List of California Attractions

National Land
State Land
Private Attractions
Major Shopping Centers

I. National Land

National Parks

Channel Islands National Park
Comprising five remote islands off the Southern California coast, this park protects unique ecosystems, marine wildlife, sea caves, and endemic plant species. Popular activities include kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and whale watching.
Location: Accessible via boat from Ventura, CA
Website: https://www.nps.gov/chis
Phone: (805) 658-5730
Death Valley National Park
The hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S., known for its extreme landscapes, salt flats, sand dunes, and desert beauty. Stargazing, geology, and sunrise at Zabriskie Point are major draws.
Location: Eastern CA and NV border
Website: https://www.nps.gov/deva
Phone: (760) 786-3200
Joshua Tree National Park
Where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet, this surreal landscape of spiny Joshua trees and granite formations is popular with hikers, climbers, and photographers.
Location: Near Palm Springs, CA
Website: https://www.nps.gov/jotr
Phone: (760) 367-5500
Kings Canyon National Park
Known for its glacier-carved valley, towering cliffs, waterfalls, and deep wilderness, Kings Canyon is often visited in tandem with Sequoia National Park.
Location: Eastern Sierra Nevada, CA
Website: https://www.nps.gov/seki (joint site with Sequoia)
Phone: (559) 565-3341
Lassen Volcanic National Park
A geologic wonderland with boiling mud pots, fumaroles, alpine lakes, and the active Lassen Peak volcano. Great for hiking and learning about plate tectonics and geothermal activity.
Location: Northern CA near Redding
Website: https://www.nps.gov/lavo
Phone: (530) 595-4480
Pinnacles National Park
Famous for towering spires, caves, and endangered California condors, this park is ideal for climbing, hiking, and birdwatching.
Location: Central California near Soledad
Website: https://www.nps.gov/pinn
Phone: (831) 389-4485
Redwood National and State Parks
A network of parks preserving the tallest trees on Earth, plus coastline, prairies, and Roosevelt elk habitat. Drive the scenic Newton B. Drury Parkway or hike through fern-filled canyons.
Location: Northern CA near Crescent City
Website: https://www.nps.gov/redw
Phone: (707) 465-7335
Sequoia National Park
Home to giant sequoias including the General Sherman Tree—the world’s largest tree by volume—and rugged Sierra backcountry.
Location: Eastern CA near Visalia
Website: https://www.nps.gov/seki
Phone: (559) 565-3341
Yosemite National Park
One of the most iconic parks in the world, Yosemite is famous for its waterfalls, granite cliffs (El Capitan, Half Dome), meadows, and glacial valleys. Hiking, climbing, and photography are key draws.
Location: Central Sierra Nevada, CA
Website: https://www.nps.gov/yose
Phone: (209) 372-0200

National Monuments

Cabrillo National Monument – Commemorates explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo’s 1542 landing. Stunning ocean views and historic lighthouse.
Location: San Diego, CA
Website
California Coastal National Monument – Protects offshore rocks and islands along the entire CA coastline.
Location: Statewide (managed by BLM)
Website
Carrizo Plain National Monument – Grasslands, wildflower blooms, and faultline geology west of Bakersfield.
Location: San Luis Obispo County
Website
Castle Mountains, Sand to Snow, Berryessa Snow Mountain, Giant Sequoia National Monuments – Several newer BLM-managed monuments offer wilderness and unique ecosystems.
Location: Various across California

National Recreation Areas

Golden Gate National Recreation Area – A vast urban park network with beaches, forts, Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and Golden Gate Bridge overlooks.
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Website
Santa Monica Mountains NRA – Trails, coastal peaks, and Malibu canyons near Los Angeles.
Location: LA and Ventura Counties
Website
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – Lake, waterfalls, and forested hills near Redding.
Location: Northern CA
Website

National Historic Parks and Sites

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park – Honoring civilian contributions to the war effort.
Location: Richmond, CA
Website
Manzanar National Historic Site – Preserves one of the internment camps for Japanese Americans during WWII.
Location: Owens Valley, CA
Website
John Muir National Historic Site – Home and burial site of the father of the national parks.
Location: Martinez, CA
Website
Old Sacramento & Fort Point NHS (via Golden Gate N.R.A.) – Preserved Gold Rush town and Civil War-era coastal fort.
Location: San Francisco & Sacramento, CA

II. State Land

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
The largest state park in California, Anza-Borrego showcases dramatic desert landscapes, badlands, palm oases, wildflower blooms, and bighorn sheep. Over 500 miles of dirt roads and trails allow for hiking, 4x4 exploration, and stargazing.
Location: Borrego Springs, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
Año Nuevo State Park
World-renowned for its elephant seal breeding colony, Año Nuevo offers coastal dunes, scenic trails, and interpretive ranger-led walks.
Location: Pescadero, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
California’s first state park, now recovering from wildfire, Big Basin features old-growth redwoods, waterfalls, and backcountry trails through the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Location: Boulder Creek, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=540
Columbia State Historic Park
A living Gold Rush town preserved with 1850s storefronts, blacksmiths, costumed interpreters, and stagecoach rides. It's a step back into California's mining past.
Location: Columbia, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=552
Crystal Cove State Park
This beachside park includes tidepools, scenic hiking, restored historic cottages, and 3.2 miles of coastline between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.
Location: Newport Coast, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=644
El Capitan State Beach
A Central Coast favorite for beach camping, surfing, tidepooling, and relaxing along a scenic stretch of the Pacific Ocean.
Location: Goleta, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=601
Emerald Bay State Park
Located on the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe, the park features stunning alpine views, boat-in camping, Eagle Falls, and the historic Vikingsholm mansion.
Location: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=506
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Home to the Avenue of the Giants, this park protects over 17,000 acres of ancient redwood forest with towering trees, scenic drives, and peaceful trails.
Location: Weott, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=425
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
One of the most scenic redwood parks in California, featuring lush river valleys, serene hiking trails, and towering old-growth trees.
Location: Crescent City, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Famed for McWay Falls cascading onto a secluded beach, this Big Sur park also features coastal cliffs, ocean overlooks, and redwood groves.
Location: Big Sur, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578
Leo Carrillo State Park
A family-friendly beach park with tidepools, coastal caves, hiking trails, and access to backcountry ridges in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Location: Malibu, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=616
Malibu Creek State Park
Set in a former filming location, this scenic park features volcanic rock pools, mountain vistas, oak woodlands, and hiking through the Santa Monica Mountains.
Location: Calabasas, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=614
Montaña de Oro State Park
Translating to “Mountain of Gold,” this coastal park dazzles with blufftop trails, beaches, wildflower-covered hills, and backcountry camping.
Location: Los Osos, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=592
Morro Bay State Park
Located beside the estuary and near iconic Morro Rock, the park offers kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, a marina, and a natural history museum.
Location: Morro Bay, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=594
Natural Bridges State Beach
A compact beach park in Santa Cruz, known for its sea arch, monarch butterfly habitat, and rich tidepools.
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Nestled in redwoods along the Big Sur River, this park offers scenic campgrounds, day hikes, and access to the Big Sur backcountry.
Location: Big Sur, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=570
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Called “the greatest meeting of land and sea,” Point Lobos is treasured for its wildlife, sea cliffs, cypress groves, and diving coves.
Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
A highlight of the redwood coast, this park features Roosevelt elk, Fern Canyon, and world-class hiking in cathedral-like forests.
Location: Orick, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=415
Russian Gulch State Park
Just north of Mendocino, this park offers a waterfall trail, headlands with sea caves, and kayaking through ocean coves.
Location: Mendocino, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=432
Silver Strand State Beach
A long, sandy beach south of Coronado, this park is popular for swimming, surfing, RV camping, and picnicking along the bay and ocean.
Location: Coronado, CA
Website: parks.ca.gov/?page_id=654

III. Private Attractions

Disneyland Resort
The original Disney theme park, featuring Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. A bucket-list destination for families, thrill-seekers, and nostalgia lovers alike.
Location: Anaheim, CA
Website: disneyland.disney.go.com
Phone: (714) 781-4636
Universal Studios Hollywood
A working movie studio and theme park with thrill rides, shows, and a behind-the-scenes Studio Tour. Includes the immersive Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Website: universalstudioshollywood.com
Phone: (800) 864-8377
San Diego Zoo
World-famous for its lush habitats and conservation work, the San Diego Zoo houses over 12,000 rare and endangered animals.
Location: Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
Website: sandiegozoo.org
Phone: (619) 231-1515
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
An expansive wildlife preserve offering safari-style tours with giraffes, rhinos, and cheetahs in open-range habitats.
Location: Escondido, CA
Website: sdzsafaripark.org
Phone: (619) 231-1515
SeaWorld San Diego
Offers marine animal shows, aquariums, thrill rides, and educational exhibits in a family-friendly waterfront setting.
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego, CA
Website: seaworld.com/san-diego
Phone: (619) 222-4732
LEGOLAND California Resort
A theme park, water park, and aquarium aimed at younger children, featuring interactive LEGO models and rides.
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Website: legoland.com/california
Phone: (888) 690-5346
California Academy of Sciences
A world-class natural history museum with an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest dome, and living roof — all under one roof.
Location: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
Website: calacademy.org
Phone: (415) 379-8000
The Getty Center
A hilltop museum complex with art from antiquity to the present, gorgeous gardens, and panoramic city views — free admission.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Website: getty.edu/visit/center
Phone: (310) 440-7300
Exploratorium
A hands-on museum of science, art, and human perception — interactive and fun for all ages.
Location: Pier 15, San Francisco, CA
Website: exploratorium.edu
Phone: (415) 528-4444
Winchester Mystery House
A bizarre and fascinating mansion filled with staircases to nowhere, built by Sarah Winchester under mysterious circumstances. Guided tours explore the legends and architecture.
Location: San Jose, CA
Website: winchestermysteryhouse.com
Phone: (408) 247-2000

IV. Major Shopping Centers

South Coast Plaza
One of the largest and most luxurious malls in the U.S., known for its high-end retailers (Chanel, Gucci, Hermès) and world-class dining and art galleries.
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Website: https://www.southcoastplaza.com
Phone: (800) 782-8888
Westfield Century City
Sleek outdoor mall featuring luxury boutiques, a gourmet food court, and an AMC multiplex, located in the heart of Los Angeles.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Website: https://www.westfield.com/centurycity
Phone: (310) 277-3898
Fashion Valley
Upscale shopping center with over 200 stores including Louis Vuitton, Bloomingdale’s, and Apple, plus a resort-like ambiance.
Location: San Diego, CA
Website: https://www.simon.com/mall/fashion-valley
Phone: (619) 688-9113
Westfield San Francisco Centre
Historic domed mall with a central Market Street location, flagship retailers, and easy transit access.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Website: https://www.westfield.com/sanfrancisco
Phone: (415) 512-6776
The Grove
Iconic outdoor shopping and entertainment district with cobblestone streets, dancing fountains, a vintage trolley, and a celebrity-frequented atmosphere.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Website: https://thegrovela.com
Phone: (888) 315-8883
Fisherman's Wharf Shopping Cluster
Includes Pier 39, Anchorage Square, Ghirardelli Square, and The Cannery — a waterfront district packed with souvenir shops, artisan goods, food markets, and boutiques.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Website: https://www.fishermanswharf.org
Phone: (415) 674-7503
The Ferry Building Marketplace
A historic San Francisco landmark and gourmet food haven featuring local farmers, artisan makers, and waterfront restaurants.
Location: San Francisco, CA
Website: https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
Phone: (415) 983-8030
Sacramento – Arden Fair Mall
The Sacramento region’s largest shopping center with over 150 stores, including Macy’s, Apple, and Nordstrom.
Location: Sacramento, CA
Website: https://www.ardenfair.com
Phone: (916) 920-1167
Walnut Creek – Broadway Plaza
Upscale East Bay outdoor mall with Nordstrom, Macy’s, Apple, and a luxury promenade experience.
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Website: https://www.broadwayplaza.com
Phone: (925) 939-7600
Santa Monica Place
Three-level outdoor shopping center near the Santa Monica Pier with luxury boutiques, rooftop dining, and ocean views.
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Website: https://www.santamonicaplace.com
Phone: (310) 260-8333
Seaport Village & Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego’s charming waterfront complex and historic downtown district offering boutique shopping, galleries, restaurants, and nightlife.
Location: San Diego, CA
Website: https://www.seaportvillage.com | https://www.gaslamp.org
Phone: (619) 530-0704 (Gaslamp Quarter)

Popular Outlet Malls

Desert Hills Premium Outlets
One of California’s most renowned outlet malls, featuring high-end brands like Prada, Gucci, Versace, and Saint Laurent at discounted prices.
Location: Cabazon, CA (near Palm Springs)
Website: https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/desert-hills
Phone: (951) 849-6641
San Francisco Premium Outlets
Northern California’s largest outlet center, featuring over 180 stores including Coach, Burberry, Michael Kors, and Adidas.
Location: Livermore, CA
Website: https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/san-francisco
Phone: (925) 292-2868
Citadel Outlets
A large and visually striking outlet center with an Assyrian-style façade, located just 10 minutes from downtown L.A. Offers over 130 stores and frequent tour group stops.
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Website: https://www.citadeloutlets.com
Phone: (323) 888-1724
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
Attractive outdoor mall near Legoland and the coast, with stores like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kate Spade.
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Website: https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/carlsbad
Phone: (760) 804-9000
Outlets at Tejon
Conveniently located along I-5 between Los Angeles and Bakersfield, serving road-trippers and locals with big brands and food options.
Location: Arvin, CA
Website: https://www.tejonoutlets.com
Phone: (661) 858-2075