Top Vacation Destinations in California

California is one of the most diverse states in the country, both culturally and in terms of actual landscape. It comprises 840 miles of Pacific coastline and an incredible variety of climate zones. In terms of prime vacation destinations, there’s no other state that offers as many great options. Here are just a few of the top ones.

San Francisco
San Francisco is filled with history and culture. The site of many political movements in the past decades, San Francisco has a friendly and open atmosphere. You’ll some of the best hotels in the country and attractions ranging from daytime cruises to tours the famous Alcatraz maximum security prison. A hike through the redwoods is only a short drive away and the nightlife in San Francisco is one of the best of any city.

Big Bear
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and especially if you like snow, Big Bear is definitely the California vacation spot for you. Located a two hour drive east of Los Angeles, Big Bear is the site of Snow Summit, one of the prime locations in the state for skiing, snowboarding, sledding and other snow sports. In the summer, boating, fishing and other water activities can be enjoyed at Big Bear lake. Lodgings are plenty and range from campsites, to cabins and hotels accommodations.

San Diego
San Diego is one of the most visited tourist destinations in California. It has a rare Mediterranean climate that gives it perfect weather year-round. No humidity or extremes, just sunny skies and cool ocean breezes. San Diego has some of the best beaches in the West Coast and it is very popular among surfers. Other San Diego vacation packages include the Sea World and Legoland theme parks, the San Diego Maritime Museum, the Wild Animal Park, and the beautiful Balboa Park with its world-renowned museums and outdoors Shakespearean theatre.

Yosemite
Yosemite is known for being the so-called “crown jewel” of the national parks system. Yosemite National Park is filled with breathtaking landscapes and views. There are epic waterfalls as well as huge monolithic stone structures, all in the middle of a large sequoia forests. There are streams and lakes aplenty and hiking trails for outdoorsmen of any level.

I’ve been searching everywhere for a pretty, inexpensive outdoor place for a wedding (like a farm, barn, redwoods, cabin, etc), but haven’t had any success. I’d really appreciate any feedback!!

I just got a call about a teaching job at North Grand High School in the Humboldt Park area. Is it safe? How does it compare to some of the other areas?

i need a place to see both redwoods and sequoias found close to each other or in the same place in california. does anybody have any good parks or cities?
are there any places near each other in central california where i can drive to one then the other? i think you can find redwoods on the coast but i don’t know exactly where and same with sequoias.

It’s our 17th year anniversary. We love nature and the ocean – been here forever – we feel like we’ve seen it all but we have to keep it local.
Any interesting suggestions would be sooo appreciated!

Our family. ((grandma, gramps, mom and dad, 2 daughters, 18 and 12)) are going on a family vacation. we haven’t been on one in over ten years. We know we want to go out West. ((we are from Illinois)Although excited to get away from the city, we aren’t sure where to go, what to see or what to do. Other than the two girls, everyone has been out west before. And by out west, I mean, Wyoming, Colorodo, California, south dakkota.
YOu would think that would make the trip easier to plan, but we still aren’t sure where to go. The girls want to see yellowstone. Thats a must on the trip. We aren’t sure though, if California is worth the trip to see the redwoods/seqoiuas. They are truly beautiful. but they are pretty much all there is to see in that state for us. Should we still take the kids?
We scratched South dakota, but are now reconsidering. What else is there to do other than Mt. Rush and Devil’s tower?
Where is the best place to take the kids? Where have you gone and had fun?

thanks