California is the best state to visit in America! The Golden State has it all: beautiful national parks, scenic coastal drives, dynamic cultural metropolises, charming small towns, romantic vineyards, quiet countryside ranches, white sandy beaches, colorful deserts, massive mountain ranges, towering Redwood trees and more!

20. PALM SPRINGS

Palm Springs is America's favorite desert Oasis. Back in the day, celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elizabeth Taylor came to Palm Springs to escape the busyness, the bright lights, the paparazzi of the big city. They came to Palm Springs for its dry warmth, and it's laid back lifestyle.

Today, Palm Springs is home to several luxurious resorts and spas, lovely dining, great golf courses, and upscale shopping.

While in Palm Springs, make sure you take a guided tour of the city to see its iconic mid-century style of architecture, and, of course, it's gorgeous palm trees. Go to the top of Mt. San Jacinto on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to see tremendous breathtaking views of the greater Palm Springs area.

19. Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree is one of America's most unique National Parks. Sitting at an ecological crossroads where the low Colorado Desert and the high Mojave Desert collide, Joshua tree is home to huge boulders mystical mountain ranges, old gold mining ruins, and desert Plains spotted with the spooky-looking Joshua Tree.

You might be asking; how did the Joshua Tree get its name? In the middle of the 1800’, a group of Mormon settlers crossed the Mojave Desert. When they came across the Joshua tree, it reminded them of a biblical story in the Old Testament. Joshua, when crossing the desert, stopped and in fervent prayer lifted his hands high up to the sky. The Joshua tree sitting out in the middle of the Mojave Desert, reaching its arms up to the heavens, reminded them of this story of Joshua.

18. Sacramento

At the confluence of the American and the Sacramento Rivers lies California's capital city. Incorporated in 1849, Sacramento is California's oldest city.

Uncover this city's rich history as you visit Old Town Sacramento, a riverfront historic district home to gold rush era buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and cobblestone streets. Old Town is also home to the fascinating California Railroad Museum and the Sacramento History Museum.

As you explore this city notice its lush vegetation. Most of the city is covered by large leafy shade trees. Bougainvillea, palms, and fruit trees populate the city's numerous public parks.

Be sure to take a guided tour of California's beautiful State Capitol building and visit the brand-new, state-of-the-art Golden One arena where the Sacramento Kings play.

17. San Luis Obispo

On a scenic strip of California coastline midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles lies the lovely little town of San Luis Obispo.

The city was founded by Father Junipero Serra. Father Serra was a Spanish Franciscan and he was one of the pivotal players in the settlement of the American West by Europeans. He set up nine missions stretching from San Diego to San Francisco. His name popped up into the news a few years ago, as he was canonized (made a Saint) by Pope Francis in 2015. In 1772, he founded the Mission San Luis Obispo. Today you can walk the grounds of this historic Spanish mission.

San Luis Obispo is more than just a mission though. This charming town is one of the best places to visit in California because it is home to gorgeous, hilly scenery with pristine beaches nearby and picturesque rolling vineyards, which are known for producing some tasty Pinot noir and Chardonnay. While you’re in town, be sure to visit the unforgettable quirky (and pink!) Madonna Inn.

16. Hearst Castle

Perched high on what William Randolph Hearst called “La Cuesta Encantada” Spanish for the “Enchanted Hill” overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean lies the majestic Hearst Castle.

In 1919, after the death of his mother, publishing tycoon, William Randolph Hearst inherited some land around San Simeon. Over time, Hearst purchased additional land so that his estate eventually encompassed 250,000 acres.

Together with Julia Morgan, an architectural pioneer known as America's first, truly independent female architect, Hearst conceived of his magnificent Hearst Castle.

There's a reason why it's called the “Hearst Castle.” George Bernard Shaw described Hearst’s estate as “what God would have built if he had the money.” The Hearst Castle, his home to 42 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, 127 acres of gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a movie theater, tennis courts, and an airfield. During Hearst’s lifetime, it was also home to the largest private zoo in the world!

Hearst was an avid collector. He said he wanted to make his house “a museum of the best things that I can secure.” Today the Hearst Castle acts as just that - a beautiful museum home to over 25,000 artifacts that Hearst collected during his lifetime.

Take a guided tour of the estate where you'll hear stories of the Hearst Castle at its social peak during the roaring 1920s and the 1930s. Hollywood stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, Mary Pickford, and Clark Gable all visited the Hearst Castle on multiple occasions. Hearst also hosted political luminaries, such as Calvin Coolidge, Winston Churchill, and Charles Lindbergh. As you tour this magnificent estate, don't forget to catch some of the amazing views of the Pacific Ocean.

15. Santa Monica

Santa Monica is one of the best places to visit in California. Located just 20 minutes west of Los Angeles on the scenic Santa Monica Bay, it’s home to America's most beloved ocean pier. The Santa Monica pier marks the end of the famous and historic route 66 today. Home to several shops, a Ferriss Wheel, and some gorgeous views, the Santa Monica Pier is one of California's most visited tourist attractions.

Santa Monica is more than just a pier though. It's a trendy upscale neighborhood home to many upscale shops, luxurious resorts, and top tier restaurants.

14. Death Valley National Park

At 3.3 million acres, Death Valley is America's largest National Park located outside of Alaska. This park features huge savings, colorful sandstone, canyons, rugged badlands, striking salt flats, and more.

But what Death Valley is most famous for is its extremes; it's the hottest and driest place in America. During summer temperatures peak above 120 degrees! Death Valley’s annual average rainfall is a mere two inches per year.

However, autumn and Death Valley is quite pleasant, making it the perfect time of year to visit one of California’s best National Parks.

Visit the Ubehebe Crater, the site of a volcanic eruption 2000 years ago. Marvel at the polished marble walls of Mosaic Canyon. Take in the magnificence of Mesquite Flat.

13. Catalina Island

20 miles off the coast of Southern California sits the dreamy Catalina Island. With its sharp golden cliffs, its iconic marina, and its bright sunshine, visiting Catalina Island will make you feel as if you're in the middle of the Mediterranean.

Catalina Island has an interesting history. In 1919 William Wrigley purchased the Island. If you're like me and you're from Chicago, the name Wrigley will sound very familiar. That's because he was the owner of the Chicago Cubs. Wrigley made his fortune selling chewing gum. He bought the Chicago Cubs and later bought Catalina Island, which would act as a winter retreat for him and his family. From 1920 to 1951, Catalina Island was the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs.

Be sure to visit the charming town of Avalon, home to Catalina Island’s cute shops, restaurants, and the beautiful Casino Building.

12. Napa Valley

With more than 400 wineries in Napa Valley is a wine lovers paradise. You will love Napa Valley, which is known for its Cabernets and its Chardonnays. This region seems like it was taken straight out of a fairytale. It is a land of plush estates, rolling vineyards, and quaint towns.

Napa Valley exploded onto the global scene after the monumental 1976 Judgment of Paris, when a Chateau Montelena from Napa Valley, crushed nine other Chardonnays in a blind taste test eating out several of the world's most prestigious Chardonnays from France.

In addition to its delicious wines, Napa Valley has a thriving culinary scene. Be sure to frequent one of the region’s 35 Michelin star restaurants.

11. Pasadena

Pasadena is located just 12 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is home to California's grandest tradition - the Tournament of Roses. The Rose Parade is America's signature New Year's celebration.

Since 1890, Pasadena has ushered in the new year with this grand tradition. For many people, who've been watching the Rose Parade every year on TV, seeing it in person is a dream come true.

To begin the new year in sunny, Southern California, watching the incredibly intricate flowery floats, the equestrian teams, and the massive marching bands pass by is an experience every American should enjoy.

10. San Diego

San Diego has perhaps the best weather of any city in the world! San Diego's climate is characterized by warm dry summers and mild winters. It has an average of 201 days per year above 70 degrees and very few rainy days, with only 9-13 inches of rainfall annually.

San Diego has more to offer than just nice weather though.

Balboa Park is one of America's premier city parks. This is a place where science, culture, and nature collide. Home to 16 museums, multiple performing art venues, and vibrant gardens and trails. This park is one of the best places to visit in California.

Visit the Gaslamp Quarter, which is lined with beautiful Victorian-style buildings, which are home to art galleries, lovely shops, trendy restaurants, and more.

Tour the USS Midway, the longest-serving American aircraft carrier in American history. It hosted over 225,000 sailors during its time as an active aircraft carrier.

Relax at one of San Diego's famous beaches, such as Coronado beach or mission beach. And, of course, what's a trip to San Diego without a visit to its famous Zoo or Sea World?

9. Lake Tahoe

Located on the border of California and Nevada, nestled in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range lies Lake Tahoe.

I'll never forget my first visit to Lake Tahoe. I remember looking down at the lake’s water being amazed at how clean and clear the waters of Lake Tahoe were. I felt like I could see the floor of the Lake down 30 or 40 feet below the surface almost perfectly.

Lake Tahoe is one of the purest lakes in the world. It has a purity of 99.99%, essentially the same as distilled water.

Lake Tahoe is the 10th deepest Lake in the world and them 2nd deepest Lake in the United States, only behind Oregon's Crater Lake.

Lake Tahoe’s beauty goes beyond its pure waters. This pristine Lake is surrounded by 72 miles of breathtaking shoreline, which is layered with gigantic evergreen trees and surrounded by majestic mountain ranges.

8. Santa Barbara

Known as America's Riviera, Santa Barbara is distinctly Spanish in spirit. The architecture specifically it's red-tiled clay roofs will make you feel as if you're walking through a Spanish town. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse and the Mission Santa Barbara feel as if they were taken directly out of Madrid.

Along with its stunning architecture, Santa Barbara is home to sandy beaches, regal palm trees, and beautiful bougainvillea trees hugging its buildings.

Located just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, it's easy to see why celebrities like Oprah, Ellen Degeneres, and Brad Pitt have chosen this quiet town to be the home of their estates.

If you're a history buff like me, you're going to want to visit the Mission Santa Barbara, established in 1786. This is California's premier historic mission.

7. The Redwoods

On the coast of Northern California lies a series of state parks and Redwoods National Park, which are home to the tallest trees in the world, the California Coastal Redwoods.

The Redwoods can grow up to 370 feet tall! They're so big. They're so beautiful. There's almost a supernatural element or sort of feeling you get. when you walk among these giants, it really will take your breath away. The Redwoods are one of the top sights to see in California!

6. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon are neighboring National Parks; they sit right next to each other in Northeastern California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

They are home to the largest tree in the world – the Giant Sequoias. The Redwoods, mentioned above is the tallest tree, but the Sequoias are larger. The Giant Sequoias can grow up to 310 feet. They have larger trunks, bark, and branches than the Redwoods. They can weigh up to 2.7 million pounds!

Some highlights of these parks include the largest tree in the world - the General Sherman Tree; the second largest tree in the world - the General Grant Tree; the tallest mountain in the continental United States standing just over 14,000 feet in elevation - Mount Whitney.

5. Monterey and Carmel by the Sea

The major highlight of Monterey and Carmel by the sea is the famous 17-mile drive, which drives along with the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course. As you take this drive, take a photo of the scenic Lone Cypress Tree, see the sea lions out in the Monterey Bay, and Marvel at the amazing multimillion-dollar mansions.

In downtown Monterey, you'll find lovely hotels, restaurants, and shops lining Monterey's historic Cannery Row made famous by John Steinbeck.

4. Los Angeles

Los Angeles. There's no other city in the world like this place.

The first thing that makes it so unique is it is home to Hollywood - the worldwide capital of showbiz. Take in Hollywood's great legacy as you explore its many icons. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where stars are immortalized with their famous Hollywood star. Visit the Chinese Grumman Theater where so many world-famous movies have premiered. Visit the Dolby Theater which is home to the Oscars. Take a guided tour of the Warner Brothers studio to get a behind the scenes look at how so many of your favorite TV shows and movies have been made. And, of course, you can't forget to visit Disneyland.

If you spend enough time walking around LA, you'll spot celebrities who live in its posh neighborhoods such as Brentwood, Bellaire, or Beverly Hills.

Los Angeles is America's second-largest city with a population of 3.97 million people.

Visit the Getty art museum, which is home to a world-class collection of pre-20th-century European artwork. Take in a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Enjoy a symphony at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Shop luxury on Beverly Hills' famous Rodeo Drive. Watch a Lakers game at the Staples Center or a Dodgers game at Dodgers Stadium.

Make sure you take a step back in time on Olvera Street, Los Angeles’s historic district, and witness an unforgettable sunset from the Griffith Observatory.

3. San Francisco

Besides my hometown of Chicago, San Francisco is my favorite city in the United States. There's so much that I find fascinating about this city.

San Francisco has a rich history. San Francisco was settled by the Spanish in 1776 when they set up the Presidio and the Mission San Francisco de Asis. After the Mexican-American War, San Francisco became a part of the United States. A year later in 1849, the city became a hub for gold rushers who would become known as the 49ers. By 1900 San Francisco grew into a major international city known for its flamboyant style, stately hotels, huge mansions on nob Hill, and it's thriving art scene crash in the 1960s, hippies from across America, really across the world, flocked to San Francisco's Ashbury neighborhood culminating in the summer of love in 1967.

Today, San Francisco is a wonderful city to visit. Take a ride on one of its famous trolley cars or a ride down the crazy, curvy Lombard Street. Watch the sea lions and Fisherman's Wharf, take a picture of the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square, explore Chinatown, take a guided tour of Alcatraz, and drive on the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge.

2. California’s Pacific Coast Highway

It’s perhaps the world’s most scenic drive - California's Pacific Coast Highway 1. Driving down this beautiful coastline is something every American should experience.

Here are some scenic overlooks you don’t want to miss. Half Moon Bay, located about an hour south of San Francisco, is home to beautiful sandy beaches. See the Calla Lily Vallay, an unforgettable line of white lilies that lead to the ocean at Garrapata State Park. Take in gorgeous McWay Falls. And, of course, you must visit the picture-perfect Bixby Bridge at Big Sur.

1. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is the perfect National Park. The Great American naturalist John Muir said “It is the grandest of all the special temples of nature I've been permitted to enter.” That’s some high praise!

Yosemite is a huge national park; it’s about the size of the state of Rhode Island. As you tour the park, be on the lookout for its wildlife, such as black bears, mountain lions, and the Sierra Nevada Red Fox.

Discover Yosemite's many amazing rock formations including El Capitan and Half Dome. Marvel at the park’s many breathtaking waterfalls, such as Vernal Falls and Yosemite Falls. See Giant Sequoia Trees at Mariposa Grove. Visit the unforgettable Glacier Point Overlook.

So, there you have it! That's our list of the 20 Best Places to Visit in the Beautiful State of California.

By JD Conroy

JD has hundreds of travelers on over 60 all-inclusive journeys as Tour Director with American Classic Tours.

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