Top Things to do in California
Things to do in California, United States: The Best Architectural Buildings
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. Wayfarers Chapel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 395 reviews
Wayfarers Chapel is nestled in a grove of towering redwood trees. Lloyd Wright designed the Chapel out of glass, wood, and stone elements that come together at 30 and 60 degree angles. It opened in 1951 to serve as a place for all wayfarers on life's journey to stop and give glory to God and is famous for its organic architecture. With its breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island, the 3.5 acres that the Chapel sits on feature beautifully landscaped gardens with trees forming arbored walkways leading to gardens replicating the forest floor, expansive lawns, an outdoor amphitheater, and a rose garden with a walk of honor featuring engraved pavers. Wayfarers Chapel is a Swedenborgian church that welcomes people of all faiths to their worship services and to celebrate other important passages of life, including memorial services, baptisms, and weddings. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the National Memorial to Emanuel Swedenborg.
Reviewed By waynefromcali - Yucaipa, United States
The beautiful Wayfarers Chapel located in Rancho Palos Verdes California is a beautiful chapel overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Designed by the son of Frank Lloyd Wright,Frank Wright,this chapel is made almost entirely of glass and nautical type woods.Thousands of couples have "tied the knot" in this scenic location overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean in Rancho Palos Verdes. . . . #wayfarerschapel #ranchopalosverdes #wedding #marriage #californiasoul # californiadreamin #californiadreaming #waynesalvatti #photografxworldwide
2. Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,969 reviews
Visit the Santa Barbara Courthouse to enjoy a free Self-Guided Exterior Tour and a virtual tour of the Mural Room interior. Use your cell phone or tablet to explore Santa Barbara’s iconic Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse. The web-based tours can be found at sbcourthouse.org. The Courthouse is closed to visitors during Covid.
Reviewed By cresapsd - San Diego, United States
Coincidentally our stay in Santa Barbara was during the annual Fiesta Days and we enjoyed free concerts in the courthouse sunken garden as well as a docent led tour. The tour was very interesting and entertaining. The courthouse is not to be missed and don’t forget to check out the breathtaking view from the courthouse clock tower
3. Mission Inn Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Nonprofit Museum and Foundation which preserves, interprets, and promotes the history of the National Historic Landmark Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Independent organization offering free museum exhibits, guided interpretive tours, and public educational programming.
Reviewed By SeminarTrekker
The Mission Inn Museum if a foundation for the preservation and historical resource for the Mission Inn. They have interesting exhibits at the museum and the descents there are very helpful and informative about the history of the Mission Inn and the city of Riverside. You can sign up for descent led tours of the museum. They also sells books and souvenirs of the Mission Inn. I found less expensive postcards and magnets of the Mission Inn versus the Mission Inn gift shop. I recommend visiting this museum if your interested in the background and history of the Mission Inn
4. San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 508 reviews
Established in 1771, this Spanish mission is one of the most beautiful in the state and worth a visit for its serene aura. The mission includes a working church, gardens and interior exhibits.
Reviewed By tinahN3641RS
I thought the grounds were gorgeous and the history very interesting, especially if you aren't stopping at other missions along the coast. The self-guided tour doesn't take long and is worth the stop.
5. Tor House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
The historic home of the poet Robinson Jeffers is open to the public for group tours Fridays and Saturdays. First Tour at 10AM, last tour at 3PM. Tours last about 1 hr 20 minutes. Docents describe the life and times of Robinson and Una Jeffers, his poetry, philosophy, and accomplishments of building his home of sea-tossed granite. Wear walking shoes to cope with uneven ground and steep stairs. No photography during tours. Special events annually are the Spring Garden Party held the first Sunday in May when photography is permitted in Tor House and Hawk Tower. Jeffers Fall Festival is held the first weekend of October and includes discussions and presentations on Jeffers' poetry and his life in Carmel. Both are paid events. Check the Tor House web site for details near the time of event.
Reviewed By Z8070LNjeanf
A most enjoyable tour of the Poet's home Robinson Jeffers. Our tour guide was very engaging and interesting, and read a poem to enhance the experience.
6. Union Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,826 reviews
Los Angeles Union Station is the main railroad station in Los Angeles, California, and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western US. Union Station is a major transportation hub for Southern California, serving almost 110,000 passengers a day. The station is the hub of the Amtrak's California regional routes, Amtrak's long distance trains, Metrolink commuter trains, several Metro Rail subway and light rail lines, buses and coach services. History: Established in 1939. Built in 1939, Union Station combines Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Mission Revival and Streamline Moderne styles. The architecture team included John and Donald Parkinson who also designed Los Angeles City Hall and other city landmarks. Originally intended as a transcontinental terminus station for the Union Pacific, Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railways, the station was a major hub for troop movement during World War II. The station's historic 161,000 square foot terminal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and the station was restored in 1992. Beginning in the 1970s, growing use of Amtrak and expansion of local and regional rail revitalized the station as a major transportation hub of Southern California. Metro acquired the station in 2011, managing the property that currently serves as a transportation hub for Metro, Metrolink, Amtrak and other transportation services as well an urban mixed-use development site.
Reviewed By ShermanOaks2019 - Los Angeles, United States
Enjoy beautiful architecture - great dining in the station or less than a block away famous Philippes French Dip Sandwich - or great Mexican Food at Olvera Street. If you have time take a quick trip to Santa Monica or to Hollywood & Vine and dine at Musso & Franks, or Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel by the pool.
7. Bradbury Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 623 reviews
Famous 19th-century Italian Renaissance building in downtown Los Angeles.
Reviewed By overeasy
I did a very quick visit here years ago, but was thrilled to come back again. This is a truly special building, which is why it has appeared in many movies and TV shows. My fav was "Demon With A Glass Hand," an original Outer Limits episode with Robert Culp. I saw that show over 50 years ago and even then was enthralled by the location. You can only go on the ground floor and up the stairs to the first level, but that is enough to let you understand how beautiful this place is. Read the history, which is fascinating as well. It's open on the weekends and you'll have more of a chance to nab a parking spot on the street then, too.
8. Vikingsholm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 778 reviews
Built as a summer home in 1929, this grand castle on Emerald Bay is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere.
Reviewed By 8-drank-was-merry - Naples, United States
Vikingsholm is a Scandinavian styled mansion/castle nestled down in the trees below highway 89, lakefront at the tip of Emerald Bay. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had it built in 1928/1929 with inspiration of ancient buildings she saw on a trip to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The Mansion is open for tours late May to late September, from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm on the half hour. The tour costs $15 for adults and $12 for students, kids under 7 are free. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center building on the trail just past the mansion/castle. In the center of Emerald Bay there is a small island, currently known as Fannette Island. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight reportedly took guests out to the island for high tea. If you would like to visit the island, you can rent kayaks at the lake shore (for 1 or 2 hours). The tour of the mansion is short, but informative and supports a good cause - renovation and revitalization of the structure. The hike down to the park is gorgeous and it is recommended to make a day long experience in the area. A hike up to Eagle Falls and Lake is wonderful with gorgeous views. Or just relaxing and hanging out around Emerald Bay.
9. San Francisco Bay Model
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
The world's largest working model of San Francisco Bay.
Reviewed By photomagica
Full disclosure - I'm a visual artist working in photography and the Bay Model Visitor Center hosted a show of my work of the San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds in its lovely gallery. It hosts a rotating array of shows throughout the year, mostly of regional artists but occasionally including and international artist such as myself. The model itself is vast and informative. This is a great location to learn about San Francisco Bay environment, engineering and history. Admission is free and the rangers that operate the Bay model are friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful.
10. City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 345 reviews
After an impressive seismic rehabilitation, completed in 2001, the beloved 28-story landmark can withstand an earthquake up to magnitude 8.
Reviewed By TPAT75 - Oulu, Finland
Beautiful building that offers great views over the city for free! So take some time to visit here if you're in downtown.
