While I am not from California, I have explored the state far and wide. Here are my Top 10 Places to visit in the Golden State!
1. Yosemite National Park
- I love national parks and exploring nature and this park has everything you would want. It is a can’t miss experience with plenty of sights to see.
- There is miles of hikes that will lead you through some of the most beautiful landscape in the country:
- Hikes: Mist Trail, Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, Inspiration Point Trail, Half Dome
2. San Diego
- San Diego is an ocean front city that offers something for everyone.
- The food was amazing and the city its self was full of so much culture with plenty to see:
- Things to do: The flower fields, Balboa Park, La Jolla, Little Italy, Gaslamp Quarter, The Marina.
- Restaurants: Civico, Windmill Food Hall, Cali Cream.
3. Laguna Beach
- I love a good beach town and this one exceeded my expectations.
- The town its self is adorable, with a gorgeous beach that lays below the cliffs. There are mountains that surrounds the city offering wonderful hiking for any outdoor lover.
- Hiking: Top of the World and Crystal Cove State Park
- Restaurants: Wild Taco, Husky Boy Burgers, Mozambique, Gelato Paradiso
4. La Jolla Cove
- This is such a charming beach front walk way. The beach is awe-inspiring and you will see plenty of seals laying out on the different rocks.
- There are different restaurants you will find along the road way as well.
5. Big Sur
- This was a very surprising destination. You drive along Route One the whole time and just see picture perfect sights the whole time.
- While driving you will just want to pull off to the side and enjoy the views.
- Things to do: Explore Route One, Bixby Creek Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, Elephant Seal Vista Point, Hiking
6. Joshua Tree
- This is another National Park that is a must see!
- The landscape just seems to be out of this world. This is one of the must unique places I have traveled too.
- There are plenty of hiking with different sights to see through out the park:
- Hiking: Splint Rock, Skull Rock, Arch Rock, Heart Rock
7. The Flower Fields
- If you love flowers as much as I do this is a place to visit. There are just acres of different color flowers that you will want to explore.
8. Palm Springs
- This places feels like it is straight out of a movie. When flying into the city it is desert everywhere then right in the middle is this green luxurious city.
- A very cool place to visit when you are looking for a warm, sunny every day destination.
- Things to do: Aerial Tramway, Joshua Tree National Park, Exploring your resort, Exploring down town Palm Springs
9. San Francisco
- I was only able to enjoy San Francisco for a day it seemed like a cool city but I have a skewed vision of this city. Our car was broken into while we were here. So my advice is to not park your car on the street if you can help it and park it in a parking garage and do not leave any of you belongs in your car.
10. Pioneer Town
- This is a cool little pit stop you can make while heading to Joshua tree. It is an old movie set. There is not much to do in the area but is a cool area to visit.
- There is different hiking around the area that you can find.
- Restaurant: Pappy+ Harriets
Up to the Sky 
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