Photo by Lewis Liu - Shutterstock.com
The Golden State has something to offer all types of travelers. If you prefer lounging on the beach, cocktail in hand, then you can do so here on an endless string of beaches. If you prefer spending hours on end on hiking trails then California has plenty of parks waiting for you! From chic boutiques to wonders created by mother nature and humans alike, there are plenty of things to see and visit.
Today, let’s go over 12 breathtaking Californian destinations that you won’t believe are actually real!
Ah, the Salton Sea… which is actually a lake! More specifically, it’s a saline, endorheic rift lake that formed back in 1905 when the Colorado River burst.
Today, the area around the lake is eerily quiet, perfect for a spooky visit. When the lake formed, a town developed around it some 80mi east of the Pacific Ocean. But then, disaster stuck. The water became polluted, so people started leaving the area in the 1960s.
Plenty of proposals have cropped up in an attempt to rejuvenate the area but until that happens you can still visit the ghost town and take an abundance of haunting pictures!
If one salt lake isn’t enough for you, how about two? Mono Lake formed around 760,000 years ago, so we can’t credit its existence to any human mishaps. You can explore all of its 70sqmi via kayak and we highly recommend going for a buoyant swim thanks to its high salt concentration.
Locals claim it’s a great place to go for a dip thanks to the waters curing properties, but the jury’s still out on that one and if you do have any medical issues, we do recommend talking to a doctor about them!
It’s also home to some two million migratory birds, so if you time your visit just right you might be able to see flocks of them during your stay.
This one is for those who love camping and need every excuse they can get to get closer to nature. You should definitely hike through Joshua Tree National Park at least once in your life… but if you do it once, we think you’ll want to visit again and again and again!
Rock climbing, watching wildlife from afar, and exploring California’s amazing flora are three of the most popular activities, so make sure you pack accordingly!
It’s also a popular destination for novice and pro astronomers alike, so if you’ve got good equipment, get ready to snap some beautiful photos or record breathtaking videos of a bright starry sky.
Just keep in mind that during the summer season, Joshua Tree can reach above 100F, so it’s best to visit during the colder months to make the most of your trip.
If you venture 45mi north of San Francisco you’ll find Point Reyes National Seashore. Here, a strip of gorgeous Monterey cypress trees line both sides of a path, forming what is known as the Cypress Tree Tunnel. Their branches spread out overhead and meet in the middle, giving the area a fairy-like feeling.
The drive was planted back in the 1930s and it leads to a historic radio station.
Plenty of adventurers have visited it so far, trying to snap perfect pictures of the location. We think you’ll get amazing shots whether you visit in the morning, afternoon or sunset!
We can’t promise you time travel on this list, but we can point you in the direction of the closest thing. The Old Town San Diego State Historic Park dates back to the 18th century and very few things have been touched since then.
Here, shops and restaurants look like they’ve been trapped in a bubble.
California’s first settlement was created in 1769 but you’ll experience life from the early Mexican-American period of 1821-1872 with the help of living history programs.
Once you visit Yosemite National Park’s Horsetail Fall, you’ll understand the meaning behind it’s name. Sure, it’s not the tallest in the state at only 1,575ft high compared to Yosemite Falls’ 2,425ft, but it’s equally as breathtaking, if not more.
The splendor of this fall lies in the way the light hits it as it is also known as the firefall, giving off a bright eerie glow that makes it look like molten lava is splashing over the cliff.
Locals and travelers alike say it’s best visited between winter and early spring, so plan your trip accordingly!
No, you won’t find rows and rows of wooden or iron stakes fixed in the ground when you visit Palicades Park in Santa monocle. What you will find, however, are beachfront homes, oceanic views to die for the the most beautiful sunsets you could ask for!
The park itself spreads over 26 acres of land. Here, you’ll experience views of the Pacific like no other. The park lies on coastal sandstone bluffs and is the perfect place to take memorable family photos!
The Asilomar State Beach has both rocky and sandy surfaces, great for both those that like more treacherous terrain to explore and those that would like to bask on the beach all day.
The main attraction here? Breathtaking sunsets unlike no other. Photographers flock to this location every evening in hopes of catching the best photos, but you don’t need to enjoy the sights through a camera lens.
Take your loved one or family for a late picnic here, bundle up and watch as the sun dips under the horizon!
This Southern Californian destination is particularly pleasant for family getaways. The Big Bear Lake on its own is a perfect place to go hiking and explore nature, just beware that, as the name suggests, you might bump into a bear!
But it’s also a great skiing destination. The nearby Snow Summit is a hotspot for visitors that need to feel the wind in their hair… though we advise you wear protective gear!
The alpine tree and mountain trails near here will make you want to pop down a tent and spend days upon days in the heart of nature!
It’s stunning how one man’s trash could be another man’s treasure, right?
The Glass Beach in Fort Bragg formed due to years and years of trash being dumped in the small oceanside town. Nowadays, the beach is a surreal landscape of glass pieces that are no longer sharp, so you can get up close and personal!
But just because the glass looks pretty and eerie doesn’t mean you’re welcome to take any pieces with you. It’s no longer sharp due to decades of being reshaped by the waves, so you can run your hands over the beach without worrying about getting cut.
Created by the Exploratorium in May 1986, the wave Organ of San Francisco bay has been a popular free attraction for decades.
The wave activated sculpture gives of pleasant if not enchanting sounds thanks to the 25 organ pipes made with PVC and concrete.
Depending on the tide you could experience different natural sounds but, all in all, you’ll hear the sound of the ocean unlike on any other place on Earth!
Make your way down to 453 S Spring Street, Downtown Los Angeles and you’ll find The Last Bookstore, an independent bookstore that sells both new and used books, perfect for people who love to read.
The first thing you’ll notice is the passage way made out of books at the very entrance, but every nook and corner will enchant you as you walk though rows upon rows of books and records- so it’s also a good place to visit for music lovers.
It’s also a popular destination for Instagram users who love to snap pictures, so you may as well pull out your own camera too!
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Santa Monocle?? I think it was on p.7
I've been to five of these I think, most of them spectacular.