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Best lookout points in California by visitors

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Daniel_Kay // Shutterstock
Daniel_Kay // Shutterstock
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Visit any given lookout point near you on a Saturday afternoon, and you're likely to be joined by several other people angling to get a glimpse of the view. Humans have always been drawn to vista points, whether for practical reasons such as surveying a large swath for scouting or simply to enjoy the natural (or human-made) landscape.

This has led to local and federal governments investing in parking, platforms, and public binoculars to better manage crowds gathering at lookout points across the United States. Arizona's Horseshoe Bend, where the Colorado River snakes around sandstone rock, draws around 2 million visitors annually. The city of Page, Arizona, has invested over $5 million in expanded parking, trail upgrades, and safety railings to manage the growing crowds.

Each year, more than 2 million people visit 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City for the panoramic skyline views from its "Top of the Rock" observation deck, perched roughly 850 feet above the streets. The spot attracts everyone from first-time visitors to couples planning proposals.

There are thousands of lookout points across the United States that offer special views like these, which means there are likely beautiful vistas near you. Stacker compiled a list of the best lookout points in California using August 2025 data from Tripadvisor to highlight the top-rated spots.

Tripadvisor rankings consider several factors—including average rating, total number of reviews, and page views—so a location with a perfect 5.0 might still rank below a 4.0 with more traffic. Only spots with at least 20 reviews were included.

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#27. Washburn Point

Tripadvisor

1 / 27

#27. Washburn Point

- Rating: 5.0/5 (23 reviews)
- City: Yosemite National Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Eleven53 Interpretive Center

Tripadvisor

2 / 27

#26. Eleven53 Interpretive Center

- Rating: 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
- City: Mammoth Lakes
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve

Tripadvisor

6 / 27

#22. Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve

- Rating: 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
- City: Carpinteria
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Coachella Valley Vista Point

Tripadvisor

14 / 27

#14. Coachella Valley Vista Point

- Rating: 4.7/5 (77 reviews)
- City: Palm Desert Greater Palm Springs
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Golden Gate View Point

Tripadvisor

16 / 27

#12. Golden Gate View Point

- Rating: 4.7/5 (176 reviews)
- City: Mill Valley Marin County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Muir Beach Overlook

Tripadvisor

17 / 27

#11. Muir Beach Overlook

- Rating: 4.7/5 (226 reviews)
- City: Muir Beach Marin County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Point Arena Lighthouse

Tripadvisor

18 / 27

#10. Point Arena Lighthouse

- Rating: 4.6/5 (466 reviews)
- City: Point Arena Mendocino County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Bishop Peak

Tripadvisor

19 / 27

#9. Bishop Peak

- Rating: 4.6/5 (243 reviews)
- City: San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Battery Spencer

Tripadvisor

21 / 27

#7. Battery Spencer

- Rating: 4.8/5 (222 reviews)
- City: Sausalito Marin County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Dante's View

Tripadvisor

24 / 27

#4. Dante's View

- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,320 reviews)
- City: Death Valley National Park Inyo County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Walt Disney Family Museum

Tripadvisor

27 / 27

#1. Walt Disney Family Museum

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,860 reviews)
- City: San Francisco
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 24 states.

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