If you are looking for a stunning vacation destination, California is a wonderful place! It’s filled with beautiful spots of natural wonder that are guaranteed to take your breath away.
Throughout this sensational state, you can find places of natural beauty that are worth visiting.
This wide variety of picturesque landscapes includes parks, waterfalls, bays, forests, and beaches. So if you are wondering what spots you check out in California, here are our top recommendations!
Bodega bay is a beautiful village found on the Pacific Coast. This picturesque village boasts a stunning beach. Here, you can see amazing views of crystal-clear water.
Roughly an hour away from San Francisco, this beachside destination is worth visiting if you’re in the area.
The beach is the perfect place to go if you fancy a place to relax when the weather is warm. Meanwhile, the rugged inland area known as Bodega Head is the perfect place to take lovely photos of this destination.
Ideal for families, Bodega Beach is also home to a plethora of different activities. This includes kayaking, fishing, and guided tours.
If you love hiking and reinvigorating walks through nature, Sequoia National Park is the place to be.
From rugged mountains, fantastic forests, impressive craters, and tall trees, this National Park is home to a diverse range of landscapes for you to explore.
Named after its iconic giant sequoia trees, the park features some of the largest trees in the world. You can even find some wondrous waterfalls here!
During winter, the park hosts lots of different winter activities, such as snowshoeing and skiing. If you are planning on looking around this National park, it’s worth investing in one of the on-site lodging options.
If you’re searching for a unique natural wonder that offers you something that you can’t find anywhere else, the Crystal Cave is an outstanding option.
This magnificent marble cave is found within the previous entry, namely the Sequoia National Park. So if you intend to stop by this park, you should also look around the Crystal Cave.
Just bear in mind that the only way of accessing this marvelous marble cave is through a guided tour. Luckily, a wide assortment of tours is held, allowing you to fully explore this spot of natural wonder.
Mount Shasta is a region in Siskiyou County that’s becoming increasingly popular among holidaymakers. Perfect for wilderness camping, one can easily see why this spot has become so coveted.
If you adore hiking, this volcano is a great place to test your skills. Mount Shasta is best suited to experienced hikers. Offering spectacular views, remember to bring your camera if you plan to hike Mount Shasta.
Who doesn’t love the sight of a wonderful waterfall? Few sites are as ethereal as Yosemite Falls. Located in Yosemite National Park, this waterfall is the largest in California.
In fact, it is the largest waterfall in North America, measuring a shocking 2,425 feet tall.
Though Yosemite Falls is stunning all year round, it is particularly beautiful during spring. This is because the water flow is at its highest during this season.
The area offers multiple extraordinary hiking routes, enabling visitors to explore more of this lovely landscape.
Just off Route 66 is Amboy Crater, a massive dormant cone volcano that is roughly 250 feet high. It’s estimated to be thousands of years old, making it a historic natural attraction.
Though this crater is off the beaten track, it offers a surreal experience that’s unmissable. The views from this crater are truly spectacular, as you can see the land that’s miles away.
If you find yourself near the Mojave Desert or Amboy town, we suggest dropping by this incredible crater.
Big Sur is a beautiful coast that links San Simeon and Carmel. Renowned for its spectacular scenery, Big Sur offers a rugged glamor. A drive through this sensational region will provide you with hidden caves, sandy beaches, and rugged cliffs.
During the summer, it’s worth stopping by some of these beautiful beaches. You can also try hiking through these cliffs if you love to immerse yourself in rough landscapes.
Known for its dramatic landscape, Big Sur is one of the most iconic regions in California. Therefore, it’s an essential spot for people visiting the state.
McWay Falls may not be one of the largest waterfalls found in California, but it certainly is one of the most captivating. This bewitching 80-foot-tall is found near Pfeiffer Park.
The opulent blue water connects directly to the ocean, especially during high tide.
Thanks to its clear waters, luscious greenery, and drastic cliffs, McWay Falls has a tropical vibe. This spot is incredibly peaceful, making it an ideal place for you to relax and read a book.
During the warmer seasons, McWay Falls is a superb spot for picnicking.
Not to mention, this is a great place for walking and hiking.
When most people think of beaches, they usually think of sand. But Glass Beach, found opposite the MacKerricher State Park, is covered in sea glass.
Caused by garbage, this beach has been left covered in beautiful frosted glass. As a result, it looks very different from other beaches. The sea glass comes in a range of different shapes, sizes, and colors, giving this beach a truly unique aesthetic.
Glass beach is immensely popular with tourists, as it makes a phenomenal photo opportunity. Because so many visitors take these shards of sea glass home, this phenomenon has started to decline.
The ominously-named Death Valley is an infamous desert in California. It is the lowest and driest location in North America. It is approximately 282 feet below sea level.
This challenging landscape is home to unique wildlife, such as the roadrunner. This fascinating wildlife has adapted to this harsh environment. During the spring, the plants in this landscape blossom beautifully.
In the wonderful Wildrose Canyon, you can find the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns. This is an extraordinary example of historical architecture.
Death Valley is famous for its scorching temperatures, so remember to pack sunscreen, water, and protective clothing if you intend to traverse it. This land is not designed for the faint of heart.
Fern Canyon is a terrific trail of trees that’s among the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. It gets its name from the ferns that grow here, which reach a massive 50 feet tall.
These ferns form walls, making it an ideal place for a calming stroll.
This canyon looks particularly luxurious when the ferns are covered in droplets. This causes the plants to glimmer and glisten, creating an amazing aesthetic.
This trail covers approximately 1 mile of land, so there is plenty of space for you to explore.
Be sure to wear waterproof clothing, as the land can be quite wet. Luckily, wooden footbridges are typically used during these wetter months, thus making the land easier to traverse.
Last but not least, McArthur-Burney Falls is another fabulous waterfall nestled in California. This state park is the second oldest in California.
The breathtaking waterfall has been featured in numerous films, making it an important part of cinema history.
At the site of the fall, you can watch as the water gently cascades down the fall. The water falls from a massive height of 129 feet, creating a truly spectacular spectacle.
Millions of liters of water pass through this waterfall daily.
Alongside immersing yourself in the beauty of this natural landscape, you can also set up a fantastic picnic here. After all, few picnic spots are as Betwitching as Burney Falls.
You can even camp here if you wish!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does California Have Good Nature?
Yes, California has excellent nature. Not only is the wildlife wonderfully diverse, but there are plenty of different spots of natural beauty.
During your trip to California, you may be lucky to spot coyotes, elks, and foxes, which are just some of the magnificent creatures that live here.
What Part of California is the Most Visited?
Arguably, Los Angeles is the most visited destination in California. This city offers vibrant nightlife and plenty of activities for visitors to dive into.
Unfortunately, there is limited natural beauty in this city, though you may find some stunning spots. Luckily, there are some natural wonders surrounding Los Angeles, such as the Virginia Robinson Gardens.
Why Is California So Beautiful?
California represents a magnificent merging of urban and rural spaces. It’s loaded both with busy cities as well as incredibly diverse luscious landscapes.
This includes jutting mountains, sandy beaches, extensive desserts, and dramatic waterfalls. As a result, many people consider California to be one of the most beautiful regions in America.
Final Thoughts
If you are planning a vacation to California, it’s worth visiting some of these awe-inspiring destinations. These natural wonders are sure to fill you with inspiration. Not to mention, these sites of natural beauty are incredibly Instagram-worthy!
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
