8 Interesting Things To Do While Visiting California

California is a beautiful state that has a lot to offer to whoever is visiting or even who lives there. And I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word California, I instantly think of palm trees, the beaches and beautiful sights, great food, and good energy. It’s really a cool place to travel to if you have never been before! Here are some of the most interesting things you can do while visiting Cali, L.A. or not.

1. Sequoia National Park’s General Sherman

Located in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park is the world’s largest tree measured by volume. It stands at 275 feet tall and is over 36 feet in diameter at the base. It was given the name General Sherman in 1879 by naturalist James Wolverton, who served under the real General Sherman during the Civil War. It is estimated to be about 2,000 years old. It’s easily accessible and a great prop to pose in front of for your Instagram page.

2. Big Sur

Big Sur in California’s beauty is unmatched. It’s a rugged stretch of the central coast of California between Carmel and San Simeon. If you’re a fan of scenic views, then you may want to consider taking the 17 Mile Drive. The 17 Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove right by Monterey, California. It’s a huge tourist attraction and for good reason.

3. Chinatown, San Francisco

Known to be one of the oldest and most established Chinatowns in the U.S., the Chinatown in San Francisco has streets full of classic dim sum joints and other delicious eateries and bakeries. It’s a major tourist attraction, so be prepared for the crowd of people you run into. Some of their most popular attractions include the Golden Gate Bakery, Chong Qing Xiao Mian, and Hong Kong Clay Pot.

4. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is probably one of the prettiest destinations in all of the nation. It’s a great place to relax and get away for a few days if you’re looking for some place calm, peaceful, and quiet. A lot of Lake Tahoe’s visitors are especially drawn to the high mountaintops and crystal blue waters that have made the water resting by the border of California and Nevada so reputable.

5. Time Travel Mart

This is probably one of the most interesting touristy attractions L.A. has to offer. The Time Travel Mart is basically a convenience store for time travelers. It’s full of a whole bunch of stuff ranging from groceries to accessories, books, clothing, supplies, and more.

6. Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay and is one of San Francisco’s most popular attractions, other than the Golden State Bridge of course. It was the sight of the first lighthouse in the Western United States but soon became a federal prison in 1934. While visiting Alcatraz, you get the opportunity to take a tour of the cell house to scope out where the prisoners lived before being transferred off the island back in 1963. It’s definitely one of the more interesting places to see, but in a good way. It’s a prominent landmark in San Fran, after all.

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7. Venice Beach

Visit Venice Beach in California. It’s a buzzing area that is always full of some of the greatest street performers, food and drinks, funky shops, and colorful murals. It also has a skate park and outdoor gym (otherwise known as Muscle Beach). If you travel to California and are staying near L.A. or Santa Monica, then you definitely have to pay Venice Beach a visit. You can either ride a bike or walk down the pathways to enjoy the scenery and all the urban beach has to offer.

8. Carson Mansion

The Carson Mansion is a large Victorian home located in Eureka, California. Constructed in 1844, the mansion is a three-story eighteen-room structure that was designed by the Newsom Brothers of San Francisco. It’s become a local landmark mainly due to the architecture of the mansion itself and the mansion’s reference to Gothic, Italian, and French influence. When you see it up close and personal, it might feel like you’re in a fairytale or a mysterious movie.