Top Things to do in California
Top 10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in California, United States
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. Marin Headlands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,889 reviews
Located at the Point Bonita Lighthouse, these headlands offer a suspension bridge and hiking trail.
Reviewed By karen5326 - Grants Pass, United States
It is surprising to get such a sense of wildness so close to the city, but the Marin Headlands give you that experience. The Visitor Center was worth a stop and had interesting exhibits, helpful staff, and a good array of books and gifts. It is worth a drive to the end of the road if you have the time.
2. Piedras Blancas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 722 reviews
Reviewed By DePere - De Pere, United States
We visited the elephant seal rookery of Piedras Blancas in mid-April. We learned while we were there that the large males (5000 pounds) with the extended noses (proboscis ) would not be on the beach at this time of the year. The elephant seals on the beach would be females and adolescents using the beach as a place to molt. This was a great experience. We visited the boardwalk during the evening and then returned to the same area in the morning. We witnessed more activity in the morning session. The boardwalks extend both north and south of the parking lot. There were seals in the water, seals on the beach, seals sleeping, seals climbing over each other, and seals sparring with each other. This was just a great experience, especially for a person from the Midwest. The area has great signage on the road so a person can easily find the rookery, located a few miles north of San Simeon. Brochures and informational bulletin boards provides you with education about these sea mammals. No fee associated with parking or accessing the viewing area.
3. Montgomery Woods State Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By karinitabonita - Elk Grove, United States
It’s about 3 miles long. Very tall and beautiful trees and a creek. Gorgeous views!! It was 16 of us ages 4 to 75. We all enjoyed it. Trees are just all different and beautiful to look at. Highly recommended if you’re in the area.
4. Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,096 reviews
The Elephant Seal Viewing area and the Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop (250 San Simeon Ave, Suite 3B, San Simeon, CA) are two separate locations. They are 7.2 miles apart. Please plan to visit both while you are in the area. Directions to both locations: https://elephantseal.org/locations/ The Friends of the Elephant Seal docents (guides) provide education for visitors to the Elephant Seal Viewing area at Piedras Blancas, every morning and afternoon, 365 days a year. Long boardwalks provide wonderful, up-close viewing opportunities. Look for docents in the blue jackets! Viewing Area is located 4 miles north of the Hearst Castle. Find us here: Put these coordinates into any map program: 35° 39' 48" N, 121° 15' 28" W Or use this link for the accurate location of the viewing area: https://goo.gl/maps/fzfACKBqNgcwurjf9
Reviewed By timohteee - Delaware, United States
My wife and I actually drove passed this stop and turned around to go back because we noticed a large group of people. We are glad we decided to turn around! When we got there around 6PM, there were a couple dozen elephant seals basking in the sun on the beach. Every now and then, you’ll catch one get up and stretch or another scooting across the sand to a new spot. It was surprisingly amazing to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat and was definitely a highlight for us both on our trip.
5. San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,023 reviews
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an expansive, non-profit wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 3,000 animals representing more than 300 species. Its renowned botanical collection represents 3,500 species and 1.75 million specimens. Over half of the Park’s 1,800 acres (730 hectares) have been set aside as protected native species habitat. It is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of downtown San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, California. he San Diego Zoo is operated by the international non-profit San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. The Zoo was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D. It currently has an 11-member Board of Trustees headed by Steven G. Tappan; and Paul A. Baribault is the president/CEO.
Reviewed By JeanettePenticton_BC - Penticton, Canada
Two 82 year old seniors visited and were very impressed especially with the knowledgable volunteers. We noticed an elevator, rentals for strollers, wheelchairs and scooters. We enjoyed walking among the Australian area, the Californian gardens, Nairobi Walk, through the African Loop to the African Tram for a 30 minute ride to see the huge animals. A keeper shared the Tiger talk and another showed us an ambitious turtle. It is a spacious place, well looked after, and lovely to see the elephants as we walked up the hill. There was a bit of wind and we noticed the hot air balloon was not available for rides. It was a wonderful day especially to see a new baby born among the animals.
6. 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!
7. Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
A wildlife reserve that offers visitors walking trails and kayak tours through salt marshes and tidal flats.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We enjoyed our drive to see various areas of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. Its fun to also see the birds and sea animals.
8. Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 448 reviews
An extraordinary combination of nature preserve and theme park that comprises more than 75 acres of trees, plants, water and rocks combined with rides, picnic grounds, miniature golf and spectacular gardens.
Reviewed By ccrconinc - Concord, United States
Late October and early Nov is the perfect time and place to spend a beautiful fall day with the kid( s ) or just wanted to be a kid yourself amazing trees scape ride for the kids Time for bonding !!!
9. Muir Woods National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,830 reviews
Muir Woods has a rich and varied history, from its use by the Coast Miwok people, to its early days of tourism and the Mount Tamalpais Mill Valley Scenic Railway, to an era of conservation, to modern preservation. In each era, the forest has been affected by the actions of humans, for better or for worse. Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, this coastal redwood preserve features majestic redwoods and scenic hiking trails that draw more than 1.5 million visitors each year.
Reviewed By Dg1236
We loved our visit to Muir Woods, it’s such a special place, very relaxing and peaceful. Four of us visited around 11am and did a trail lasting around an hour, it was an easy hike more like a leisurely stroll, we were lucky enough to come by a tree talk by a Ranger which was very interesting explaining the history of Muir Woods and the majestic Redwoods.
10. Coyote Hills Regional Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By jasonl500 - Bangkok, Thailand
Enjoyed walking/trekking on Coyote Hills Regional Park. There is a fee per car (and additional cost for dog) to get into the park. During winter period, it can be really cold because of the wind, so be prepared. This is at least half a day event. There are various route you can take and you can determine from the start. Highly recommend for those who wants outside activity and exercise.
