As you’d expect from the third-largest state in the US, California brims with all manner of incredible attractions, from the world's most amazing theme parks to stunning natural wonders. We've combined the opinions of our well-travelled editorial team and come up with this ranking of what we think are the 50 best things to see and do in the Golden State.
Click through the gallery to discover the 50 attractions you need to add to your California bucket list...
While often overlooked in favour of San Francisco and Los Angeles, Sacramento is California's capital and it has bags to offer. The capitol building itself is the major highlight. Admire its Greek-influenced Neoclassical facade, before ducking into the museum where you'll discover the state's history in one fell swoop. Daily tours leave on the hour, and a Kids Zone means the little ones will be entertained too.
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One of three LEGOLAND parks in the States, the California site is always adding attractions to its already impressive line-up. The latest is Dino Valley, an unexplored land with rides, character meet and greets, and build and play areas. There's also the LEGOLAND Water Park, with its slides and rapids, and a whole host of family-friendly coasters.
Perched at the ocean's edge, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the most popular in the States. The centre cares for species from turtles to sea otters and the daily feeding shows are a winner with kids. Their conservation work is also celebrated with efforts including programmes to tackle plastic in the ocean and bids to implement sustainable fishing policies. Guided tours are available for a small fee, although you can wander between tanks independently, or arrange a sleepover for the family.
If you're looking for something a little more small-scale than the parks of Disney or Universal, Knott's Berry Farm is a fine family alternative. It has no shortage of thrill rides, from the red and yellow loops of the Silver Bullet coaster (pictured), to HangTime, the first dive coaster in the state. There's also Soak City, the onsite waterpark, plus plenty of tamer rides for pint-sized adrenaline junkies.
Mount Shasta soars from the Cascades to 14,179 feet (4,322m) and these head-spinning heights remain the reserve of the most daring climbers. The volcano last erupted in 1786 and it's still one of the most active in the range. If heights aren't your bag, you can get a mighty fine view of the peak from ground level. Take the road from Mount Shasta City to gaze up at the monolith or, come wintertime, go skiing at Mount Shasta Ski Park.
All sandy crescents and yacht-choked bays, Santa Catalina Island, 22 miles (35km) southwest of Los Angeles, moves at a slower pace than much of California. The Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens are the key attraction with the 38-acre site filled with plants native to the state. Go in search of the dramatic Wrigley Memorial: a concrete sculpture dedicated to William Wrigley Jr, the chewing gum entrepreneur who had a huge impact on the island throughout his life.
This white-washed building is the first of California's 21 Spanish missions, intended to convert the area’s population to Christianity. Established by Majorcan Father Junípero Serra, who arrived in what is now San Diego in 1769, this mission was named after 15th-century saint Didacus of Alcala. Five years later, drought forced the mission to move and all that remains of its original structure on Presidio Hill is a cross built from the ruins. However, you can visit the mission’s second iteration in its picturesque spot overlooking the San Diego River. It remains a working church and it can be explored by guided tour.
Open to the public since 1932, this museum is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the culture of the native peoples of the Great Basin. You'll find the museum tucked in the stark Mojave Desert, with a 3,000-strong collection of objects and artworks and a peaceful picnic area. Keep an eye out for the special events here too, including the Annual American Indian Celebration each October, complete with traditional music, food and art.
One of the most beautiful wildflower reserves in the country, Antelope Valley's poppy fields stretch for 1,700 acres. Eight miles (13km) of trails lace the valley (check California State Parks website for updates on blooming times), and you can explore the visitor centre to learn more about the flora. However tempting, make sure you don't pick the poppies – it's illegal to do so on state-owned property.
Every state has its kooky roadside attractions and California's offerings are particular head turners. Here since 1975, Dinny the Dinosaur is the biggest of the bunch, an apatosaurus that's 150 feet (46m) in length. Once you've taken in the mammoth models, duck into the museum to learn about the real-life prehistoric creatures and try fossil panning for yourself.
As one of the most famous cruise ships in the world, the Queen Mary has a long history. Her maiden voyage was from Southampton, England, in 1936 and her lavish restaurants and bars, pools and a grand ballroom set new standards for sea travel. Having made her name as the premier luxury liner, Queen Mary also served time during the Second World War, operating as a troopship. Her final voyage was in 1967 and today the ship is a museum and hotel with fascinating exhibitions and fine restaurants.
Channel Islands National Park is made up of five islands: Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel and Anacapa. Explore the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura before venturing out by boat to the islands. Anacapa is one of the most charming and at just five miles long (8km), and half a mile wide (0.8km), it's home to several endemic species, including the cute-as-a-button Anacapa deer mouse. Look out for the shell middens left behind by the island's native inhabitants too.
General Grant Tree is the major celebrity in this swathe of Kings Canyon National Park. Christened 'the Nation's Christmas Tree' by President Calvin Coolidge in the 1920s, the tree is the centre of the festive celebrations in the park each year. It's an impressive sight as the base has a circumference of 107 feet (33m) and it reaches 268 feet (82m) in height. You can take in its great expanse on a range of hiking trails, including the scenic Dead Giant Loop Trail.
There's something about an American ghost town that stirs the imagination and Bodie, to the east of the state near the border with Nevada, is no exception. After William S. Bodey, the first inhabitant, discovered gold nearby in 1859, the town grew rapidly, with 10,000 people calling Bodie home by 1880. Today however, the only visitors are tourists and park officials and it's best to call ahead to double check opening times before your trip.
One of California's most underrated attractions, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway sweeps over the dramatic Chino Canyon and is the world's largest rotating tram car. Your ascent will peak at 8,516 feet (2,596m), when you'll be dropped at the Mountain Station: here you'll find incredible vantage points, a pair of restaurants and the backcountry hiking trails of Mount San Jacinto State Park.
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area protects more than 82,000 acres and Muir Woods remains one of the most popular spots. The primeval redwood forest is a joy to wander, sewn with six miles (9.6km) of hiking trails often opening out into sun-dappled glades. Visitors arriving by foot, bicycle, or tour bus are not required to make a reservation, but those driving do, so make sure to plan ahead.
A cutting-edge art gallery in San Francisco, the de Young Museum describes itself as a place where 'objects illuminate the past, speak of the present, and shape the future'. It opened back in 1895, undergoing something of a facelift in 2005 and has remained the arts centre of the city ever since. The collection includes centuries' worth of photography and American and world art, plus the institution is also committed to the conservation of historic works and artefacts.
Disney doesn't do anything by halves and its gargantuan resort in Southern California is no exception. The resort consists of two theme parks: Disneyland Park, the older of the pair, and Disneyland California Adventure. Each are made up of whimsical 'lands', from Fantasyland, filled with fairy-tale castles and characters, to glitzy Hollywood Land with its bright lights and red carpets. Things are always changing too. Later in 2024 there will be a revamp of Splash Mountain into The Princess and the Frog-themed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Huntington Beach is affectionately known as 'Surf City', and this particular strand is home to several surf competitions each year including the Vans US Open of Surfing, the largest in the States. For those who prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of volleyball courts and fire pits to keep warm in the evening breeze. The photogenic Huntington Beach Pier juts nearly 2,000 feet (610m) into the ocean and is best snapped when silhouetted against a dramatic sunset.
A famed stretch of the California coast, Big Sur, along Highway 1, wows with its rock-peppered sands and dizzying Bixby Bridge. You'll find it difficult to keep your eyes on the road here, so stop at one of the many vantage points along the way. To really make the most of the area, pitch up at Big Sur Campground for the night.
At almost 300 feet (91m) below sea level, this is the lowest point in North America. You'll find these vast salt flats at the southern end of Death Valley National Park, a 20-minute drive from Furnace Creek with its popular visitor centre and resort. Beware of visiting Death Valley in the summertime though, when the heat of the day can be intense and opt instead for the more moderate shoulder seasons.
America has only a few fairy-tale castles, and Hearst is one of the most enchanting. Along with architect Julia Morgan, media mogul William Randolph Hearst set about creating the estate in the first half of the 20th century, eventually abandoning the project due to poor health. Today, visitors can explore the castle and its surroundings, including the Neptune Pool and the theatre, on an array of guided tours.
With its bustling boardwalk and powder-white sands, Venice Beach has no trouble pulling in the crowds. Take in the street performers, roving artists and souvenir hawkers on the boardwalk, before settling on the sand, ice-cream in hand. Once you've had your fill of action here, head into Venice Beach town to soak up the bohemian vibe.
Redwood National Park has a lot going for it. Home to some of the tallest trees in the world, it's fringed by 40 miles (64km) of California coastline and has more than 200 miles (322km) of backcountry trails. The best spot to soak up the sea views is from High Bluff Overlook, along Coastal Drive, which offers panoramas across the windswept Pacific coast. There are also 12 campsites of varied ruggedness across the park.
Joshua Tree National Park spans the Mojave and Colorado deserts, covering nearly 800,000 acres – so there's plenty to do. Scramble up to Keys View, the highest vantage point in Joshua Tree National Park, and take in the lunar-like landscapes of the Coachella Valley. Spot Mount San Jacinto and Mount Gorgonio looming above the land too. Beyond the views, horseback riding and hiking are favoured activities.
Watching over the world's most sought-after neighbourhood, the Hollywood sign has become a symbol of the glitz, glamour and excesses of Tinseltown. Perched on Mount Lee since 1923, the sign's 44-foot-tall (13m) letters can be seen from across town. Get a good view of them from Mulholland Drive, before taking on the gentle hike to Mount Lee's summit, where you can drink in the glittering sprawl of Hollywood while inspecting the famed sign up close.
For a sobering dose of history, head to Alcatraz Island. Originally built as a lighthouse, the ill-famed penitentiary operated from 1934 to 1963, housing some of America's most notorious felons. Al Capone and Robert 'The Birdman' Stroud were both imprisoned here, and today guided tours allow a peek inside the famous cellhouse. Permanent exhibit 'The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States' focuses on the disproportionate number of people of colour, low literacy and those born into poverty that are in jail.
Of all the glorious groves in Sequoia National Park, the Giant Forest is the biggest hitter. Amid the trunks is the enormous General Sherman Tree which at 275 feet (84m) tall, with a 36-foot (11m) diameter at its widest point, is the largest living tree on the planet. Wander within the woodland before heading to the Giant Forest Museum, where you can learn more about this fascinating portion of the park, from the trees themselves to the humans who have relied upon them throughout history.
One of the most photographed sights in California, Golden Gate Bridge's mighty red span stretches 1.7 miles (2.7km) over the strait. But it's more than just photo fodder. Built in 1937, the structure is a remarkable feat of engineering and its near 750-foot (229m) towers and 7,000-foot-long (2,134m) cables were thought to be impossible when the initial design was proposed. However, some 80+ years later, tourists and locals alike enjoy walking or biking along its great expanse.
We're ranking this iconic landmark and the area that surrounds it number one on our list. Perhaps the Golden State's most lauded natural wonder, Half Dome rises from Yosemite Valley at 5,000 feet (1,524m). Thousands embark on the epic hike towards the monolith each year, finishing their trek by clambering up the rock face itself using the metal cables provided. Those content to see the formation from a distance can make for Tunnel View, a popular spot that affords epic views of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall too.