Beyond the Postcard

Highway 1, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Hollywood sign might be iconic, but California is filled with hidden gems just waiting for visitors to discover. From natural wonders and niche museums to vibrant neighborhoods and outdoor adventures, The Golden State is a treasure chest with a bounty waiting for you to open.

Outdoor adventures & natural wonders

From quaint swimming holes and scenic byways to hidden reservoirs and desert oases, California's diverse landscapes offer adventure at every turn. These destinations showcase the state's most surprising natural beauty.

Butte County beauty

Butte County delights outdoor lovers with swimming in the urban swimming holes found in Chico’s Bidwell Park, enjoying water sports on Lake Oroville, California’s second largest reservoir, or tackling the 40-miles of challenging mountain bike tracks at The Colby Mountain Recreation Project.

The Pygmy Forest

California is known for its massive Redwood trees, but in Mendocino, the Pygmy Forest proves that size doesn’t matter. Located within Van Damme State Park, this unique forest is populated with stunted trees, many only a few feet tall. The little trees are the result of unique soil conditions that shaped the forest over thousands of years. 

A different side of Yosemite

More than half of Yosemite National Park, the less crowded half, is located in Tuolumne County. Here, visitors can walk in the ancient splendor of giant sequoias in the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias and the scenic Tuolumne Meadows, graced by the winding Tuolumne River and surrounded by majestic peaks and domes. At the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, a deep blue lake, waterfalls, and undiscovered trails invite visitors to get lost in nature.

Sierra Vista Scenic Byway

After visiting the surprising side of Yosemite, head south on the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway in Madera County. A road trip here rewards you with scenic overlooks, geological wonders like Globe Rock, giant Sequoia groves, and blossoming meadows. 

The Oasis at Death Valley

When most people think of California, they think of the coast, not the desert, but Death Valley National Park delivers the unexpected. From championship golf and spring-fed pools to some of the country's best stargazing, the park offers far more than many travelers realize. At The Oasis at Death Valley, visitors can experience these unexpected sides of the destination firsthand.

Arts, culture, & local history

From a century-old art museum to a family farm growing an unlikely crop, California's cultural landscape is as diverse as its geography. Get ready to explore five destinations where art, history, and local character take center stage.

Filoli Historic House & Garden

Set on 654 acres along the Santa Cruz Mountains, Filoli combines horticulture, history, art, and architecture. Just 30-minutes south of San Francisco, the historic Georgian Revival mansion and formal gardens feel a world away from the city. Visitors can discover rotating exhibitions and art installations, wander 16 acres of world-renowned gardens, explore along redwood trails, enjoy an afternoon tea or wine tasting, or even catch an outdoor concert under the trees.

Wine Country museums

While Santa Rosa is known for its Wine Country setting, it also offers plenty for travelers beyond the tasting room. Children (and kids at heart) will delight in stepping into the world of Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty at the Charles M. Schulz Museum before strapping on some skates at Snoopy’s Home Ice. Safari-style wildlife encounters await at Safari West, and interactive and educational exhibits enchant kids at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County. 

Luffa Farm

If you think luffa sponges come from the sea, think again. Located in Nipomo, on the northern edge of the Santa Maria Valley, The Luffa Farm is a 20-year-old, woman-owned, family business that helps visitors learn about luffa. During a complimentary tour, travelers learn how these sponges start life as a gourd growing on a vine before ending up as a bath product in the onsite gift shop. 

Beyond Rodeo Drive

Beverly Hills is known for its world-famous shopping, celebrities, and luxury, but there is another side to this famous city. Art lovers can explore more than 100 public art installations, while history lovers will enjoy the Virginia Robinson Garden, one of Beverly Hills’ first residences that features rare tropical and subtropical plants and formal gardens. And in a nod to nearby Hollywood, travelers can visit Greystone Mansion & Gardens, which has appeared in hundreds of films, including Ghostbusters and The Big Lebowski.

San Diego Museum of Art

Many travelers visit San Diego’s famous Balboa Park, and this year, art lovers won’t want to miss the 100th anniversary celebration at The San Diego Museum of Art. Two special exhibits, one that traces its history, and another that spotlights major acquisitions from Picasso and Monet to Nick Cave and David Hockney, highlight the year’s special programming.

Hidden towns, neighborhoods & destinations

Beyond California's famous cities lie small towns with big personalities. Here are five hidden towns and neighborhoods worth the detour.

Almond Blossom Cruise

Each spring, travelers can take a road trip through California’s agricultural heart with Modesto’s Almond Blossom Cruise. The trip winds visitors through more than 120,000 acres of blooming almond orchards, with scenic stops at the historic Knights Ferry Covered Bridge, the longest covered bridge west of the Mississippi, and family-owned favorites like Sciabica Olive Oil, the oldest olive oil producer in the U.S. Stopping for an almond blossom shake at Robert’s Ferry Gourmet is a must.

Slice of Americana

In the heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country, Buellton is a Central Coast gem. The town gained international attention when it was featured in the Oscar-winning movie Sideways. But beyond its Hollywood fame, the small-town features quirky family fun, including feeding ostriches and emus at Ostrichland, exploring vintage Americana at the Mendenhall Museum, or soaring above the town at Highline Adventures, which has the state’s longest and fastest zipline. 

Murrieta memories

Fuel your adventures in Murrieta with a hike to Tenaja Falls or a heart-racing zipline at Skull Canyon. Revive at the Murrieta Hot Springs in its mineral pools or with a mud therapy treatment. For foodies, the town offers local eateries including 8 Bit Brewing Company, Destination Smokehouse, and Brim Coffee.

Buena Park gems

From fossil hunting and fragrance-making to Korean dining and immersive mysteries, Buena Park offers an unexpected mix of experiences beyond its most famous attractions. Nurture your junior scientist at the Ralph B. Clark Regional Park Interpretive Center, where they’ll enjoy free exhibits featuring rare fossils, including a 9-million-year-old baleen whale skeleton, while watching scientists and volunteers excavate and prepare specimens. Foodies will be in heaven in Koreatown, where more than 90 restaurants are waiting to tempt your taste buds. For those who seek immersive experiences, Daniel’s Truth lets visitors create a custom fragrance, the Speakeasy Murder Mystery lets you release your inner Sherlock Holmes, and sports lovers can swing for the fences at HAX Indoor Batting Cages. 

On your next trip to The Golden State, go beyond the famous and discover some of California’s best hidden gems. As every traveler knows, the real adventure begins when you make time for the detours.