Top Things to do in California
Things to do in California, United States: The Best Neighborhoods
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. Old Town Auburn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 338 reviews
This pleasant neighborhood has nice shops and fun antiques.
Reviewed By elleefont - Grass Valley, United States
Absolutely love spending time here - wonderful restaurants and cute shops. Sad that Awful Annie's relocated to another spot in Auburn, but still great choices for food and drinks. Love the old charm and quaint streets.
2. Berkeley Marina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 280 reviews
One of the recommended windsurfing launch spots.
Reviewed By 745CatherineK - Berkeley, United States
Great views of the bay. Off leash dog area but a nice easy walk around Cesar Chavez is a treat. Path is paved for a good portion and flat so strollers and wheelchairs can enjoy the park. You can have lunch at the several restaurants available and kids can enjoy building stuff at the adventure playground or learn to windsurf or fly their kite. There is even a yearly kite festival.
3. Girard Avenue and Prospect Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
Fashionable streets in La Jolla that offer expensive shops, boutiques, art galleries and elegant restaurants.
Reviewed By 337dougb
Lots of fun shops, restaurants (large and small) and a general good ambience. Plan to just roam around a while.
4. Little Italy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,004 reviews
San Diego's oldest continuous neighborhood business district has continued to be a vibrant ethnic business and residential community since the 1920s.
Reviewed By shophappy36
We ate here twice and it was great both times. Plenty of places to park and eat. I'm Italian and I liked the food and I'm picky!! Fun area.
5. Barrio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Settled in the 1920s by people fleeing the Mexican Revolution, this historical neighborhood holds firmly to its Latino flavor despite the modern development around it, and boasts fine food and interesting shops.
Reviewed By kathyo24
We went during Happy Hour which was excellent. The prices on the drinks was very reasonable and the tacos were amazing! They have a variety--I had a street taco with carne asada and a fish taco. We sat outside and it was very pleasant.
6. Carlsbad Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,216 reviews
Downtown Carlsbad offers antique and curio stores, lots of good eating places and a great place to cool off after spending hours on the nearby beach.
Reviewed By estee8 - Denver, United States
We come every year. Great restaurants, and cute little stores. Easy access to the beach. Lots of friendly locals.
7. Old Town Temecula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,884 reviews
Reviewed By BaldEagleMorrow
Old Town Temecula is a wonderful experience of the 1800's So Cal architectural tradition, bumped into the 21st century. Restaurants as well as clothing, gift & antique stores present themselves as you navigate our boardwalk on either side of the street....plus varied music from the street lamps enlighten your exploration... Try it... you'll like it....
8. The BLVD
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
The BLVD is fast becoming the Antelope Valley's premier regional destination for shopping, dining, entertainment and the arts. Here, you can enjoy one-of-a-kind boutiques, experience live entertainment at locales such as the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, delight in an array of different cuisines, or take in an independent flick at Laemmle BLVD Cinemas. There's something for everyone on The BLVD!
Reviewed By estates2020 - Lancaster, United States
The BLVD is a great place and on a Friday or Saturday you can go to bar after bar with each one being unique as well as a lot of fun.
9. Willow Glen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
The tree lined streets of Downtown Willow Glen offer a small-town feel nestled in the city of San Jose — the 10th largest city in the nation. Stroll along Lincoln Avenue and find sidewalk cafes, coffee shops, boutiques, vintage shops, strollers parked outside unique kid stores, and doggie water bowls everywhere. Grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner, deposit a check, book a trip, rent a costume, get your eyes or teeth checked, drop off your clothes for cleaning, or pick up your prescription. All this and more with free, convenient parking on the street and in the public parking lots, including a large number of public parking spaces located in the Bank of America lot. Downtown Willow Glen offers more than 250 retail, dining, service and professional businesses waiting to give you that personal service that only a small business owner can provide. Annual street festivals showcase our area to the greater San Jose and Bay Area to thousands of attendees. Visit us and discover San Jose's best kept secret!
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We like Willow Glen The downtown area is a nice collection of cafes, restaurants and stores. Christmas is superb in this area as so many decorate their homes for the holidays Several of the streets have themes. We in particular liked the huge Santa Clara and sleigh theme which was at several of the houses.
10. Downtown Huntington Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 761 reviews
Reviewed By jacksondesign380
Great tone to be in huntington is during surf competitions. Great to watch from the pier and great restaurants at the pier. Parking gets rough though as it is a popular spot. Take light jackets as it gets pretty cool at night. Great shopping all over the area.
