Top Things to do in California
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in California That You Shouldn't Miss
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
Restaurants in California
1. Point Lobos
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,751 reviews
Watch whales in winter and sea lions all year round at this Bay Area nature reserve, which offers hiking, walking, bird watching, scuba diving and magnificent views.
Reviewed By travelerfromsj - San Jose, United States
This park is called the crown jewel of California’s State Park System, and rightly so. It’s one of the most beautiful places in California, equivalent IMHO to the National Parks, Lake Tahoe and Big Sur. Moreover, it’s small enough to see in a half day visit, and very visitor friendly to boot, with easy and well-groomed trails (many accessible) and restrooms scattered throughout the park. We went on a sunny weekday in December, parked at Whalers Cove, and hiked the coast trail counterclockwise around the peninsula to the southern tip of the park at Bird Island, taking every offshoot trail and climbing Whalers Knoll. We then walked straight back to our car. This was about a 5.7 mile loop, with 700 feet of elevation change. In general the trail is easy, packed dirt and sand, plus occasional stairs and some rocks to climb at the overlooks. The only real climb is at Whalers Knoll, which goes up about 180 ft., but you can bypass this via North Shore Trail. Highlights on the walk were the beautiful twisty trees on Cypress Grove Trail and the bird-covered Bird Island. The walk out to Sea Lion Point was closed, possibly because of high surf. No whale sightings, but we did see harbor seals lying out on one of the beaches near Bird Island. Some quick tips if you decide to visit: 1. If you’re a local, check the weather and wait for a sunny weekday to visit, preferably in the off season. If you do, the park will be fairly empty and parking is easy, except possibly near Sea Lion Point. A docent told us that on a sunny day in the summer, parking is full by 9 am, and the park is then closed to cars. 2. Entry is $10, $9 for seniors, plus $2 for the trail map (well worth it). You can get in for free by parking along Highway 1 and walking in. 3. Bring a picnic lunch. There are 3 picnic areas, 5 flush restrooms, and many drinking fountains, but no food for sale. 4. Bring binoculars for a close up look at the birds and marine mammals. 5. Bring a face mask or buff that you can pop on quickly when passing hikers on the trail. Mask usage here was very good. If you’re sick and tired of being stuck at home, visit Point Lobos; it’s the perfect antidote.
2. Jarvis Estate
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 319 reviews
Jarvis Estate is a family owned winery dedicated to crafting a limited quantity of preeminent wines from our sustainably farmed, estate vineyards in the rugged hillside, four miles east of downtown Napa Valley. The Jarvis Estate winemaking facility is entirely contained within 45,000 square feet of cave tunneled into the scenic Vaca Mountains,and is not only a visual masterpiece, but a technical masterpiece as well. Wines are produced only from estate grown grapes and are cave-aged to perfection prior to release. Varietals include: Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Tempranillo and a two proprietary Bordeaux blends.
Reviewed By randybH2055JS - Kalamazoo, United States
This is such a cool place to visit. The entire winery is located within the massive network of man-made caves. Once the grapes go in, they never see the light of day until they emerge as bottled wine. You will tour the caves, see where the grapes are crushed, wine fermented, huge oak bariques, barrels, bottling area, tasting rooms, banquet rooms (huge), etc. Even an underground river which provides the proper natural humidity in the caves. Great winery story. You will hear about the "Science Project"...fantastic. Don't miss this one.
3. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,545 reviews
Part of the Redwoods National and State Parks system, this state park was established in 1929.
Reviewed By dunadan - Lynnwood, United States
We had two full days in Crescent City, and after consulting with the excellent staff at the park visitor's center, we made a full circuit of JSR State Park, making several stops and going on the recommended hikes. The information was spot-on, and made our visit to the park the highlight of our road trip (so far). What else to say about the redwoods and their environs that hasn't already been said in these reviews a thousand times? I can repeat all of the superlatives you've already likely read: majestic, incredible, awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, mammoth, immense. They don't do the experience justice, and craning your neck up at a 300-foot giant that has existed since before the start of the Gregorian calendar will most likely just leave you slack-jawed. Take your time with the drive, and use the pull-outs: they will keep you, and other drivers, in good humor. As you walk the trails, pause and listen to distant fog horn and (hopefully) nothing else. Enjoy the views, and the presence of these magnificent sentinels, and maybe think about making a few changes in your personal habits back home to improve the living conditions for others on this planet. You don't have long in this world, unlike the redwoods, which will be here long after you are gone. :)
4. Pride Mountain Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 622 reviews
Pride Mountain Vineyards specializes in red wine production, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The property is only open for wine tasting appointments to guests with a prior appointments. In compliance of our local codes and use-permits all appointments must be made in advance of arrival. Thank you, Pride Mountain Vineyards
Reviewed By brettbarry1
This was our 4th or 5th visit to Pride over the years, but this past visit was by far the most informative and entertaining/enjoyable. Our wine guide Paul was so exceptional at his work representing Pride – a caring & knowledgeable person, never arrogant – always on point (funny) and frankly one of the best wine tour guides my wife and I have met in over 30 years of visiting Napa. He is just WOW ???? I know everyone felt that way – especially my wife’s family and friends from Norway who were visiting Napa for the 1st time. We arrived 90 min earlier than our appointment - after our tour at neighboring vineyard Keenan which was abruptly ended at the start because their boisterous big dog had gotten into something poisonous and was foaming at the mouth and in distress. So we left early…(we later found out that the dog was OK thank goodness after an emergency vet run). That was jarring & scary enough, but when I arrived early @ Pride with a busload of 10 and asked Paul what to do – he didn’t hesitate or miss a beat… rolling with the situation, and starting us early on easily the best Cave tour we have ever had???? Many Napa vineyards seem to have gone into a kind of automatic mode – going through the swirling motions, not listening to their customers on tour – pushing customers to buy/buy at the end without ever connecting with them. However what you have with Paul is a truly gifted “connector” – a man who plainly loves his work, knows Pride inside the caves & out – and makes each guest feel as though they have had a very unique experience. We have always loved Pride as both a winery and source of outstanding juice. We are Spring Mountain fans for 20+ years (we knew Barbara and Jim at Paloma + we love Schweiger, Sherwin Family, and we are longtime Spring Mountain Vineyard club members). When you try the wines on Spring Mountain you will discover the biggest and richest reds in Napa - complex wines with aging potential. Our stop at Pride last Sunday was the last stop on our 3 day tour, and it left a delicious taste in everyone’s mouths. It made my wife's 50th even more memorable. The vino at Pride Mountain is TOP drawer - their famous Merlot is a monster of deep richness and structure, with massive aging potential. We are fans of the Cab as well & Chardonnay - all the wines at Pride are some of the best you will taste in Napa. Well worth a drive up the mountain. You will not easily find these incredible wines are your local store - do yourself a favor and experience the magic of Pride (and seek out Paul).
5. O'Brien Estate Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 672 reviews
We are by appointment only. Please go to our website to inquire about our experiences. We do not take phone reservations. The cost is $55.00 per person. We regretfully are not permitted to have anyone under 21 years of age nor allow any pets on the premises. Our award winning wines come from our 40 acres in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. From grape growing to bottling, the entire winemaking process is managed at the estate. The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Our wines are sought after by collectors and have received many awards, including a recent 98 point score for our 2013 Unrestrained Reserve Bordeaux Blend.
Reviewed By mrg0137
O’Brien Estate was the first Napa Valley winery that really got my wife and I hooked on Napa wine when we visited the area for the first time a few years ago, and we became members at O’Brien after that trip. Since then, we’ve continued to enjoy their wines, and we try to stop in for a free member tasting every time we make a trip to Napa. This visit was our third visit to O’Brien Estate, and we had a very good experience. As compared to most wineries in the Napa Valley, O’Brien Estate is a very small producer. The winery is family owned, with a beautiful 40-acre property in the Oak Knoll District. The O’Brien family lives right in the house on the property, and when you come here for a tasting, you’re doing it right in their backyard and getting right to the heart of the operation. Because it’s so small, O’Brien doesn’t distribute their wines, selling them only at the winery itself and to wine club members. This exclusivity makes us feel that being wine club members is really worth it, since we know it’s the only way to have their wines at home on a regular basis. This was our third time doing the tasting experience at O’Brien, and it wasn’t our favorite experience in Napa either of the previous two times we came (although we loved the wine). On our first trip to Napa, we admittedly weren’t overly educated about the area or its wines, and the guy who did our tasting was quite rude and epitomized the standoffish reputation that Napa can sometimes have. The second time, after we had become members and knew a lot more about Napa wines, the tasting was much better, but still not great. The guy who did our tasting that time was absent for most of it and just gave off an attitude of not wanting to be bothered with us. He spent most of his time giving his attention to walk-in guests who had shown up without reservations, even though O’Brien doesn’t take walk-ins and is normally focused on making the experience very intimate. Those experiences were in the past, and we’ve still stayed loyal to O’Brien since we love their wine. I’m glad to report that the third time was a charm for having a great in-person tasting experience, this time with Marilyn. Marilyn hosted us and we had the entire winery to ourselves, and she really took the time to make it fun and informative. She was a great host and we’re glad to have had such a nice experience this time. Tastings at O’Brien are held outside for most of the year, in picturesque seating areas right by the edge of the vineyard, much closer than you get to the vines at almost any other winery we’ve been to in the area. In this case, since it was chilly in January, our tasting was held inside the barn, but Marilyn still invited us to have a glass of chardonnay while taking a quick walking tour through the vineyard, which we enjoyed (walking in the vineyard was not offered to us on previous visits). It was a beautiful afternoon to be outside, and we learned a lot about the process of preparing for each growing season and even how the process of replanting works when a portion of the vineyard has outlived its useful life. The O’Briens’ adorable dog, Heidi, was also there and ran around the vineyards with us while we took our walk. Hanging out with Heidi is always a highlight of a visit to O’Brien Estate. After touring the vineyards with Marilyn, we settled down inside for a tasting of all of O’Brien’s current releases – merlot, two Bordeaux-style blends (Romance and Seduction), and the cabernet sauvignon. We’ve had all of these before, and especially love Seduction and the cabernet sauvignon, but it’s always fun to do another tasting and have a chance to relax and talk about the wine. They also provide a nice cheese plate to accompany the wine as well. They’ve just set up new seating areas for tastings in the barn, so it was a nice change of pace to do a tasting there for the first time, although in warmer weather, it is still preferable to be outside overlooking the vineyard. Our time with Marilyn was very enjoyable, and we spent close to 90 minutes with her, just talking about all kinds of things, from dogs, to the happenings at O’Brien, to Napa in general. It was informal and laid-back. We really enjoy the wines at O’Brien Estate and think a stop here is worth it (reservations are required and can be made online). The blends are priced in the $70-$80 range per bottle, and the cabernet sauvignon is now just under $100 a bottle, which I think are good prices for the quality of wine produced. We enjoy our membership at O’Brien, and even if you don’t become a member, a tasting there is a wonderful way to spend a portion of a day, in the world of a laid-back, small producer. I am very glad that we had a great tasting experience this time with Marilyn, and we now look forward to similar positive experiences in the future!
6. Redwood Regional Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By JerriKop - Oakland, United States
Redwood Park is our favorite local hiking spot, especially if we have our dog with us. There are many hiking trails, most are on easy hills, and many of the trails allow dogs off leash. Areas that dogs must be leashed are well marked; the Stream Trail is beautiful but dogs must be leashed to protect the watershed. Please note that the East Ridge Trail, to the left as you enter the park from the parking lot, is also a mountain biking trail. It's fine to walk your dog off leash on the East Ridge Trail but be wary of cyclists that don't always respect the "yield to humans and dogs" signs. The East Bay Regional Park system is a local treasure. The parks are well maintained and restrooms are scattered throughout the park. Bring your dog for a great day outdoors!
7. Judd's Hill Winery and MicroCrush
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 678 reviews
Judd's Hill is owned and operated by two generations of the Finkelstein family. Bunnie, Judd and Holly Finkelstein are vintners dedicated to producing ultra-premium, handcrafted wines in small lots while highlighting them in entertaining and engaging customer experiences. Our family has been making wine in Napa Valley since the 1970s and continues to produce signature wines that are fruit-driven, concentrated and just simply delicious.
Reviewed By MarciV_13 - Whittier, United States
We wanted to do something different in Napa this time and the Wine Blending Day Camp turned out to be the highlight of our trip to Napa! CJ was so informative and fun! We tasted the wines individually first and then blended three options. After some discussion and more tasting we selected our blend. Next, we siphoned the wines out of the barrel, then bottled, corked and labeled our first signature blend. We can’t wait to go back with friends!!
8. March Field Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 379 reviews
Reviewed By ladytrooper
My husband loves planes, of all sorts. He loved this spot and they have a lot of great planes from different eras. Reasonably priced and very clean. No time limit on seeing everything. They have displays inside and a ton of planes outside.
9. Safari West
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,795 reviews
Escape to Africa by way of Sonoma County…Come discover the Sonoma Serengeti. The classic African safari is a trip of a lifetime for intrepid travelers from around the globe - and, it is closer than you think! The entire Safari West experience is a kid-friendly adventure for families to enjoy together. Our tours are designed to educate guests of all ages and we have found that families are truly inspired as they learn from and share with one another. At Safari West we strive to actively promote conservation and environmental education concepts to our guests, whether they are with us for an hour or a week. The whole experience at Safari West is one of building connections and making discoveries; getting back to basics and enjoying the profound simple pleasures of family and nature that are all too often overlooked. If anything is “not to be missed,” it is that sense of serenity one finds while gazing at graceful giraffe nuzzling her newborn or the surge of raw adventure while witnessing an energetic herd of wildebeest galloping across the horizon. Overnight lodging is also available - the true 'glamping' experience!
Reviewed By SSandFamily - San Carlos, United States
We arrived mid-afternoon and were greeted by a friendly, courteous and professional front office staff. After checking into our unique and comfotable luxury safari tent, one of about 30 on property (each of which is set apart from the others, but all of which are within eyeshot and earshot of the animals), we joined our 2:00 pm tour of the property. Our tour guide, Richard, was accommodating, experienced and entertaining. The tour (both the 45-minute walking portion and the over 2-hour riding portion in an old but customized war surplus jeep), was fantastic! We even saw some fascinating real world activity when one of the scores of guinea fowl roaming on the property flew into the cheetah den. While the ensuing cheetah/guinea fowl action (won by the cheetah) was not for all, we thought it was a rare and unique glimpse into a wildlife window not often expereinced by suburban dwellers. The cheetah/hyena interactions after the cheetah's conquest (they are in adjoining pens separated by a see-through fence) also was fascinating to watch. Aided by the good fortune of an incredibly clear and sunny afternoon, the driving tour was memorable. The time we spent sitting in the seat located above the cab was amazing - what views! After the driving tour, we enjoyed a delicious dinner and drinks served by another courteous staff team. The rubbed chicken served in the buffet was unlike any we had ever had - it was delicious! After dinner and dessert (S'mores and brownies with ice cream), armed with flashlights provided by the staff, we roamed around the walking areas of the property and viewed numerous animals and birds during the night. We saw a lot of green eyes peering back at us from a distance when the animals were flashed briefly with the light. Depending on your perspective, the non-stop mixture of sounds from the frogs, birds and animals on site during the night was either a symphony or a cacophony. If the former, you will be in for a treat. If the latter, bring earplugs! Our morning walk around the propery before breakfast, with tasty and piping hot coffee in hand, was enjoyable, especially our time chatting with one of the keepers who was feeding the porcupines. The continental breakfast, which included homemade peanut butter, honey, lavendar-pear jam, and blackberry jam, was tasty and hit the spot. Our chekout at 11:00 am was efficient. (We were driven to and from our tent before and after our stay in the staff's jeep - very convenient.) Thank you, Safari West Team, for a fabulous experience - well done!
10. Stags' Leap Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
Stags' Leap Winery is truly a hidden gem in the highly acclaimed Stags Leap District. Located off a long, private road, our nineteenth-century stone winery and Victorian era Manor House are nestled against the Stags Leap Palisades east of the Silverado Trail. We invite you to make a reservation and visit this magical place with its beautiful gardens and stylish wines including the award-winning field blend, Ne Cede Malis, and opulent "The Leap" and "Audentia" Cabernet Sauvignon. We are open by appointment only and are unable to accommodate drop in guests due to traffic restrictions on our private road.
Reviewed By KCHouseman
This is a must stop for Napa Valley wine lovers. Amazing Cabernets and so much more. Make an appointment for the tour and learn a true understanding of how Napa Valley became one of the true premier Cabernet Sauvignon capitals of the world.
