Tripadvisor
1 / 30#30. Mendocino Coast
- Rating: 4.9/5 (772 reviews)
- City: Mendocino Mendocino County
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Highest-rated things to do in California by visitors
When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.
If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.
Indeed, even if you've lived in California your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for California reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in California using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 15, 2025.
Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in California, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.
Tripadvisor
2 / 30#29. Gracianna Winery
- Rating: 5.0/5 (1,122 reviews)
- City: Healdsburg Sonoma County
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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3 / 30#28. Pine Ridge Vineyards
- Rating: 4.8/5 (563 reviews)
- City: Napa Napa Valley
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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4 / 30#27. Oakland Temple Visitors' Center
- Rating: 5.0/5 (996 reviews)
- City: Oakland
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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5 / 30#26. Jarvis Estate Winery
- Rating: 4.8/5 (356 reviews)
- City: Napa Napa Valley
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
6 / 30#25. Armstrong Redwood State Reserve
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,448 reviews)
- City: Guerneville Sonoma County
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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7 / 30#24. Heisler Park
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,330 reviews)
- City: Laguna Beach
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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8 / 30#23. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,610 reviews)
- City: Crescent City
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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9 / 30#22. Avenue of the Giants
- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,020 reviews)
- City: Humboldt County
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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10 / 30#21. Forestiere Underground Gardens
- Rating: 4.6/5 (908 reviews)
- City: Fresno
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
11 / 30#20. Redwood National and State Parks
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,175 reviews)
- City: Redwood National Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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12 / 30#19. Glacier Point
- Rating: 4.9/5 (4,629 reviews)
- City: Yosemite National Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
13 / 30#18. Disney California Adventure Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (15,804 reviews)
- City: Anaheim
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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14 / 30#17. Point Lobos
- Rating: 4.9/5 (4,914 reviews)
- City: Carmel Monterey County
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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15 / 30#16. Fisherman's Wharf
- Rating: 4.1/5 (19,698 reviews)
- City: San Francisco
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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16 / 30#15. Pier 39
- Rating: 4.2/5 (23,057 reviews)
- City: San Francisco
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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17 / 30#14. Cable Cars
- Rating: 4.4/5 (25,642 reviews)
- City: San Francisco
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
18 / 30#13. Lombard Street
- Rating: 4.3/5 (18,438 reviews)
- City: San Francisco
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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19 / 30#12. Santa Monica Pier
- Rating: 4.1/5 (19,442 reviews)
- City: Santa Monica
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
20 / 30#11. 17-Mile Drive
- Rating: 4.4/5 (12,758 reviews)
- City: Monterey Monterey County
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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21 / 30#10. Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Rating: 4.6/5 (14,568 reviews)
- City: Monterey Monterey County
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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22 / 30#9. Balboa Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (13,151 reviews)
- City: San Diego
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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23 / 30#8. Golden Gate Bridge
- Rating: 4.7/5 (49,929 reviews)
- City: San Francisco
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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24 / 30#7. The Getty Center
- Rating: 4.8/5 (14,842 reviews)
- City: Los Angeles
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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25 / 30#6. USS Midway Museum
- Rating: 4.8/5 (25,872 reviews)
- City: San Diego
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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26 / 30#5. La Jolla Cove
- Rating: 4.6/5 (13,832 reviews)
- City: La Jolla San Diego
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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27 / 30#4. Griffith Observatory
- Rating: 4.6/5 (20,810 reviews)
- City: Los Angeles
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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28 / 30#3. San Diego Zoo
- Rating: 4.6/5 (30,965 reviews)
- City: San Diego
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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29 / 30#2. Universal Studios Hollywood
- Rating: 4.4/5 (37,893 reviews)
- City: Los Angeles
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
30 / 30#1. Alcatraz Island
- Rating: 4.7/5 (56,404 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 51 states.
