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If there is one state you need on your bucket list, California should be it. From San Francisco, to Los Angeles, or Palm Springs and San Diego, there are massive amounts of things to see and do. We are breaking down places you must visit in each city. In this blog we will focus on our favorite, top 5 cities in Cali: San Diego, LA, Napa Valley, Newport Beach, and Palm Springs.
SAN DIEGO
SD is known for many things but the beauty of their beaches should be at the top of the list. They have over 30 beaches to choose from, so there is something for everyone in the family.
Little Italy is one of the best parts of San Diego and a place not to miss if you make the trip. There is a great farmers market called Mercato with over 200 vendors you need to check out. Also, go and enjoy a movie under the stars at the annual Summer Film Festival that happens every Saturday night.
https://www.littleitalysd.com/
The Gaslamp Quarter is a is a great place to check out for its awesome night life and great selection of restaurants.
Balboa Park is a urban cultural park that is known for performing arts, beautiful gardens and the world famous San Diego Zoo. If you are a nature lover like myself, you will love the park which offers something for the whole family. Palm Canyon is a beautiful path on 2 acres and home to more than 58 unique species of palms.
https://www.balboapark.org/itinerary/nature-lover
LOS ANGELES (LALA LAND)
Los Angeles is my favorite city by far in Cali. One reason is there is no shortage of things to see and do, but most of all because I lived there for 3 years and loved almost every minute of it. If not for the traffic, I may still be there. Your first stop needs to be to the Hollywood sign of course. Next, stop off on the Sunset Strip. You never know who or what you’ll see on the strip.
GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY
Let us start with one of my favorite places, Griffith Observatory. If you are looking for a fantastic view, this is the spot. If you are lucky, you may even get to look through one of the astronomers’ telescopes.
HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME
This iconic street is the place to people watch and check out live entertainment.
FREE CATALINA EXPRESS
Catalina Island is a must visit for at least a day. If it’s your birthday you can register online and get a free ride to the island. It is a beautiful day trip my friends and I used to take on a sailboat.
The Hollywood Bowl is just around the corner from Hollywood and Highland and totes seats to hold over 17,000 people. If you are lucky enough to get a seat, the challenge getting in is worth it.
The Rose Bowl, located in Pasadena, and home to one of the best flea markets in America.
Hermosa Beach is a fun time and is a place for great people watching. Check out the Hermosa Beach Pier.
Venice beach is a top attraction site for tourist. You will see about everything you can hope to see here. The beachfront boardwalk is a exciting time and has loads of things to do.
https://www.visitcalifornia.com/attraction/venice-beach
Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is also a must stop even if you just want to browse and not buy in the boutiques. Everyone needs to see it at least once in their lifetime.
NAPA VALLEY
Napa Valley wine country is located in Northern California, 50 miles northeast of San Francisco. With over 400 wineries, you are sure to find the very best wine in the country. Weather in Napa is pretty much perfect year-round and it is known for some of the best restaurants and spas in the United States. The Napa Valley Wine Festival is worth a special trip just to see it. Take a hot air balloon ride over the mountains for one of the best views you have ever seen.
https://www.visitnapavalley.com/events/
NEWPORT BEACH
Another place I spent a lot of time is Newport Beach, specifically Balboa which is a small island. You can take your car, jump on a ferry and enjoy Marine Avenue which is filled with places to buy souvenirs and eat at some wonderful restaurants.
The Wedge is a cool surfing spot in Newport Beach you need to visit. It’s a site to see with surfers battling the waves and a great spot to search for seashells.
Fashion Island is a phenomenal shopping spot in Newport Beach! There is world class shopping from Louis Vuitton to Gucci and over 180 stores in the center.
Unleash your inner child at Disneyland! Known as one of the happiest places on earth, you have something for the whole family. I spent most of my time at Downtown Disney because you have lots of places to eat and people watch.
PALM SPRINGS
Palm Springs is something out of an old Hollywood movie. It’s the perfect getaway filled with a dazzling array of things to do from golfing, shopping and hiking the foot of the San Jacinto mountains.
Palm Canyon Drive is the main street through Palm Springs and is beautiful to visit at sunset when all of the lights come on.
Joshua Tree National Park is a little over an hour away from Palm Springs but it’s so worth the drive. It is two desert ecosystems that come together from the Mojave and Colorado desert that is full of gorgeous plants and animals and full of rich culture.
https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm
We hope you love your visit to California. It really does offer something for everyone and should be on all of your bucket lists. Let us know if you have other places to visit for our readers. XOXO
