California is a place of great diversity. Not only does it contain many unique and exciting cities, towns, and beaches, but also within each city are attractions that are exquisite locations that are far better compared to anywhere else in the world. If you’re planning a visit to California, you’ll have a wide variety of things to do and see.
You could visit museums, go to amusement parks, or take scenic tours. You can hike through the backcountry, and even simply visit the beach with your family. To help you pick which attractions are suitable for you, here’s a list of the top-rated tourist attractions in California.
Disneyland
Disneyland is undoubtedly the most popular tourist attraction in California. It is popular worldwide as a family theme park but offers much more than rides and shows. Disneyland has in its little world, four different lands, i.e, Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Frontierland. Each land has its attractions such as rides, shows, and restaurants.
- Main Street USA is where you will find the entrance of the park and where you can purchase tickets to enter other areas of Disneyland.
- Fantasyland is home to several classic Disney attractions such as Peter Pan’s Flight and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
- Adventureland features attractions like Jungle Cruise and Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride.
- Frontierland features Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Pirates of the Caribbean, among others.
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands park is a must-visit if you’re planning a trip to Southern California. The islands are home to some of the most pristine wildlife habitats in the world. The Channel Islands National Park preserves much of the islands’ natural beauty, including rare wildlife species like island foxes and bald eagles.
The park is known for its dry climate and lack of light pollution, making it a prime location for amateur astronomers and professionals.
The park features five islands off the coast of Santa Barbara, California: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. These are protected from development and largely undisturbed by humans. It’s where you can go scuba diving among giant kelp forests, walk among wildflowers on a barren island hilltop and explore caves formed by sea lions.
The park offers several tours that take you out on boats or by helicopter into remote areas where you can just gaze at the sky in peace. If you’re not interested in going so far out, there are plenty of places in the park where you can set up camp and watch the stars come out at night. Visitors can take a boat tour or kayak to all five islands.
Golden Gate Bridge
It’s one of the most famous bridges in the world. It spans across San Francisco Bay and connects San Francisco with Marin County. The bridge has been designated a National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark.
The Golden Gate Bridge is the world’s largest suspension bridge and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1987.
The bridge spans the Golden Gate Strait, linking San Francisco with Marin County. It was built between 1933 and 1937. This fantastic architectural wonder can be seen from miles away. It attracts millions of visitors each year who come to admire its beauty and enjoy the views of the Bay Area.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Like the name suggests, it’s a sidewalk in Hollywood, California, USA serving as an entertainment hall of fame. It is embedded with more than 2,700 five-pointed stars featuring the names of celebrities. They are honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry.
The Walk of Fame features the names of actors, actresses, producers, directors, and musical artists. The self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust maintains the Walk. It is a popular tourist destination, with 10 million visitors annually. The Walk of Fame was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1978.
Union Square
San Francisco’s Union Square is a vibrant shopping district popular with tourists and locals. It is home to the city’s central public transportation hub, so it can get bustling at rush hour, but Union Square has plenty of things to see and do.
There are hundreds of shops and restaurants along Geary Street and Post Street and plenty of people-watching opportunities from Union Square Park. If you’re feeling hungry after all your browsing, there are plenty of options for grabbing a bite along the way.
Today you will find a wide variety of attractions at Union Square, including shops, restaurants, and hotels. Several attractions are outside the park, including the cable car turntable at Hyde and Beach Streets.
The Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign is located in Los Angeles, California, it’s a symbol of the city and a popular tourist attraction.
The sign was originally built in 1923 as an advertising billboard to promote a real estate development called Hollywoodland. It would have read “Hollywoodland” if it weren’t for miscommunication between developers. They didn’t realize that they needed to build the word backward!
The sign was rebuilt several times before restoring its original glory in 1978. It was declared an official historic landmark by the City of Los Angeles in 1973 and is now protected by law from changes or modifications.
The Hollywood Sign has become so popular that there are now three different hiking trails leading up to it. The three trails are Beachwood Canyon Trail, Hollyridge Trail, and Mount Lee Trail. Each trail takes about 30 minutes to hike up and down. Thus, you should allow at least two hours for your visit if you want to see both sides of the sign!
The sign belongs to no one and this creates an interesting situation where people from all walks of life can claim ownership over it. The Hollywood Sign has been used in many movies and commercials. This has strengthened its brand identity even further. To savour it’s beauty, you have to see for yourself!
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is a famous attraction which is located in California. It is an island in San Francisco Bay, and its name is Spanish for pelican. This place was first used as a military fortification in 1846. It was then used as a military prison until 1963, when it was closed by the government due to its bad condition.
The prison was opened again for tourists in 1972, but only for a short period. In 1986, the national park service took over the management of this island and converted it into a historical landmark and museum.
Alcatraz Island attracts thousands of visitors each year who come to see its beautiful scenery. You can learn about its history and visit museums or climb up on top of one of its buildings to see San Francisco Bay from above.
Conclusion
California is such a diverse state that there is something for everyone to see and enjoy. Whether you’re interested in surfing, hiking, seeing the sights, or just soaking up the sun, California has you covered. The options listed are worth visiting at least once. So go out and explore this beautiful state today!