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Back to CaliforniaBest of California: What to See & Do in the Golden State

Feeling Humbled in Redwood National & State Parks: Acres of inconceivably massive redwood trees, up to 350 feet tall, tower over thick, lush, oversized ferns, mosses, and wild orchids in the old-growth forests along the Northern California coast. Walking through these groves is an unforgettably humbling, serene experience.

Sunbathing on Malibu's Legendary Beaches: Zuma and Surfrider beaches inspired the 1960s surf music that embodies the Southern California coast culture. Surfrider is home to L.A.'s best waves. Zuma is loaded with snack bars, restrooms, jungle gyms, and other amenities. The beach affords some of the state's best sunbathing, in front of the Malibu Colony, a star-studded enclave of multimillion-dollar homes.

Wine Tasting in Napa or Sonoma: You don't have to be a connoisseur to appreciate the wine trail. All you need is a decadent streak and a designated driver. Sniff and sip at a few wineries, take in the bucolic views, and see why this region is one of the hottest destinations in the country -- a place to sample some of the world's best wines right at the source.

Taking a Studio Tour: Studio tours are an opportunity to see the actual stage sets for shows such as ER and The West Wing, and you never know who you're going to spot emerging from his or her star wagon.

Exploring Wreck Alley in San Diego: Five scuttled vessels sit on the sea floor, 2 miles off Mission Beach, providing certified divers the chance to investigate an exciting nautical graveyard, which includes a 366-foot Canadian destroyer, the Yukon, as well as the remnants of a research station toppled by a storm in 1982.

Looking out at Lake Tahoe: One of the world's most magnificent bodies of fresh water, sparkling Lake Tahoe contains close to 40 trillion gallons -- enough to cover the entire state of California to a depth of 15 inches.

Surfing at La Jolla's Beaches: "La Jolla" may be misspelled Spanish for "the jewel," but this is no mistake: The bluff-lined beaches here are among the state's most beautiful. Each has a distinct personality: Surfers love Windansea's waves; harbor seals have adopted the Children's Pool; La Jolla Shores is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and kayaking; while the Cove is a top snorkeling spot -- and the best place to spot the electric-orange California state fish, the garibaldi.

Visiting Venice Beach's Ocean Front Walk: You haven't visited L.A. properly until you've rented some skates in Venice and taken in the human carnival around you. Nosh on a Jody Maroni's haute dog; buy some cheap sunglasses, silver jewelry, or ethnic garb; and relish the wide beach, blue sea, and performers along the boardwalk.

Walking across The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco: More tomato red than golden, the famous bridge remains the cheery hallmark of the San Francisco skyline. It's also an excellent expanse to walk.

Grazing at San Francisco's Farmers Market: In 2003, San Francisco's favorite outdoor culinary fair moved to the Ferry Building Marketplace, where some of the best artisan food producers and restaurants have storefronts. Stop by to peruse the exceptional, abundant selection of gourmet shops and restaurants, or join the locals during open-air market days -- Tuesday and Thursday -- to feast on the freshest vegetables, fruits, and prepared foods from beloved restaurants.

Visiting Joshua Tree National Park: You'll find awesome rock formations; groves of flowering cacti and gnarly, eerily beautiful Joshua trees; ancient Native American petroglyphs; and shifting sand dunes in this desert wonderland. If you choose to camp here, you'll sleep under a brilliant night sky.

Hot-Air Ballooning over Napa Valley: Sure, you have to rise at dawn to do it, but drifting over the Napa Valley's vineyards in a balloon is the best way to view the verdant, undulating hills, meticulously striped with vines and bordered by mountains. Flights run in the morning on clear days, when the air is calm and cool.

Rafting Scenic Northern California Rivers: You can white-water raft through cascades of raging Class IV waters or float under blue skies, through deep forests, past all sorts of wildlife. Depending on the river and the time of year, some trips are okay for children over age 6.

Exploring a Real Gold Mine: Don your hardhat, "tag in," board the mine shuttle, and experience what it's like to be a gold miner. The Sutter Gold Mine tour company takes you deep into a mine that's loaded with gold deposits. You'll have the chance to sluice for some real gold.

Flying a World War II Fighter Aircraft: Don your parachute, strap yourself into the 600-horsepower fighter aircraft, and prepare to blow your mind as you (yes, you) perform aerobatic maneuvers -- loops, rolls, and lazy-8s -- above the Carlsbad coastline, accompanied (but not flown) by a pilot from Biplane, Air Combat & Warbird Adventures. It's an experience you'll never forget.

Seeing a Performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles: You would have to fly to Spain to see Frank Gehry's other architectural masterpiece, and this one is sufficiently awe-inspiring. And the dramatically curvaceous stainless-steel exterior houses one of the most acoustically perfect concert halls in the world.