California Travel Guide: Explore the Best Parks, Historic Sites, and Hidden Gems
Explore California with this Roam Your Home travel guide. From iconic national parks and coastal cliffs to world-class museums and historic missions, discover unforgettable destinations across the Golden State.
Discover Places to Explore
Looking for more places to explore? Browse all of our Roam Your Home articles about California, including national parks, coastal landmarks, historic missions, and iconic road trip stops. From Yosemite’s granite cliffs to Pacific Coast highways and vibrant cities, discover some of the best things to do in California.
One Epic Day in Joshua Tree National Park
From granite peaks and ancient redwoods to coastal cliffs and desert landscapes, California’s parks offer some of the most diverse scenery in America. Our featured California park highlights one of the state’s most iconic outdoor destinations.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
California’s history spans Native American heritage, Spanish missions, Gold Rush boomtowns, and modern cultural landmarks. Our featured California historic site takes you inside one place that reflects the Golden State’s remarkable past.
Best National Parks in California
- Yosemite National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- Redwood National Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Channel Islands National Park
- Mojave National Preserve
- Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
- Lava Beds National Monument
Top 5 California State Parks
- Grover Hot Springs State Park
- Año Nuevo State Park
- Richardson Grove State Park
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park
- Jack London State Historic Site
Top 5 California Museums
- Getty Center in Los Angeles
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- de Young Museum in San Francisco
- Legion of Honor in San Francisco
Know Before You Roam: California Quick Facts
- Largest City: Los Angeles
- High Point (Rank): Mount Whitney 14,505 ft (2)
- Lowest Elevation: Death Valley National Park – Badwater Basin -282 ft
- State Nickname: “The Golden State”
- State Flower: Golden Poppy
- State Tree: Redwood, Giant Sequoia
- State Animal: Grizzly Bear
- State Bird: California Quail
- State Fish: Golden Trout
Explore California on the Roam Your Home Travel Map
See California through the Roam Your Home map.
Each pin highlights one of our stories featuring national parks, historic landmarks, coastal stops, and cultural attractions. Click a location to discover the destination and start planning your California road trip.