Hidden Gems of California: Not-to-Miss Things To Do

There is little doubt that California has been discovered by tourists. Places like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Yosemite get quite busy during the tourist season and waiting lines at restaurants or attractions are not uncommon. In this post we want to share some activities and places that are less well known, but definitely worth a visit. These include parks and spots you might not associate with California, or parts of the well-known tourist destinations that are not overcrowded yet by tourists. You could call them hidden gems, mainly known and enjoyed by Californians. Who doesn’t like to travel like a local?!

The Golden Gate Bridge is not only the icon of San Francisco, but also the gateway to the north. You can get yourself a self-audio to learn all about the fascinating history of this world-famous bridge. Where North California - often called NorCal - officially starts is up for debate. Some consider the region around San Francisco part of NorCal, some argue that it starts across the San Francisco Bay. But one thing that’s for sure is that it is very different from the rest of the state. 

Compared to the rather dry and populated south of the state, the north is dominated by lush forests and sparsely populated agricultural land. The produce from these farms is amongst the best in the world, and a host of restaurants serve up some the finest farm-to-fork cuisine on the planet. This North Californian way of life is definitely one to be admired.

As well as first-class food, this region of California is also home to excellent wines, so make sure you take a wine tour in the famous Napa valley and also in the lesser known Sonoma Valley, where you can discover even more unique wineries.

If you are into craft beer, California is where the recent IPA revolution started. Consider stopping in either Fort Bragg (North Coast Brewing), Santa Rosa (Russian River Brewery) or Petaluma (Lagunitas Brewery) for a quick drink and while you’re at it, the gastro pubs are amazing and serve excellent food. Believe us, it’s worth the detour!

In addition to fine cuisine and excellent local produce the region is also known for its untouched nature. The coastline of Northern California is untouched by development and provides impressive views and accessible hiking opportunities. Marin County and the fabulous Muir Woods National Monument is a must-visit. Just across the Golden Gate bridge and less than an hour by car from the bustling San Francisco, Muir Woods is a great introduction into NorCal and its impressive coastal Redwoods. These giant trees are perhaps lesser known than the giant Sequoias, but they are as tall and impressive and dominate most of the coastline of North California. 

Further north of Marin there are plenty more impressive national and state parks to visit. You can try to spot Bigfoot in the Humboldt Redwood National State Park. Drive between the majestic Redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants - a scenic highway between Garberville and Stafford. More inland you can spot and explore active volcanoes in the Lassen National Park, where the scenery is truly breathtaking. 

The north is also home to the symbol of California: the bear! You might be lucky enough to spot one on your visit! During the winter times you can ski on the slopes of Shasta Mountain, one of the highest mountains in the United States! 

One of the main attractions in California is Yosemite, especially the central Yosemite Valley, which offers impressive views of towering granite cliffs and thundering waterfalls. Luckily Yosemite is very large, and there are many parts that are as impressive and less crowded. Just north of the Oakhurst entrance, at Mariposa Grove, you can gaze at the giant Sequoia trees that are characteristic for the Sierra Nevada mountain ridge. The Tioga road, in the north of the park is also less busy. This road on the roof of the Sierra Nevada offers impressive views of Yosemite Valley and takes you to the ski resort of Mammoth Lake, a popular destination with local Californias escaping the city for a long weekend. An absolute highlight is Bodie, a ghost town a few miles from Mono Lake that takes you back to the time when California was the American frontier and settlers flocked to the West and displaced the local indigenous population.

A final highlight of the Sierra Nevada that is less than a day’s drive from San Francisco is Lake Tahoe. Although Lake Tahoe is a popular tourist destination and is less of a hidden gem, it is still less busy than Yosemite. During the winter and most of the spring it has some of the best snow in California and is an ideal skiing destination. During the summer it is slightly cooler than the rest of California and a quick dip in the lake, which has some of the clearest water in the world, is just what you need after a long day of road tripping. Tahoe is on the border of California and Nevada, and you’ll find some Vegas style casinos over on the Nevada side of the lake. So if you want to experience what the famous American casino culture is all about but you want to save Las Vegas for another visit, you could do it on top of the Sierra Nevada… or drive to Reno which is just over an hour away from Lake Tahoe!

Although the strip malls and large shopping centers around San Francisco are not necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing places in California, they are, especially for the international tourist looking for some designer bargains, a must do. The outlet malls of Gilroy and Milpitas (close to San Jose) are very large and have factory stores of famous brands such as Levi’s, North Face, Fossil, Columbia and you can easily find jeans of a respectable brand at a fraction of the cost. 

The outlet complex near Gilroy can be easily combined with a trip to either Monterey or Santa Cruz. Both seaside towns are defined by a quintessential Californian relaxed atmosphere where life centers around “hanging out”... and surfing! At Monterey the Aquarium is a must see attraction, especially for people travelling with children. Santa Cruz has a more bohemian touch, and the main street offers some great shopping and restaurants. Santa Cruz also has an amazing pier from which you can spot the surfers, and the nearby Boardwalk is great for kids.

There’s so many amazing things to see and do around California, that you really will be spoilt for choice! And don’t worry, if you don’t see it all the first time, you can always come back! 

 Discover our top California activities on Klook!