8 Incredible Vacation Spots In California
The Golden State of California has long been a desirable destination for dreamy vacations. After all, this state has everything from camera-ready Hollywood glamor to otherworldly beautiful mountain wilderness and alpine lakes. Get your heat on and soak up the sun at California’s vast golden deserts, or cool down and enjoy a splash at sea along the state’s iconic Pacific Coast. Raise your glass to California's world-class wines and culinary delights, or feast your eyes on the state’s hottest spots for trendsetting style. With so many options up and down the state, you might be wondering where to go for your next California trip. To help you go your own way and do the perfect getaway, here are eight incredible vacation spots in California.
Dunsmuir
Situated in the southern end of the Cascade Range, around 123 miles north of Chico, Dunsmuir explodes in fantastic mountain scenery and overflows with “The Best Water on Earth.” Though the latter may seem like an outrageous claim, it makes more sense once you experience the sheer beauty and crystal-clear water of Castle Lake, a prime spot for fishing golden shiners, brook trout, and rainbow trout. A short distance south of Castle Lake, you will find Castle Crags State Park, an excellent spot for swimming and fishing in the upper reaches of the Sacramento River, along with 28 miles of hiking trails and marvelous views of the namesake 6,000-foot-plus granite spire peaks.
Of course, no trip to Dunsmuir feels complete without visiting Mount Shasta, the 14,179-foot-tall stratovolcano that’s a beloved mountain for climbers and skiers. Even if you’re not up for ascending to the summit, it still offers remarkable scenery from the valley floor. Meanwhile, for an easier hike, head back towards town and take the trail to reach the lovely waterfall at Hedge Creek Falls. And once you’ve returned to Dunsmuir, retreat to the cozy haven of Cold Springs, a mid-century modern resort offering standard hotel rooms, cabins, and airstreams to suit your needs.
Kings Beach
Nestled on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, about 43 miles southwest of Reno (Nevada), Kings Beach somehow combines regal natural beauty with an easy, breezy, laid-back attitude that makes this town perfect for a lake vacation. During the summer season, Kings Beach State Recreation Area provides a gorgeous stretch of lakeshore for swimming, paddling, windsurfing, and fishing. In winter, Northstar California offers 100 trails across 3,170 acres for incredible skiing and snowboarding, plus the resort offers excellent opportunities for hiking, biking, and golf during the warmer months.
For even more good times on the greens, hit the links at Old Brockway Golf Course and golf this historic course that’s also been certified as an Audubon cooperative bird sanctuary. Speaking of sanctuary, The Sanctuary is a comprehensive wellness center that provides everything from yoga and barre classes to acupuncture and massages. And for plenty more rest, relaxation, and pampering, check into The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, the region’s premier luxury resort with ski-in, ski-out access to Northstar, along with a full-service spa, delectable restaurants, and recently renovated rooms and suites.
Yountville
The Napa Valley may be California’s most famous wine country region, and the town of Yountville just might be Napa’s best spot to savor the region’s finest flavors. If you can score a reservation in advance, you will be treated to excellent Michelin three-star haute cuisine at The French Laundry. Even if you can’t get a reservation for The French Laundry, or if you simply want a less formal meal in town, Chef Thomas Keller also has Bouchon, a more casual bistro that serves just as delicious French-inspired fare.
Since Yountville is a wine country town, this is a perfect place to try some exceptional Napa Valley wines. In town, stop at Chandon to sample their array of high-quality California wines, and consider a reservation for one of their special tasting events. Just outside town, try plenty more great local wines and tour the grounds at Baldacci Family Vineyards and Cliff Lede Vineyards. From there, make your way to Bardessono, a luxury hotel and spa that emphasizes optimal wellness inside and out with soothing design, true field-to-fork cuisine, and sustainable comfort with the finest eco-friendly furnishings and amenities.
Half Moon Bay
The coastal village of Half Moon Bay may only be about 33 miles south of San Francisco, yet it looks and feels like the ultimate escape with its breathtakingly beautiful beaches and its cozy small-town vibes. Near Pillar Point Harbor, you will find Mavericks Beach, one of California’s most storied shores where experienced surfers congregate every winter to surf some legendary big waves. But even if you’re just looking to have a fun beach day, head to Half Moon Bay State Beach for a nice spot for picnics and sunbathing, and hit up Gray Whale Cove State Beach to spot gray whales during migration season (usually, early spring) and enjoy the gorgeous scenery year-round.
Beyond the beaches, there’s much more to see and do downtown, especially on weekends when the Coastside Farmer’s Market opens on Saturdays (April through December) and offers everything from fresh produce from local farms to artisan chocolates and lovely floral bouquets. And for the complete Half Moon Bay experience, do a sumptuous stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, an elegant beachfront resort with the Half Moon Bay Golf Links right next door, as well as a full-service spa and tennis and pickleball courts on site.
Paso Robles
Located around 109 miles west of Bakersfield, Paso Robles is an Old West-style “cowboy town” that’s maturing into more of a diamonds-and-denim kind of gem thanks to its phenomenal wines. If you crave some of that Old West scenery, book an excursion with Central Coast Trailrides to go horseback riding in Paso’s beautiful backcountry. For something more soothing, go to River Oaks Hot Springs Spa to soak up the good vibes at their natural mineral hot spring-fed tubs, and make your spa day even better with a massage and skin care treatments.
Of course, no Paso Robles trip feels complete without sampling some local wines, so pick a designated driver and do a short road trip to DAOU Mountain to tour their picturesque vineyards, sip some fine DAOU wines, and do a leisurely lunch on site. It’s also worth the drive to Brochelle Vineyards to try their extensive array of wines and see where the magic is made. And for the ultimate wine country experience, check into Allegretto Vineyard Resort and enjoy an elegant retreat with its Tuscan-style design, on-site cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients, and stately rooms and suites.
West Hollywood
West Hollywood (or WeHo, for short) may be about 10 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles (and right by the LA city neighborhood of Hollywood), yet this town is at the center of cutting-edge design, lively entertainment, and a uniquely inclusive community that must be seen to be believed. At the Pacific Design Center, you can find over 80 showrooms for world-renowned interior designers and home decor artisans. For some inspiration by way of Mother Nature, head up to Runyon Canyon Park for one of LA’s most iconic hiking and biking areas, a place to ascend into the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains and enjoy panoramic views of the WeHo skyline and the rest of the LA basin below.
While there’s plenty to do in West Hollywood during the day, this town really comes alive at night. Seriously, there are a whole lot of options for nightlife, but The Viper Room is a must for an authentic Sunset Strip music club where everyone from Bruce Springsteen and Natalie Cole to Pearl Jam and Sheryl Crow has performed on stage. For a good entry point to WeHo’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, The Abbey is a long-time institution on Santa Monica Boulevard. After a long day and/or night of running around town to take in all the fabulous sights and sounds, settle down for a picture-perfect stay at the hip and happening Pendry West Hollywood on the Sunset Strip.
Rancho Mirage
Occupying a wonderfully beautiful corner of the Coachella Valley, about 13 miles southeast of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage can make for as relaxing or as exhilarating a desert vacation as you please. If you seek natural thrills, explore the roughly 280,000 acre nature preserve that is the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, which spans from craggy corners of the Colorado Desert where you can spot local wildlife like bighorn sheep, to the cooler conifer forests high up the San Jacinto Mountains that are great for escaping the heat of the valley below. And when you’re up for more quality time experiencing the natural environment, it’s a short drive to Joshua Tree National Park, the uniquely scenic park where the Colorado and Mojave Deserts meet.
For another kind of exploration, check the calendar for the Coachella Valley Symphony and catch a concert at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater. During the fall season, Sunnylands reopens and welcomes visitors to tour this historic estate that’s hosted United States presidents (such as Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama), world leaders like the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II, and many more dignitaries and intellectuals. Finally, head up to Sensei Porcupine Creek, the region’s premier boutique resort and comprehensive wellness retreat, where one can truly get away from it all and relax with their extensive menu of spa treatments and curated experiences.
Solana Beach
Just 18 miles south of Oceanside and 23 miles north of Downtown San Diego, discover a uniquely stylish and satisfying slice of quintessential Southern California coastal life in Solana Beach. At the heart of town lies Fletcher Cove, the main beach that’s great for surfing, bodyboarding, swimming, and surf-fishing. A short stroll inland from Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach has a lively downtown area anchored by the Cedros Avenue Design District, a street that abounds in chic boutiques, cool art galleries, tasty eateries, and special venues like the Belly Up Tavern that’s always buzzing with the region’s hottest live music shows.
When you can use some more quality time at the beach, head up to Cardiff State Beach, where offshore reefs make excellent breaks for surfing and a fascinating aquatic environment for diving and snorkeling. From there, do a short drive inland to The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, a local legend that’s recently been refreshed and reimagined into a full renaissance with posh bungalows, cottages, and villas, along with a delicious on-site restaurant and a spa featuring exclusive Mila Moursi treatments.
The Golden State Is Always a Top Choice for a First-class Vacation
Whether you crave an urban paradise that abounds in chic design and bumping nightlife, a desert oasis that’s ideal for a relaxing spa retreat, or a wine country village where you can feast on much of the United States’ best food and wine, California has all you need to make the vacation of your dreams come true. Try Kings Beach for a tranquil yet elegant refuge on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. Go to Half Moon Bay to surf some of North America’s biggest waves and indulge in classic farm-fresh goodness. Head to West Hollywood for the ultimate in California cool, and cool down at the sunny shores of Solana Beach. However you envision your perfect trip, California gives you a number of amazing options to make it happen.
