California attractions

In downtown San Diego's East Village, Petco Park is best known for being the home of the Padres. This modern stadium—which was built in 2004—features open-air concourses and beautiful views of the city skyline. Visitors come here for baseball games and behind-the-scenes tours, as well as to attend concerts and events throughout the year.

The San Diego Air & Space Museum chronicles the history of flight, from its 18th-century beginnings in a hot air balloon to space exploration in the modern age. World War II fighter planes, spacesuits from Project Mercury, and an Apollo 9 command module are a few of the exhibit-hall highlights, but don’t miss the aerial-combat simulation rides or 3D/4D movie theater showing films about spaceflight.

Perched high above Los Angeles, the Getty Center pairs world-class art with stunning views of the city and the ocean. Its collection spans from the 1400s to today, with pre-20th-century European paintings, manuscripts, and sculptures, and 19th and 20th-century works by masters such as Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, and Cézanne. Outside, the Central Garden features sculptures, cacti, winding paths, and water features.

Comprising a series of man-made canals located just steps from Venice Beach, the Venice Canals are one of LA’s loveliest attractions. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1980s, the Venice Canal District dates to 1905 and was built by a local developer seeking to recreate the romantic ambiance of Italy. Today it’s an oasis where you can escape from the urban bustle.

One of Los Angeles’ most storied music venues, Whisky a Go Go has welcomed rock ‘n’ roll fans since 1964. Located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, the nightclub is often called “the first real American discotheque.” Over the decades, it has hosted legends ranging from Jimi Hendrix and The Doors to Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin.

Despite being one of the driest, hottest, and lowest places in the United States, Death Valley National Park—on the border of California and Nevada—is not as ominous as it sounds. Comprising otherworldly landscapes, from volcanic hills and snowcapped mountains to dunes and badlands, the area is also home to plenty of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, and jackrabbits. The park also protects the largest wilderness area in the contiguous US, which measures over 3,190,400 acres (1,291,100 hectares).

Tucked in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles, with the Hollywood sign in the background, this amphitheater is one of Los Angeles’ most loved live music venues, dating all the way back to 1922. From orchestra performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic to major touring artists, it’s a must-visit spot to see a concert in LA.

One of Los Angeles’ most popular shopping destinations, The Grove is an open-air retail and entertainment complex. Stretching across 575,000 square feet (53,419 square meters), the mall hosts dozens of shops, restaurants, and even a movie theater. A trolley serves the complex—ride it for fun or just to rest your feet.

Yosemite National Park’s Glacier Point affords an incomparable bird’s-eye view over Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, all with very little physical effort involved. Don't miss the small Geology Hut situated to the side of the paved trail leading to the main overlook either, which shows how the valley has changed over the course of the last 10 million years.

Many a saber-toothed tiger, dire wolf, mammoth, and ground sloth had the misfortune of “discovering” the La Brea Tar Pits some 50,000 years ago. Excavation at the ice-age fossil site began in 1905 and continues to this day, right in the heart of Los Angeles. You can see the tar pits themselves, explore the ever-expanding list of discoveries, and connect with a Los Angeles of the past.

Iconic Half Dome rises 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) above the floor of Yosemite Valley. Perhaps one of the most famous hikes in Yosemite National Park, the sheer-faced rock formation was once considered impossible to climb. Now hundreds of park visitors reach the summit of this magnificent hunk of granite each day, and countless more gaze in awe at its towering face from below.

One of Los Angeles’ most famous shopping destinations, this colorful West Hollywood street offers an eclectic mix of highbrow and punk rock fashion. Trendsetters and tourists alike flock to the retail hub, where couture storefronts stand alongside vintage boutiques, jewelry shops, and tattoo parlors.

Once the most expensive residence in California, the stately Greystone Mansion, built in 1928, is now owned by the City of Beverly Hills and operates as a park. The marvelous 55-room home is often closed to visitors, but special events occur about once a month. Even if it’s not open, come to stroll the well-tended grounds and reflection pond, admire the mansion’s elegant exterior, and contemplate all the stories connected with this property— including murder.

The city’s waterfront Embarcadero district is one of the San Diego Bay's most vibrant areas. From museums to maritime attractions, and from Seaport Village's shops and restaurants to the area’s parks, the San Diego Harbor is known for its entertainment offerings and family-friendly attractions.

Perched in the Santa Monica Mountains north of Hollywood, the well-heeled neighborhood of Hollywood Hills offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Los Angeles, with plenty of nature, open spaces, and panoramic views. It’s also home to the rich and famous, and features some of the most impressive architecture in the city.

Situated along California’s Central Coast, Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey is famous for its ocean views, resident sea lions and otters, and for its sourdough bowls of clam chowder. Souvenir shops, candy stores, street performers, and seafood restaurants line the seafront, making this one of Monterey’s top tourist attractions. Nearby, you can also watch as trawlers unload the day’s catch at Fisherman’s Wharf II.

Inspired by Harlem’s 1920s jazz clubs, the Viper Room is one of Los Angeles’ most legendary music venues. Once partly owned by Johnny Depp and long a magnet for Hollywood stars, the Sunset Strip nightclub has earned its place in rock ‘n’ roll lore: legends like Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, and The Strokes have all taken to its stage.

Point Loma is a picturesque peninsula that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the San Diego skyline. The waterside community is best known for its tide pools, historical landmarks, and scenic viewpoints such as Sunset Cliffs Natural Park—where you can spot gray whales in addition to spectacular sunsets. With plenty to do at all hours of the day, it’s no wonder that Point Loma is one of the most popular places to visit in San Diego.

Originally built as a theatrical venue in 1926, the El Capitan Theatre is one of Los Angeles’ most famous cinematic landmarks. Restored to its original splendor, the stately Hollywood theater now hosts Disney movie screenings and premieres, many of which are accompanied by performances, Q&As, and other special events.

A bustling Mexican marketplace since 1930, Olvera Street is part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, a US historic district considered the “birthplace of Los Angeles.” Tucked away in downtown LA, the marketplace is home to small eateries that serve Mexican fare as well as stalls that sell souvenirs, clothing, art, and crafts.

One of San Francisco’s original Seven Hills, Nob Hill is the historic and present-day home of the city’s upper crust. This area features luxury apartments and mansions, elite hotels, and towering Grace Cathedral. A short but steep walk from Union Square, Nob Hill gives visitors a look at how the other half lives in San Francisco.

Cannery Row is a tourist-friendly strip running along the atmospheric Monterey waterfront. Once home to a series of bustling commercial sardine canneries, the famous street changed its name from Ocean View Avenue to its longtime nickname, Cannery Row, in 1958 to honor the John Steinbeck novel of the same name. It’s now a popular place to stroll, admire ocean views, snack on saltwater taffy, and access the coastal beaches.

Among the rolling golden hills of Sonoma County lies the picturesque Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. The tasting room and winery are set in a stunning Italian villa-style building complete with a stone facade, inner courtyard, and sweeping views of the vine-strewn landscape. Coupled with a glass of an Italian varietal, you might just forget that you’re in California wine country.

Ansel Adams is known for his striking black-and-white photos, capturing and preserving the wild beauty of nature’s monuments. Through his poignant images of Half Dome and Vernal Fall, Yosemite became a symbol for the evocative drama of the American West, and the park took its place in the hearts and consciousness of the American public.

Spanning eight states and around 2,400 miles (3,860 kilometers), Route 66 has become a cultural touchstone, immortalized in song and on the silver screen. This romanticized road from Chicago to Santa Monica offers drivers an inside look at classic America, with kitschy attractions, diners, motels, and plenty of 1950s nostalgia. Though only segments of the original highway remain, Route 66 is alive with culture, views, and history.

The historic core of Downtown Los Angeles has several architectural gems, and the turn-of-the-century Bradbury Building ranks among the most striking. Opened in 1893, this landmark building is a draw for visitors not so much for its facade as for its ornate interior. If you step inside, you’ll see exactly why—highlights include the ironwork, the intricate staircase, and the glass skylight.

Idyllic Pacific Heights, San Francisco’s most desirable address is famous for its historic homes—including Painted Lady Victorians—high-end shopping and dining on Fillmore Street, two hilltop parks, and billionaire residents. Everything in this neighborhood comes with postcard-worthy views across San Francisco Bay.

One of the United States' premier science and natural history museums, the California Academy of Sciences holds a fascinating collection of natural wonders. With its Morrison Planetarium, Steinhart Aquarium, four-story rain forest dome, interactive natural history museum, and open-air, green "living roof," the academy promises surprise and delight for visitors of all ages.

Hollywood’s Golden Age still glitters at this historic theater on Hollywood Boulevard. After opening in 1930, the Art Deco landmark went on to host Academy Awards, glittering galas, and other star-studded Tinseltown events. Now it’s a top venue for musicals and theater in Los Angeles, frequently drawing big-name performers and shows.

One of Los Angeles’ pre-eminent shopping and entertainment complexes, Hollywood & Highland boasts two heritage movie theaters—the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre—and dozens of shops and restaurants. It’s also located steps away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and hosts the annual Academy Awards,