What to see, what to do in California? The 21 must-sees

Big Sur is a succession of splendid landscapes that stretch for 140 km along the American West Coast, about 230 km south of San Francisco. You will see the most beautiful coves in California where the ocean is calmer and more radiant. More than a paradise area, Big Sur is a state of mind. Here artists and hippies met in the 1950s and 60s to withdraw from the world and American society: this is the case, for example, of Henri Miller who lived there for seventeen years as a hermit. A magical, almost mystical place.

At the bottom of the Colorado desert, Palm Springs is dominated on the west by the snow-capped San Jacinto Mountains. If you want to enjoy a spectacular view as you ascend from the desert to the unspoiled alpine forest, you can take the cable car by getting your tickets online here . This landscape is absolutely inconsistent since Palm Springs has one of the mildest climates in California: the sun shines 350 days a year and it rarely rains! It is this paradox that gives Palm Springs its charm. Many celebrities settled here in the ^20th century, so much so that today the city is still very "jet-set" (Cher's husband was mayor a few years ago...).

Here, two deserts meet: the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. It is in the latter that the Joshua Tree grows, a palm-cactus that gave its name to the park. This region of great dry spaces is typical of California. It is the setting for the conquest of the West and the mining villages are numerous. The ideal time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is in the spring: the climate is a little milder and especially in March-April, the vegetation is in bloom. The desert is then colored with red, yellow and blue... It is splendid.

You want to visit several parks such as Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon and many others? The most cost-effective way is to buy the America the Beautiful pass , which costs $80 and will give you access to all the national parks in the United States for one year. You can buy it at the entrance of most national sites.

This lake marks the border between two states, California and Nevada. Located in the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe stands out from the other bodies of water that make up the area by its stunning depth: 500 m! It is the second deepest lake in the world. Glacial but not volcanic, it was simply formed by the collapse of the surrounding relief. Two seasons are distinguished: in winter, covered with snow, it borders a ski resort: South Lake Tahoe. In summer, it is a resort with beaches and hiking trails... Besides these activities, the lake will also delight fishermen. With about sixty rivers flowing into it, it is very fishy!

Small haven of peace, clean and elegant, Santa Barbara had all the ideal decoration for a soap opera... but not only ! Located at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains, it shelters numerous ranches in the typical hills of the region. Its architecture gives it all its charm: of Spanish influence, it is the testimony of the history of the city, long colonized. Today, we also visit Santa Barbara for the wine productions of its hinterland: the occasion to discover the products of the Californian soil!

On the Mexican border, San Diego is the southernmost city in California. It is the cradle of the region's history : in 1542, the Spaniards first set foot here before taking over the land. One of the must-see visits is Sea World, one of the largest marine parks in the world. You can admire penguins, sharks but especially the gigantic orca on show every day. The park is very popular with young and old alike, so we recommendbooking advance tickets right here to avoid the wait. At the end of the day, watch the sunset at Sunset Cliff before heading to Ocean Beach for a walk along the ocean. It's the best!

With its 13 350 ^km2, Death Valley is the largest national park in the United States. This immense desert is home to sumptuous landscapes but also fascinating ghost towns, witnesses of the gold rush of the ^19th century. Death Valley has a reputation for being one of the hottest places in the world. You will discover a territory burned by the sun, endless sand dunes but also nice surprises like the lunar landscape of Bad Water, the lowest point of the United States.

In the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited natural sites in the United States. Its name comes from an Indian tribe exterminated in the middle of the ^19th century: the Uzumatis. In Yosemite Park, you will discover a summary of what the American fauna and flora can offer: redwoods, pumas, bears... The granite domes are the symbol of the park and El Capitan is the highest cliff in the world: every year, many climbers come to face it. But to see the most beautiful panoramas, it is Glacier Point that you must reach. Perched on a cliff, this spectacular viewpoint dominates the valley.

Thesecond largest city in the United States and the capital of the West Coast, Los Angeles is the city of entertainment and American-styleentertainment. This sprawling city, made up of 88 neighborhoods, has managed to preserve its Western charm. It is in Venice and Santa Monica that you will taste it along the promenade facing the Pacific Ocean where many surfers come to practice... Welcome to LA !

The visit of Universal Studios Hollywood is a must in the city! You will discover the backstage of your favorite series and movies before walking the famous Walk of Fame, a world famous boulevard where the footprints of the biggest stars are located. To avoid waiting, we advise you to book your tickets online by clicking here to take advantage of our partner's offers .

San Francisco has always stood out for its cultural diversity and non-conformism. Bohemian capital, it is one of the rare large American cities where the downtown area is not invaded by skyscrapers: here, it is the Golden Gate that sets the scene! This red steel giant is one of the strong symbols of the United States, it is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Visiting San Francisco also means soaking up its changing culture as you travel through the city on the Cable Car, a tramway that climbs the city's steep streets. Want to relive 150 years of the city's history? We recommend you book your tickets here to enjoy a double experience: a cruise on the San Francisco Bay under the Golden Gate Bridge and a visit to Alcatraz Island and its famous penitentiary.

To visit Bodie is to dive into the Wild West. Declared a national park in 1962, Bodie is a ghost town where time seems to have stopped. Very active at the time of the Gold Rush, Bodie was abandoned by its inhabitants once the lode was completely exploited. Now abandoned, you can still see its saloons where players left their poker chips, or the pharmacy where the vials are covered with dust.

North of Marin County, Napa Valley is one of the leading wine regions in the United States. California's Mediterranean climate allows for the cultivation of quality vineyards that produce world-renowned wine, which you can taste at the many wineries . You can get your tickets for a Napa Valley wine tour right here! To experience Napa Valley, you'll want to drive the Silverado Trail from Napa to Calistoga. This road runs through vineyards in a sumptuous bucolic setting.

On the road to the Sierra Nevada, Sacramento is the capital of California. It has known its hour of glory since 1848, during the Gold Rush. If you want to discover the history of old Sacramento, the gold rush and the ghosts that still remain today, we advise you to book this low-cost guided tour online! The city is known for its dynamism, but also for its strong historical imprint, as evidenced by the Old Sacramento district with its old western charm. Every year in July, the State Fair lights up the city with fireworks and concerts.

The eight islands of the Channel Islands archipelago are located off the coast of Los Angeles. It has a protected Mediterranean ecosystem on five of its islands, which form an island national park of more than 1,000 km². From Anacapa to Santa Cruz to Santa Rosa, all the islands of the archipelago are home to unique beauties such as an endemic fauna composed of gray foxes and bald eagles. If these islands are not inhabited, there are campsites that allow you to spend the night in a unique and still unknown environment.

On the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park covers 163,000 hectares. The United States created this park in 1870 to preserve these giant trees that are often cut down. Sequoia trees are among the largest living creatures on the planet and can measure several tens of meters in height, such as General Sherman , which is 90 meters tall. Often several thousand years old, they are one of the main memories of California.

As if out of nowhere, in the middle of the Colorado desert, Salvation Mountain is the work of Leonard Knight, now deceased. Topped with a giant cross and a prominent red message: "GOD IS LOVE", Salvation Mountain is an adobe mountain covered with various words and painted designs : Bible verses, flowers, hearts... Salvation Mountain and its creator appear in the movie Into the Wild by Sean Penn. A must see!

The Queen Mary was one of the most luxurious transatlantic liners in the world. Christened in 1936, it was used to transport troops during the Second World War. Today, the city of Long Beach has become the owner and offers tours of this uniquely refined Art Deco ship . A hotel is even located in the heart of the ship and welcomes its guests in the most luxurious cabins.

This island in San Francisco Bay is forever linked to the penitentiary center that was established there in 1850. If Alcatraz is located only one mile from the coast, it was impossible to escape: sharks and frozen waters are an almost impassable barrier. It is here, notably, that Al Capone was imprisoned. Closed since 1963, the penitentiary is now open to the public. Take one of the audioguides available at the entrance, they ensure a unique immersive visit! We recommend you book your tickets here to enjoy a double experience: a cruise on the San Francisco Bay and a visit of the interior of the Alcatraz penitentiary.

A few miles from Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes Basin is a little-known site that is well worth a visit. These numerous high altitude basins, whose emerald blue waters contrast with the green of the forest, are of a fascinating beauty. You can reach these different lakes thanks to numerous hiking trails. A bicycle path also goes along Lake Mary to reach Horseshoe Lake. A very beautiful site of walk.

It is said that R.L. Stevenson was inspired by the landscapes of Point Lobo State Reserve for his Treasure Island . It is true that this state reserve has all the makings of a romantic setting, and it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to admire the California coast. Sea lions, seals, otters and whales live in this haven of peace bordered by a rocky coastline full of cypress trees. The hikes are accessible to all, so don't forget to bring binoculars to enjoy the landscape!

It's hard not to fall for the charm of Huntington Beach, nicknamed the "Surf City". It'sTHE place to be for beginners and experiencedsurfers alike. With its relaxed atmosphere, its medium size and its tasty healthy restaurants, Huntington Beach - or HB - is an ideal spot for travelers who want to experience the rhythm of California beach cities.

Between the Pacific coast, snow-capped mountains and arid deserts, California has a multitude of microclimates. It is therefore difficult to generalize the weather conditions of the region. However, we advise you to plan your trip in spring or fall. These are the times when there are a lot of cultural events, such as Coachella in April or Cinco de Mayo in May. In winter, temperatures can drop below 0°C, making it difficult to hike in the wildest places. If you want to know more about the weather in California, go here.

We recommend that you spend at least 10 days in California to see the main highlights. If you wish to visit several places (beaches, national parks, cities, mountains and canyons...), a minimum of two to three weeks will be necessary. Find all the information to prepare your trip here!

We've listed here all the places we think are must-sees in California. If you're not sure where to start planning your trip, we recommend that you use our custom-made Petit Futé guide. It will help you build an itinerary according to your desires and the time you have available! You can also find here our selection of the best travel agencies for a stay in California.

National parks like the Grand Canyon

California is worth a trip on its own, but many travelers take advantage of their trip to visit the great parks of the United States as well. For example, you can take advantage of your stay in San Francisco or Los Angeles to visit the Grand Canyon. It all depends on what you want to do, but we suggest you read our article dedicated to the most beautiful parks to see in the United States to make your choice.

The Hawaiian archipelago: a must-see

TheHawaiian Islands are the most isolated islands in the world. If you are traveling from Europe, you will probably have a stopover in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Many travelers take the opportunity to make a combined trip to California/Hawaii and experience a complete change of scenery in the middle of the Pacific! To know more about Hawaii, discover our dedicated article.

- Remember to book your plane tickets well in advance to save money and take advantage of low fares! We recommend you to take advantage of our partner's offers by clicking here.

- For your travels on the spot, we advise you the plane which allows you to travel quickly from one coast to another or the car, which is by far the most profitable solution. To learn more, read our article dedicated to the subject.

- Don't forget to book accommodations at every stage of your trip to California. Click here to see our selection of the best hotels for each destination. To see rates and availability, click here .