California Things to Do

 
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Most Viewed Things to Do in California

1.

Golden Gate Bridge   San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

 247 Reviews  The Golden Gate Bridge is not only a symbol of San Francisco but a symbol of the United States .... Mysterious at night when covered in fog, Magical at sunrise or sunset and breathtaking during the... 

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2.

Universal Studios   Los Angeles

Universal Studios, Los Angeles

 113 Reviews  This was quite an interesting thing to do and there is no doubt you need to allocate a day for this activity. As we are adults travelling without children we were not interested in the various rides... 

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3.

Zoo   San Diego

Zoo, San Diego

 136 Reviews  The San Diego Zoo is in my opinion one of the MUST SEE places in San Diego. The park is relatively large but is easily covered in a day. Surprisingly the restaurants are quite good. There are the... 

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4.

Glacier Point   Yosemite National Park

Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park

 45 Reviews  Nothing prepares you for what you see when you get to Glacier Point in Yosemite. It is a high point way above the valley floor. From the gate, it is about a 25-30 minute drive. There is parking and... 

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5.

Disneyland   Anaheim

Disneyland, Anaheim

 223 Reviews  I was seven years old when Walt Disney opened the gates of Disneyland for the first time. It was some years later before my parents took me there for the first time. As a child, I was enchanted by... 

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6.

17 Mile Drive   Monterey

17 Mile Drive, Monterey

 48 Reviews  17 mile drive is a gated drive around the ocean in the Pebble beach area. it costs about 10 dollars per car and although beautiful doesn't really contain anything ( other than the golf courses) that... 

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7.

State Street   Santa Barbara

State Street, Santa Barbara

 27 Reviews  Santa Barbara has a large and beautiful, and very lively downtown. The core of this is State St, a busy street with bicycle trams for hire, pedestrians, cars, etc. I would recommend avoiding driving... 

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8.

Grauman's Chinese Theater   Hollywood

Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood

 29 Reviews  This is where all Hollywood theater films produced debuted up until 1960. Opened in 1927, it was the most impressive and grand theater of its kind. Its name was changed to Mann's Chinese Theater but... 

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9.

Scottys Castle   Death Valley National Park

Scottys Castle, Death Valley National Park

 42 Reviews  In the 1920s Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson was sold the ultimate snake oil – the idea that there was gold in California’s Death Valley. In the dry, scorching conditions the ailing Johnson found... 

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10.

Aerial Tramway   Palm Springs

Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs

 29 Reviews  Here we are! My family went up on a HOT june afternoon to take a tram ride. A great idea since it is about 30 degrees F cooler up there and on a day where the temperature reached 112f, that was... 

 See All 114 Things to Do in Palm Springs

11.

Tunnel Log   Sequoia National Park

Tunnel Log, Sequoia National Park

 6 Reviews  If you are looking for the Tunnel Tree in either Sequoia, King's Canyon or even Yosemite, you are out of luck. That poor creature who had its base tunneled through for tourism was never in fact in any... 

 See All 148 Things to Do in Sequoia National Park

12.

Santa Monica Pier   Santa Monica

Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica

 49 Reviews  Santa Monica pier is a great place to take a walk and people watch. The Pier has a variety of dining, shopping and entertainment experiences including a fun fare. At the start of the pier, you will... 

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13.

Winchester Mystery House   San Jose

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose

 19 Reviews  Its most famous landmark is the Winchester Mystery House , 525 S Winchester Blvd, just off I-280 near Hwy-17 ($12.95-22.95; daily 9am-5pm, until 7pm June-Sept). Sarah Winchester, heiress to the... 

 See All 101 Things to Do in San Jose

14.

Downtown Carmel   Carmel-by-the-Sea

Downtown Carmel, Carmel-by-the-Sea

 9 Reviews  Like what I've said in my previous tips, Carmel By The Sea Became Famous in the early 1900's as artists started flocking here to make their works of art among the romantic beaches and the view of the... 

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15.

Shoreline Village   Long Beach

Shoreline Village, Long Beach

 18 Reviews  This photo of me and Jenn was sent from Nancy, "Goner" (The Flash on my camera is broken so I don't have my own photos) and this one symbolically represents my old memories of Long Beach and the new,... 

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16.

Emerald Bay   South Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay, South Lake Tahoe

 17 Reviews  We were in South Lake Tahoe for the week after Christmas, and there was no snow! Well, no snow on the ground at the cabin, and very little snow in shady spots on the mountains. So we decided to go on... 

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17.

McWay Falls   Big Sur

McWay Falls, Big Sur

 8 Reviews  The highlight of the state park is McWay falls. To enter and park there is a self pay honor system of $10.00. As I heard many people say while walking around this is a huge waste of money because... 

 See All 103 Things to Do in Big Sur

18.

California State Capitol   Sacramento

California State Capitol, Sacramento

 22 Reviews  I took this picture near the Civil War Memorial Grove. I was tempted to crawl around under the trees and look for names, but the ground was muddy. There are something like 186 varieties of camillias... 

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19.

The Pier   Manhattan Beach

The Pier, Manhattan Beach

 12 Reviews  This is an attractive long pier that starts at the foot of Manhattan Beach Blvd in the heart of downtown. The struxcture itself is attractive and interesting, it has nice views of town, the beach, and... 

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20.

Boardwalk   Santa Cruz

Boardwalk, Santa Cruz

 10 Reviews  Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is so much fun. I've been going there since i've been a kid. Rides have been switched, but better one's are put in. I really recommend on going here. One of the only reason... 

 See All 115 Things to Do in Santa Cruz

21.

Sterling Vineyards   Napa

Sterling Vineyards, Napa

 7 Reviews  The hill comes alive with the sound of music and the sparking white bell tower commands the top of the Greek inspired architecture. You have arrived at Sterling Vineyards. Just the drive from the tree... 

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22.

Sunset and Dusk at the beach   Laguna Beach

Sunset and Dusk at the beach, Laguna Beach

 6 Reviews  Why is Laguna Beach worth taking the time to write VT pages about? In a nutshell, walking the beach and the glorious sunsets. Here is a quick low-resolution sunset shot from a cheap cr@ppy digital... 

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23.

Thousand Island Lake   Mammoth Lakes

Thousand Island Lake, Mammoth Lakes

 4 Reviews  The trail ends at the shimmering blue lake, which, from the outlet, doesn't seem to merit its name (very few islands are visible). The scene is absolutely amazing, with Banner Peak, Mt. Ritter, the... 

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24.

Old Mission Santa Ines   Solvang

Old Mission Santa Ines, Solvang

 16 Reviews  The California Missions were founded from 1769, starting with Mission San Diego de Alcala, with the leader at that time being Father Junipero Serra. (1713-1784), a priest in the Franciscan order of... 

 See All 79 Things to Do in Solvang

25.

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia   Oceanside

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, Oceanside

 24 Reviews  This wonderful statue is located in the north new part of cemetery. It is call the Assumption of Mary: "All powerful God, you raised in the sinless Virgin Mary, mother of your Son, body and soul to... 

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Lakes in California

by lmkluque

There are major lakes throughout California also not so major lakes and reservoirs so that almost any place a tourist stops will be within a few minutes of a nice body of water for swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking and maybe even camping. Most lakes are located on or at the foot of mountains and generally there are miles of hiking available as well. Campgrounds at or around these lakes can range from the rustic tent site with no hook-ups to a fully stocked cabin with a couple of bedrooms. The main thing is that the lakes in California can be used as a day activity or a destination for a relaxing stay in a natural setting.

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Mountains in California

by lmkluque

California is home to more than 350 mountain ranges that are scattered throughout the state. The highest peak is Mt. Whitney, in fact Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the continental U.S,A, There are even mountains in the desert. Many of the mountains are forest covered and quite a few are practically nothing but rock. Of course, one most there is at least chaparral and plenty of little or big animals to be aware of.Many of these mountains are Federal, State, County or City Parks and protecting mandates are in place. So, when planning to stay in a mountain area, check the authority governing it. One of the biggest concerns are forest fires. However, there are other issues that the authorities deal with to keep the natural conditions sustaining life in "them thar hills."Just a simple trip up to the mountains can be exhilarating but there are so many activities that are popular to do,...

It will take years to regrow.
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Beaches in California

by lmkluque

What Californians mean when they say, "the beach" is the sandy section between the Pacific Ocean and the coastline. The banks of bays, lakes, rivers, streams or creeks are not referred to as the beach. Just mentioning this to help with misunderstandings for those who don't know and are asking for directions.There is more than 800 miles of California Coastline and the style and shape of land along the coast have created some beautiful scenery. Swimming, surfing, kayaking snorkeling Scuba Diving and sunning on the beach are popular things to do. Playing games like "Over the Line," Volleyball, Frisbee catch, flying kites or building sandcastles are things quite often done at the beach. Jet skiing, boating and sail surfing are other things to do at the beaches. There are miles of pristine white sands, miles of cliffs and jetties and miles of bluffs, caves and coves. The nicest thing is that...

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U.S. 101/California 1--PCH....

by lmkluque

Taking a road trip through the state of California is not a new concept. Father Junipero Serra made his mark by traversing along the coast of California and setting up twenty-one Missions about every "one day's" worth of travel apart. Eventually the U.S. 101/California1 was developed, offering some of the most interesting and beautiful views of the coast line from the beyond the south end of the state to beyond the north boundry. This coastal route of the western U.S.A. & California has many names throughout the state. Pacific Coast Highway, (PCH), California Highway 1, US Highway 101, Pacific Highway, Seacoast Drive, Ocean Boulevard, well, you get the idea. PCH is the most famous of these and the most famous section of PCH is located in the northern part of California, but it is possible to drive from one end of the state at San Ysidro to the other at Crescent City along scenic and...

Some views will be disappointing
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Red Rock Canyon State park

by Jim_Eliason

Up in the Mojave Desert abotu 50 miles NW of Barstow is an area of red sandstone cliffs reminscent of Sedona. Much of this is preserved as Red Rock Canyon State park. the park is very isolated and the visitors center is closed for much of the winter so do your home work and have a full tank of gas before you head here.

Red Rock Canyon State park
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Mojave National Preserve

by Jim_Eliason

This vast national preserve protects a large area of he Mojave desert from development. it stretches from south of I-15 to north of I-10 through 1.6 million acres. there is not much infrastructure here but some pretty isolated hiking if you like solitude.

Mojave National Preserve
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Patton Museum

by Jim_Eliason

Just off I-10 abotu 40 miles east of palm Springs is the Patton Museum at Desert Center. its set at Gen. patton's desert trainign center and details the life and campaigns of one of america's greatest General's of WWII.

Patton Museum
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Getty Center: architercture, ;landscape & art

by PDXdepartures

Not to be missed in any LA art tour is the Getty Center. Take the docent-lead tour to learn about Richard Meier's dedication in creating the campus, working a human scale to buildings and pathways, relying on Travertine marble for its texture, treating I-405 as a visual metaphor of a river, carefully fashioning sight lines and dynamic arrangement of the buildings. Take a second docent tour to understand how Robert Irwin, used his experience as a painter and sculptor to create the landscape that complements Meier's buildings. Irwin chose plants for color and texture, plumbed water for both loud and soft sounds as it moved in a zig-zag path. An easy half-day before you even enter the galleries.

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PIEAM

by DueSer

The Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (usually just called "Pie-Am") is the newest museum in Long Beach. It is small but focuses on a group not usually the subject of much attention: the islands found in the Pacific. There is a large Pacific Islander population in Long Beach so this is definitely the perfect place for such a museum and, although small right now, they are doing a terrific job with what they have.They have a small permanent collection as well as changing exhibits and a nice multimedia section showing documentaries about current P.I. topics (when I was there it was about the first general election in Tonga). The art they have is terrific - all art that is used in some way (not just for art's sake), which is a typical concept for the region.Their garden is also very nice - a little oasis in the middle of the city.They have a free festival every year showcasing native dancers,...

Some New Friends Welcoming You to the PIEAM
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MOLAA

by DueSer

The Museum of Latin American Art (or Mola, as it's called) is a fairly new museum in Long Beach. It's focus is, obviously, art of Latin America. It is has a small permanent collection as well as rotating exhibits. Its striking entrance is eye-catching also. It's strongest feature, however, is its garden. Filled with local native plants and sculptures, it's a beautiful and relaxing place that is often the site of special events. I saw a film festival of Buster Keaton & Fatty Arbuckle films that had been shot in Long Beach in the garden of the MOLAA and enjoyed myself immensely. There is also usually a festival every year that's free and offers Latin American artists, cooks, and dancers a chance to show off.They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. There is an entrance fee except on Sundays, when it is free.

MOLAA's Main Entrance
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Fun things to do in California

Top 3 Hotels in California

Argonaut Hotel - A Kimpton Hotel  San Francisco

 4 Reviews and 2443 Opinions  There's no doubt this hotel, provides a level of luxury and convenience, that many travellers will... 

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Magic Castle Hotel  Los Angeles

 5 Reviews and 1284 Opinions  The Magic castle hotel is a great place to stay. It looks small at first view but its rooms are on... 

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Residence Inn San Diego Scripps Poway Parkway  San Diego

 1 Review and 108 Opinions  If you want to stay at a place that's not right on the beach, but still close enough to get anywhere... 

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California Things to Do

Reviews and photos of California things to do posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for California sightseeing.
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Things to Do: Cities in California
  1. San Francisco Things to Do
  2. Los Angeles Things to Do
  3. San Diego Things to Do
  4. Yosemite National Park Things to Do
  5. Anaheim Things to Do
  6. Monterey Things to Do
  7. Santa Barbara Things to Do
  8. Hollywood Things to Do
  9. Death Valley National Park Things to Do
  10. Palm Springs Things to Do
  11. Sequoia National Park Things to Do
  12. Santa Monica Things to Do
  13. San Jose Things to Do
  14. Carmel-by-the-Sea Things to Do
  15. Long Beach Things to Do
  16. South Lake Tahoe Things to Do
  17. Big Sur Things to Do
  18. Sacramento Things to Do
  19. Malibu Things to Do
  20. Manhattan Beach Things to Do
  21. Santa Catalina Island Things to Do
  22. Santa Cruz Things to Do
  23. Napa Things to Do
  24. Laguna Beach Things to Do
  25. Mammoth Lakes Things to Do
  26. Solvang Things to Do
  27. Oceanside Things to Do
  28. Pasadena Things to Do
  29. Oakland Things to Do
  30. Joshua Tree National Park Things to Do
  31. Sonoma Things to Do
  32. Carlsbad Things to Do
  33. San Luis Obispo Things to Do
  34. Bakersfield Things to Do
  35. Ventura Things to Do
  36. Coronado Things to Do
  37. Pismo Beach Things to Do
  38. Huntington Beach Things to Do
  39. La Jolla Things to Do
  40. Fresno Things to Do
  41. San Juan Capistrano Things to Do
  42. Berkeley Things to Do
  43. Beverly Hills Things to Do
  44. Newport Beach Things to Do
  45. San Rafael Things to Do
  46. Tehachapi Things to Do
  47. Palm Desert Things to Do
  48. Pacific Grove Things to Do
  49. Santa Rosa Things to Do
  50. Avalon Things to Do
  51. Alcatraz Island Things to Do
  52. Sausalito Things to Do
  53. Venice Things to Do
  54. Morro Bay Things to Do
  55. Pebble Beach Things to Do
  56. Big Bear Lake Things to Do
  57. Marina del Rey Things to Do
  58. Imperial Beach Things to Do
  59. Chula Vista Things to Do
  60. Fullerton Things to Do
  61. Palo Alto Things to Do
  62. Universal City Things to Do
  63. Redwood National Park Things to Do
  64. Buena Park Things to Do
  65. Costa Mesa Things to Do
  66. Lassen Volcanic National Park Things to Do
  67. Hermosa Beach Things to Do
  68. El Segundo Things to Do
  69. Eureka Things to Do
  70. West Hollywood Things to Do
  71. Ojai Things to Do
  72. Redondo Beach Things to Do
  73. Fort Bragg Things to Do
  74. Oxnard Things to Do
  75. Temecula Things to Do
  76. Irvine Things to Do
  77. San Simeon Things to Do
  78. Twentynine Palms Things to Do
  79. Nevada City Things to Do
  80. Santa Ana Things to Do
  81. Lone Pine Things to Do
  82. Orange Things to Do
  83. Cambria Things to Do
  84. Westlake Village Things to Do
  85. Kings Canyon National Park Things to Do
  86. Chico Things to Do
  87. Seal Beach Things to Do
  88. Half Moon Bay Things to Do
  89. Santa Paula Things to Do
  90. Julian Things to Do
  91. Mount Shasta Things to Do
  92. Lancaster Things to Do
  93. Lee Vining Things to Do
  94. Dana Point Things to Do
  95. Barstow Things to Do
  96. Calistoga Things to Do
  97. San Clemente Things to Do
  98. Bishop Things to Do
  99. San Bernardino Things to Do
  100. Stockton Things to Do

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