California is one of the top vacation destinations in the United States for both Americans and international travelers. Vibrant cities, beaches, amusement parks, and natural wonders like nowhere else on earth make 10 Top Tourist Attractions in California USA an interesting country of possibilities to visit.
From the Golden Gate Bridge to Hollywood and Disneyland, the gateway cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles are home to some of the state’s most famous landmarks. It is also where many of the top cultural attractions can be found.
But national parks, which include mountains, forests, deserts, coastal areas, and islands, offer quintessential experiences of their own. The tallest and largest trees on Earth, the largest alpine lake in North America and the famous landmarks of Yosemite, offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Top Tourist Attractions in California USA
California is one of the top vacation destinations in the United States for both Americans and international travelers. Whether you’re interested in taking a road trip, taking a family vacation, enjoying a city excursion, or just want to do some sightseeing, start with our list of the top California attractions.
1. Universal Studios Hollywood
This amusement park and movie studio is one of the most popular attractions in California, and an ideal location for families with older children and teens. The rides and sets are based on famous movies, with everything from shockingly realistic simulator rides to roller coasters, and more.
You can tour the huge sets on a studio tour. Some of the most popular experiences in the park are The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Fast and Furious – Supercharged, Jurassic World, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and The Walking Dead Attraction, among others. You’ll also find food, shows, shopping opportunities, and various events held throughout the year.
2. Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua trees bring a kind of magic to this otherwise lunar-like landscape, where towering stone and rock formations create wild shapes that capture the imagination. The park spans over 800,000 acres and offers an array of diverse sites that include much more than just Joshua trees.
Chola Cactus Garden, where Chola extends along the hillside to the mountains beyond, the ruins of the historic Keys Ranch, the towering palms of the Lost Palms Oasis, and the vistas of more than 5,000 feet at Keys View are just a few of the highlights. Also don’t miss Skull Rock; A huge rock resembling an alien skull.
3. Redwood National and State Parks
Walking through a sprawling redwood forest more than 300 feet taller than you, feels like entering another era. Descendants of trees from the Jurassic period, these are the tallest trees on the planet, and they are actually one of the greatest treasures of California.
These jointly managed parks, which include Redwood National Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Redwoods State Park and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, are spread along a spectacular portion of the Northern California coast. Each offers something a little different, but in all of them you can find hiking trails and beautiful campgrounds.
4. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Home to the largest trees on Earth, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are bucket-list destinations. The sequoias here are some of the largest living things in the world, and many of them are over 2,000 years old, some over 3,000 years old.
These adjacent parks cover an area of mountains with majestic granite peaks, deep gorges, lakes, rivers and forests, but they are quite different from each other. If you plan to visit both parks, you will need at least a few days.
Although both parks are home to giant sequoias, Sequoia National Park is arguably the best place to see these ancient wonders. Easy walks, many of which are paved, pass through trees and provide easy access to major sites. The park is also home to Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in America at 14,495 feet.
5. Lake Tahoe Lake in the california
Stunning Lake Tahoe is located high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and is a popular year-round vacation destination in California. Lake Tahoe is much more than just a lake, it is forests and mountains, small towns and a multitude of area activities.
Blue Lake, with its turquoise creeks and surrounding mountains, is a summer playground for boaters, beach-goers, campers, and nature lovers. Beautiful beaches and shallow creeks are some of the main attractions for families visiting the area in summer. Places such as DH Bliss State Park and Kings Beach State Recreation Area are popular beach destinations around Lake Tahoe.
6. Big Sur California
This beautiful stretch along California’s Central Coast offers the chance to get back to nature. Some of the best places for camping and hiking inn activities are Garrapata State Park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Big Sur begins about four miles south of Carmel in Yankee Point and stretches along Highway No. 1 to Salmon Cove, about 17 miles north of San Simeon. This scenic road offers spectacular views over the picturesque beach. To the east stretches a true wilderness – the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Ventana Forest, with more than 220 miles of trails.
7. Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park has some of the most inhospitable areas in California, with extreme heat that has made this desert region strangely beautiful. Salt fields, dry dry land, sand dunes, mountains, unique cliffs and a lake below sea level create a unique landscape in this remote valley.
Some of the easiest-to-access highlights in Death Valley are Stowe Pipe Wells, Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, and the sand dunes near Dantes View. These and all others are easy to reach by a regular vehicle. If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can go to more remote places like The Race Track.
8. A Tour of Disneyland Park
Disneyland, located in Anaheim, is California’s premier family destination and one of the top family vacation destinations in America. This huge amusement park is home to all kinds of rides, games, shows and entertainment, along with restaurants and hotels. The park is a combination of theme rides and recreated worlds and cultures. You can find shows and other entertainment designed for both children and adults.
Keep in mind that there is more to Disneyland than just the parks. The entire Disneyland Resort experience includes hotels, dining, shopping, and Disney Adventure Park in the Downtown Disney District. Although the parks are definitely here for your kids to visit, you’ll find something fun for everyone in the family.
9. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park in Northern California is one of the most scenic and most visited national parks in the United States. Mountains, valleys, rivers and spectacular waterfalls have attracted tourists, artists and athletes here for decades. For nature lovers, a trip here is one of the best things to do in California.
Most of the major sights and things to do in Yosemite National Park are in Yosemite Valley. Carved by glaciers during the last ice age, granite walls and towering waterfalls are some of the park’s most outstanding features. This is where you’ll find big-name attractions like Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and El Capitan.
10. San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most beautiful cities in America, San Francisco should be on everyone’s must-see list. The sea and hills provide a stunning natural setting, but quaint neighborhoods, historic sites, green spaces, inspiring cultural institutions, and a relaxed attitude make this city truly special.
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is one of the major landmarks and comes to mind many people when they think of San Francisco and even California. The orange frame against the blue waters of San Francisco Bay, or looking out over the fog that often covers the area, is an unforgettable sight. You can appreciate the bridge from afar or, for a more personal experience, drive, walk over it, or even bike across it.
