8 Essential Spots in California to Enhance Your Journey

From sun-soaked beaches and lush vineyards to majestic redwoods, California is a tapestry of diversity. Northern California contrasts sharply with its southern counterpart—you’ll need a jacket in NorCal and sandals in SoCal—but collectively they showcase 840 miles of breathtaking coastline and make up the third-largest state in terms of land area. In short, California is vast.

One visit isn't enough; even locals find it challenging to explore everything the state has to offer. Just be prepared to return time and time again. Here’s your ultimate guide to the top destinations in California for your next adventure.

I’m visiting California for the first time. What are the must-see places?

Los Angeles

Visit the beach. Take in the view of the Hollywood sign. Perhaps catch a glimpse of your favorite celebrity. The allure of Los Angeles (a Dinogo Where to Go 2024 selection) attracts visitors from across the globe, but those in the know are buzzing about another exciting event: the upcoming debut of Sankofa Park in South Los Angeles. This park marks the first phase and flagship of Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3-mile-long open-air museum featuring sculptures, murals, architecture, and community spaces designed to honor the history and future of Black Los Angeles. Look out for creations by artists like Charles Dickson, Maren Hassinger, Artis Lane, and Kehinde Wiley.

Where to stay: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

Just steps away from the beach and Santa Monica Pier, the Fairmont Miramar was once the residence of Santa Monica’s founder. If your budget allows, consider booking one of the hotel’s charming 1930s bungalows. (You can also explore more than a dozen of our favorite L.A. hotels here.)

I want to see marine life. Where can I go without the crowds?

Channel Islands National Park

Often referred to as the Galápagos of North America, the Channel Islands boast over 2,000 species of flora and fauna—nearly 150 of which, like the island fox and the Channel Islands slender salamander, are found nowhere else on Earth. Activities range from hiking and snorkeling to backcountry camping, with each island offering its own unique experiences.

Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor serves as the nearest launch point; keep an eye out for whales, seals, dolphins, and more as you journey. The national park can be reached by private boat or through the park concessionaire Island Packers Cruises. This company operates four vessels, accommodating between 81 and 149 passengers; all boats are equipped with restrooms and outdoor decks for wildlife observation. (Other tour operators offer excursions that approach the Channel Islands but do not allow landings.)

Enhance your day along the SoCal coast with a visit to the DW Drums factory, known for producing drums played by iconic drummers like Travis Barker, Dave Grohl, and Sheila E., or explore Oxnard’s delightful taco trail.

Where to stay: Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach

Just a short drive of less than five minutes from Channel Islands Harbor, this beachfront property features 250 suites, the majority of which offer ocean views.

I’ve enjoyed plenty of tastings at wineries in Napa Valley. Where should I go next?

San Luis Obispo County

While Napa Valley is often regarded as California’s most famous wine region, the Central Coast—located roughly between San Francisco and Los Angeles—is steadily making its mark in the wine industry. Adelaida Vineyards offers a seasonal “Hilltop Tasting Experience” at one of the highest points in Paso Robles, standing at around 2,150 feet, making it an ideal location to catch the sunset. Tablas Creek Vineyard holds the distinction of being the first winery in the world certified by the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA). This nonprofit, established by the Rodale Institute, Dr. Bronner’s, and Patagonia, uses organic certification as a foundation while requiring farmers to comply with rigorous standards concerning soil health, animal welfare, and social equity.

In addition to over 250 wineries, ReHandcrafted Spirits creates vodka and gin from usually discarded saignée or free-run red wine grape juice. Daily tours at Firestone Walker Brewing Company provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse and tasting of this California-focused brewery.

Conclude your day by strolling through a stunning field filled with over 100,000 solar-powered, fiber-optic "flowers" at Light at Sensorio. Anticipate the opening of a new guest artist exhibit, Dimensions by Hybycozo, set to launch in late 2023 or early 2024, followed by a fifth light installation from artist Bruce Munro in July 2024.

Accommodations: Hotel San Luis Obispo

Located just steps from Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the fifth Spanish mission in California, Hotel San Luis Obispo provides complimentary bikes for guests eager to explore the downtown area or the nearby Cal Poly campus.

What’s the top spot to learn surfing?

Santa Cruz

Surfing was introduced to the United States by Hawaiian royalty in Santa Cruz back in 1885. Beginners eager to catch some waves will discover gentle swells and breathtaking views at Cowell Beach. For Ed Guzman, owner of Club Ed surf school, surfing is a family tradition; his grandmother, Dorothy Becker, is believed to be the first woman to execute a headstand on a surfboard in 1915.

If the mellow breaks at Cowell leave you wanting more excitement, hop on the Giant Dipper roller coaster at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This National Historic Landmark will celebrate a century of thrilling rides in 2024.

Accommodation suggestion: Dream Inn Santa Cruz

Dream Inn is the sole beachfront hotel in Santa Cruz, offering 165 rooms, each featuring a patio or balcony with stunning views of Monterey Bay.

I desire it all: art, culture, and beautiful landscapes.

San Francisco

Stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge. Experience a ride on a cable car. Or take a ferry to Alcatraz Island, the notorious former prison that once housed infamous criminals like Al Capone. San Francisco offers a treasure trove of experiences packed into just 49 square miles.

In addition to permanent works by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock, until early September 2024, you can explore two iconic Infinity Mirror Rooms by artist Yayoi Kusama at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Not an art museum enthusiast? (We won’t spill your secret.) Try your luck at Musée Mécanique with its collection of 300 coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and vintage arcade games, most of which cost only a quarter or two.

Accommodation suggestion: The Jay Hotel

The Jay is San Francisco’s only hotel to open in 2023, featuring 360 rooms that all offer stunning floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the City by the Bay.

I long to chase waterfalls.

Yosemite & Beyond

Yosemite National Park draws millions of visitors annually, but you don’t have to mingle with the crowds. In the spring, two waterfalls reward those who take the hour-long drive from Yosemite Valley to Hetch Hetchy. A serene, shaded hike into the Yosemite Wilderness Area brings you to Carlon Falls. Bring along a picnic and a swimsuit. Although it’s technically outside the park boundaries, the Rainbow Pool Day Use Area is a delightful swimming spot that once served as a stagecoach toll stop.

Accommodation suggestion: Rush Creek Lodge & Spa

For a lodge atmosphere combined with amenities like a spa, Rush Creek is the perfect choice.

Show me a breathtaking stretch of coastline.

Sonoma Coast

Leave your swimsuit behind; this rugged expanse of Northern California calls for layers and sturdy hiking boots. The Jenner Headlands Preserve features several impressive trails, with stunning ocean views starting right from the parking lot. If you prefer fewer steps, simply park at Timber Cove Resort and take the short path to admire Benjamino Bufano’s coastal Peace Obelisk.

And since it’s Sonoma County, excellent wine is a must. The deck at Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery offers vistas that can extend to the Pacific. Enjoy wine tastings alongside small bites, but for something more filling, don’t miss the calzone (and a sticky bun, if available) from Twofish Baking.

Where to stay: The Sea Ranch Lodge

With only 17 rooms, the Sea Ranch Lodge is a dreamy getaway following its extensive renovation, perfect for disconnecting and gazing at the ocean.

How about a serene retreat into the woods?

Humboldt County

The Avenue of the Giants stretches over 30 miles through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which boasts the largest collection of old-growth redwoods in the world. It’s no wonder Steven Spielberg selected Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park as a filming location for The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Enjoy quick roadside attractions like the Legend of Bigfoot or the Chimney Tree, a tree hollowed out by fire in 1914, for a bit of fun during your journey.

Where to stay: Humboldt Bay Social Club

Transformed from a World War II blimp base into a charming boutique hotel, the Humboldt Bay Social Club offers convenient access to Oyster Beach and features an open-air bathhouse.