California’s Cliches: Do Them All

By Oscar Davis

Every state has its list of must-do and must-see attractions. New York has the Statue of Liberty and Broadway shows, Washington has the Seattle Space Needle, and Nevada has the Las Vegas Strip.

Meanwhile, from the luxury casino resorts in California to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the Golden State has no shortage of bucket-list-worthy things to see and do.

Here are 15 ultimate activities to add to your list.

Take a Photo with the Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign is one of California’s best-known landmarks, and taking a photo with it is a must for both locals and visitors. With three hiking trails, a bus service, and various buildings offering vantage points to photograph the sign, there are plenty of ways to snap the ultimate photo.

Visit the Stars on Hollywood Boulevard

While you’re in the Hollywood Sign neighborhood, why not check out the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

There, you’ll find stars commemorating famous entertainers, from actors and TV personalities to musicians and live performers.

See the Golden Gate Bridge

The iconic Golden Gate Bridge spans the San Francisco Bay Strait, opening into the Pacific Ocean, and is known for its international orange color. The suspension bridge is always impressive, but visiting at sunset enhances its beauty. The best way to see the bridge is to walk or hike one of the nearby trails at Lands End or Crissy Field.

Drive Along the Big Sur Coastline

Driving along the Big Sur stretch of Highway 1, known for its winding cliffside roads and breathtaking Pacific Ocean views, is an unforgettable experience that we can’t recommend enough. But because of recent mudslides, the beautiful Pacific Highway abruptly ends in Gorda, where the road becomes impassible due to erosion from a storm. You can’t keep going beyond this small town just south of Big Sur.

Camp in Yosemite National Park

Spending time in Yosemite National Park, whether backpacking, car camping, staying in a trailer, or settling into an onsite cabin, is an essential California experience. You can spend your days hiking or biking one of the many trails, taking a guided tour, horseback riding, or rock climbing. And in the evenings, you can stargaze for hours.

See the General Sherman Tree

Among the giant sequoias of Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park is the largest living tree in the world, the General Sherman Tree. The tree measures 52,508 cubic feet, and you can see it by walking just a half-mile trail into the park.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

You’ve likely heard of Route 66, perhaps from the song “Route 66” by The King Cole Trio or its covers by artists like Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, and The Rolling Stones. The historic route through California has hundreds of notable places, like the original McDonald’s location, now commemorated with a museum.

Drive Through a Giant Redwood Tree

Along Highway 1, also known as the Redwood Highway, lies the Avenue of the Giants. Along this scenic roadway, you can drive through Shrine Tree, a giant Redwood. The Shrine Tree stands out from the other two drive-through Redwoods because its opening is almost entirely natural, unlike the human-made openings in the others.

See the Moving Rocks in Death Valley

A strange phenomenon occurs at The Racetrack in Death Valley: rocks move across the level, dry lakebed. Trails behind the rocks show their journey from one place to another. Why the rocks move is a mystery, though one theory is that when it rains, the dry lakebed becomes slippery, and wind then moves the stones along the ground.

Watch the Sunset at Sunset Cliffs

The Sunset Cliffs in San Diego attract visitors from across the state, the country, and around the world due to their beauty. The cliffs offer a stunning view of the rugged coastline, and while beautiful at any time of day, the sunset vista is unmatched.

Visit Balboa Park

Balboa Park, home to the San Diego Zoo, galleries, museums, carnival rides, and parks, will keep you busy and entertained regardless of your interests. As one of the oldest recreational parks in the United States, Balboa Park is well worth a visit for its historic value.

Hike to a Fire Lookout

Although wildfire monitoring is transitioning to aerial lookouts, California still has over 200 lookouts that offer visitors panoramic views of the forests and regions surrounding the towers. Some of the best lookouts to visit are Strawberry Peak and Sierra Buttes. For a truly novel experience, a select few can be rented for an overnight stay.

Visit Salvation Mountain

Salvation Mountain is not an actual mountain but rather a unique art installment by Leonard Knight. The hill, which takes a short time to walk, was crafted out of found materials and adobe clay painted in vivid colors. It’s five stories tall and offers a one-of-a-kind experience.

Embrace Beach Life at Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach is a coastal destination with plenty of sandy beaches where visitors can enjoy a relaxing day. Beaches like Aliso Creek Beach include fire pit rentals so that even after the sunsets, you can still unwind with the sights and sounds of the water in the glow of a bonfire. There are eleven beaches in this artsy town, which every summer hosts the legendary Pageant of the Masters where fine art is recreated by human models.

Indulge in a Napa Valley Wine Tasting

Napa Valley, renowned for its wine and wineries, is a must-visit California destination. While you’re there, taking a wine tour with a wine tasting is essential to understanding and appreciating the allure of this region.

These 15 bucket list items will ensure you develop a deep appreciation for California. With so much to see and do, you won’t want to leave the Golden State!

Oscar Davis is a freelance writer from Leeds, UK.