If you or your family have ever wanted to visit California, there’s a good reason. California is filled with many sites, cultures, and history. Plus, the weather and scenery are absolutely gorgeous.

With such diverse landscapes, it’s hard to pick out exactly where you’ll want to go and explore. There’s a lot for your family to appreciate, and time is limited.

Check out these five great places you and your family should consider visiting on your next getaway to California.

1. Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a thriving city with a population of over 4 million and filled to the brim with places your family can visit. You have iconic theme parks like Disney Land and Universal Studios, but you also have less busy places like the Los Angeles State Historic Park and Echo Park Lake. If you do visit Los Angeles, you can’t beat a trip to Griffith Park, which has a little bit of something the whole family can appreciate, whether it be a hike to the Hollywood sign or a visit to Griffith Observatory to explore the sky. One word of caution, though, be careful if you are driving through Los Angeles as the county does have a higher rate of car accidents than average. 

2. San Francisco

Arguably the second (if not first) iconic city in California, San Francisco, is full of rich history and activities your family can enjoy. Some popular destinations to visit are Golden Gate Park, the San Francisco Zoo, and Dolores Park, but by far, a must-visit destination would be Fisherman’s Wharf. There’s a multitude of options your family can choose from at Fisherman’s Wharf, such as taking a cable car tour, a tour to Alcatraz, a visit to Ghirardelli Square, or just a stroll through the wharf to see all the various shops and restaurants. You can spend a whole day with your family at Fisherman’s Wharf, and you’d still be wishing you could do more.

3. Napa Valley

Napa Valley might lean a little more to the older crowd, but there’s plenty you and your family can do. Your family can visit the Castello di Amorosa, Connolly Ranch, or the Old Faithful Geyser. You could also take a family hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley. At 30 miles long and five miles across, the Napa Valley is a beautiful site to take in, and a hot air balloon ride is a great way to see it.

4. Yosemite

If you’re looking to take your family on the camping trip of their lifetime, look no further than Yosemite National Park. Yosemite contains many different types of wildlife and plant species and is filled with waterfalls, sequoias, meadows, and deep valleys. If your family is the fitness type, then the Half Dome Trail is sure to offer a challenge, but if your family is into light hiking, give the Sentinel Dome or Glacier Point Trail a chance. Be cautious of the weather and time of your visit, as it can get pretty cold.

5. San Diego

When you think of gorgeous beaches in California, one of the first places that should be on your radar is San Diego. Known for having some of the best weather in the nation, San Diego is a sight to see with many offerings for your family. You can take a trip to Coronado Beach, SeaWorld San Diego, or Old Town. There’s also Balboa Park, which is home to more than 16 different museums, performing art venues, gardens, trails, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

These are just a handful of places your family could visit on a trip to California. With such a diverse environment, California offers a bit of everything your family could be interested in. There’s plenty of different things your family can do, which makes California a valuable place to revisit.

Have you taken a trip to California? If so, what are your top destinations?