10 Best Cities To Visit In The Golden State Of California

1. Los Angeles

1/3 Waterworld Show

2/3 Frolicking in the surf, Venice Beach

3/3 The Central Garden, Getty Center

Affectionately known as the City of Angels, or simply LA, Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the US, after New York City. The southern Californian city is surrounded by beautiful beaches along the Pacific Coast, as well as extensive mountain ranges and valleys. Perhaps you know about Los Angeles because it is most famous for being home to Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world. Indeed, LA is one of the best places to go to spot celebrities, shop in designer stores at Beverly Hills that cater to the stars, admire lavish houses of the rich, or wine and dine at the star-studded restaurants that they reportedly frequent.

But there is more to Los Angeles than just Hollywood. Visit world-famous theme parks, including Universal Studios Hollywood for mind-blowing rides and family-friendly entertainment. Enjoy a great surf at the amazing beaches along the 75-mile (120.7-kilometre) Los Angeles County coastline, and check out the unique landmarks in each interesting seaside town. Cultural buffs will be elated to know that LA has more museums and theatres than any other US city, so it is the perfect place for awesome cultural immersion. Best part of it all? With near-perfect weather, the City of Angels is one of the few cities in the world where you can ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon. So visit Los Angeles for a diverse range of awesome experiences!

2. San Francisco

1/5 Golden Gate Dawn Bridge

2/5 San Francisco Marina

3/5 2011-08-14 San Francisco 110 Lombard Street

4/5 Angel Island - San Francisco Bay

5/5 Palace of Fine Arts SF CA

Set on the tip of a peninsula in northern California’s Bay Area, San Francisco is a hilly city well known for its Victorian architecture, scenic attractions, ethnic and cultural diversity. A visit to the popular city is not complete without stopping by at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge for that picture-perfect shot. Explore the city’s swanky neighbourhoods including Pacific Heights and the Marina District featuring deluxe Victorian mansions and magnificent marina, as well as National Historic Landmarks such as the Palace of Fine Arts.

Visit Lombard Street, located between Hyde and Leavenworth, a 600-feet (180-metre) long red-bricked street reputed to be San Francisco’s crookedest street with eight sharp hairpin turns. Or get away from the touristy Fisherman’s Wharf to take a relaxing cruise to beautiful Angel Island. Soak in breathtaking 360-degree views of the San Francisco Bay area, go on a scenic hike, or take the tram tour for an insightful history lesson of the Ellis Island of the West on this lesser-known pleasant island.

3. San Diego

1/3 Balboa park

2/3 Rhino mother and calf frolicking in San Diego Zoo

3/3 La Jolla Cove

Reputed as America’s Finest City, San Diego is renowned for its extensive stretch of white-sand beaches and incredible climate on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in southern California. Home to popular attractions including Sea World San Diego, Legoland California and San Diego Zoo, the vibrant city allows the whole family to have a whale of a time. Another distinctive feature of America’s Finest City is its proximity to Mexico’s border - Tijuana. Due to its location as a border town, you can find influences of the Mexican-Spanish culture in many aspects of the city, such as Spanish architecture in the beautiful Balboa Park. Relish in the unique small town atmosphere despite being in California’s second-largest city.

4. Fresno

1/3 Yosemite National Park

2/3 Beetle Rock Sunset #1, Sequoia National Park

3/3 Forestiere Underground Gardens

As a central Californian city located in the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno provides an excellent base for travellers who wish to check out the premier national parks in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Yosemite National Park, best known for its stunning waterfalls, as well as Sequoia National Park and its adjacent Kings Canyon National Park let you discover the amazing wilderness of California. Within the city itself, explore the quaint Forestiere Underground Gardens, a spectacular creation of ancient Roman architecture and beautiful greenery. Downtown Fresno is also a fascinating place to check out ancient architecture in the city, with many dating as far back as the 1800s.

For more ideas on what you can do in Fresno, read this article: 8 Best Things To Do in Fresno, California.

5. Palm Springs

1/2 Palm Springs Aerial Tram, CA 4-15a

2/2 Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley - USA - January 2010 - Patrick Nouhailler

Palm Springs, a city in the Sonoran Desert of southern California, enjoys abundant sunshine for about 350 days a year. This makes the desert city a popular destination, especially during the winter months, to enjoy its hot springs, classy hotels and spas, as well as the many golf courses and driving ranges. Take a ride on the world’s biggest rotating gondola, the famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The 10-minute ride up the steep cliffs of Chino Canyon offers picturesque views of Mt. San Jacinto State Park, a one-of-a-kind experience you definitely don’t want to miss. In addition, there are a number of exciting annual events, such as the famous Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals to look out for in Palm Springs.

6. Sacramento

1/2 Sacramento Set

2/2 California State Capitol Building

Sacramento is the state capitol of California, situated among the fertile flatlands of the Central Valley at the confluence of the Sacramento River and American River. As one of the most historic cities in California, Sacramento is a paradise for cultural and art lovers. For a start, wander through Old Sacramento district, a prominent National Historic Landmark District and State Historic Park, which is home to some of the most influential private and public museums established during the California Gold Rush era. In addition, you should check out the bustling waterfront with a multitude of shops, dining and entertainment options. Soak in the vibrant arts scene by joining in an art walk or live music performance. The hippy Midtown neighbourhood is also worth exploring for its myriad offering of trendy restaurants, bars and boutique shops.

7. Santa Barbara

Less than a 2-hour drive from the mega city of Los Angeles, you will arrive at the fascinating America Riviera - Santa Barbara. Located on the central California coast with the Santa Ynez Mountains as a spectacular backdrop, Santa Barbara is noteworthy for its distinguished wineries, expansive beaches and wide selection of dining and shopping options. Savour the best wines in the world by joining an Urban Wine Trail tour in one of the many tasting rooms in the city. Take a walk along the wide sandy shores of the flawless East Beach. Or spend the whole day immersing in the unique vibes of the famous State Street where quaint shops, art galleries and museums can be found. Take note of the beautiful Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs that reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage as you explore the downtown.

8. Monterey

1/3 Monterey bay beach california

2/3 Whale watching in Monterey

3/3 Big Sur Coastline

Compared to other better known cities in California, Monterey may not be a popular tourist destination as yet, but that is also where its unique charm lies. The beautiful coastal city boasts rugged landscapes with a rich heritage, which are bound to delight travellers looking for a destination off the beaten tourist path. Being the old state capitol of California, Monterey makes a marvellous stop for history buffs with its extensive collection of historic buildings in the downtown. Follow the yellow plaques in the sidewalk along the Path of History in Old Monterey to admire ancient architecture such as the Pacific House Museum and Maritime Museum of History.

Go on one of the most amazing road trips in the US as you wind along on Highway One soaking in stunning views of the Big Sur coastline. Or explore the rugged landscapes of the city through joining in an exciting series of water sports such as kayaking, paragliding and hang gliding. Animal lovers will also be pleased to know that Monterey is one of the world’s best places to see whales all year round, and also one of the top five bird watching destinations in North America.

9. South Lake Tahoe

1/2 Sunny Day MontBleu - Heavenly Ski Resort - Lake Tahoe

2/2 Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, United States (Unsplash sY6X04d--VY)

Escape to the resort city of South Lake Tahoe nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains where one of the largest lakes in the world can be found. Said to be America’s All Year Playground, the scenic natural site is a popular tourist destination all year round. South Lake Tahoe transforms into a snow-covered winter wonderland where you can partake in a variety of winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, or even dog sledding. Or if you are looking for something less tiring, simply grab a handful of snow, display your creative streak by building a unique snowman that wows everyone else. In the summer months, take advantage of the pleasant daytime temperatures in the city to enjoy the cool outdoors. You can hike through the incredible landscapes of South Lake Tahoe, or rent a bike to explore the mountainous terrain. Feel like getting into the serene waters of the beautiful alpine lake? Summer is the best time to plunge in the waters for a swim or whitewater rafting, especially after sweating it out with a hike!

10. Anaheim

1/3 Disneyland, California

2/3 Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA -- Apr 24, 2011

3/3 best cities to visit in california | anaheim

Last but not least, there is no better place to be in than in the “Happiest Place On Earth”. Anaheim is home to the Disneyland Resort, officially tagged as the “Happiest Place On Earth”. But there is definitely more to do in the southern Californian city lying just outside Los Angeles. Seeking a cheaper alternative to the expensive Disneyland that can cost a bomb for the whole family? Head to Adventure City, the small theme park that is big on family fun. Enjoy a variety of fun rides suitable for all ages, meet some adorable animal friends in the petting farm, or join in the interactive children’s shows.

If you don’t already know, some of the best beers in the US are made in Anaheim. So go on a brewery crawl for a fabulous beer feast that includes local’s favourite Noble Ale Works, Backstreet and many more. Baseball fans must visit Angel Stadium, the home field of the legendary Los Angeles Angels baseball team. The stadium is not only the best place to catch an Angels game, but also to munch on some addictive southern California snacks such as fish tacos.

Look forward to joyful holiday memories in California

With a whopping 482 municipalities (cities or towns) in California, there is definitely a lot waiting to be explored in the historical golden state. No doubt it will take a long time before you make a complete tour of the sprawling state, but the diverse array of activities you can partake in will surely keep you captivated for a long time. Stop dreaming about California, instead, put your dream into real action. Make your way to the above-mentioned best Californian cities for a joyful holiday now!