5 Must-Do California Trips

On the hunt for 5 must-do trips in the magnificent state of California? One of the BEST parts about California is how incredibly diverse the landscape is statewide. Southern, Central, and Northern California feel like completely different states and have a myriad of unique experiences to offer! Craving a typical California trip complete with sun, waves and temperatures almost always in the 70s? Southern California is your spot. In need of a mountain adventure with views as far as the eyes can see? Spend some time in the Eastern Sierras in Central California! Longing for a moody, hazy coastline with towering Redwood trees? Check out Northern California! And the truth is, there’s so much more in between! From ski resorts, to iconic beach towns, to some of the most epic National Parks in the country - California is an absolute must-visit state! 


Now in a state this expansive and jam-packed with travel destinations, choosing your trip can be a bit overwhelming. Even if you are currently residing in California, there’s a chance you still have countless locations on your bucket list! Where to start and what to see?! This article will outline 5 must-do California trips ranging from beach, to mountains, and other unique spots you don’t want to miss!

 

Mammoth Lakes 

When to Visit: The two most popular seasons to visit Mammoth Lakes are summer and winter. Summer provides countless alpine hike opportunities, while winter is quite popular due to their ski resorts and mass quantities of snow. Whether you visit in the summer or fall will entirely depend on which type of vacation you prefer: warm, hiking adventures or an epic ski trip!


Must-Do Activities: 

  • Checking out some of the numerous hot springs in the area. Here are some of the top recommended springs:
    • Rock Tub Hot Springs
    • Hot Creek Geological Site
    • Wild Willy’s Hot Spring
    • Crab Cooker Hot Springs
    • Red Meadows Hot Springs
  • Visit nearby area Alabama Hills. There you will find unique arches, more incredible hot springs, and a landscape unlike anywhere else!
  • Take a hike! Mammoth Lakes has some of the most gorgeous hikes in California. Here are some of the top recommended hikes:
    • Duck Lake Pass
    • Convict Lake
    • Crystal Lake
    • Sherwin Lakes
    • Minaret Vista
    • Lake George
    • Devil’s Postpile National Monument
  • Check out the earthquake fault! Inside the Inyo National Forest just outside of town, you can take advantage of the unique opportunity to see a massive earthquake fault up close and personal!
  • Rent bikes and ride along the biking trails! Here are some popular bike paths with stunning vistas!
    • Mammoth Scenic Loop
    • June Lake Loop
    • Red’s Meadow Ride (more of a mountain biking trail)
  • Plan a ski weekend! Mammoth Lakes is touted as California’s BEST skiing and snowboarding due to the high volume of snow each year. The two main ski resorts are Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and June Mountain Ski Area. Not a skier? There are plenty of other winter activities to enjoy, such as:
    • Gondola Rides
    • Cross-country skiing
    • Tubing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Snowshoeing

How to Pack: 

SUMMER- Prepare for warm temperatures! Many of the hikes are quite exposed and hot. 

  • Lightweight sun shirt like THIS ONE
  • Sports bras + tank tops
  • Durable hiking shorts such as THESE
  • If you prefer hiking in pants, THIS pair of lightweight hiking pants

WINTER- Prepare for lots of snow and colder temperatures!

  • Snow Pants for snow pant alternatives, such as THESE
  • A good base layer
  • A warm mid-layer (3-quarter length pullover or zip-up) 
  • Winter boots and socks 
  • A beanie hat 
  • A winter coat
  • Ski gear if you choose to ski/snowboard
  • Warm clothing for dinners and enjoying town

 

Sequoia National Park

When to Visit: Due to snowfall and road conditions, summer is the best time to visit Sequoia National Park! Plan on visiting between June and early September for the most optimal weather conditions. 


Must-Do Activities: 

  • Visit the most iconic Sequoia, General Sherman. It’s no surprise that people come to this National Park from far and wide to experience the massive sequoias. After all, you can only experience them in Sequoia National Park or in a few small groves in Yosemite National Park. But one that you absolutely cannot miss is General Sherman- the largest tree in the WORLD!
  • Visit nearby National Park, Kings Canyon. The perhaps lesser known National Park that is adjacent to the northern boundary of Sequoia, is called Kings Canyon National Park. If you have a goal of checking off as many Parks as possible, the close proximity between these two makes it a no brainer!
  • Take a hike! After all, nature is the main event at Sequoia National Park! Here are some don’t-miss trails:
    • Moro Rock Trail
    • Tokopah Falls
    • Crescent Meadows
    • Alta Peak
    • Big Trees Trail
    • Congress Trail
  • Take a tour of Crystal Cave! Did you know that there are 240 known caves inside Sequoia National Park? The most popular one is Crystal Cave - formed by marble karst and discovered in 1918. 
  • Drive through Tunnel Log. Another famous, can’t-miss attraction in Sequoia is Tunnel Log, which is large enough for cars to drive through. Be sure to bring your camera for this photo opp, too!

How to Pack: Despite being located in sunny Caliofornia, the temperatures even in the summer are quite cool. Prepare for 50s-60s throughout the duration of summer. 

  • Lightweight sun shirt like THIS ONE
  • Sports bras + tank tops for warmer temperatures
  • Durable hiking shorts such as THESE
  • If you prefer hiking in pants, THIS pair of lightweight hiking pants
  • A warm mid-layer (3-quarter length pullover or zip-up) 
  • Hiking boots and socks
  • A rain jacket just in case

 

Yosemite National Park

When to Visit: Due to snowfall and road conditions, summer-early fall is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park! Plan on visiting between May and mid-October for the most optimal weather conditions. 


Must-Do Activities: 

  • Watch sunrise at the iconic Tunnel View, which overlooks Yosemite Valley!
  • Spend a day walking around Yosemite valley - Lower Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, and Sentinel Meadow are not to be missed! There are also plenty of food venues to enjoy, and the Merced River to cool off in on hot days!
  • Watch sunset from Sentinel Dome or Taft Point - both have gorgeous vantage points of the entire park and will quickly become one of your top sunset experiences!
  • Take a hike! Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Yosemite, and for good reason! Here are the top trails (some are quite extreme so be sure to do your research): 
    • Valley Floor Loop
    • Vernal Falls
    • Nevada Falls
    • Upper Yosemite Falls
    • Glacier Point to Taft Point
    • Sentinel Dome
    • Half dome (permits required)
    • Clouds Rest
    • Mirror Lake via Valley Loop Trail
    • Illiouette Falls via Panorama Trail
    • Inspiration Point Trail
  • Check out one of the two sequoia groves within the park! Other than Sequoia National Park, these are the only other sequoia groves in the world!
  • Take in the views from Glacier Point. It’s a view not to be missed!

How to Pack: Prepare for a large variance of temperatures! It gets quite cold at night but heats up during the day. 

  • Lightweight sun shirt like THIS ONE
  • Sports bras + tank tops for warmer temperatures
  • Durable hiking shorts such as THESE
  • If you prefer hiking in pants, THIS pair of lightweight hiking pants
  • A warm mid-layer (3-quarter length pullover or zip-up) for evening/early morning
  • Hiking boots and socks
  • A rain jacket just in case
  • A beanie hat for cooler temperatures

 

Big Sur

When to Visit: Although temperatures are amazing much of the year, the BEST time to visit is September-November when the crowds thin out. 


Must-Do Activities: 

  • Experience Pfeiffer Beach! The highlights of this gorgeous coastline include the famous Keyhole Arch rock, and purple sand!
  • Spend a day walking at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park! The beach coves make for the perfect day of soaking up the sun and checking out the featured waterfall. 
  • Stop at Ragged Point. It’s the perfect stopping point to take in the views! Bonus: enjoy a scenic picnic there.
  • Take a hike! There is no shortage of gorgeous trails surrounding Big Sur to get the most enjoyment of the area!
    • South Shore Trail
    • Soberanes Canyon and Rocky Ridge Loop Trails

    • Garrapata Beach Trail
    • Sea Lion Point Trail
    • Buzzard’s Roost
    • Pfeiffer Beach Walk
    • McWay Falls Overlook Trail
    • Partington Cove Trail
    • Creamery Meadow, Cluffs, Panorama and Ridge Trail
    • Pfeiffer Falls Trail
  • Check out the Bixby Creek Bridge - one of the most iconic spots in Big Sur!
  • Relax at Sand Dollar Beach and enjoy a gorgeous coastline. 

How to Pack: Temperatures are fairly mild even during the fall in Big Sur. Expect 50s-70s. 

  • Lightweight sun shirt like THIS ONE
  • Sports bras + tank tops for warmer temperatures
  • Durable hiking shorts such as THESE
  • If you prefer hiking in pants, THIS pair of lightweight hiking pants
  • A warm mid-layer (3-quarter length pullover or zip-up) for evening/early morning
  • Hiking boots and socks
  • A rain jacket just in case
  • A beanie hat for cooler temperatures

 

Santa Barbara

When to Visit: Although temperatures are amazing much of the year, the BEST times to visit are from March-May or from September-November. You’ll not only save on travel costs but you’ll also avoid the crowds. 


Must-Do Activities: 

  • Have a beach day at East Beach. With a gorgeous mountainous backdrop and ocean views that are considered to be some of the best in Santa Barbara, this is a don’t miss!
  • Visit historic landmarks such as the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Knapps Castle and the Old Mission Santa Barbara. 
  • Enjoy the flowers at the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens! If you’re a lover of the outdoors, don’t pass this up. 
  • Take a hike! While many think of Santa Barbara for sunny beaches, there are also numerous stunning hiking trails to explore. 
    • Rattlesnake Canyon
    • Hot Springs Canyon Trail
    • Arroyo Burro Beach Loop
    • Cold Springs East Fork Trail
    • Thousand Steps
    • McMenemy Trail
    • Romero Canyon Trail
    • 3 Peaks Loop
    • San Antonio Creek Trail
  • Tour some wineries! If you’re a wine drinker, take advantage of wine country in Santa Barbara. Not only are there countless wineries downtown Santa Barbara within walking distance, but you can also branch out to the Santa Ynez Valley or the Santa Maria Valley for wineries. 
  • Head out on a whale watching excursion. Feeling adventurous? There are several opportunities for whale watching cruises in Santa Barbara! 

How to Pack: During the spring you can expect  average temperatures in the 50s-60s. In the fall it will typically be a bit warmer. 

  • Lightweight sun shirt like THIS ONE
  • Sports bras + tank tops for warmer temperatures
  • Durable hiking shorts such as THESE
  • If you prefer hiking in pants, THIS pair of lightweight hiking pants
  • A warm mid-layer (3-quarter length pullover or zip-up) for evening/early morning
  • Hiking boots and socks
  • Good shoes for walking around town
  • A rain jacket just in case
  • Nicer outfits for dinners/wineries in Santa Barbara


Which of these California destinations is still on YOUR bucket list? Tell us in the comments and happy trip planning!

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