10 Best Places to Visit in California – Travel Video

There’s more to California than just moviestars and Disneyland.

This is a state that boasts a large numberof stunning natural attractions, including beautiful beaches, serene deserts and majesticmountains.

California is also home to a number of excitingmajor cities, charming towns and to some of the world’s best wineries.

An overview of the best places to visit inCalifornia: Number 10.

Big Sur.

Located between the Carmel Highlands and SanSimeon, Big Sur is a large, rocky stretch of the Californian Coastline.

Although it doesn’t have any official boundaries, it lines around 70 miles of the California’s famous Highway One.

The area is a magnet for travelers on roadtrips, who are attracted by the towering redwood trees and breathtaking beaches along the route.

More than just beautiful scenery for drivingthrough, the area also provides plenty of top hiking opportunities which wind theirway through the several state parks encompassed by Big Sur.

Number 9.

Catalina Island.

This charming island is located approximately22 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles.

It is both a favorite day trip for visitorsto L.

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, as well as a popular vacation and honeymoon spot.

Santa Catalina is a small island with twomain centers of population, Two Harbors and Avalon.

Most travelers to the island stay mainly inthe Avalon area.

Surprisingly, the island even boasts a smallpopulation of American bison that were brought to the island during the filming of a movie.

Travelers can reach the island by privateboat, ferries, helicopters or small planes.

Once on the island, transportation is limitedto bicycles, taxis and golf carts.

Number 8.

Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe is not only impressive for beingthe second deepest lake in the US, but also for its wide length of shoreline which offersfantastic natural vistas.

The freshwater lake straddles both Californiaand Nevada and is a top destination year round.

The lake became a winter sports destinationafter the 1960s Winter Olympics were held in Squaw Valley on the North Shore.

Summer brings hiking in the mountains andboat trips on the lake, as well as days spent lazing on the shore, swimming, and BBQs.

Number 7.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks These two national parks are located nextdoor to each other in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, and both are famous fortheir enormous giant sequoia trees.

These trees can grow to be more than 300 feettall and their trunks can be as much as 100 feet wide.

Sequoia National Park, which was establishedin 1890, is also home to Mount Whitney, which is the highest point in the contiguous UnitedStates.

Interestingly enough, Kings Canyon boaststhe deepest canyon in America.

The parks are also home to a lot of wildlifespecies, including bobcats, gray foxes, bears and mule deer.

If they’re lucky, visitors might even beable to spot bighorn sheep or mountain lions.

Both parks are popular with backpackers andhikers, and there are 14 campgrounds available for visitors.

Number 6.

Napa Valley.

Napa Valley is the premier destination forwine lovers in the United States.

Its wines are considered to be some of thebest in the world.

To accommodate the many vino connoisseursthat travel to Napa, the area now boasts a variety of accommodations, including charmingbed and breakfasts, lovely boutique hotels and well-known chain hotels.

There are also camping grounds available forthose interested in saving a little money on lodging.

In addition, Napa Valley boasts many world-classspas where visitors can get pampered and enjoy a variety of fun activities, including hotair balloon rides and guided bike wine tours.

Number 5.

San Diego.

With fabulous beaches, ideal climate and outstandingfamily attractions, it is no wonder that San Diego is one of the most popular places tovisit in California.

Located just north of the Mexican border, San Diego is a large coastal city with a small town atmosphere.

The most popular attraction in San Diego isAmerica’s premier zoo, which is located in Balboa Park with flowering gardens andSpanish architecture.

The city is home to other family attractionslike SeaWorld San Diego and the Birch Aquarium.

Another tourist magnet, San Diego’s stunningcoastline, offers miles of fantastic beaches including the upscale beach neighborhood ofLa Jolla.

Number 4.

Death Valley.

Located in the Mojave Desert, Death Valleyencompasses much of the Death Valley National Park.

Although regarded as the driest and lowestplace in North America, Death Valley offers a variety of outdoor activities, historicsites and nature viewing.

From snow-capped mountains to colorful sanddunes, the unique desert landscapes of Death Valley are like no other place in California.

Places of interests include the scenic vistaof Zabriskie Point and historic sites like Scotty’s Castle, the Wildrose Charcoal Kilnsand ruins of ghost towns.

Number 3.

Los Angeles.

The second-largest city in the USA, Los Angelesis located in southern California surrounded by the Pacific Coast, mountains and valleys.

Known as the City of Angels, the city offersa wide range of attractions and beaches, including wild-and-crazy Venice Beach and Malibu, thesandy playground favored by movie stars.

Travelers to L.

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can find some of the best-knownamusement parks on the planet here, including Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood.

Los Angeles is also one of the best placesin the United States to go in search of celebrities.

Tourists can look for celebrity homes or shopat the designer stores in Beverly Hills that cater to the stars.

And in L.

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, travelers can also visit andeat at the same famous restaurants that the celebs and the rich and famous dine at.

Number 2.

Yosemite National Park.

Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains ofcentral eastern California, the Yosemite National Park is well-loved for its stunning granitecliffs, Giant Sequoia groves, beautiful waterfalls and diverse animal and plant life.

Visitors can hike among the 800 miles of trails, or drive along scenic routes to experience the beautiful landscapes and glimpse wildlife.

Attractions include Glacier Point, with incredibleviews of the Yosemite Valley, the nature center and Yosemite Museum and historic places likethe LeConte Memorial Lodge and the Ahwahnee Hotel.

Number 1.

San Francisco.

San Francisco is a fun and exciting city innorthern California, set on the tip of a peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Undoubtedly, the Golden Gate Bridge is thecity’s number one attraction.

Tourists can drive, bike ride or walk acrossthis famous suspension bridge to admire and photograph stunning views.

In addition, visitors to San Francisco canvisit Lombard Street, which is famous for its tight curves, or take a trip to San Francisco’sChinatown section, which is the largest outside of Asia.

And then, of course, there are the other bigtourist favorites — Fisherman’s Wharf and the infamous prison on Alcatraz Island.

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