1563 Best Sights in California, USA

Thousands of visitors come every day to walk in the footsteps of Alcatraz's notorious criminals. The stories of life and death on "the Rock" may sometimes be exaggerated, but it's almost impossible to resist the chance to wander the cell block that tamed the country's toughest gangsters and saw daring escape attempts of tremendous desperation. Fewer than 2,000 inmates ever did time on the Rock, including Al "Scarface" Capone, Robert "The Birdman" Stroud, and George "Machine Gun Kelly."

Some tips for escaping to Alcatraz: (1) Buy your ticket in advance. Visit the website for Alcatraz Cruises to scout out available departure times for the ferry. (2) Dress smart. Bring a jacket to ward off the chill from the boat ride and wear comfortable shoes. (3) Consider going for the evening tour. The evening tour has programs not offered during the day, the bridge-to-bridge view of the city twinkles at night, and your "prison experience" will be amplified as darkness falls. (4) Be mindful of scheduled and limited-capacity talks.

The boat ride to the island is brief (15 minutes) but affords beautiful views of the city, Marin County, and the East Bay. The audio tour (which comes with each ticket and is highly recommended to actually listen to for the best visit experience) includes observations by guards and prisoners about life in one of America's most notorious penal colonies. Additional programs and ranger tours are listed at the dock once you arrive on the island. Plan your schedule to allow at least three hours for the visit and boat rides combined.

Walking into this fascinating museum of "science, art, and human perception" is like visiting a mad-scientist's laboratory, but one in which most of the exhibits are supersize and you can play with everything. Signature experiential exhibits include the Tinkering Studio and a glass Bay Observatory building, where the exhibits help visitors better understand what they see outside. Get an Alice-in-Wonderland feeling in the Distorted Room, where you seem to shrink and grow as you walk across the slanted, checkered floor. In the Shadow Box, a powerful flash freezes an image of your shadow on the wall; jumping is a favorite pose. More than 650 other exhibits focus on sea and insect life, ice crystals, electricity, patterns and light, novelties like bicycle-powered jump rope, the weather, and more. Don't miss a walk around the outside of the museum afterward for superb views and a lesson about the bay's sediment and water motion in the Bay Windows presentation.

The jewel of the Embarcadero, erected in 1898 and now home to an outstanding food marketplace, is topped by a 230-foot clock tower modeled after the campanile of the cathedral in Seville, Spain. On the morning of April 18, 1906, the tower's four clock faces stopped around 5:15 am—moments after the great earthquake struck—and stayed still for 12 months.

Today San Franciscans flock to the street-level marketplace, stocking up on supplies from local favorites such as Acme Bread, Blue Bottle Coffee, El Porteño (empanadas), the gluten-free Mariposa Baking Company, and Humphry Slocombe (ice cream). For sit-down dining, there's the Hog Island Oyster Company and the seasonal Californian duo of Bouli Bar and Boulette's Larder. On the plaza side, the outdoor tables at Gott's Roadside and Fort Point Ferry Building offer great people-watching and excellent casual bites and sips. On Saturday morning the plazas outside the building buzz with an upscale farmers' market. Extending south from the piers north of the building to the Bay Bridge, the waterfront promenade out front is a favorite among joggers and picnickers, with a view of sailboats plying the bay. True to its name, the Ferry Building still serves actual ferries: from its eastern flank they sail to Sausalito, Larkspur, Tiburon, Angel Island, and the East Bay.

With its curving walls and isolated hilltop perch, the Getty Center resembles a pristine fortified city of its own. You may have been lured there by the beautiful views of Los Angeles—on a clear day stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean—but the amazing architecture, uncommon gardens, and fascinating art collections will be more than enough to capture and hold your attention. When the sun is out, the complex's rough-cut travertine marble skin seems to soak up the light.

Getting to the center involves a bit of anticipatory lead-up. You'll need to book a free timed-entry ticket in advance. When you arrive, at the base of the hill lies the underground parking structure. From there you either walk or take a smooth, computer-driven tram up the steep slope, checking out the Bel Air estates across the humming 405 freeway. The six pavilions that house the museum surround a central courtyard and are bridged by walkways. From the courtyard, plazas, and walkways, you can survey the city from the San Gabriel Mountains to the ocean.

In a ravine separating the museum and the Getty Research Institute, conceptual artist Robert Irwin created the playful Central Garden in stark contrast to Richard Meier's mathematical architectural geometry. The garden's design is what Hollywood feuds are made of: Meier couldn't control Irwin's vision, and the two men sniped at each other during construction, with Irwin stirring the pot with every loose twist his garden path took. The result is a refreshing garden walk whose focal point is an azalea maze (some insist the Mickey Mouse shape is on purpose) in a reflecting pool.

Inside the pavilions are the galleries for the permanent collections of European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, and decorative arts, as well as world-class temporary exhibitions and photographs gathered internationally. The Getty's collection of French furniture and decorative arts, especially from the early years of Louis XIV (1643–1715) to the end of the reign of Louis XVI (1774–92), is renowned for its quality and condition; you can even see a pair of completely reconstructed salons. In the paintings galleries, a computerized system of louvered skylights allows natural light to filter in, creating a closer approximation of the conditions in which the artists painted. Notable among the paintings are Rembrandt's The Abduction of Europa; Van Gogh's Irises; Monet's Wheatstacks, Snow Effects, and Morning; and James Ensor's Christ's Entry into Brussels.

If you want to start with a quick overview, pick up the brochure in the entrance hall that guides you to collection highlights. There's also an instructive audio tour with commentaries by art historians and other experts. The Getty also presents lectures, films, concerts, art workshops, and special programs for kids, families, and all-around culture lovers. The complex includes an upscale restaurant and downstairs cafeteria with panoramic window views. There are also outdoor coffee carts.

On-site parking is subject to availability and can fill up by midday on holidays and in the summer, so try to come early in the day or after lunch. 

A tram takes you from the street-level entrance to the top of the hill. Public buses (like Metro Rapid Line 734) also serve the center and link to the Expo Rail.

Universal Studios Hollywood combines the classic theme park experience of roller coasters, costumed characters, and long lines with the magic of movies. It sits above a still-functioning movie studio and all of its rides are centered around blockbusters like Jurassic Park and Transformers. Coming in 2026 is a Fast & Furious–inspired topsy-turvy coaster that spirals down the hillside. There are entire lands dedicated to Harry Potter, The Simpsons, and Despicable Me's Minions. The newest section is the fully immersive, highly interactive Super Nintendo World, which plunges gameboys and girls into the Mushroom Kingdom with Mario and Luigi.

What can't be duplicated at the Orlando branch is the Universal backlot, where movies have been made since 1915. Hop aboard the new electric trams which wind around working soundstages and exterior sets where many popular movies and TV series have been filmed. As they are still being used today, going during the week increases your chances of seeing stars at work. During the studio tour, you'll visit The Good Place, see the airplane wreckage from War of the Worlds, and have a close call with Norman Bates from Psycho as well as drive through 4D motion simulated "rides." 

The park gets a scary makeover in October for Halloween Horror Nights when new mazes full of monsters, murderers, and jump scares pop up. If you can swing it, splurge on the express tickets to drastically reduce wait times.

The tram ride is the best place to begin your visit both for historical context and because the line becomes longer as the day goes on.

Also run by Universal Studios, CityWalk is an adjacent corridor of shops (there's a great place to snag Dodgers gear!), restaurants like Margaritaville, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, and the Hello Kitty & Friends Cafe, and movie theaters. There's also several quick food options like Pink's Hot Dogs and Voodoo Doughnut. Lots of park visitors end their day here, so make dinner reservations.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures sits on the corner of Wilshire and Fairfax, with a giant spherical dome that features a 1,000-seat theater and stunning terrace with views of the Hollywood Hills. Inside, the museum has enlightening exhibitions that delve into the history of cinema with interactive exhibits, videos of award-winning storytellers, multiple theaters, and immersive experiences.

Inside this local art and history interactive museum, visitors can learn about the island's native Chumash people, as well as about Catalina Island's owner and creative developer William Wrigley Jr., his baseball team, his Hollywood celebrity friends, and his love for big band music. The exterior of the Catalina Island Museum is a beautiful Spanish Mission style with art deco enhancements.

The sprawling Disney California Adventure, adjacent to Disneyland, pays tribute to the Golden State with multiple theme areas. Admire the art-deco design shops and dining venues along Buena Vista Street and learn about movie magic at Hollywood Land.

Avengers Campus is home for a new generation of superheroes, focusing on the characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ride on Web-Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, where guests of all ages can help wrangle Spider-Bots while wearing 3D glasses and accumulate points. Screams can be heard around the park from the free-falling Guardians of the Galaxy–Mission: BREAKOUT! See your favorite characters from several hit Pixar films when crossing over Pixar Pier. Ride the superfast Incredicoaster, and collect points playing along the interactive Toy Story Midway Mania ride. Stop to win a prize playing games at the carnival area in Pixar Pier.

The 12-acre Cars Land features Radiator Springs Racers, a thrilling trip in six-passenger speedsters through scenes featured in the blockbuster hit. The Single Rider Lane saves time in line. At night the park takes on neon hues as glowing signs light up Route 66 in Cars Land and Pixar Pal-A-Round, a giant Ferris wheel.

Cocktails, craft beers, and premium wines from California are available in the reimagined San Fransokyo Square. Inspired from the movie Big Hero 6, where East meet West offers new dining venues. Be sure to stay for the World of Color–One, a light-and-sound show celebrating Walt Disney's storytelling.

The Bay Area’s definitive early 20th century mansion and gardens reside in a quiet area along the beautiful Crystal Springs Reservoir at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, just a short drive from Menlo Park on I–280. The East Coast has several of these lavish estates from the titans of the Gilded Age with all kinds of Rockefeller and Vanderbilt family homes on view today to the public. However, it’s very rare to find those in Northern California. Part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Filoli dates back to 1917 when it was built for the Bourn family based on a fortune from gold mining, along with investing in water and electricity (investing in Silicon Valley was much more humble back then). The estate was purchased by William Roth and Lurline Matson Roth, the latter the daughter of Captain William Matson, who founded the still-important namesake shipping company.

The Roths continued maintaining the impeccable estate, both inside and outside, before handing it over to the public after William’s death in the 1970s. Across 654 acres, the estate features several beautiful gardens, farmland, different ecosystems, and even crosses the San Andreas Fault (the source of many Northern California earthquakes). A 1-mile trail gives a good general overview of the grounds. For most visitors, the enchanting gardens are the highlights, particularly in spring when the daffodils and myriad other flowers are in full bloom. Summer sees the rose garden at its stunning peak. The holiday season is also wonderful when the gardens include festive light displays, but it’s truly special any time of year. The house is quite spectacular, as well, with beautiful terraces facing the gardens, and the interior features 10 bedrooms for the family, 15 bathrooms, and 17 fireplaces. The Georgian Revival–style architecture is very impressive throughout the home, particularly in the grand ballroom with a mural of Ireland's Muckross House, the posh reception room, and the warm, mahogany-paneled library.

This municipal pier stretches 1,856 feet out to sea, and is a prime vantage point to watch the dozens of surfers in the water below. At the end of the pier you'll find a popular seafood restaurant, Broad Street Oyster Company, serving fresh oysters, fried seafood, lobster rolls, shrimp tacos, and ice-cold beers. Along the pier one can purchase fishing rods, tackle, and bait to fish off the pier.

Los Angeles has a truly fabulous museum culture and the ever-changing Los Angeles County Museum of Art boasts the largest collection of art in the western United States. With more than 135,000 pieces from 6,000 years of history across multiple buildings, plan on spending a full day. Highlights include the Urban Light sculpture by Chris Burden (an Instagram favorite), Levitated Mass by Michael Heizer, and prominent works by Frida Kahlo, Wassily Kandinsky, Henri Matisse, and Claude Monet. With an illustrative permanent collection to go along with an ever-rotating array of temporary exhibits, film screenings, educational programs, and more, the museum is a beacon of culture that stands alone in the middle of the city. Temporary exhibitions sometimes require tickets purchased in advance.

The stunning headlands stretch from the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Beach, drawing photographers who perch on the southern heights for spectacular shots of the city and bridge. Equally remarkable are the views north along the coast and out to the ocean, where the Farallon Islands are visible on clear days. Hawk Hill (accessed from Conzelman Road) has a trail with panoramic views and is a great place to watch the fall raptor migration; it's also home to the mission blue butterfly.

The headlands' strategic position at the mouth of San Francisco Bay made them a logical site for military installations from 1890 through the Cold War. Today you can explore the crumbling concrete batteries, where naval guns once protected the area. Main attractions are centered on Forts Barry and Cronkhite, which are separated by Rodeo Lagoon and Rodeo Beach, a dark stretch of sand that attracts sandcastle builders and dog owners.

The love for beer of all varieties is evident in the selection of award-winners at this employee-owned brewery in the Jack London Square area. Original Pattern consistently produces the most satisfying and compelling offerings of any brewery in this beer-loving town. Hazy IPAs are the specialty, but the tap list always has a variety of lighter beers and stouts or porters, too.

Car lovers enjoy strolling around more than 300 rare classic automobiles, vintage cars, and iconic motorized vehicles from film and pop culture, including Batmobile, the DeLorean from Back to the Future, and the car from Ghostbusters. Take the 90-minute self-guided tour of the basement-level Vault. The museum itself is a work of art; the eye-catching stainless steel design of curving lines gives it a futuristic look.

This botanical garden and library specializes in the history of the Pacific Southwest. You can wander among cactus gardens, rose gardens, a cool fern garden, and a tropical conservatory. There's a garden gift shop, and a restaurant named 698 Dahlia that serves lunch on Wednesday through Sunday.

The heart of the Stanford University campus is its distinct Richardsonian Romanesque quad. Stanford’s signature look revolves around red-tiled roofs and palm trees. The focal point of the quad is Memorial Church, a striking memorial built by Jane Stanford to her late husband Leland. The interior boasts stunning mosaics and stained-glass windows. There was originally a bell and clock tower, but that was destroyed by the powerful 1906 earthquake, just three years after the church completed construction. Docent-led tours of the church are held Friday mornings at 11.

Centering on Telegraph Avenue between 40th and 51st Streets, Temescal (the Aztec term for "sweat house") is a low-pretension, moneyed-hipster hood with young families and middle-aged folks in the mix. Protected bike lanes, bus islands, and a pedestrian plaza add to the vibrancy of this neighborhood. A critical mass of excellent eateries draws diners from around the Bay Area, including the excellent Filipino eats at FOB Kitchen ( 5179 Telegraph Ave.) and Smokin Woods BBQ ( 4307 Telegraph Ave.), as well as standbys like the fantastic fish tacos of Cholita Linda ( 4923 Telegraph Ave.) and the unusually refined café-brewery Rose's Taproom ( 4930 Telegraph Ave.). Old-timey dive bars and smog-check stations share space with public art installations of murals, sculptures, and mosaic trash cans.

Temescal Alley ( Off 49th St.), a tucked-away lane of tiny storefronts, crackles with creative energy. Get an old-fashioned straight-edge shave at Temescal Alley Barber Shop ( 470 49th St., Suite B). Don't miss grabbing a sweet scoop at Curbside Creamery ( 482 49th St.).

Newport's best beaches are on a 3-mile stretch called Balboa Peninsula. The picturesque Newport Harbor is on one side, and sandy, broad beaches on the other. It's one of the most intense surfing and bodysurfing spots in Orange County, at the Wedge, at the south end of the peninsula.  Rip currents and punishing waves mean it's strictly for the pros—but it sure is fun to watch an experienced local ride it.

Stanford’s main art museum is a wonderful indoor-outdoor mix, where it’s easy to linger for two or three hours. Outside is the acclaimed Rodin Sculpture Garden, home to the one of the largest collections of the legendary French sculptor’s works in the United States. Inside, beyond the ornate opening steps and grand entry hall are two levels of galleries that mix modern works with rotating exhibitions, indigenous American art, and classical European and American paintings.

The crystal clear waters of the Casino Point Dive Park are home to protected marine life. This is where moray eels, bat rays, spiny lobsters, harbor seals, and brilliant orange garibaldi (California's state marine fish) cruise around kelp forests and along the sandy bottom. It's a terrific site for scuba diving, with some shallow areas suitable for snorkeling. Equipment can be rented on-site next to the world-famous Catalina Casino. Water temperature ranges in the mid-60s to low 70s during the summer, with September to mid-October being the warmest.

Show your kids where Ice Age fossils come from by taking them to this fascinating outdoor park and indoor museum. Oil rises and bubbles to the earth's surface, as it is collected in shallow pools, and coagulated into asphalt. In the early 20th century, geologists discovered that all that goo contained the largest collection of Pleistocene (Ice Age) fossils ever found at one location. There are more than 600 fossils of species of birds, mammals, plants, reptiles, and insects. Roughly 100 tons of fossil bones have been removed in excavations during the last 100 years, making this one of the world's most famous fossil sites. You can see most of the pits through chain-link fences, and the Excavator Tour gets you as close as possible to the action.

Arguably best known for its remaining apricot orchards, Mountain View's neighbor, Los Altos, is one of the most charming, Main Street USA–evoking downtowns in the Bay Area—well worth a stroll and a lunch break. Anchored by a grand clock at the intersection of its two main streets, the small business area is split between Main and State Streets, where both run for roughly five blocks. Linden Tree Books ( 265 State St.) is the signature boutique in town, and families drive from many miles away to browse the children's book selection and attend the book talks and other events a few days each month.

Popular breakfast and lunch spots along Main Street include Red Berry Coffee ( 145 Main St.), Manresa Bread ( 271 State St.), Tal Palo ( 149 Main St.) and The American Italian Delicatessen ( 139 Main St.). In the evening, crowds descend upon the contemporary farm-to-table cooking at Roja ( 242 State St.) and Cetrella ( 160 State St.), contemporary Indian cuisine at Aurum ( 132 State St.), yakitori specialist Sumika ( 236 Plaza Central), and craft cocktails at Amandine Lounge ( 235 1st St.). A five-minute drive from downtown takes you to Chef Chu’s ( 1067 N. San Antonio Rd., Suite 1300), an institution for excellent Chinese cooking (its legendary proprietor Larry Chu is also the father of the renowned Hollywood film director Jon M. Chu).

In only a few years, North Hollywood's performance arts hub has grown from the residential home of aspiring actors who frequent a few fringe theaters and several chain restaurants to a completely revitalized one square-mile district that boasts a vibrant collection of stages, galleries, dance studios, coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and colorful street art.

One of the West Coast's leading zoos resides in the rolling hills of southeast Oakland. More than 850 animals from near and far live here, often putting on quite a show for the human visitors. The children's zoo and the California Trail are notable areas, with the latter featuring two of the most iconic animals in the Golden State: California condors and grizzly bears. The zoo has a handful of entertaining rides, but the main non-animal highlight for most guests is the Sky Ride gondola that offers incredible Bay Area views.

One of the East Bay's most desirable places to live is this fashionable, upscale neighborhood. Explore the tree-lined streets that radiate out from College Avenue, just north and south of the Rockridge BART station for a look at California Craftsman bungalows at their finest. By day, College Avenue between Broadway and Alcatraz Avenue is crowded with shoppers buying fresh flowers, used books, and clothing; by night, the same folks are back for satisfying meals filled with fresh local ingredients, artisanal wines, and locally brewed ales. There's even a cider bar, one of the few in the Bay Area (Redfield Cider Bar & Bottle Shop 5815 College Ave.). With its specialty food shops and quick bites to go, Market Hall, an airy European-style marketplace at Shafter Avenue, is a hub of culinary activity, including the wonderful Californian-Mediterranean cooking of the attached Acre Kitchen & Bar ( 5655 College Ave.).

When the fog hasn't rolled in, this expansive stretch of sand is about as close as you can get in Marin to the stereotypical feel of a Southern California beach. There are several clothing-optional areas, among them a section south of Stinson Beach called Red Rock Beach. Pets are not allowed on the national park section of the beach.

Swimming at Stinson Beach can be dangerous; the undertow is strong, and shark sightings, though infrequent, have occurred. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer months.

On any hot summer weekend, roads to Stinson are packed and the parking lot fills, so factor this into your plans. The town itself—population 600, give or take—has a nonchalant surfer vibe, with a few good eating options and pleasant hippie-craftsy browsing. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (summer); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: nudists; sunset; surfing; swimming; walking, windsurfing.

Sunset Boulevard is a sexy and seductive drive with bigger than life celebrity billboards, architecturally unique hotels, a variety of casual to upscale restaurants, and fashionable boutiques. The cocktail bars charge a premium, but the iconic Hollywood sign and Los Angeles views justify the price.

Stunning bay views, a kid's steam train, and a botanical garden with a comprehensive collection of California plant life are the hallmarks of this 2,077-acre park in the hills just east of the UC Berkeley campus. The garden's visitor center offers weekend lectures about its plants and information about Tilden's other attractions, including its picnic spots, Lake Anza swimming site, golf course, and hiking trails (the paved Nimitz Way, at Inspiration Point, is a popular hike with wonderful sunset views). Children love Tilden's interactive Little Farm and vintage carousel.

Downtown Palo Alto’s main street is a continuation of Stanford’s Palm Drive after the university stretch reaches the Caltrain station. Shops, restaurants, and an always-popular Apple Store (it’s no different than other stores but considered special since Steve Jobs lived nearby) line the blocks of the street until it becomes residential.

The crown jewel is the Stanford Theatre ( 221 University Ave.), a magnificent ode to classic Hollywood. Across the street is Lytton Plaza, a spacious, eclectic gathering place where surely somebody will be putting on an impromptu concert or protest. Toward the eastern end of the downtown area is what previously was another Hollywood Golden Age cinema, the Varsity Theatre. Its classic Colonial Spanish and Mission Revival–influenced architecture is still stunning and, in typical 2025 fashion, has a Blue Bottle Coffee café ( 456 University Ave.).

There are dining highlights up and down University Avenue, led by contemporary Vietnamese stalwart Tamarine ( 546 University Ave.) and the silky hummus specialty at Oren’s Hummus ( 261 University Ave.). The quieter side streets off University Avenue also feature several standout restaurants including Ramen Nagi ( 541 Bryant St.), the Georgian cooking of Bevri ( 530 Bryant St.), craft cocktails with excellent French bistro fare at Zola and BarZola ( 565 and 585 Bryant St.), outstanding seasonal contemporary cooking and a unique martini rendition at Ethel's Fancy ( 550 Waverley St.), contemporary Indian cuisine in lavish surroundings at Ettan ( 518 Bryant St.), and Taverna’s ( 800 Emerson St.) excellent modern and rustic Greek dishes.

Known simply as "Cal," the founding campus of California's university system is one of the leading intellectual centers in the United States and a major site for scientific research. Chartered in 1868, the university sits on 178 oak-covered acres split by Strawberry Creek. Campus highlights include bustling and historic Sproul Plaza ( Bancroft Way and Sather Rd.), the 307-foot-tall and 61-bell carillon of Sather Tower ( Campanile Esplanade), hands-on Lawrence Hall of Science ( 1 Centennial Dr.), the vibrant 34-acre Botanical Gardens ( 200 Centennial Dr.), and the historic Hearst Greek Theatre ( 2001 Gayley Rd.), the classic outdoor amphitheater designed by John Galen Howard (who also designed Sather Tower).