West · CA
California
The Golden State
Capital
Sacramento
Best Time to Visit
April-October (varies by region)
Featured view
Golden Gate Bridge rising above San Francisco Bay at sunset.
Photo credit Salim Virji via Wikimedia Commons
CC BY-SA 2.001 Must-See Spots
Yosemite National Park
El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls
Pacific Coast Highway
iconic coastal drive from Big Sur to beyond
San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and cable cars
Joshua Tree National Park
surreal desert landscape of twisted trees and boulders
02 Hidden Gems
Lava Beds National Monument
over 700 caves in volcanic terrain
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
wildflower super blooms in spring
Glass Beach in Fort Bragg
beach covered in colorful sea glass
Salvation Mountain near Niland
a vibrant folk art hill in the desert
03 National Parks & Sites
04 Insider Tips
Visit Yosemite on weekdays or in shoulder season to avoid crushing crowds
Channel Islands National Park is California's best-kept secret — incredible snorkeling
Highway 395 along the Eastern Sierra is one of the most scenic drives in the state
Taco trucks and stands often serve better Mexican food than sit-down restaurants