20 California Travel Destinations to Visit in 2026
California is one of those destinations where a single trip can feel completely different depending on where you choose to visit. You can spend the morning hiking along the Pacific Ocean, traverse mountainous landscapes in the afternoon, and end the day under a star-filled desert sky. The state offers a wide variety of landscapes, from coastal cities and beaches to national parks, forests, mountains, and deserts.
If you’re planning a trip to California in 2026, there are many more places to consider besides Los Angeles and San Francisco. The state is home to numerous national parks, as well as beaches, scenic drives, mountain resorts, wineries, and small coastal towns.
Here are some of the best things to do in California in 2026, including popular destinations and places worth adding to a longer road trip.
Yosemite
Yosemite National Park is one of the places to top your list if you love mountains, waterfalls, forests, and outdoor activities. Located in the Sierra Nevada, the park is famous for its enormous granite formations, deep valleys, waterfalls, and giant sequoias. Yosemite Valley is the park’s most famous area, offering spectacular views of El Capitan and Half Dome.
One of the most appealing aspects of Yosemite is the diversity you can find within the park itself. You can spend time near the Merced River, observe waterfalls, hike through wooded areas, or visit Mariposa Grove to see giant sequoias. Yosemite is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled while hiking.
Waterfalls are another major attraction. Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Falls are among the most famous, although the amount of water can vary depending on the season.
During peak periods, the park can get very crowded, so it’s important to plan your visit in advance. If you have several days, don’t limit yourself to Yosemite Valley. The wider park includes numerous scenic overlooks, trails, meadows, and natural areas worth exploring.
Death Valley
Death Valley offers a completely different experience than the mountains and forests of California. Here you’ll find vast desert landscapes, salt flats, rocky mountains, dunes, and areas characterized by very distinctive colors.
The park is located in eastern California, near the Nevada border, and is known for its extreme environmental conditions. Badwater Basin lies approximately 280 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America. Death Valley is also famous for some of the highest temperatures ever recorded on Earth.
Badwater Basin is a must-see, especially when the salt formations create distinctive patterns on the basin’s surface. Zabriskie Point, on the other hand, offers a completely different perspective, with eroded hills and sweeping desert views.
You can also visit the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, explore Golden Canyon, and stop at Furnace Creek. Desert landscapes change dramatically depending on the light, so sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times for photography.
Winter is generally a much more pleasant time to explore Death Valley than the warmer months of the year. If you’re planning a longer trip through California’s deserts, you can combine Death Valley with Joshua Tree and other Southern California destinations.
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is one of California’s most unique landscapes. Its name comes from the Joshua trees, distinctive-looking plants that grow in several areas of the park, but the landscape offers much more than these trees.
The park is located where the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert meet, creating an environment characterized by varying elevations, vegetation, rock formations, and desert landscapes.
Driving through the park is one of the easiest ways to admire its changing landscape, but some of the short trails and viewpoints are also worth taking the time to explore. The enormous rock formations are particularly interesting, and places like Skull Rock have become true icons of the area.
Keys View is another well-known vantage point. From here, you can see a vast swath of Southern California and, on clear days, distant mountains and the Salton Sea.
Joshua Tree is also a fantastic place after dark. Far from major cities, the night sky can be very dark, making the park particularly interesting for photography and stargazing enthusiasts.
If you love unusual landscapes, hiking, rock formations, desert plants, and starry skies, Joshua Tree is worth spending some time in rather than simply considering it a quick stop.
San Diego
San Diego combines beaches, parks, neighborhoods, museums, restaurants, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. Located in southern California, near the Mexican border, it is one of the state’s most popular destinations.
La Jolla is a great place to start if you’re looking for ocean views, beaches, and coastal scenery. Pacific Beach and Mission Beach offer a different vibe, with wide stretches of sand and vibrant beach life.
Balboa Park is one of the city’s main attractions. You can spend hours strolling through the gardens, visiting the museums, and exploring the park’s architecture. The San Diego Zoo is also located in this area.
Downtown offers a completely different experience. The historic Gaslamp Quarter is home to restaurants, bars, and entertainment, while the waterfront offers insights into San Diego’s naval history. The USS Midway is one of the harbor’s most recognizable attractions.
For a change of scenery, you can cross the bridge to Coronado. You can reach the island by car or ferry, spend time near the beach, explore the area, or simply enjoy the views of San Diego.
San Diego is perfect for both a short city break and a longer stay in Southern California, thanks to its combination of beaches, museums, parks, cuisine, and outdoor activities.
Orange County
Orange County lies between Los Angeles and San Diego and offers a long stretch of quintessential California coastline. It’s an ideal stopover if you’re traveling between the two major cities, but it can also be a destination worth exploring on your own.
Laguna Beach is one of the county’s most popular coastal resorts. Its rocky coastline, beaches, small coves, and scenic overlooks make it particularly attractive for those who enjoy strolling by the ocean.
Newport Beach is another popular destination, especially if you want to see the harbor and experience a more upscale beach town atmosphere. Dana Point and San Clemente are also worth a visit when exploring this part of the coast.
An interesting way to experience the area is to take the Pacific Surfliner train. The journey along the coast offers very different views than those you’d see on the highway, although to reach some destinations, you may need to take a local bus after getting off the train.
Orange County also offers numerous shops, restaurants, parks, and inland attractions. For those seeking a combination of beaches and city amenities, it’s an interesting stop on a trip to California.
Redwood Trees Park
Entering the redwood forests of Northern California feels like stepping into another world. Redwood National and State Parks protect some of the most impressive coastal redwood habitats on the planet.
These trees are best known for their incredible height. Unlike the giant sequoias found further inland in the Sierra Nevada, coast sequoias are best known for their ability to reach exceptional heights.
Walking among these trees offers a completely different experience than the beaches or deserts of California. The forest can be peaceful, cool, and almost surreal, with enormous trunks towering above the paths.
The parks are located in the northwest corner of California, so they’re best suited to those with time for a longer road trip. Eureka and other towns on the North Coast can be used as a base for exploring the area.
If your trip includes Northern California, don’t limit yourself to San Francisco. The redwood forests further north offer some of the state’s most memorable natural landscapes.
Sequoia Tree Kings Canyon
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are the perfect place to stand next to some of the world’s largest trees. Located in the Sierra Nevada, the parks are known for their enormous giant sequoias, mountains, deep canyons, and forest trails.
The General Sherman Tree is the most famous tree in Sequoia National Park and is one of the main reasons many visitors come here. In nearby Kings Canyon, the General Grant Tree is another famous giant sequoia.
But the trees are only part of the experience. Kings Canyon offers spectacular mountain scenery, while scenic roads and trails allow you to better explore the surrounding environment.
The parks are particularly suitable for those who enjoy combining scenic visits and hiking. You can walk through groves of giant sequoias and then continue towards higher mountain landscapes.
Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon can be combined into a larger trip through the Sierra Nevada, allowing you to see different natural landscapes during the same itinerary.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert destination surrounded by spectacular mountains. Located east of Los Angeles, it offers a completely different atmosphere than the urban neighborhoods of the big city.
The area is known for its hot desert climate, palm trees, resorts, golf courses, and mid-20th-century modern architecture. The mountains surrounding Palm Springs can even be snow-capped during the coldest months, creating a striking contrast with the desert below.
Palm Springs is also close to Joshua Tree, so it’s easy to combine the two destinations. You can spend part of your trip exploring the national park and then return to Palm Springs for restaurants, hotels, and a more developed environment.
The surrounding desert also offers scenic drives and interesting attractions. If you’re looking for a California vacation that combines mountains, desert, pools, and a laid-back resort atmosphere, Palm Springs is worth considering.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of California’s top destinations and offers enough attractions to spend several days. The city is very sprawling, so your experience can vary significantly depending on the neighborhoods you choose to visit.
Hollywood remains one of the city’s most recognizable areas. You can explore entertainment-related locations and dedicate a day to Universal Studios, with attractions and shows for visitors of all ages.
However, Los Angeles isn’t just about Hollywood. The beaches are one of the main reasons many travelers visit the city. Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach offer diverse experiences along the coast.
The Griffith Observatory is another popular stop, especially if you want a panoramic view of Los Angeles. The Getty is worth a visit if you’re interested in art, architecture, and gardens.
Malibu, north of Los Angeles’ main coast, offers another spectacular stretch of coastline. You can spend time by the ocean, stopping at scenic overlooks, and continuing your journey north.
Because Los Angeles is so huge, avoid trying to visit every neighborhood in a single day. It’s better to choose areas close to each other and dedicate enough time to each.
Morro Bay
Morro Bay is a beautiful town on California’s central coast, located along Highway 1. Its most recognizable landmark is Morro Rock, a huge volcanic formation that rises near the coast.
The city is a great place to unwind after visiting some of California’s larger cities. You can stroll along the waterfront, explore the harbor, take a boat tour, go fishing, or simply enjoy the outdoors.
Morro Bay also offers hiking opportunities, a nearby golf course, and a maritime museum for those interested in the area’s relationship with the ocean.
One of the best ways to visit Morro Bay is to include it in a trip along the Central Coast. It’s conveniently located between San Luis Obispo and other coastal towns further north.
If you’re traveling Highway 1 and looking for a place to stop without the big city atmosphere, Morro Bay is an interesting choice.
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is another Central Coast destination that lends itself very well to a California road trip. The town is known for its long beach, ocean views, and nearby sand dunes.
The dunes offer a variety of outdoor activities, while the surrounding area has a distinctly different feel than the rocky coastline further north. Depending on the season and local conditions, you can explore the beach, stroll through town, or indulge in dune-related activities.
The nearby towns of Grover Beach and Oceano also allow you to better explore this part of the coast.
Pismo Beach is conveniently located for those traveling between Southern California and the Central Coast. If your route follows Highway 1 or Highway 101, it’s worth stopping instead of simply driving through the area.
Big Sur
Big Sur is one of the places that makes a California road trip special. The rugged coastline, cliffs, forests, bridges, and the Pacific Ocean create ever-changing vistas along Highway 1.
The Big Sur region stretches between Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Central Coast and is famous for its spectacular coastal scenery.
Driving through Big Sur is an experience in itself. Along the way, you’ll find several scenic spots where you can stop and gaze out over the ocean, although some busy areas have specific parking and safety regulations.
McWay Falls, located within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, is another popular attraction. The waterfall cascades into a beautiful creek, creating one of the most photographed landscapes in the area.
Marine life is also a reason to proceed slowly. Depending on the time of year, you might spot sea otters, whales, seabirds, and other coastal animals.
Before setting off, it’s always a good idea to check the condition of Highway 1, as the road may be temporarily closed due to landslides, roadworks, or weather conditions.
San Francisco
San Francisco is one of California’s most recognizable cities, with sloping streets, historic neighborhoods, waterfront attractions, and famous landmarks.
The Golden Gate Bridge is naturally one of the first sights to see. You can see it from various vantage points of the city and the bay. Golden Gate Park, meanwhile, offers a vast area to explore, with gardens, museums, trails, and green spaces.
Fisherman’s Wharf is another popular area with visitors. Here you can find harbor views, restaurants, and boat tours.
Alcatraz Island is one of the city’s most popular attractions. A visit generally requires some advance planning, especially during peak periods.
Lombard Street is another iconic San Francisco stop, famous for its steep, winding streets. You can also try the historic cable cars, one of the most distinctive ways to get around the city’s hilly streets.
San Francisco is also a great base for exploring other areas of the Bay Area, including Napa Valley, Sonoma, and Silicon Valley.
Carmel By The Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small coastal town with a very different vibe than its neighbors. It’s known for its beautiful coastline, village atmosphere, galleries, restaurants, and nearby scenic drives.
The Carmel coast is particularly beautiful on clear days. Fog and cloudy skies are common, however, creating a completely different atmosphere along the ocean.
Nearby Pebble Beach is famous for its golf course and ocean views. The 17-Mile Drive is another popular experience, with scenic overlooks and coastal scenery along the way.
Carmel is a great place to stop for lunch or spend the night while traveling along Highway 1. Its location also makes it easy to combine with Monterey and Big Sur.
If you’re looking for a quieter coastal town among California’s great destinations, Carmel-by-the-Sea is definitely worth a look.
Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay is located just north of Carmel and is another important stop along the Central Coast. The area combines ocean scenery, marine life, history, and attractions suitable for a variety of travelers.
Cannery Row is one of the most popular areas to explore. The waterfront offers restaurants, shops, ocean views, and easy access to other attractions.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is another great reason to visit the area. Here you can observe numerous marine species and learn more about the ecosystems of the California coast.
Whale watching is also very popular in Monterey Bay, as several species pass through this area throughout the year.
You can easily visit Monterey and Carmel in the same day because they’re so close. If you have more time, spending a night allows you to explore the coast without having to rush from one place to the other.
The Pacific Coast Highway is also a major attraction in itself, connecting many of these coastal towns in one of California’s most interesting road trips.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz adds a youthful, laid-back vibe to a trip along the California coast. Located north of Monterey and south of San Francisco, it’s best known for its beach, boardwalk, and oceanfront location.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It has a classic amusement park feel and is especially popular during the warmer months.
You can also stroll along the coast, watch the sunset, or simply spend a few hours near the beach. The city has a laid-back feel that makes it a pleasant stop after the spectacular scenery of Big Sur and Monterey.
If you’re traveling north on Highway 1 from Monterey, it’s worth continuing to Santa Cruz. It’s another interesting coastal town before reaching the San Francisco Bay Area.
Saint Barbara
Santa Barbara is one of Southern California’s most attractive coastal cities. It combines beaches, historic architecture, shopping, restaurants, and mountains.
State Street is one of the easiest areas to explore on foot, with shops, restaurants, and access to the waterfront. Stearns Wharf offers another vantage point from which to admire the ocean views.
The Old Mission Santa Barbara is an important historical attraction and offers a different side of the city than its beaches.
Santa Barbara can also be a good base for visiting the nearby towns. Goleta and Gaviota are nearby, while those with more time can venture further inland.
The city is often associated with an elegant atmosphere, and accommodation prices can be high during peak periods. Even a short visit, however, allows you to explore a very interesting part of the central coast.
For a California road trip, Santa Barbara fits particularly well between Los Angeles and the Central Coast.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley is one of California’s most famous wine regions and offers a completely different experience than the state’s coastal destinations.
The valley is surrounded by vineyards, hills, restaurants, tasting rooms, and small communities. Wine tastings are the main activity for many visitors, but you don’t have to be a wine expert to appreciate the landscape and atmosphere of the area.
Napa is a perfect getaway from the San Francisco Bay Area. During the day, you can visit wineries, in the evening try local restaurants, and spend the night in one of the valley’s resorts.
Nearby Sonoma County offers another interesting wine country experience, so those with more time can visit both areas.
If you’re staying in San Francisco or Oakland, Napa Valley is close enough to visit in a day, although a night or two allows for more leisurely exploration.
Catalina Island
Catalina Island allows you to get away from the mainland without straying too far from Southern California. The island is located off the coast of Los Angeles and can be reached by ferry.
Avalon is the main town and where many visitors spend their time. You can stroll along the waterfront, explore the downtown area, try the restaurants, and participate in the various activities available on the island.
Catalina is also perfect for a day trip, but spending an overnight allows you to experience the island more peacefully after the day visitors return to the mainland.
The ferry ride is also part of the experience, especially on clear days, when you can admire the Southern California coast and the Pacific Ocean.
If your trip already includes Los Angeles or Long Beach, Catalina Island is an interesting destination to add to your itinerary.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of California’s most spectacular mountain destinations. The lake sits on the California-Nevada border and is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The landscape changes dramatically throughout the year. Winter brings snow and opportunities for skiing and other snow-based activities, while summer is ideal for hiking, boating, swimming, scenic drives, and days by the lake.
Emerald Bay is one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular areas, boasting scenic overlooks and stunning mountain scenery. The lake itself extends for approximately 22 miles and boasts over 71 miles of shoreline.
Because the destination straddles the border between two states, you can experience both California and Nevada on the same trip. South Lake Tahoe is particularly popular with those seeking dining, entertainment, outdoor activities, and lake access.
Lake Tahoe is an interesting choice if your idea of a California vacation involves mountains rather than beaches. It can also easily be included in a longer trip starting from the San Francisco Bay Area or other areas of Northern California.
California is too big to visit all in one trip. The best way to plan your itinerary is to choose a region or build a road trip connecting several relatively close destinations. You can focus on Southern California and combine Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Palm Springs, and Joshua Tree, or explore the Central Coast through Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, and Santa Cruz.
For a longer adventure, California’s national parks offer another way to traverse the state. Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and the redwood forests offer completely different landscapes.
In 2026, California continues to offer a tremendous variety of experiences, from desert hikes and nights under the stars to scenic drives along the Pacific, from mountain lakes to big cities and small coastal towns. The most important thing is to give yourself enough time to experience each area without trying to traverse the entire state too quickly.