25 Most Beautiful Places in California to Visit
California is the most beautiful state in the country. I may be biased as a native Californian, but there truly are endless beautiful places to visit in California!
There’s much more to California than just beaches and palm trees; we also have snowy mountains, redwood forests, and vineyard-covered hillsides. The variety in landscapes and terrains is part of what makes California such a beautiful state.
Whether you’re visiting California for the first time or have lived here your entire life, these are the most beautiful places in California from north to south and east to west.
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Mendocino
Mendocino is a lovely area for a cozy, coastal weekend getaway. It’s a tiny town with friendly people, great restaurants, and cool, temperate weather year-round. The rugged cliffs that encompass Mendocino are what make it one of the most beautiful places in California.
Recommendations: Stay at the Inns of Mendocino, get coffee at The Waiting Room, try mushroom ice cream at Frankie’s, and explore the gorgeous Mendocino Headlands State Park.
Point Reyes
Point Reyes is a small coastal area north of San Francisco known as Point Reyes National Seashore. It sits on a part of the coast that juts out further into the sea, creating an unusual coastline.
Though the views along the coast easily make Point Reyes one of the most beautiful places to visit in California, it also has a Cypress Tree tunnel, a charming lighthouse, and a picturesque boat washed up on the beach.
Recommendations: Walk to the lighthouse, drive or walk through the Cypress Tree tunnel, check out the Elephant Seals at the overlook, and eat oysters in Tomales Bay.
Napa Valley
California’s most famous wine region isn’t just a place to drink wine. It also has some of the most beautiful landscapes in California (that aren’t coastal)! With undulating hills covered in perfect rows of vineyards, visiting Napa Valley feels like being transported to Tuscany.
It’s such a unique area compared to other parts of California and has become one of my favorite day trips from the Bay Area. Have more time? Spend a full weekend in Napa Valley!
Recommendations: Stay at Maison Fleurie in Yountville, drink bubbly at Domaine Carneros Winery, get a treat at Bouchon Bakery, and take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train.
San Francisco & Marin County
San Francisco is arguably the gem of the Bay Area. With icons like the Golden Gate Bridge, an abundance of gardens, and sweeping views of the bay, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in California (& beyond).
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco is the equally picturesque Marin County, which is home to beautiful towns like Sausalito and Mill Valley. These are affluent areas with fewer tourists than San Francisco. They also have stunning views of the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay.
Recommendations: Stay at The St. Regis San Francisco, enjoy the views at Crissy Field, visit the Palace of Fine Arts, walk among the tulips at Queen Wilhelmina’s Garden, and explore all the sights and activities in Golden Gate Park.
Half Moon Bay
My childhood hometown of Half Moon Bay was a boring place to me as a kid, but as an adult, I think it’s one of the most beautiful places in the state. A sunny day in Half Moon Bay brings out the vibrant blues of the ocean and greens of the coastal plants.
Half Moon Bay is best known for being the “Pumpkin Capital of the World,” with a giant annual pumpkin festival each October. The pumpkin patches may not be jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but the coastline sure is!
Recommendations: Stay at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay (luxury) or Mill Rose Inn (mid-range), explore the charming downtown, get coffee at Granola’s, walk along Pillar Point Bluffs, and enjoy some beach time at Poplar Beach.
Filoli Historic House & Garden
My favorite place in the Bay Area, and another one of the most beautiful places in California, is Filoli. It was previously a private estate, but opened to the public in the 1970s. Filoli has a historic mansion, manicured gardens, forested hiking trails, and seasonal events.
The gardens at Filoli change constantly as the seasons change, with a plethora of flowers throughout spring and summer, pumpkins and fall foliage in autumn, and a festive holiday event from December-January.
Recommendations: Visit in spring for the largest amount of blooms, get tickets in advance for their Halloween and Holiday events, and plan to spend at least 2 hours walking around the house and garden.
University of California Botanical Garden
Botanical gardens are one of my favorite types of places to visit! This garden is expansive (34 acres, to be exact) and ranges in elevation — you’ll get a surprisingly good workout in walking up and down the stairs and pathways!
They have more than 10,000 types of plants, including California Native species, carnivorous plants, a cactus garden, edible plants, and redwoods. As you walk through this well-cared-for garden, you’ll quickly see why I included it on this list.
Recommendations: Allow yourself at least 3 hours to see every section of the garden, wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a water bottle and wear sunscreen on sunny days, and get a free map at the entrance!
Lake Tahoe
When you ask people for the most beautiful places to visit in California, the majority of people will include Lake Tahoe at the top of their list. Lake Tahoe spans across the California-Nevada border with beautiful areas around the entire perimeter.
One of the most beautiful spots on the California side of the lake is Emerald Bay, aptly named for the blue-green hue of the water in this area.
Recommendations: Stay at Hotel Azure or Black Bear Lodge in South Lake Tahoe, explore Emerald Bay State Park, visit the Vikingsholm Castle, and go on a sailing cruise.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
California is much more than just beaches! Some of the most beautiful areas in California are the wooded forests filled with ancient redwood trees.
Calaveras Big Trees is home to two groves of Giant Sequoias — one of the most unique things to see in California. It has the largest sequoia ever recorded, though it is no longer standing or living, but is well-preserved in the park.
There are also many still-standing Giant Sequoias in Big Trees, whose scale can only be truly understood by standing at the base of them.
Recommendations: Visit in winter for potentially snowy conditions or in summer for a fun weekend getaway from San Francisco, take your time walking the trails in the park, and check out the visitor center for fun gifts and souvenirs!
Yosemite National Park
The most stunning national park in California is Yosemite. It’s one of the most-visited national parks in the country, with colossal granite formations jutting out of the ground, tons of hiking trails, and multiple waterfalls.
Yosemite is a seasonal park — the main road into the park closes every winter due to snowy conditions, and many of the campgrounds shut down for the cold season. Summer is the most popular time to visit, and reservations must be made during the peak visiting days.
Some of the most beautiful sights are Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, and Cathedral Rocks. Just outside of the park, either on your way in or out, stop at Rainbow Pool to swim in a pool fed by a waterfall!
Recommendations: Stay at Yosemite Valley Lodge, have a picnic in Yosemite Valley, hike one of the many trails, and check if you need reservations ahead of time.
June Lake Loop
Driving the June Lake Loop on a Highway 395 road trip is a must! June Lake is just north of Mammoth in Inyo County, and the lakes along the loop drive are some of the most beautiful spots in California.
In addition to June Lake, this loop also goes around Grant Lake, Silver Lake, and Gull Lake. If you visit when there’s still snow on the surrounding mountains, it’s incredibly picturesque with the mirror lake effect below them.
Recommendations: Visit in fall to catch the vivid Aspen trees changing color, stay at Gull Lake Lodge, and drive the loop in the late morning or early evening for the most beautiful lighting!
Mammoth Lakes
One of the most beautiful places in Eastern California is Mammoth Lakes, a town known for snow sports and gorgeous scenery, east of the Sierra Mountains.
The best way I can describe the landscapes in and around Mammoth Lakes is “otherworldly.” The mirror lakes, hot springs, and snowy mountain backdrops are a stark contrast to the sea-level beaches and palm trees on the California coast.
Some of the most beautiful spots in Mammoth Lakes (and nearby) are Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, Hot Creek Geological Site, and Convict Lake.
Recommendations: Check the road conditions/closures leading up to your trip — there were still some road closures due to excessive snow one year when we visited in June!
Alabama Hills
Alabama Hills is a large area, owned by the Bureau of Land Management, with stunning hills and rock formations, surrounded by the Eastern Sierras.
Many movies have been filmed in Alabama Hills, going as far back as classic westerns in the 1920s. A stretch of dirt road, called Movie Road, is one of the most beautiful places in California. It’s a popular spot for photographers!
It’s free to visit Alabama Hills, and there are even areas where you can camp! While you can just drive through and stop at areas along the way, there are also hiking trails. If camping isn’t for you, stay in the nearby town of Lone Pine.
Recommendations: Stay at the Dow Villa Motel in Lone Pine or camp in Alabama Hills, visit at sunrise when the light hits the surrounding mountains, and walk the short Mobius Arch Loop Trail.
Death Valley National Park
Known for the hottest recorded temperature in the world and the lowest point in North America, Death Valley National Park is full of unique landscapes in the Mojave Desert.
When you think of a desert, you likely picture an expansive plain of dry dirt and maybe a tumbleweed or two. Some surrounding areas look like this, but Death Valley has much more than flat plains.
There are giant sand dunes, striped hills and valleys, white salt flats, and hills with pops of color from naturally occurring volcanic deposits. The uniqueness of these landscapes makes Death Valley a must-visit, especially if you’re already visiting the nearby Alabama Hills!
Recommendations: Stay in a cute cabin at Panamint Springs or splurge on a stay at The Inn at Death Valley. Visit in spring or fall for more mild weather — summer is unbearably hot, and winter sees below-freezing temperatures at night.
Capitola
Capitola is one of the prettiest beach towns within an hour of the Bay Area. It’s the perfect day trip or weekend getaway from San Francisco and typically has lovely weather.
What makes Capitola one of the most beautiful places in California is the famous colorful houses right on the beach, the charming downtown, the short pathway along the river, and the sprawling beach with sparkling water.
I typically visit Capitola a few times a year as a day trip when I need a beach fix. It’s an adorable town with gorgeous areas all around it, like Santa Cruz and Felton.
Though it’s close to the Bay Area, many maps include it as Central California since it sits on the north end of the Monterey Bay.
Recommendations: Grab a slice to-go from Pizza My Heart for a beach picnic, find the red telephone booth, walk down the (rebuilt!) Capitola Pier, and have a beachside dinner at Zelda’s.
Henry Cowell State Park
Santa Cruz and Felton are some of the best places in this region to see gorgeous California redwoods. My particular favorite is Henry Cowell State Park, just next to Roaring Camp Railroad.
Henry Cowell has an easy 0.8-mile walking trail loop through a beautiful old-growth redwood grove, as well as many other hiking trails of all different difficulty levels. At Roaring Camp Railroad just next door, you can ride an authentic steam train through the redwood forest!
Book tickets for the train in advance if you want to ride it, as it does sell out.
Recommendations: There is an entrance fee for Henry Cowell and a parking fee for Roaring Camp — if you want to visit both, park at Henry Cowell and explore the park first, then walk over to Roaring Camp (there’s a short trail that connects the two).
Pacific Grove
Another beautiful town touching the Monterey Bay is Pacific Grove. Though it’s often lumped in with Monterey (or even confused for it), Pacific Grove is its entirely own town!
Pacific Grove is a quiet, charming town with cozy inns, a monarch butterfly grove, delicious restaurants, and stunning beaches. It’s located to the west of Monterey, and north of Del Monte Forest and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
The ragged coastline in Pacific Grove is what makes it one of the most beautiful places in California. Some of the best spots along the coast are Lover’s Point, Otter Point, and Asilomar Beach.
Recommendations: Stay at the Gosby House Inn or Green Gables Inn, visit the monarch butterfly grove between November and February, and walk along the Ocean View Blvd. coastal path for the best views.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Of all the beautiful places in Central California, Carmel-by-the-Sea tops my list of favorites. It has a gorgeous coastline, charming fairy-tale cottages, and a lovely mission.
It’s small enough to see the majority of the town in a day, but it is also perfect for a relaxing weekend with high-end spas, hotels, and inns. The downtown feels like a quaint European village, while the coast has sprawling beaches along the Carmel Bay.
The 17-mile drive between Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea also has some of the most beautiful stops with picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean and interesting rock formations.
Recommendations: Stay at the luxurious L'Auberge Carmel, explore the fairy tale cottages, go for a walk along the Carmel Beach Walk, and visit the Carmel Mission Basilica.
Big Sur
Big Sur is known for its beauty, from McWay Falls to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. It’s the perfect place for an outdoorsy adventure with tons of hiking trails and campgrounds.
Pfeiffer Beach is a beautiful spot with a “keyhole arch” that the sun shines through if you time it just right. The Ewoldsen Trail takes you through the forested areas, with some lookout spots where you can see the turquoise waters below.
McWay Falls is one of the most famous spots in Big Sur because of the unique scene of a waterfall flowing into the ocean (or beach when the tide is low).
Recommendations: Check Highway 1 road conditions before you visit, as they change often due to damage from storms and repairs/closures.
Santa Barbara
I know I’ve said a lot of these beautiful places in California are my favorite spots, but Santa Barbara is my all-time favorite place in the entire state.
My dad grew up here, I’ve visited family here multiple times a year throughout my life, and I even lived here during my college years! I go back a few times a year now as an adult and love it more each visit.
Santa Barbara is another coastal town, but it’s not just any coastal town. It has a rich Spanish culture, an incredible restaurant scene, a wide range of outdoor activities, and beautiful beaches.
Whether you’re visiting for a day trip, a weekend, or longer, you can easily pack your itinerary full with fun activities and beautiful views.
Recommendations: Visit in winter for fewer tourists and the best sunsets, stay in the Funk Zone for easy access to downtown, restaurants, and beaches, and explore beyond just downtown and the beaches.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is a stunning beach town in Orange County. It has been featured in many shows, including Laguna Beach, The OC, Selling OC, and Dead to Me.
Between the sparkling coastline, affluent neighborhoods, and ocean-view hotels, Laguna Beach is definitely a luxury destination. There’s a strong art culture here, with many galleries and an annual live art festival.
Many people consider Laguna Beach one of the most beautiful places in California! The beaches and downtown are your quintessential California scenes with palm trees and gorgeous water.
Recommendations: Check out the Victoria Beach Pirate Tower, visit during Pageant of the Masters (July & August), and walk the Laguna Beach Coastal Trail.
Carlsbad Flower Fields
Rows and rows of brightly colored flowers bloom in spring at the Carlsbad Flower Fields. The 55 acres of colorful ranunculuses in meticulous rows are truly a beautiful sight to see!
The flower fields are open between March and May, with exact dates depending on when the flowers are in bloom each year. Tickets are required, and you must reserve a time slot for entry.
Carlsbad is a lovely beach town in North County San Diego and is worth a visit even when the flower fields aren’t blooming. It has a cool downtown and nice beaches, though you may know it for being the home of Legoland.
If you’ve always wanted to visit the tulip fields in Amsterdam but don’t want to travel far, then the Carlsbad Flower Fields are a close second!
Recommendations: Make a reservation in advance, as tickets can sell out. Buy a ranunculus or two from the nursery shop to take home!
Encinitas
This tiny but popular beach town is also in North County San Diego, just south of Carlsbad. Encinitas is the ultimate California summer spot, with a walkable downtown, amazing restaurants, insanely beautiful beaches, and temperate Southern California weather.
Some of my best summers were spent in Encinitas when I lived in San Diego. It’s a laid-back beach town juxtaposed with affluent neighborhoods and an alternative/hippie community.
Encinitas beaches are some of the best in California, with some wide and sprawling, and others more hidden and less accessible. A perfect day in Encinitas for me includes brunch at Better Buzz, hanging out at the beach, swimming in the ocean, and a walk through the meditation garden.
Recommendations: Drive or rent a car (things are spread out in San Diego County), get to the beaches early on weekends in summer, visit the local farmers market, and enjoy the restaurants downtown.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree has stunning rock formations, sprawling desert views, and otherworldly landscapes. The surrounding area offers a variety of activities and attractions, including outdoor art, cool shops, and delicious restaurants.
It’s a gorgeous place to visit in California, and definitely one of the most unique places to explore.
This desert park is covered in Yucca Trees, affectionately known as Joshua Trees. Though the trees are a main attraction, I think the rock formations are the most beautiful part of the park!
There are tons of hiking trails in Joshua Tree, ranging from easy to strenuous. If you like camping, there are also lovely campgrounds throughout the park. The town outside of Joshua Tree NP, called Twenty-Nine Palms, is also a must-see while you’re in the area.
Recommendations: Arrive in the park early to avoid crowds, wear/pack layers as the temperature changes drastically throughout the day in the desert, and visit between October and May to avoid the summer sweltering heat.
Palm Springs
I think of Palm Springs as the mid-century modern capital of California, with architecture, art, and clothing that makes it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
It may not be the typical beautiful California town, but the combination of mid-century modern aesthetic, surrounding mountains, and palm tree-lined streets is a stunning sight to see.
Palm Springs is in the desert, not far from Joshua Tree National Park — you can even do an easy day trip between the two! It’s home to a vibrant community that embraces the mid-century-modern style through all aspects of town.
Recommendations: Visit in summer if you like hot temperatures (115ºF+) and zero tourists, visit in spring/fall for more ideal weather, or visit in winter (January) for the annual film festival. Pack your most colorful, fun outfits!
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