Countless movies and media have featured California's major cities, giving most people a sense of familiarity with the Golden State's most iconic city-dwelling. While the Hollywood Sign, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Capitol Records building may seem like obvious must-see attractions, some of California's best sights are outside of the cities. From the top of limestone rock formations or the tips of tall redwood trees to its scorching desert sands and salty seas, California is packed with can't-miss experiences, both on and a little off the map.
The Coastline from the PCH
- California's Pacific Coast Highway is a perfect example of the journey being the destination. Hailed by "National Geographic" as being one of the 500 "Drives of a Lifetime," the curves and bends in the 123-mile Pacific Coast Highway 1, or the PCH as locals call it, hug the rugged California coastline and showcase its spectacular views. A trip that you can break up over days or complete in about five hours, cruising the PCH will take you past the coasts of Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Malibu and Garrapata State Park -- to name a few. Although it may prove to be a challenge at certain points, avoid accidents and a sore neck by keeping your eyes on the road while driving.
The Mother of All National Parks
- Lonely Planet calls California's Yosemite National Park "the Taj Mahal of national parks" with its gigantic limestone cliffs, mountains, waterfalls, sequoia forests and plentiful lakes. It is a nature-lovers dream, packed with opportunities for hiking, camping and rock climbing, such as on the famous Half-Dome and the vertical granite of El Capitan. Yosemite is America's third-oldest national park and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park's humbling beauty inspires millions of visitors each year and leaves life-long memories.
The Massive Coastal Redwoods
- Towering high with thick bases, redwoods are some of the world's largest trees. Northern California's Redwood National and State Parks is home to a sprawling 45 percent of the remaining population of coastal redwoods. Established in 1968, the parks boast a unique ecosystem that is home to many different species of plant and animal life, including the Sitka spruce and endangered bald eagles. However, it is the famous redwood trees that have the ability to make visitors feel completely dwarfed.
The Toxic Sea and Man-Made Mountain
- California's Imperial and Coachella valleys are home to two strange, accidental and man-made must-sees. Off California State Road 111 North lies the super salty waters of the Salton Sea. Once a popular tourist destination and fishing haven, years of toxic runoff from nearby industrial plants caused the sea to become deadly. As the inlet's ultra-sparkling waters beckon visitors to enter, the plethora of sun-bleached fish skeletons littering the beach are fair warning. It is an odd sight to behold. Just 40 minutes up the road stands Salvation Mountain. Constructed from more than 100,000 gallons of latex paint, sand and various other materials, the 30-years-and-counting project was started by Leonard Knight as a way to express his message that God is love. Visitors are welcome to climb the mountain, wander in the museum next door and peek into the truck where Knight lived for 20 years while crafting the work.
The Not-So-Death Valley
- Don't let its foreboding moniker scare you, Death Valley is teeming with life. While its name may imply a impending sense of demise, this desert is home to some tough species of plants, animals, insects -- and even a few fish. At 5,000 square miles, it is the largest national park in the lower 48 states, and with record temperatures of 134 degrees Fahrenheit, it is also the hottest. However, that doesn't stop the 135-mile ultra marathon foot race that kicks up death valley desert dirt in the extra heat-filled summer months. Visitors to Death Valley are rewarded with some of the best desert scenery, brightest moonlit nights and star-cluttered skies, silky curves of sand dunes and the occasional palm-shaded, water pool oasis.
