restaurant. If you want to get outdoors, you can explore using the bike and hiking trails running around the water, including a two-mile round trip route to Cascade Falls. Plus, of course, there are countless chances to get out onto the lake itself.

One of the most unusual attractions in California, Fort Ross mixes history and geography in one day out. Originally Fortress Ross, it was built in 1812 and operated by the Russians who’d settled the coast here until 1841, but the site also lies next to the San Andreas Fault. A red marker on Fort Ross Road shows where the faultline lies, while the fort’s visitor centre shares information about the destructive 1906 quake, whose effects are still visible in the landscape – the earth moved 12.6ft here, interrupting the slopes of the hills themselves.