It also serves as a playground for kids who have fun crawling and hopping in and out of the cages. And if you’re looking to purchase a tent, make sure to check out my recommendations for the best four-person tents or larger camping tents. and colorful badlands, Anza-Borrego provides plenty of sights for visitors who are looking to experience the desert in all its glory. Be sure to check out our list of things to do in San Diego! Interested in seeing the largest tree in the world? Rent a bike and ride over to the Venice Canals for a taste of Italy, California-style. However, one of the most popular coastal routes that don’t skimp on the good views in the 17-Mile Drive that goes through the gated community of Pebble Beach. Start baking Christmas cookies and hanging your California-inspired holiday decorations — ‘tis the season to be jolly. The Boardwalk also has a great arcade (including laser tag) next door, and a bowling alley across the street. Tomales Bay Oyster Company provides grills and ice on top of your oysters, depending on if you like your shellfish raw or cooked. So what are you waiting for? Located three hours south east of L.A. Salvation Mountain is truly one of the most remarkable, unique, and fascinating landmarks of Southern California. With such diverse terrain, it’s not surprising that this region offers practically an endless number of things to do. There are so many hot springs in eastern California and western Nevada that they can fill an entire book. You’ll find many paintings which may include many explicit and pornographic images of animals and weird figures of people. The best time to visit is in the fall during “crush” season when you have the unique opportunity to see a winery in action! There are a lot of really cool things to do in the San Francisco Bay area really and lots of historic sites. We have listed the top 50 things to do across the Golden State including Southern California, the Central and Northern California Coast, the high Sierra’s and the Southern California desert area’s. This is Salton Sea, considered to be one of the strangest and coolest places in California. Pro-tip if you want to visit this historical landmark: buy tickets early! Related: 101 Things to Do in San Diego | The Ultimate Bucket List. TOP UNUSUAL THINGS TO DO IN SOCAL. What makes this sea kayaking trip especially unique? Please try again. Fact … With its noble columns and snappy cupola, all painted wedding-cake white, the California State Capitol has a familiar aura that’s sure to captivate – it’s modeled after the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. Highway 1, also called the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), is well known as one of the most scenic routes in the world. One of the best things in California is the abundance of amazing Mexican Food. Tehama County. We’re talking about owning 17,000 banana related items and a museum out of it. The number of sea caves you’re able to paddle through. Upon entering a 300-foot man-made tunnel into the mountainside, you will find yourself immersed in a subterranean wonderland, sure to impress even the most skeptical visitors. It’s a favorite pastime of Santa Cruzans. Home to multiple museums, performing arts venues, and gardens, the 1,200-acre Balboa Park is a stunning monument to Spanish Renaissance architecture and the pride of San Diego. Related: Best Things to do in Lake Tahoe (During Any Season). The sculptures, furniture, and decor around the mansion come from all over the world, and there are rare priceless pieces of art that you can see in various rooms. These are the California sights and experiences you absolutely can’t miss in the state. San Francisco’s Chinatown is truly a sight to behold, with the gilded Dragon’s Gate and glowing red lanterns looming over you at its entrance. And you really can’t go wrong with any of the hiking trails in Yosemite (just make sure to bring a GPS device if you plan to go hiking in the backcountry). 50 Most Unusual Places To Stay In The World | Part 2, 9 Most Unusual Cocktails Around The World, 50 Most Unusual Places To Stay In The World | Part 3, 50 Most Unusual Places To Stay In The World | Part 4, 50 Most Unusual Places To Stay In The World | Part 5. On my list of breathtaking sights and best southern California attractions, walking through fifty acres of dazzling blooms in Carlsbad definitely ranks near the top. Perfect timing for you to enjoy a spring hike! The crown of California’s largest state park belongs to Anza-Borrego State Park, located within the Colorado Desert just north of San Diego. This former landfill, set just east of the San Francisco Bay, has now become a space for artists to come and do what they do: make art. If you hate Bananas look away! One of the more unique things to do in Southern California, A few miles away from the Salton Sea, visionary Leonard Knight took it upon himself to create an actual mountain out of adobe, straw, and non-toxic paint. Or maybe you're looking for a particular place to see or thing to do in California. There is something ironic in how Southern California just pave over natural rivers and then create artificial canals well it’s all about that California love, right? From that point, you can choose to make your way further to Rainbow Falls or the John Muir Trail! The cold winters and cool water temperatures keep the lake’s clarity extremely high. Picture-perfect mid-century homes. Don’t be surprised to hear cheering (or heckling) skiers from KT-22 as they launch over “the fingers.”. If you have time to embark on a longer trip, the Pacific Coast Highway is world-renowned for its ocean views and popular pit stops, such as Big Sur and San Luis Obispo. Do it. Well that’s up to you to figure it out. This Victorian mansion is the result of decades of architectural oddities, no master building plan, and the whimsical tastes of heiress Sarah Winchester. Anyone who grew up in California knows the real reason why In-N-Out is the best burger: it’s everywhere…and um, animal style!! You can check the Guinness Book of World Record as it is recognized for having the largest collection dedicated to a single fruit. Better yet, treat yourself to some funnel cake or a scoop of Soda Jerks’ ice cream while watching the sun disappear into the horizon. There are three hiking trails that take you up to the famous sign. Enjoy a break from skiing … Related: The Perfect Weekend in Mendocino. However, in recent years (most likely due to climate change) they’ve left by January. For any tourist in California, this is known as the unique thing to do in California because there is the last manually operated car cable system available in the world. If you are willing to make the trek to the Eastern Sierras, the number of amazing hot spring options increases. San Diego has had one of the best microbrewery scenes in California for years. Visitors can also enjoy a sweet-pea maze, themed gardens, and plenty of photo ops. Once you head down the stairs, you can’t miss the visitors twisting and turning in the Labyrinth itself. Looking for unusual you will find it … Kayte Deioma. No we are not talking about Atlantis here. Grab your skip-the-line tickets for the San Diego Zoo here and for the Safari Park here. However, you can take a quick peek at the museum and bookstore if you want to learn more about the town’s history. Kayte Deioma is an internationally published travel writer and photographer based in the Los Angeles area. There is SO much more to discover here than just famous people, sunshine, Hollywood, and Disneyland. Catalina is excellent for scuba diving and snorkeling as well if you’re wanting to get in the water. We’ve compiled a list of Northern California’s most unusual attractions that you’ve got to see to believe. Having lived in California for 25 of my 30 years, there’s a lot I love about this place I call home. If you’re after some fun things to do with kids in California, definitely factor in a visit to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in San Francisco. California Attractions & Theme Parks . If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can hop on a “Social Cycle” and pedal your way through San Diego streets while sipping crafted pints of awesome. The panda and gorilla exhibits are always a hit at the zoo, and you can easily get your steps in wandering from the Australia exhibit to the Tiger Trail and the Africa Rocks. You might ask why they are there. We don't believe in spam, so you can rest assured that every email we send you will be hand-crafted full of awesome goodies. You can easily get a bag of fortune cookies for a steal at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, help yourself to some egg tarts, or enjoy dim sum during your time in Chinatown! It might not look that interesting, but we’d suggest you to go ahead and check them out. Grab your Disneyland tickets ahead of time here. Mid-April through mid-December is when humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, or killer whales come through. You can choose to embark on a Ghost Walk Tour, where you’ll hear tales of what haunts Bodie and explore the creaky Standard Mill at night. It was started by a man named Charles Russell who used the trash that people dump in the desert land and turned them into beautiful art work. Or, if you’re really looking for a workout, you can get in a great cardio sesh on the Cahuenga Peak Hike. When you’re tired of all the dust in your desert road trip, take a breather and party at the Ace Hotel or Saguaro pool. It will be an ever-expanding and growing list that will hopefully help you to find many fun attractions right outside your door. 16 Fun Things to Do in Hollywood, California. Below are some unusual adventures in Southern California that you can do this weekend. This will allow you to check out the reefs, colorful fish, and shipwrecks that make Catalina so special. Sometimes you don’t even have to go on a whale watching tour, you can just see them at a distance from the beach because they come in so close to the shore (although it helps if you have binoculars). Tripsavvy's Editorial Guidelines. California local, Constance from The Adventures of Panda Bear, shares some fun things to do in Northern California.. California is well-known throughout the United States as one of the most diverse ecosystems. Note: The lighthouse is currently undergoing restoration so the immediate area around the lighthouse is not accessible. I hope you’ll get to experience both the local aspects and tourist attractions around California through these recommendations. The skate park is a great start to an afternoon exploring Venice Beach, a counterculture hippie spot that is a unique addition to the usual LA scene. If you’re not much into surfing, it’s worth it to spend an hour at either of these spots watching the talented surfers below. If you want a full list of recommended beer spots in California (including my San Diego recommendations), check out my post on the 30 Best California Breweries. Although it used to be an immigration station that screened Asian immigrants before they could set foot on the American coast, the Chinese-American community successfully lobbied for the island to be recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Lucky for you, you can experience this iconic Los Angeles landmark in person! It is a modern way of recycling. Not only are the caverns recognized for their incredible speleothem (stalactite and stalagmite formations), but for the care in conservation and the surrounding environment. You truly have to see it to believe it. There was an error submitting your subscription. The food & drinks scene at the park was revamped recently, so you can also treat yourself to lobster rolls, bratwursts, and nachos. Also – if you’re looking for a full guide to road tripping California, I wrote a whole book on it. This place has been the bedrock of the Chinese-American community since the days of the Gold Rush, so it makes sense that its alleys and buildings are rife with history. Make sure to stop at Marini’s for a bag of saltwater taffy or a caramel apple to make your visit complete. California Outdoor Activities . At Henry Cowell State Park, just north of Santa Cruz, there are multiple redwood trees that you can literally step inside of along one of the many hiking trails at the park. If you want to explore California by road trip, you’re doing it the right way. 25 Fun Things to do in Southern California! What were left behind were ruins of roads, broken pipes. Plus, there is plenty more to keep you busy … As expected realtors wanted to take advantage of this strange creation, homes, shops, and resorts were popping up like mushroom along the sea. Once you get onto the ferry required to access Alcatraz Island, you’ll soon discover why tourists flock to this now-abandoned maximum security prison. Maybe you're a contrarian vacationer who'd rather see things others miss. If you’re a foodie, it’s worth it to go on this food tour to really capture the essence of this beloved San Francisco neighborhood. Many people have no idea how much a person can like a fruit. You can’t go to the Boardwalk and not ride the Giant Dipper, it’s really that simple – the roller coaster has been providing thrills to riders since 1924. It’s a city of trailblazing beer culture and techniques that will take you through a journey of unique flavors and styles. California is just filled with so many random and weird abandoned places. Attractions defiantly off the beaten path. City 190 Outdoor 97 California 3 Challenges 340 Family trips 32 hiking 14 hometown challenges 28 unusual things to do 22 USA 26 AUTHOR: Maria Angelova Maria is a 20-something traveling disaster roaming the world. Bumpass Hell. This was an engineering disaster and a fail attempt at bringing Colorado River to California. California  is a state of many beautiful things. It’s the part that most people drive if they don’t have a ton of time and just want to see the highlights. Recommended Experience: Hollywood Behind the Scenes Walking Tour. Now, Salvation Mountain attracts thousands of visitors every year with its candy-bright colors and Biblical murals. We have already established that California has some "interesting” places to practice your art. Whether it is a hike, a restaurant, or just a collection of odd things, this list is dedicated to the unique stuff I have found in Southern California (from Kern County down). November is usually the best month to see the butterflies. The museum consists of every banana-related item from toys, key chain, jackets, shirt, a photo album and everything banana related you can imagine. I-5 is the way to go if you want to hightail it from one large metropolis (San Francisco) to another (Los Angeles), but there isn’t much to see in terms of scenery since you’re going to be driving through six hours worth of farmland. If you can only pick between a few places to go in California, Big Sur should be one of them. 5. Tamalpais. Sipping these world-famous wines is a fun choice for day trips, bachelorette parties, and couples’ getaways alike. They are located on private property, and accessible by a ten-minute boat ride and shuttle before the mouth of the cave. Related: 101 Things to do in Santa Cruz (From a Local). Visit the aquarium to see a living kelp forest, cute sea otters, penguins, and more! Note: if you plan on being in Los Angeles for at least a few days, I’d recommend grabbing an LA Go Card to get discounts on a bunch of attractions. It’s by far one of the most quintessential places to visit in Northern California. We spent a couple days exploring the city. San Francisco Zoo . If you’re looking for a good tour to take you around to the different wineries so you don’t have to drive, I’d recommend this one. Life is an adventure, join me around the world! Related: The Best Things to do in San Francisco at Night. Muir Woods is a hiker’s dream, blessed with beautiful redwoods and teeming with trails of varying difficulty. The weather can heat up in Los Angeles, so expect droves of people to flock to Santa Monica for a chance to show off their swimsuit bods. Opt for a free self-guided public art tour, or fork up $12 for a 90-minute guided walking tour. The Giant Dipper is the park’s star attraction. This infamous lake was accidentally created in early 1900’s (it was a strange time for California). Originally built to hold prisoners causing trouble at other prisons, Alcatraz held some of the United States’ most notorious criminals (Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, etc.) If you can snag a glass-bottom boat, do it. The butterflies usually start coming in mid-October and stay around Natural Bridges until mid-February. Located in Death Valley National Park, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America, with a depth of 282 feet below sea level. Stand on potato chip rock, a hot tub in Death Valley, Hindu Temple in Malibu Beach, off-beat museums in Hollywood. You can check it out here. Let’s start with the most popular things to do in California that both tourists and locals love alike. Spend a night on the island and watch Karl the Fog greet the city in the evening. Salvation Mountain 2. Alcatraz Island Discover 30 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in San Diego, California from Sunny Jim Cave Store to Lemon Grove Mummies. As Mexico’s northern neighbor, California has picked up a thing or two from the culinary king next door, although be forewarned that California Mexican is a completely different experience from what you’ll find down south. Things to do near me today, beaches with kids, romantic parks, unique places to visit in USA, hotels, tourist attractions: Sarasota, From Boston, OR, NC, From Houston, NJ, GA Over the years it has become a bit overcrowded in the summer months, but one of the best ways to avoid the bulk of the crowds is to visit during the shoulder seasons of spring or fall and to actually get out onto the trails! The place was supposed to be self-sustaining Nazi stronghold with electricity generator, concrete walls, water tanks, and a big mansion making it the perfect place for Hitler and his military to plan a plot to take over the U.S. Of course, that didn’t work out after World War II ended quite differently than they expected and LA police raided the place, and shut down the complex. In that case you may want to explore a different zoo with less people in it..and no animals either! There are several canals which are inter-connected by bridges and couple of paved roads. Beautiful La Jolla Cove in San Diego. But if you’re in L.A you know that it is always overcrowded over the weekend. Famous sights on the route include the Lone Cypress Tree, Bird Rock, and Del Monte Forest. You are reading "21 Best Things to do in Salinas, California" Back to Top. And at the end of the day have dinner at one of the local restaurants. Boudin Bakery also has beef chili, tomato bisque, and broccoli cheddar in their rotation. You can also join a guided Island Tour (included with the price of admission) with one of the museum’s experienced docents. Related: Best Joshua Tree Hotels and Campgrounds.