6 Great Places To Visit In California

Excellent CA Destinations

Things To Bring on Your California Vacation

• Beach accessories and sunscreen
• A good book
• Travel size toiletries that won't take up too much space
• Keep your dirty clothes separate from the clean ones with a laundry bag
• A money belt for easy access to cash & cards
• If you're traveling with kids, you might want to bring along some games
• Depending on your preference, either a backpack or some nice luggage
• Cozy pillows can improve any long flight or car trip
• A travel mug for your coffee or tea

Biggest Cities & Towns in California

The state is home to many famous places, from the sunny beaches in the south to the arid deserts in the east. Here are the ten largest cities and towns in California:

Famous Artists from California

• Robert Frost
• John Steinbeck
• Cher
• Rube Goldberg
• Jack London
• Marilyn Monroe
• George Lucas
• Mel Blanc
• Tom Hanks
• Liza Minnelli
• Julia Child
• Tim Burton
• Shirley Jackson
• Ruth Asawa
• Diane Keaton
• Bruce Lee
• Robert Redford
• Billie Joe Armstrong
• Jeff Bridges
• Shirley Temple
• Cameron Diaz
• Carrie Fisher
• Katy Perry
• Nicolas Cage
• Etta James
• Dwayne Johnson
• Angelina Jolie
• Snoop Dogg
• Clint Eastwood
• Gabriel Iglesias

California History & Facts

In Depth

California is a beautiful state full of unique natural wonders and cultural hubs. From coastal beach towns to Danish villages, there are plenty of hidden gems across the Golden State. Here, in no particular order, are six destinations to explore on your next day trip out of the city, or during your upcoming California vacation.

First up, at #1, we have Newport Beach, a coastal vacation spot featuring pristine beaches, luxury shopping, fine dining, and water sports. Located in Orange County, this upscale beach town is home to events such as a yacht race, a film festival, and a Christmas boat parade. The Balboa Fun Zone is one of Southern California's oldest and last great coastal amusement areas and a popular family-friendly attraction for visitors.

Nearly a dozen Newport Beach restaurants have docks welcoming the marine community, allowing boaters to pull up and enjoy a great dining experience. Visitors can go on whale watching tours led by experienced professionals, or they can captain their own easy-to-operate rental boat. The region is a popular destination for weddings, offering a wide variety of venues. It also has a number of golf courses with spectacular ocean views, available for play year-round.

Nearly a dozen Newport Beach restaurants have docks welcoming the marine community, allowing boaters to pull up and enjoy a great dining experience.

Next, in the #2 spot, is the Tri-Valley region of the eastern San Francisco Bay Area. The region is a destination for wine tasting, boasting nearly sixty wineries, as well as brew pubs and fine dining. There are many different guided tours of the area, and even opportunities to make your own wine. Visitors can also participate in a self-guided tour of the area's ice cream shops, ensuring there is something to enjoy for all ages.

The Tri-Valley is also home to California's largest premium outlet, a modern shopping center, and one-of-a-kind boutiques. With its miles of trails, dozens of parks, and sunshine all year round, this area offers plenty of things to do outdoors. The Tri-Valley is a great destination for biking, offering cyclists both winding country roads past vineyards and rolling hills and bike-friendly downtowns.

#3 on our list is Burbank, home to more than a thousand entertainment and media companies, including Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon. The so-called "Media Capital of the World" offers unique, behind-the-scenes experiences such as studio tours and talk show tapings. It is also home to eclectic neighborhoods, such as Magnolia Park, a hip spot complete with quirky boutiques and vintage antique shops.

It is also home to eclectic neighborhoods, such as Magnolia Park, a hip spot complete with quirky boutiques and vintage antique shops.

Burbank is home to a thriving local arts scene, putting the area's top talent on display for all, and it showcases the best of LA's foodie scene with iconic spots such as Porto's Bakery and Cafe, and Bob's Big Boy Restaurant. The Los Angeles Equestrian Center offers horseback rides with quintessential LA views. Burbank is also located centrally to other exciting Southern California destinations, allowing visitors to access theme parks, museums, the beach, and more.

At #4, we have Sonoma County, one of California's top food and wine destinations, home to hundreds of wineries ranging from rustic to regal. Visitors to the region can hike among towering redwoods, cruise along rugged Pacific coastline, and get to know inviting towns. Sonoma County is one of California's most diverse natural destinations with more than sixty regional and state parks to explore. The area is also home to many spas and wellness centers to rejuvenate weary travelers among gorgeous vineyard views.

The region's diverse offering of restaurants is sure to delight all food lovers, and its annual Restaurant Week is one of the North Bay's finest annual culinary experiences. Sonoma County also offers culinary tours, garden tours, farm experiences and more, allowing visitors to explore the region any way they choose. And despite the myth that wine tasting is an expensive activity, there are many wineries in Sonoma County that offer either free tasting, or waive the fee with a wine purchase.

And despite the myth that wine tasting is an expensive activity, there are many wineries in Sonoma County that offer either free tasting, or waive the fee with a wine purchase.

In the #5 spot is Half Moon Bay, a rural seaside community nestled between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can marvel at the enormity of big wave surfing, towering coastal redwoods, and the magnificent grey whales that frequent the coastside. The area is also home to numerous tide pools, and it is an ideal place for bird watching. The Coastside Farmers' Market hosts dozens of growers from near and far, as well as craftspeople, florists, ranchers, and chocolatiers.

The area's many beaches and parks are great destinations for hiking, biking, surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more. Half Moon Bay's Main Street has a rich history, with dozens of buildings of historic significance. Dining in the region offers fabulous views and a variety of dining experiences featuring fresh seafood and produce. The town hosts many fun events, including the famous Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, Night of Lights and a 4th of July Parade.

And finally, #6 on our list is Solvang, a historic Danish village located near Santa Barbara. Visitors can stroll the town and spot iconic landmarks such as the Little Mermaid Fountain, five windmills, the giant red clog, and Round Tower. Authentic bakeries allow visitors to sample Danish sweets, such as butter cookies, aebleskivers, and stroopwafels. Solvang offers more than 150 one-of-a-kind boutiques full of unique treasures.

Solvang offers more than 150 one-of-a-kind boutiques full of unique treasures.

The town has several museums, such as the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, which hosts exhibits that focus on Solvang's history and Danish cultural heritage, and the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. Visitors can partake in charming narrated tours of the village on a horse-drawn trolley. The town's annual heritage festival, Danish Days, includes parades, Danish folk dancers and musicians, and more.