California attractions

The Long Beach Cruise Terminal is one of two major cruise terminals in the greater Los Angeles area, and it is located close to many attractions. Owned and operated by Carnival Corporation, more than 300 cruises a year set sail from Long Beach Cruise Terminal for destinations along the Mexican Riviera and Hawaii.

Experience the frontier days of the Wild West and take in the beautiful scenery of the Nevada high desert on a ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. One of the most famous of all American short-line railroads, the Virginia & Truckee Railroad operates three routes using century-old steam engines and heritage diesel locomotives.

Located in Yorba Linda, the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum documents the life and legacy of the controversial 37th president of the United States. Visit the museum—fully renovated in 2016—to engage with interactive displays, new exhibits, multimedia presentations, and replicas of the Oval Office and East Room.

California's Russian River is one of the longest rivers in the San Francisco Bay Area, beginning in Mendocino County and cutting through Sonoma County on its way to the ocean. The area is famous for its wine and farm-to-table cuisine, and in warm weather the river is a hotspot for outdoor adventures like canoeing, swimming, and fishing.

Perhaps best known as the home of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the California Science Center is a popular, family-friendly attraction that's free to visit. Bring the kids for an action-packed day of activities. Check out animals in the Ecosystems exhibit, learn about engineering in Creative World, and even stay for an IMAX movie.

San Francisco foodies and local chefs alike flock to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market to peruse stalls bursting with some of Northern California’s finest produce. At the waterfront market, visitors can tempt their taste buds with local goat cheese, fresh-pressed olive oil, organic vegetables, and a variety of ready-to-eat artisanal goods.

Safari West is a 400-acre (162-hectare) private wildlife preserve located in Santa Rosa, California. The park focuses on species native to Africa and is home to more than 800 wild animals, including cheetahs, Cape buffalo, zebras, rhinos, and giraffe.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean from La Jolla's coastal bluffs, Torrey Pines is a scenic, publicly owned golf course—and considered among the finest in the US. The course is best known as the site of the Farmers Insurance Open, which it has hosted since the 1960s, and is open to professional and amateur golfers daily throughout the year.

Small but beautiful, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) is renowned for its extensive collection of French and English 19th- and early 20th-century art, as well as modernism and photography exhibits. It also housesPortrait of Mexico Today, the only intact mural in the US by celebrated Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros.

Well known for its wide, miles-long stretch of sand, Zuma Beach is considered by many locals and visitors to be one of the ultimate Southern California beaches. The Malibu destination draws beach dwellers, surfers, and out-of town travelers, providing plenty of space for activities such as kitesurfing, swimming, birdwatching, and bodysurfing.

Whether you’re into adventure travel or are just looking for a spot of relaxation, Heavenly Gondola—located at the Heavenly Ski Resort—is a must-visit Lake Tahoe attraction. As you ride the cable car, admire panoramic, shore-to-shore views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. Once at the top, you can also explore the area’s hiking trails or enjoy refreshments at the Tamarack Lodge.

The Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) aims to capture the depth and breadth of present-day Jewish culture and experience. There’s a permanent collection by Jewish artists, but special exhibitions and educational programs change frequently and are designed to spark discussion about the arts today.

Located in Pacific Grove, Lovers Point Park is a beautifully landscaped community park offering ocean views and extensive amenities. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the park and adjacent beach are ideal for a variety of activities, including sunbathing, picnicking, swimming, surfing, kayaking, fishing, beach volleyball and more.

California’s largest state park protects an arid mountain wilderness that’s home to wildlife and vegetation like bighorn sheep, eagles, roadrunners, iguanas, wildflowers, palms, and cacti. Its remote atmosphere attracts visitors who want to hike the trails or explore the park via 4-wheel-drive.

Drive north across the Golden Gate Bridge and you’ll find yourself in Marin County—home to the bayfront town of Sausalito, giant redwoods, wide sandy beaches and mountain bike trails.

A Los Angeles institution, the renowned Greek Theatre is located in Griffith Park, and has hosted some of the most legendary performers in American music, from Frank Sinatra to Aretha Franklin. Today, the outdoor theater holds a range of events, including concerts from big-name artists, comedy shows, cultural events, and more, making it a worthy stop during a cultural tour of Los Angeles.

The heart of Santa Barbara, State Street delights visitors and locals alike with its lively downtown ambience. Spend a couple of leisurely hours wandering the tree-lined boulevard, stopping by shops, galleries, and wine tasting rooms.

Slides, a climbing wall, a maze, and other features invite active play at this Monterey landmark. The park was designed by Hank Ketcham, the creator of the mischievous character the playground is named for. While the 1924 steam train that kids once scrambled over is now fenced off, there’s still plenty of fun to be had here.

One of Balboa Park’s many museums, the Fleet Science Center is a science wonderland home to hands-on exhibits, live experiments, and an IMAX theater that’s particularly popular. Movies feature subjects like pandas, volcanoes, and the Great Barrier Reef.

A must-visit for transportation enthusiasts of all ages, the free Travel Town Museum celebrates the history of the western United States’ railroads. Home to numerous historic steam engines and other rare locomotives, trolley cars, and more, the museum, based in Griffith Park, even invites visitors to tour the area via a miniature train.

Part of San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, the Hyde Street Pier introduces visitors to San Francisco’s maritime heritage as a busy Pacific port with its collection of ships from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Jutting out into San Francisco Bay, the pier also offers scenic views of the waterfront.

Taft Point stands out among panoramic viewpoints in Yosemite National Park—where there are limitless soul-shattering views—for its line of sight to the Fissures, narrow breaks in the mile-high granite rock face that drop up to 2,000 feet (610 meters) into Yosemite Valley. It's also a great place to catch views of Yosemite Falls and El Capitan and to connect with the Sentinel Dome Trail.

Perched atop Nob Hill, Huntington Park is one of San Francisco’s most elegant neighborhood parks. Once the site of a mansion destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, the land was donated by the widow of the park’s namesake, rail tycoon Collis P. Huntington. Today, it’s a peaceful place to play, picnic, and soak in some of San Francisco’s most impressive architecture.

This two-block pedestrian lane in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood is a charming residential walkway with extraordinary views of Alcatraz Island and the San Francisco Bay. Tucked away from the busyness of the main streets, Macondray Lane is known for its Edwardian-style cottages covered in flowers and greenery.

Look up from this park on the north side of Hollywoodland, and you’ll see the famous Hollywood Sign at the top of its namesake hills. In addition to the prime vantage point, you’ll find what is otherwise a lovely community park, with a grassy field, dog-friendly areas, a playground, and the Innsdale Trail, which leads even closer to the sign.

Santa Catalina Island, also known as Catalina, is a picturesque Southern California island just off the coast of Los Angeles. Known for its rocky terrain, clear blue waters, and Mediterranean feel, it’s an idyllic escape that feels worlds away, despite only being an hour from the mainland by ferry. The island’s main town, Avalon, offers boutique shopping, oceanfront dining, and harbor views. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are also ample opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and boating.

Nearly half the world’s remaining old-growth redwood trees lie in Redwood National and State Parks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve comprising three state parks and Redwood National Park. In the national park, visitors can hike, camp, ride bikes, and spot Hyperion, a coastal redwood that soars, almost unbelievably, 380 feet (115 meters) into the sky.

For live performances, arts events, and cultural happenings on the Central Coast, Carmel's Sunset Cultural Center is a premier destination. The building features two stages and a gallery space, and hosts events throughout the year. From comedy and rock to dance and theater, the diverse programming offers something for everyone.

A scenic stretch of Marin County across the bay from San Francisco, Tiburon is a relaxed seaside community with charming architecture and homes that feel more like New England than California. Bay cruises, hikes, and bike tours abound, and ferries run during the week, making it easy to visit this laid-back, affluent town.

To call the San Francisco Botanical Garden a living museum of plants does not adequately describe this remarkable conservatory. With 55 acres (22 hectares) of landscaped and open spaces, the urban garden is a veritable sanctuary, an escape from the hustle and bustle, in the heart of Golden Gate Park.