
California has it all. Charming spots by the ocean, the warm and sunny weather, bustling cities, intriguing desert landscapes, wonderful forests and breathtaking mountains. Whether you love adventure or search for a place to chill out, you’ll probably love it here.
I had a hard time procrastinating while writing this post. Why? Because California isn’t a place that can be squeezed into a short, one-page guide. This state is both massive and diverse. Therefore, this post will be my introduction to California—the best, the worst, and all in between!
Are you ready to get a taste of Californian adventure?
Let’s start!
Big Sur
A drive through Cabrillo Highway all the way from Morro Bay to Carmel-by-the-Sea was one of the most picturesque drives I’ve ever experienced. The winding turns make you drive slowly, but it’s not worth rushing through this road anyway!
There are many great viewpoints all along this road that let you embrace the rugged beauty of this part of land. There’s no need to stop every few minutes (just because you can), but be sure to take a break in at least a few places. McWay Falls, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach are among the most popular and most picturesque locations—don’t miss them.
Nevertheless, prepare for strong winds! On Pfeiffer Beach, I could actually feel the grains of sand hitting my legs—and it wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

Looking at the McWay Falls.

Big Sur showed me the new level of windy!
Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey
These towns feel intimate and peaceful with their laid-back vibe. I loved watching the sunset on the Carmel beach after a long stroll. I enjoyed eating clam chowder while observing sea otters on Monterey Pier, on a chilly evening, after a long day of sightseeing.
A scenic route named 17-Mile Drive is one of the most touristy spots in this part of the Californian coast. It’s beautiful, but hordes of tourists take some of this beauty away. If you prefer a bit less touristy place—and still gorgeous—I recommend you to visit Point Lobos.
Here’s a rule about California: wherever you can drive, there will be tourists. And wherever walking is the only option, there’s a chance to admire the views by yourself.

Sunset at the beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea
San Francisco
Even before I went to San Francisco, I knew I would love this city. People who spend some time in SF complain only about one thing—high costs of living. The rest is just perfect: the ocean, the cliffs, the parks on hills, the bay …
As for the weather in San Francisco, it tends to be unpredictable. Mist and strong winds are a rule rather than the exception here. But this isn’t a drawback—instead, it creates a specific charm of this city.
There were numerous places I loved in San Francisco. I especially liked those little parks situated on hills where I could sip my morning coffee without rush, admiring stunning city views. I also enjoyed a long walk from Battery Spencer, along the Golden Gate Bridge and Baker Beach, all the way to Lands End, and having dinner somewhere in Outer Richmond, without any tourists around.
To me, San Francisco, with its narrow, walkable streets, had a somewhat “European” vibe, and maybe this is why I felt like home there. Or perhaps I just love cities by the bay 😉 Nevertheless, SF, I’m coming back to explore more!

One of the many charming little parks in SF. This view!

On a pier in SF

It was soooo windy!
Sequoia National Park
Since I wasn’t willing to stand in a queue to have a picture with the General Sherman Tree, I just had a walk around the Giant Forest and didn’t regret it. Seeing these majestic trees up close is a wonderful experience, especially when you don’t focus on the most crowded tourist attractions.
Driving through SNP is also a treat for all of your senses. The tall sequoias, the stunning views from the winding roads, the smell of the forest, the sound of birds chirping among the trees—it all left me speechless. I thought that a convertible had been an unnecessary expense, but—no, not in this place!

Can you see me? 😉
Los Angeles
Let me put it this way, the City of Angels isn’t my favorite place in California.
But let’s start with the good stuff. The city has its definite highlights: stunning views from the Griffith Observatory and the Getty Center, posh Beverly Hills, exciting studio tours (after all, it’s the center of the global entertainment industry). It’s also great for active people because of lots of hiking possibilities around LA and wide beaches in Santa Monica and Venice, simply made for bike riding, skating, running and building your perfect body at the Muscle Beach 😉
Nevertheless, the city has its dark side. Numerous tents of homeless people are a common view in many parts of LA. The interesting places are scattered across the vast area, while the public transport system is embarrassing compared to other metropolises in the world. The city isn’t pedestrian-friendly, and cars often get stuck in traffic.
I left LA with mixed feelings. Maybe this city just isn’t a good fit for me.
But I could totally have a great time in one of those beach villas in Malibu 😉

I loved the view from Griffith Observatory.

…and the colorful gardens at The Getty.

The Last Bookstore – a great place for book lovers!

Any “Friends” fans here?
Yosemite National Park
My expectations had been high with this one—and I wasn’t let down!
Yosemite NP is an absolute charm. The views are stunning! Walking among the bare rocks, the picture-postcard meadows and green forests is a perfect way to relax. If you come here early in the morning or you choose less popular routes, you have a good chance to avoid crowds.
Nevertheless, even touristy paths took my breath away. A view from the Glacier Point is magnificent and one-of-a-kind (although I recommend hiking the 4-Mile Trail rather than driving there) while taking the Mist Trail is memorable because of refreshing showers during walks under Vernon and Nevada Falls (we were there in early June, so it was heavy rain rather than a drizzle!).
I left Yosemite NP hungry for more—more sights, visiting more trekking routes, more adventures. Two nights in this place were far too little to unplug.

Me on John Muir Trail

The Mist Trail – I was soaking wet, but I saw multiple rainbows!

The Tunnel View
Sonora Pass
We planned to drive through the Tioga Pass, but fate decided otherwise. Tioga Pass was closed and the best way to continue our trip was to take the Sonora Pass.
And what a drive that was!
The elevation and temperature changes, as well as seeing the bear crossing the road just in front of our car, made this drive unforgettable. It wasn’t planned, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole trip to California.
Mammoth Lakes
We entered Mammoth Lakes after a long drive through the Sonora Pass … and I felt as if I traveled not a 150 miles, but rather half a globe! Why? Because it looked almost like the place somewhere in the European Alps 😉
Mammoth Lakes is hands down one of the most picturesque towns we visited during the trip, and I would love to come back here in the winter and do some skiing.

Frozen falls in June – what can beat that?
Bodie
Visiting one of the gold rush towns had been on my to-do list since I remember. Bodie, a ghost town located in the eastern part of the Sierra Nevada mountains, was my first choice.
Once the center of the California gold rush, Bodie hosted many thriving businesses, as well as numerous gunfights. Today, visiting this place is a step into the past with lots of fascinating stories to discover.
This place would resonate with so many people! The history freaks, the investors and all people who have interest in financial markets (me!), the gamers (any Red Dead Redemption fans here?), Wild West movie lovers, and basically all the people who love unique places off the beaten path.
Bodie boasts about its authenticity, as the town is in fairly good shape comparing to other gold rush towns (there are numerous different buildings still standing). It wasn’t also changed by the movie industry, in contrary to some other similar places.

Bodie

A church in Bodie
Death Valley
Some people love it—after all, it’s one of the hottest places on Earth!
Some people find it boring – because all you visit here is: rocks, salty rocks, more rocks, some sand, and vast areas of nothing.
I found myself somewhere in between. Desert landscapes aren’t new to me, and temperatures feeling like the inside of the oven weren’t encouraging. Nevertheless, driving through this no-man’s land in the scorching sun gave me chills.
The Badwater Basin and Devil’s Golf Course were just ok to me. But watching the sunset at Dante’s View, overlooking the valley, is when I finally saw the beauty of this place.

Devil’s Golf Course

Death Valley

The Dante’s View
San Diego
I spent too little time in San Diego to have a strong opinion about this city. In fact, there aren’t many touristy things to do here (compared to LA or SF), which is actually a significant advantage to me—but some tourists find it a bit underwhelming.
I loved my time in San Diego. I will always associate this city with lovely La Jolla district, kayaking in Mission Bay (with sea lion swimming right next to me!) and with late-night delicious pizza in Little Italy. 😉

Kayaking in San Diego
On the road
The best thing about California is the variety it offers. The greatest views you get when you’re on the move. In this place, you should rent a good car, turn on the music and step onto a gas pedal.
Long straight stretches of road make you feel like the king of the world. Every turn lets you see a different, magnificent landscape.
Being on the road is what I loved the most.
And this is what I’ll do when I’m back in California!
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!