California is the most populous state in the U.S. and at 163,696 square miles of land area; it also stands as the third-largest state in America after Alaska (first) and Texas (second). This means that in terms of area, California (a state) is larger than Japan (145,937 square miles) and Paraguay (157,065 square miles).
With the combination of such a large area and huge population, travelers will never get bored or get done with all that the state has to offer. These Staycation spots around the state offer travelers a way to get the most out of the Golden State of California.
8 Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, California
Palm Springs hosts the main entrance to the popular Joshua Tree National Park which offers activities such as - Bouldering, horseback riding, mountain biking, tours, and sightseeing. During spring, the wildflowers around the park blossom and offer a sight pleasant to the eyes while visitors who hike to the Oasis of Mara and Cotton Springs within the park will also enjoy a cute birdwatching experience.
Adventurers who visit this park can set up their camps within one of the 500 campsites located within the park and enjoy thrilling views of the stars at night. Due to the sub-tropical desert-like climate of the park, the best time to visit is spring (March, April) and fall (October, November) as the heat of summer might be unbearable.
7 Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada, California
At the Sierra Nevada, the natural views of the Yosemite National Park will offer visitors a fine welcome into the Scenic plains of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Here visitors will enjoy the heavy presence of nature. Climbers who can’t wait to conquer mountains can head over to the 3000 feet El Capitan Mountain and bring their best skills and equipment as the mountain is unfriendly to amateur climbers.
Adventurers can begin a hike from the Yosemite Valley for a thorough exploration of the Park. Those who want to speed up their exploration can get a bike and ride across the paved paths of the valley to get amazing views. Afterward, they can head over to the Yosemite Valley Waterfalls and catch scenic views of the mountainous waterfall surrounded by vegetation and a lake nearby. When the adventurer is still yet to explore the tunnel view, Bridalveil fall, glacier point, and half dome, then there is still much to do.
6 Napa Valley, Napa, California
Travelers who visit Napa Valley cannot escape the taste of sweet wine or the smell of vineyards. The tantalizing view of mountains and green lands that welcomes visitors is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the thrill this place offers.
First things first, visitors can hop on a Napa Valley Wine Train for a tour of the best wineries and food locations around the Valley. At the Napa Valley State Park, adventurers who want an outdoor experience can enjoy hikes across the tall trees, abundant leaves, and streams that characterize the park. Those who visit during fall will get mesmerizing autumn scenery at Downtown Yountville with yellow, red, and orange-colored rusty leaves scattered all over the peaceful path.
5 Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada, California
Lake Tahoe is popularly known for its enchanting sapphire-blue lake color which is surrounded by views of mountains and colorful vegetation. The freshwater lake, located in the Sierra Nevada is the largest alpine lake in North America. Here, visitors can begin an outdoor adventure by skiing at the large Palisades Tahoe or the smaller Heavenly Ski resort & Gondola. Next, a visit to the D.L Bliss state park will offer an experience of beaches and scenic views. For more thrills, adventurers can get on the Lake Tahoe Air Balloons to catch special views of the Lake from the sky.
At Emerald Bay State Park, visitors will be treated to delightful paths for hiking. A wildflower hike at Mount Rose or a hike through the eagle falls trail will offer views that might be too much to handle.
4 Catalina Island, Avalon and Two Harbors, California
Located in Avalon (an incorporated city of 4,000 people) and Two Harbors (a village of about 300 people) is this 22 miles island which is known for its stunning beaches and crystal clear waters.
At Two Harbors, there are large hilly plains for hiking, mountain biking, and camping. In the waters, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing, and boating. Avalon offers a whole new experience with the bubbling beaches and grassy mountains. Here visitors can visit museums and art houses on land or go scuba diving and fishing on the water.
3 Old Town State Historic Park, San Diego, California
Founded in 1760, San Diego is the oldest city in California. Due to its long years of existence, the city of San Diego is considered the birthplace of California. The Old Town State Historic Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore much of the diverse history of not only San Diego but the entire state of California. Here, visitors will learn about the original people of California who were referred to as Kumeyaay and how they were forced to abandon their homes to take refuge in the hills with the arrival of the Spanish. Festivals, delicious food, and lots of cultural performances make up the things visitors will enjoy at this park.
2 Santa Barbara Botanical Garden, Santa Barbara, California
Travelers who need a little break from the technologically advanced Californian state or simply want a view of nature’s diversity can head over to the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden which houses over a thousand species of native plants, flowers, and trees spread across a 78-acre land area. The 5-mile hiking trail offers visitors a chance to see the plant diversity and also get the opportunity to collect some plant specimens they desire at the Onsite Garden Growers Nursery.
1 Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, California
The longing for a scary experience is a trait many adventurous humans share and those who need that experience so badly can try to keep their eyes closed for a night at the Winchester Mystery House of Sarah Winchester. Here the scary experience will begin with knowledge of the house which was built bizarrely. Imagine a mansion with over 160 rooms, more than 2,000 doors with some that lead to dead ends, lots of secret passes, and stairs that lead to irrelevant places; that is a fraction of the oddness of this mansion.
According to stories, the weird and haphazard building of the house was because Mrs. Wilson did not hire any architect for the design plans instead she chose to have carpenters and other builders work on the mansion endlessly after being told that she needed to keep the construction ongoing to appease the ghosts haunting her family.