Exciting, fascinating, sometimes even revolting, California never leaves you indifferent. The greatest have sung and filmed it, from the Eagles to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but the best way to experience it fully is to explore its territory, which is three quarters the size of France. Arid deserts, sprawling cities and authentic national parks : that's what awaits you on a road trip through the Golden State! Petit Futé takes you on a tour of this legendary state, where an optimistic and relaxed atmosphere reigns, ideal for the start of the new year. What to see and do in California? Discover our 21 must-sees!
1. Big Sur, California's marvellous coastline
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Big Sur is a succession of splendid landscapes stretching for 140 km along the American west coast, around 230 kilometres south of San Francisco. Here you'll find some of the most beautiful coves in California, where the ocean is calmer and more radiant. More than a paradise, Big Sur is a state of mind. In the 1950s and 60s, artists and hippies gathered here to withdraw from the world and American society, as did Henri Miller, who lived here for seventeen years as a hermit. A magical, almost mystical place.
Read more: The 15 most beautiful roads in the world. No. 11 alone is worth the diversions
2. Palm Springs, California's jet set
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At the bottom of the Colorado desert, Palm Springs is dominated to the west by the snow-capped San Jacinto mountains. If you want to enjoy spectacular views as you ascend from the desert to the unspoilt alpine forest, you can take the cable car by getting your tickets online here. This landscape is absolutely incoherent, given that Palm Springs has one of the mildest climates in California: the sun shines 350 days a year and it very rarely rains! It's this paradox that gives Palm Springs its charm. Many celebrities settled here in the twentieth century, so much so that today the city is still very jet-set (Cher's husband was mayor a few years ago...).
3. Joshua Tree National Park, in the heart of the desert
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Two deserts meet here: the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. It is in the latter that the Joshua Tree grows, a palm-cactus that gives the park its name. This region of wide, dry spaces is typical of California. It was the setting for the conquest of the West and there are many mining villages here. The ideal time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is in spring: the climate is a little milder and, above all, in March-April, the vegetation is in flower. The desert is then coloured red, yellow and blue... It's splendid.
Read more: Top 15 most beautiful national parks to visit in the United States
Petit Futé tip: Would you like to visit several parks such as Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon and many others? The most cost-effective way is to buy the America the Beautiful pass, which costs $80 and gives you access to all the US national parks for one year. You can buy it at the entrance to most national sites.
4. Lake Tahoe, on the edge of Nevada
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This lake marks the border between two states, California and Nevada. Located in the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe stands out from the other bodies of water in the area for its astonishing depth: 500 m! It is the second deepest lake in the world. Glacial but not volcanic, it was simply formed by the collapse of the surrounding terrain. There are two distinct seasons: in winter, covered in snow, it borders a ski resort: South Lake Tahoe. In summer, it is a resort with beaches and hiking trails... In addition to these activities, the lake is also a delight for anglers. With around sixty rivers flowing into it, there's plenty of fish to be had!
See also: What to do and see in the United States The 20 must-sees
5. Santa Barbara, the must-see American Riviera
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A small, clean and elegant haven of peace, Santa Barbara had all the makings of the perfect setting for a soap opera... but that's not all! Set at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains, it is home to a number of ranches in the hills that are typical of the region. Its Spanish-influenced architecture is a testimony to the history of the town, which was colonised for many years. Nowadays, Santa Barbara is also visited for its wine-producing hinterland : a great opportunity to discover California's local produce!
6. San Diego, California's historic city
sean Pavone Photo
On the Mexican border, San Diego is California's southernmost city. It is the cradle of the region's history : in 1542, the Spaniards first set foot here before laying their hands on the land. One of the must-see attractions is Sea World, one of the largest marine parks in the world. You can admire penguins, sharks and, above all, the gigantic killer whale on show every day. It's also one of the best places in the world to see orangutans. At the end of the day, admire the sunset at Sunset Cliff before heading to Ocean Beach for a walk along the ocean. It's the best!
7. Death Valley, the terrifying
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Covering 13,350 km2, Death Valley is the largest national park in the United States. This immense desert is home to sumptuous landscapes as well as fascinating ghost towns that bear witness to the gold rush of the 19th century. Death Valley is also renowned for having some of the hottest temperatures in the world. You'll discover a land scorched by the sun, endless sand dunes and some lovely surprises, such as the lunar landscape of Bad Water, the lowest point in the United States. Death Valley undoubtedly deserves its place in our top list of incredible landscapes that don't seem to have come from our planet.
Read more: Visiting the American West in 15 days: the best route to take
8. Yosemite National Park, a must-see in California
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This is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the American West... In the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited natural sites in the United States. Its name comes from an Indian tribe that was exterminated in the mid-19th century: the Uzumatis. At Yosemite Park, you'll discover a condensed version of what American flora and fauna have to offer: redwoods, pumas, bears... The granite domes are the symbol of the park, and El Capitan is the highest cliff in the world: every year, many climbers come to tackle it. But for the best views, Glacier Point is the place to be. Perched on a cliff, this spectacular viewpoint dominates the valley.
Read more: The 10 most beautiful places to see in Yosemite National Park
9. Los Angeles, city of angels and Hollywood myth
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The second-largest city in the United States and capital of the West Coast, Los Angeles is the city of Americanentertainment. This sprawling city of 88 neighbourhoods has managed to retain all the charm of the American West. You'll get a taste of it in Venice and Santa Monica, along the promenade facing the Pacific, where many surfers come to practice... Welcome to LA! A visit to Universal Studios Hollywood is a must ! Here you can go behind the scenes of your favourite films and TV series beforestrolling along the famous Walk of Fame, a world-famous boulevard where the footprints of the biggest stars can be seen.
Read more: What to see and do in Los Angeles in 3 days?
10. San Francisco, a multiple and fascinating city!
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San Francisco has always stood out for its cultural diversity and non-conformism. A bohemian capital, it is one of the few major American cities where the city centre is not overrun by skyscrapers: here, it's the Golden Gate that sets the scene! This red steel giant is one of the strongest symbols of the United States, and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Visiting San Francisco also means soaking up the city's changing culture, as you travel from one district to the next on the Cable Car, a traction tram that takes you up the city's steep streets.
Read more: What to do and see in San Francisco The 14 must-sees
11. Bodie, California's ghost town: a must-see
Bodie© David Guersan - Author\'s Image
To visit Bodie is to plunge back into the Wild West. Declared a national park in 1962, Bodie is a ghost town where time seems to have stood still. Very active during the Gold Rush, Bodie was abandoned by its inhabitants once the lode had been fully exploited. Now abandoned, you can still see its saloons where gamblers left their poker chips, or the pharmacy where the vials are covered in dust.
Did you know? Bodie is one of the most beautiful abandoned places in the world!
12. The Napa Valley wine region
Napa Valley© Andrew Zarivny
To the north of Marin County, the Napa Valley is one of the main wine-growing regions in the United States. California's Mediterranean climate allows for the cultivation of quality vineyards that produce a wine renowned the world over, which you can taste at the many wineries . To discover the Napa Valley, take the Silverado Trail from Napa to Calistoga. This route passes through vineyards in a sumptuous bucolic setting.
13. Sacramento and its old-fashioned western charm
Sacramento, city centre© Slobo - iStockphoto
On the road to the Sierra Nevada, Sacramento is the capital of California. Its heyday began in 1848, during the Gold Rush. The atmosphere here is reminiscent of an old western, particularly in the Old Sacramento district, where saloons have taken the place of modern bars and horses have replaced cars. Thanks to the remarkable preservation work carried out by the city, this immersion in history is a real trip back in time, and a must-see when visiting California. Every July, the State Fair lights up the city with fireworks and concerts. It's not for nothing that Sacramento is one of our Top 10 state capitals to visit once in your life in the United States.
Good to know: to help you organise your trip, take a look at our article on preparing for a trip to the United States.
14. Channel Islands, a fantastic archipelago in California
Channel Islands© Joseph Sohm - Shutterstock.com
The eight islands of the Channel Islands archipelago are located off the coast of Los Angeles. Five of the islands have a protected Mediterranean ecosystem, forming an island national park covering more than 1,000 km². From Anacapa to Santa Cruz via Santa Rosa, all the islands in the archipelago are home to unique beauties such as endemic fauna including grey foxes and bald eagles. Although the islands are not inhabited, there are campsites where you can spend the night in a unique and little-known setting.
15. Sequoia National Park, much more than a forest
Sequoia National Park© welcomia - Shutterstock.com
On the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park covers 163,000 hectares. The United States created this park in 1870 to preserve these giant trees, which are often felled. Among the largest living creatures on the planet, sequoias can measure several dozen metres in height, as in the case of the 90-metre-high General Sherman . Often thousands of years old, they are one of California's main memories.
16. Salvation Mountain, a psychedelic mountain
Salvation Mountain© Nagel Photography - Shutterstock
As if from nowhere, in the middle of the Colorado desert, Salvation Mountain is the work of the late Leonard Knight. Topped by a giant cross and a clearly visible red message: "GOD IS LOVE", Salvation Mountain is an adobe mountain covered with various painted words and designs : Bible verses, flowers, hearts, etc. Salvation Mountain and its creator appear in Sean Penn's film Into the Wild . A must-see!
17. Queen Mary Pier, a luxury visit to California
Queen Mary Pier, Long Beach© Supanee _ Hickman - Shutterstock
The Queen Mary was one of the world's most luxurious transatlantic liners. Christened in 1936, it was used to transport troops during the Second World War. Today, the town of Long Beach owns the ship and offers tours of this uniquely refined Art Deco vessel. There is even a hotel in the heart of the liner, with the most luxurious cabins.
18. Alcatraz, at the gates of the penitentiary
View of the former Alcatraz prison© MBProjekt_Maciej_Bledowski
This island in San Francisco Bay is forever linked to the penitentiary that was established there in 1850. Although Alcatraz is only a mile off the coast, it was impossible to escape: the sharks and frozen waters were an almost impenetrable barrier. It was here that Al Capone was imprisoned. Closed in 1963, the penitentiary is now open to the public. Take one of the audioguides available at the entrance for a unique immersive visit! We recommend that you enjoy a double experience by taking a cruise on San Francisco Bay and visiting the inside of the Alcatraz penitentiary.
Alcatraz prison is one of our Top 25 most haunted places in the world...
19. Mammoth Lakes Basin, from lake to lake
Mammoth Lakes Basin© Robert Patton - Shutterstock.com
A few kilometres from Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes Basin is a little-known site that is well worth a visit. These numerous high altitude basins, whose emerald blue waters contrast with the green of the forest, are fascinatingly beautiful. There are numerous hiking trails leading to the various lakes. A cycle path also runs along Lake Mary to Horseshoe Lake. A great place for a walk.
20. Point Lobo State Reserve, between land and sea
Point Lobo State Reserve© Randy Andy - Shutterstock.com
It is said that R.L. Stevenson was inspired by the landscapes of Point Lobo State Reserve for his Treasure Island. It's true that this State Reserve has all the makings of a romantic setting, and it's undeniably one of the most beautiful places to admire the Californian coast. Sea lions, seals, otters and whales live in this haven of peace bordered by a rocky coastline dotted with cypress trees. The walks are accessible to all, but don't forget to bring binoculars to enjoy the scenery!
21.huntington Beach: the must-see surf spot
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It's hard not to fall under the spell of Huntington Beach, nicknamed "Surf City". It's THE place to be for beginners and experiencedsurfers alike. With its relaxed atmosphere, medium-sized town and tasty healthy restaurants, Huntington Beach - or HB - is an ideal base for travellers looking for a taste of California's beach cities.
Do you dream of surfing in some of the most beautiful spots in the world? Here are our favourite spots!
What's the best month to go to California?
With its Pacific coast, snow-capped mountains and arid deserts, California has a multitude of microclimates. It is therefore difficult to generalise about the region's weather conditions. However, we recommend that you plan your trip for spring or autumn. These are the periods when a large number of cultural events take place, such as Coachella in April or Cinco de Mayo in May. In winter, temperatures can drop below 0°C, making it difficult to hike in the wildest places. To find out more about the weather in California, click here.
How much time should I allow for a trip to California?
We recommend that you spend at least 10 days in California to see the highlights. If you want to visit several places (beaches, national parks, cities, mountains and canyons, etc.), you will need a minimum of two to three weeks. Find all the information you need to plan your trip here!
Which cities should I visit in California?
We've listed all the places we think are must-sees in California. If you're not sure where to start planning your trip, we recommend using our tailor-made Petit Futé guide. It will help you put together an itinerary to suit your desires and the time you have available! You can also find our selection of the best travel agencies for a trip to California here.
What tour should I do on a trip to California?
- National parks like the Grand Canyon
California is well worth a trip on its own, but many travellers also take advantage of their trip to visit the great parks of the United States. You could, for example, take advantage of your stay in San Francisco or Los Angeles to visit the Grand Canyon. It all depends on what you want to do.
- The Hawaiian archipelago: a must-see
TheHawaiian Islands are the most isolated islands in the world. If you're travelling from Europe, you'll probably have a stopover in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Many travellers take the opportunity to do a combined California/Hawaii trip and experience a complete change of scenery in the middle of the Pacific ! To find out more about Hawaii, read our article What to do and see in Hawaii The 12 must-sees and The most beautiful tours to do in Hawaii.
Our advice for a trip to California
- For your local travel needs, we recommend taking the plane, which allows you to travel quickly from one coast to the other, or the car, which is by far the most cost-effective solution. To find out more, read our article on the subject.
- Don't forget to book accommodation at every stage of your trip to California. Click here to discover our selection of the best hotels for each destination.
- Remember to book your plane tickets well in advance to save money and take advantage of the low fares right here :
