Between San Francisco and Santa Cruz sits the sleepy beach resort community of Half Moon Bay. Many of the town’s historical buildings now house upscale restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques, but the coast is the real draw here. The mansion-lined stretch of cliff-backed beach—with its scenic Cowell-Purisima Trail, excellent dining, and endless waves—draws surfers and picnickers throughout the entire year.
Part of the LEGOLAND California Resort located just north of San Diego proper, the SEA LIFE® Aquarium comprises numerous habitat areas, diving shows, and other educational activities across 16 interactive zones. Popular among families with children of all ages, the aquarium makes it easy to discover the wonders of the deep sea.
Home to a large collection of airplanes from World War II, as well as from the Korean and Vietnam wars, the Palm Springs Air Museum is a history museum dedicated to the role of aviation in American military conflicts. Not only are the aircraft preserved and displayed, the planes are also flown in air shows and demonstrations.
A wild piece of the California coast in northern San Diego, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve encompasses 1,750 acres (710 hectares) of oceanview hiking trails, dramatic sandstone cliffs, and native vegetation. It’s named after its thousands of protected Torrey pines: the country’s rarest pine tree. See them up close while exploring the park’s walking paths, and look out for whales and Catalina Island in the distance.
San Francisco’s Japantown, a microhood of the Western Addition neighborhood, is the oldest Japantown in the US and one of just a few left. It’s home to restaurants serving sushi, ramen, and other fare, a shopping center, a Japanese supermarket, and the 5-tier Peace Pagoda.
Founded in 1988, the Autry Museum of the American West—commonly known as “The Autry”—shares stories and artworks from the region’s diverse residents, both past and present. Cofounded by entertainer and actor Gene Autry (once known as “America’s Favorite Singing Cowboy”) the museum maintains two Los Angeles locations.
The Hammer Museum is a Los Angeles arts and culture hub run by UCLA’s School of Arts and Architecture, housing everything from old master paintings to contemporary works. Since the museum is free, it's great for budget-conscious travelers that love the arts. You can stroll the galleries, relax in the courtyard, or join for a docent talk.
With its cliff-top location on the western edge of San Francisco, the Cliff House restaurant attracts locals and visitors with its fine dining and views of the Pacific and Ocean Beach. Originally opened in 1863, the Cliff House has gone through many changes over the years and today is part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Known for growing organic grapes and using sustainable farming practices, Benziger Family Winery attracts visitors with its open-air tram tours that show off the beautiful property spread across the hills of Sonoma County. The winery is set in the town of Glen Ellen, making it easy to visit from both San Francisco and Napa.
One of Los Angeles’ largest and most-frequented shopping malls, the Beverly Center spans an entire city block, and comprises eight floors of shops and restaurants. Home to more than 100 stores including Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, it’s a one-stop-shopping destination.
Strike a pose with your favorite Hollywood stars at the Hollywood Wax Museum. The original outlet of this nationwide chain is the longest-running wax museum in the country and features more than 100 wax figures of celebrities and entertainers, as well as famous movie monsters and scenes in the Chamber of Horrors.
Tucked beneath the bluffs of the Presidio on the northwest edge of San Francisco, Baker Beach is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. It’s a great place to enjoy a picnic on the sand, offset by excellent views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Baker Beach offers a respite from the busy city and a chance to spot dolphins just offshore.
The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) is at the center of Balboa Park. Inside the ornamented building, you’ll find an extensive art collection that spans more than 7,000 years, from great works by European masters, such as El Greco and Francisco Goya, to an array of South Asian paintings, sculpture, and American and Latin American art.
Completed in 1874, the neoclassical California State Capitol building houses both a museum and the seat of California’s government. It is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and features artwork and monuments and artifacts from California’s history, both inside and on the surrounding grounds.
If you’re looking to shake up your wine tasting experience then Raymond Vineyards may be the place for you. With a variety of tasting rooms—including a colorful cellar and luxurious red room—plus tours and experiences to choose from, the winery offers a unique glimpse into their biodynamic practices that’s perfect for any wine lover.
Lighting the way for sailors for more than 150 years, Point Pinos Lighthouse is tucked into the picturesque shoreline of the Monterey Peninsula. The lighthouse still operates today, and its beacon reaches 17 miles out to sea. Visit to take in the scenic location, ocean views, and beautiful lantern room, complete with original lens.
Rainbow Harbor is home to a variety of recreational and entertainment activities along the Long Beach waterfront. From Rainbow Marina to Shoreline Village, visitors are spoiled with shops, restaurants, boat tours, an esplanade, and an aquarium—all with views of the water.
Founded in 1916 and nestled into the rock and oak of the surrounding area, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is set in a cluster of Spanish-revival buildings surrounding a beautiful courtyard. The museum is home to expertly preserved displays of birds, insects, mammals, and sea life, along with a planetarium.
The Broadway Theater District in Los Angeles is among the first and largest American movie theater districts. The district, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, comprises one dozen lavish movie palaces built in Spanish Gothic, Renaissance, and baroque styles in the early 20th century—these vintage theaters today host performances, special events, and, sometimes, movies.
Perched atop Mount Hollywood, Griffith Observatory offers sweeping views of LA by day and a portal to the night sky after dark. You may have spotted the art deco building in a movie or on a postcard, but it’s even more impressive in person—tour the cosmos in the planetarium or gaze at the heavens through a state-of-the-art telescope. If you’re more into celebrities than celestial bodies, the views of the Hollywood Sign alone justify the trip uphill.
Knott’s Berry Farm, a 160-acre (65-hectare) amusement park in Buena Park, California, is one of the most-visited theme parks in the United States. The attractions—from dizzying roller coasters to scream-inducing thrill rides—and water park make Knott’s a popular option for family fun in Southern California.
In its heyday, the Salton Sea was the largest inland lake in California with 130 miles of shoreline and lots of resort towns. Eventually, rising salinity levels threatened local wildlife, and health concerns sent the tourists fleeing. It is now a state park and recreation area and a modern artists’ playground.
Housed in a gorgeous 1913 Beaux-Arts palace, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM), is one of LA’s most elegant attractions. Considered the largest natural and historical museum in the Western US, it has collections covering 4.5 billion years of natural history and science.
Napa Valley’s Domaine Chandon, which is most famous for producing a French-style sparkling wine, dates back to 1973. Come to celebrate a special occasion or just because you love an excuse to drink bubbly. The winery also makes pinot noir, rosé, and other varietals of still wine.
Home to more than 25 miles (40 kilometers) of hiking trails, Coachella Valley Preserve sits between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. The preserve is known for its Thousand Palms Oasis and other palm oases, which are formed by water flowing from the San Andreas Fault.
One of downtown Los Angeles’ most-important museums, The Broad exhibits contemporary art from the 1950s to the present by displaying its permanent collection and rotating temporary exhibitions. The Broad’s nearly 2,000-piece collection includes works by Cindy Sherman, Roy Lichtenstein, Yayoi Kusama, and Andy Warhol.
Step back in time to the Wild West at the historical mining town of Virginia City, once called the “richest place on Earth.” Enjoy 100-mile (160-kilometer) views across the high desert, ride the V&T railroad, shop, have a bite to eat or drink in an old saloon, and tour museums, mines, and mansions on a themed itinerary in one of the country’s largest National Historic Landmark Districts.
Tucked under the Santa Monica Pier, this tiny aquarium aims to educate passing visitors about ocean conservation and the marine life of Southern California. Though small compared to other big-name aquariums, it's a quick and easy way to connect with hundreds of native species, from jellyfish and sea stars to octopuses and moray eels.
Explore the depths of the sea without getting wet at San Diego’s Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and see more than 5,000 species of fish and marine life. Learn about the ocean through interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, and daily feeding demos, and observe cutting-edge research, underwater photography exhibits, and art installations.
Opened in 2008 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Grammy Awards, the Grammy Museum celebrates all aspects of the music industry. Located in the LA Live entertainment complex in downtown Los Angeles, it’s the largest music-themed museum in LA, with four stories and over 30,000 square feet (2,787 square meters) of space.
