The Ultimate California Bucket List: Best Places To See In California

Visiting California soon and looking for the best places to see in California? You’ve come to the right place!

As California and Bay Area locals for many, many years we have explored the Golden State from North to South and East to West. From visiting famous cities like San Francisco and L.A. and checking the typical must-dos in California off our bucket list, to more adventurous and unique things and places in California, we have almost done it all.

Therefore, in our Ultimate California Bucket List, we will share our 100 things to do in California and the best places to go in California so you can create your very own bucket list for California for your upcoming trip.

California Bucket List

Table Of Contents

Ultimate California Bucket List

Best Places To See In California

There are lots and lots of amazing places to go in California spread out over the entire West Coast state.

To get an easy overview, we have listed our best places to see in California into different regions and sub-regions from North to South as follows:

Places To Visit In Northern California

San Francisco Bucket List Places

Lake Tahoe Places To See

Giant Trees In California

Northern California Wine Regions

Eastern California POIs

Sierra Nevada Mountains & Highway 395

Mammoth Lakes Bucket List Places

California Coastal Destinations

California Northern Coast Places To See

California Southern Coast To Visit

California Desert Destinations

Joshua Tree & Palm Springs Bucket List

Mojave Desert & Death Valley

Southern California Places To Visit

Los Angeles Bucket List Places

San Diego Bucket List Places To Visit

Northern California Bucket List

In the following, you’ll find a list of the best places to see in Northern California.

[ San Francisco Bucket List Places To See ]

Golden Gate Bridge

As California locals, the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge is our number one must-do in California. This is an absolutely non-biased opinion of course! 😉

Painted Ladies At Alamo Square

Sunset over city at Painted Ladies San Francisco — Painted Ladies in San Francisco

Right after the Golden Gate Bridge, you have to see the iconic Painted Ladies at Alamo Square in San Francisco.

A great time to visit is right before sunset when the low-standing sun lights up the high-rise buildings of Downtown San Francisco.

Lombard Street In San Francisco

And when in San Francisco, you can’t miss the windiest in town. Lombard Street is even said to be the most crooked street in the world and one of the most popular California tourism attractions.

It’s best to visit the windy street in San Francisco during the week, as on the weekend you will find tons of tourists trying to snap a photo. It’s so popular that traffic has to be managed in order to avoid chaos.

Alcatraz Island – Famous Prison In The San Francisco Bay

View of Alcatraz from San Francisco — Alcatraz Island from Russian Hil

Alcatraz is probably the most famous prison in the world and therefore one of the top things to visit in California. It’s very interesting to learn about the famous prison’s history and escape stories from the past.

We recommend also visiting the old hospital on site. The whole experience gets especially spooky and creepy when visiting towards the evening when the cold San Francisco fog starts rolling into the bay.

Mosaic Tiled Street Steps

Tiles street steps in San Francisco — Mosaic tiled street steps

Land’s End & Sutro Baths In San Francisco

One of the lesser-known places to visit in San Francisco is the remaining structures of Sutro Baths. The absolute best time to visit is for sunset when the sky lights up in incredible shades of red, orange, and purple.

[ Lake Tahoe Places To See ]

Caribbean-like Crystal Clear Blue Water At Lake Tahoe

Sand Harbor Beach at Lake Tahoe in summer

Did you know you could find Caribbean blue water in California and that in the mountains? For us, Lake Tahoe with its crystal clear blue water is number one on the list of the most amazing things to see in California.

Emerald Bay State Park At Lake Tahoe

The best Lake Tahoe photography locations for photographing Lake Tahoe: Sunrise at Emerald Bay — Sunrise at Emerald Bay

A famous and absolutely photogenic sunrise and sunset spot at Lake Tahoe is Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe that you must visit.

Skiing With Epic Lake Views At Lake Tahoe

Heavenly Ski Resort - Skiing Lake Tahoe ski resorts with the best lake views — Best lake views from Heavenly Ski Resort

For skiers and snowboarders, those epic Lake Tahoe lake views directly from the slopes are the ultimate Northern California bucket list activity that one has to experience.

Paddle Boarding Among Lake Tahoe’s Giant Rocks

Paddle boarding Hidden Beach Lake Tahoe East Shore — Paddle boarding around Lake Tahoe’s big boulders

Lake Tahoe is the prettiest place in the United States to stand-up paddle board and an absolute California bucket list activity that you have to do when in NorCal. The scenery of Caribbean-like turquoise water, giant boulders, green pine trees and the mountain backdrop is simply jaw-dropping!

Lake Tahoe Bonsai Rock

Bonsai Rock and big boulders at Lake Tahoe

Technically located on the Nevada side of the lake is Lake Tahoe’s iconic Bonsai Rock. Since the Bonsai Tree Rock is situated so close to the border and part of Lake Tahoe we are making an exception and still call this a California bucket list place to see.

The unique rock with 4 little trees growing on it is a popular destination for photographers, sunset chasers as well as kayakers, and paddleboarders which we can only recommend checking out.

Rainbow Bridge Donner Lake

This bridge looks probably familiar to you. It’s very similar to the famous Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. From the Donner Pass Bridge aka Rainbow Bridge in Northern California, you have incredible views of Donner Lake.

Donner Pass Summit Train Tunnels

You probably have not heard about the Donner Summit Tunnels yet. They are among the lesser-known but even more unique things to do in Northern California.

The historic tunnels used to be former railroad tunnels and are now a well-known attraction among Northern California locals.

Today there are no tracks anymore, you can explore several different tunnels and graffiti art there.

[ Giant Trees To See In California ]

Avenue of the Giants Humboldt County

California is famous for its incredibly tall redwood trees.

If you want to see lots of giant redwood trees you have to add the jaw-dropping Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt County to your Northern California bucket list.

Giant Hollow Redwood Imortal Tree In Redcrest

Giant Hollow Redwood Immortal Tree In Redcrest — Hollow Redwood Tree

The hollow redwood Immortal Tree in Redcrest gives a good reference to how huge those redwood trees are and lots are even much bigger than that.

Chandelier Tree: Drive Thru Tree In Leggett

In Leggett, California you find an even more giant redwood tree called Chandelier Tree where you can drive through with your car. Only in America!

Largest Tree In The World – General Sherman Redwood Tree

General Sherman Redwood Tree Largest tree in the world — General Sherman Redwood Tree

The largest tree in the world can be found in Sequoia National Park. World-famous General Sherman Tree is a top tourist attraction in California that you have to see when in the area.

Old Town Sacramento

Next to visiting the state’s capitol in Sacramento, visiting the city’s old town should be on your Sacramento bucket list when in town. You won’t regret it! You can spend a nice afternoon promenading through town and exploring the city’s past.

California State Railroad Museum In Sacramento

Right next to Sacramento’s Old Town you’ll find the California State Railroad Museum, which is very interesting and not just for train enthusiasts.

[ Famous Northern California Wine Regions To Visit ]

Napa Valley – Most Famous Wine Region In Northern California

Napa Valley - Famous Wine Region In Northern California — Napa Valley wine region in California

Napa Valley really lives up to its statement as a world-famous wine growing region. Wines from Napa Valley continuously win international awards, sometimes even outshining its European competitors like France and the like.

Napa Valley is by far the most famous wine region in California. If you are a wine lover, you already have this classy wine region on your bucket list of places to visit in Northern California.

Italian Castello di Amorosa – Napa Valley Castle Winery

A famous Napa winery is Castello di Amorosa. The Napa Valley Castle Winery is built from original stones imported all the way from Italy and is one of the poshest and most unique wineries in California.

Chateau Montelena Winery Calistoga Napa Valley

Canoeing & Floating Down Russian River

Canoeing down the Russian River near Santa Rosa, California — Canoeing down the Russian River near Santa Rosa

Another popular California wine region nearby is the Russian River Valley, but Russian River is not only known for its wine. Lots of California locals flock to the foresty lazy river for canoeing and floating down the river on inner tubes and floaties.

We love floating down Russian River and have brought many visitors. It’s one of the most chill and fun things to do in California.

Eastern California Bucket List

[ Sierra Nevada Mountains – Highway 395 – Mammoth Bucket List Places To See ]

Heart-Shaped Wild Willy’s Hot Springs Near Mammoth

Natural hot springs in California Mammoth Mountain: Wild Willy Hot Springs — Heart-shaped hot springs in Mammoth, California

Hot Creek Geological Site Near Mammoth

Hot Creek Geological Site Owens River Near Mammoth — Hot Creek Geological Site Owens River

Alabama Hills Near Lone Pine

Mono Lake – Otherworldly Saline Lake

Mono Lake saline lake with tufa towers near Mammoth and Bridgeport — Tufa towers at Mono Lake

Travertine Hot Springs In Bridgeport

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley view of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome — Yosemite Valley view

The most famous national park in the US and the number one California tourism attraction for international travelers is Yosemite National Park.

Visiting Yosemite is a must-do in California! One simply can’t leave California without having seen the nation’s most beautiful national park.

Half Dome

Glacier Point Lookout

Skateboard adventures at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park — Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park

California Coast Bucket List

California is a long and narrow state boasting hundreds of miles of incredibly beautiful coastline.

From the most Northern end bordering Oregon to all the way south to Mexico, there are a ton of coastal destinations in California that are worth to be visited.

In the following, you will find the most amazing coastal California points of interest.

[ Best Places To See Along The California Northern Coast ]

Mendocino Cliffs Trail

Bowling Ball Beach In Mendocino

Glass Beach Fort Bragg

Point Reyes South Beach Overlook

Cypress Tree Tunnel In Point Reyes

The Cypress Tree Tunnel at Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County near San Francisco is an absolute bucket list location in California for photographers and Instagrammers.

Point Bonita Light House Marin Headlands

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park

Colorful Houses In Capitola

Devil’s Slide Trail Highway 1

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Lone Cypress 17-Mile Drive Monterey

Morro Rock Monolith At Morro Bay

Morro Rock at Morro Bay California — Morro Rock California

[ Best Places To See Along The California South Coast ]

The Ultimate Pacific Coast Highway 1 Road Trip Down The California Coast

The ultimate PCH Highway 1 road trip down the California coast — PCH Highway 1 road trip down the California coast

Big Sur Coastline

McWay Falls Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park along Highway 1

Bixby Bridge Highway 1

Sunset at Bixby Bridge Big Sur Highway 1

Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery Big Sur

ATV Pismo Beach Dunes

Santa Barbara Palm Park Boardwalk

Santa Cruz & Huntington Beach California Surf Spots

Sunset surfing at surf spots in California: Santa Cruz & Huntington Beach — Sunset surfing in Santa Cruz

The ultimate Southern California activity is surfing. The best places in Southern California for surfing are Huntington Beach and the beaches towards San Diego like Encinitas and the like.

However, surfing is not only popular in SoCal. NorCal surf spots in Santa Cruz and San Francisco’s Ocean Beach are famous surfing places to visit in Northern California.

California Desert Bucket List

In the following, you’ll find a list of the must-see places in California’s Desert Region.

[ Best Places To Visit In California’s Desert Region ]

Death Valley National Park

Fighter jet in Rainbow Canyon aka Star Wars Canyon at Death Valley — Death Valley

Badwater Basin – The Lowest Point In North America

Walking into Badwater Basin in Death Valley — Badwater Basin in Death Valley

Moving Rocks At Death Valley Racetrack Playa

Mesquite Sand Dunes At Death Valley

Sunset at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley — Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley

Sunrise At Zabriskie Point

Amargosa Opera House & Hotel At Death Valley Junction

Amargosa Opera House Death Valley Junction

Trona Pinnacles

Zzyzx Road Mojave Desert

Sunset at Zzyzx pond lined with palm trees in Mojave desert — Zzyzx Road Desert Studies Center in the Mojave Desert

Historic Route 66

Joshua Tree National Park

Arch Rock In Joshua Tree

piscoandbier climbing on top of Arch Rock at Joshua Tree National Park — Arch Rock at Joshua Tree National Park

Pioneer Town

Noah Purifoy Outdoor Art Museum

Bike assemblage Art of Noah Purifoy in Outddor Museum in Joshua Tree desert — Noah Purifoy in Outddor Museum in Joshua Tree desert

[ Palm Springs Bucket List Places To See ]

Windmills In Palm Springs

Piscoandbier between wind turbines in Palm Springs — Palm Springs windmills

Mid-Century Homes In Palm Springs

Palm Springs mid-century house with yellow door and palms in front — Palm Springs mid-century house

Explore the iconic mid-century homes in Palm Springs and stay at one of the trendy vintage hotels in Palm Springs.

Coachella Music Festival

Indian & Palm Canyons In Palm Springs

Palm tree oasis flowing creek in Indian Canyons — Palm tree in Indian Canyons

Salvation Mountain

Slab City & East Jesus Art Community & Museum

East Jesus sculpture garden, one of the most unique things to see in Palm Springs — East Jesus sculpture garden

Southern California Bucket List

In the following, you’ll find a list of the best places to see in Southern California.

[ Los Angeles Bucket List Places To See ]

The ultimate bucket list place to visit in SoCal is of course the city of angels – Los Angeles.

Hollywood Boulevard – Walk of Fame

Number one of the Southern California tourist attractions is Hollywould Boulevard in Los Angeles with its iconic Walk of Fame.

We feel like it’s something to be seen but Hollywood Blvd is overly hyped and totally different than most people imagine it to be.

Hollywood Sign

And of course when in LA you need to spot one of the top Southern CA attractions throning over the Hollywood Hills, the famous Hollywood Sign.

While you cannot go up directly to the Hollywood Sign, you can get behind it or see it from lots of places in Los Angeles from further away.

Rodeo Drive

Sightseeing in Southern California/ LA is not complete without stopping by a famous Rodeo Drive. While the upscale shops there may not be for most people’s wallets, Rodeo Drive is a top SoCal attraction and draws in lots of visitors.

Again, for our taste, it’s a place in Los Angeles that you visit once and then can check off your bucket list.

If you are looking for a cool place to go shopping in Los Angeles, we can recommend The Grove.

Iconic Beverly Hills Hotel

If you want to spot Hollywood stars, the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles is the place to be.

Sunset Over Los Angeles Skyline

A favorite Los Angeles bucket list thing to do is to watch the sunset over LA’s downtown skyline from the Hollywood Hills or the Griffith Observatory.

If you want to go up to Griffith Observatory for sunset, you need to get there a long time beforehand, as cars start to line up in the late afternoon and you won’t have a chance to make it on time.

Venice Beach Walk

Venice Beach with its iconic beach walk and famous Muscle Beach is among the top must-see places in Southern California. You will see lots of different characters along that stretch of LA’s beach.

Venice Canals

For a long time, we didn’t even know that such a place exists right next to Venice Beach. The Venice Canals is an unexpected but even moreso beautiful place to visit in Southern California that invites for a scenic stroll.

Santa Monica Pier

Right next to Venice Beach is another famous SoCal beach town. Santa Monica is known for its big pier that features a small amusement park that you will notice immediately from afar.

You can rent a bike and cruise along the pretty beach walk from Santa Monica to Venice beach and VV.

Manhattan Beach Los Angeles

Neptun’s Net Highway 1 In Malibu

Neptune's Net Malibu California Highway 1 — Neptune’s Net Malibu California Highway 1

Disneyland

Historic Mission Inn Hotel Riverside

The Victoria Beach Pirate Tower In Laguna Beach

The Original In-N-Out Burger Museum

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills

[ San Diego Bucket List Places To See ]

Gaslamp Quarter San Diego

Balboa Park San Diego

Botanical Building in Balboa Park in San Diego

Coronado Island & The Historic Hotel Del Coronado

Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado Island San Diego

The Ultimate California Bucket List

Best Places To See In California

We hope you enjoyed this California bucket list with our 100 things to do in California and got inspired to check off your very own bucket list with amazing California points of interest for your upcoming trip.

Julia & Felipe

Follow our adventures on Instagram! @piscoandbier