For some, a holiday or vacation to California is a holiday of a lifetime, for others it is a familiar friend – you are always glad to visit and enjoy the magic.  Whether you are a first time visitor or a regular you want to maximise your time there, and you want to make sure you see all the best things this incredible state has to offer.

And even if you are traveling alone, there is plenty for you to see and do that will make this vacation exciting and memorable.

Here are the best places to visit while you are in California:

Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital of California. It is perhaps the one place that offers a little of everything. You have the vibrant city life with outstanding restaurants and bars to visit. But you are also right on the edge of some of the best countryside California has to offer. It’s often dry, but you can find the hidden gems of flora and fauna by heading out to the fertile valleys of the vineyards. There is a lot of interest in locally grown produce, so be sure to check out a farmer’s market in the city too.

Los Angeles

The City of Angels is perhaps the most famous area of California. First class flights to Los Angeles put you in the heart of the action. Hollywood and Rodeo Drive are certainly very popular destinations for anyone visiting the West Coast. Shopping is something you just have to do in this city! Venice Beach is a popular hang-out and meeting point for locals and visitors. It’s nice just to take in the scenery and do some people watching. Or you could get more active on the coast. Take a studio tour and see behind the scenes of the latest Hollywood blockbuster.

San Francisco

This fascinating city has a unique landscape thanks to the curvy hills created by earthquakes over the centuries. The roads follow these unique inclines, and they make for some great exercise if you like walking! Of course, the Golden Gate Bridge is the iconic, must-see attraction of the area. Some days are quite foggy here, but when you get clear skies, the view is incredible. There are always lots of events and performances on in the city, and the communities offer plenty of interesting activities too – visiting the gay and lesbian area of Castro is one of my favourites.

Yosemite National Park

No visit to California is complete without a little action and adventure. A weekend in the National Park can provide you with plenty of that. Best of all, there is plenty of wildlife and extraordinary landscapes to see too.

This area is susceptible to snow in the wintertime, so this may be more of a summertime destination. Yosemite is world-famed for its beautiful waterfalls. Be sure to take your camera and selfie-stick!

Anaheim

Anaheim is in the south of the State of California. It is perhaps the most popular tourist destination of all. This is the home of the world famous theme parks like Disneyland. While the theme parks may keep you entertained all day and all night, Anaheim is not short of other attractions. There are many great restaurants and music venues in the city to enjoy. The Bowers Museum is also very close to the theme parks and has state of the art exhibits for everyone to enjoy.

California may be the holiday of a lifetime for you. Or it may be somewhere you just want to visit again. With so much to do, you’ll find it hard to leave!