California offers incredible tourist attractions that are perfect for both adventure and learning. From exploring the wonders of science and nature to immersing yourself in history and innovation, these destinations captivate travelers of all ages. Get ready for this family trip!
Where to go in San Francisco, California Plan your dream trip!
Get to know science at Exploratium, San Francisco
Here you can experience science live: standing on a cloud of fog, walking in the Tactile Dome which is completely dark and more. This museum has 6 galleries, such as the Tinkering area to experience, where the museum staff creates wonders and shows you how to make your own.
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In the gallery Living Systemsyou can look at tiny objects and animals under a powerful microscope. And if you prefer to see a bay near the sea, come to the Bay Observatory Gallery for amazing views of sailboats, cargo ships and ferries. Don’t miss the glass observation cube at the end of the pier!
California Academy of Sciences
This place combines a national history museum, planetarium and an aquarium. Here you will see free-flying birds, butterflies, amphibians and some reptiles. You can check the Morrison Planetarium schedule, to see movies (such as Passport to the Universe) and images from the Hubble Space Telescope, on a screen 22 meters in diameter.
San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum
The ideal destination for traveling with children! Here children receive practical science classes. Mammoths, fossil hunting, art activities and making giant bubbles are some of the ways you can play with the little ones while they learn.
Computer History Museum in California
At this museum in Mountain View, you can learn about the development of the computer, self-driving cars, and technological heroes like Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician. Another fascinating exhibit tells the story of the Colossus: an electronic code-breaking device developed by English mathematical geniuses that helped win World War II.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
This is a top-notch aquarium and is on par with the historic Cannery Row. You’ll see brightly colored jellyfish, which look like alien life forms because of their beautiful glow in the water. You’ll be able to come face to face with adorable sea otters, and watch leopard sharks and schools of sardines swim through the kelp forest exhibit.
National Steinbeck Center, an ode to American literature
The town of Salinas is a fascinating stop for its agricultural and literary history. You can visit the home of author John Steinbeck as well as the National Steinbeck Center. This interactive museum gives a vivid introduction to the author through films, artifacts, audio clips and hands-on activities that illustrate how the people and landscape of the Salinas Valley were part of the stories of national classics.
In-N-Out, the famous California burgers
Mission San Juan Bautista, a time capsule
Its downtown is lined with Old West storefronts. The centerpiece of the city is the San Juan Bautista Mission, a classic among the 21 Spanish missions built in California between 1769 and 1834.
Here you can learn about the Spanish era and observe the interesting features of the mission. If you are a fan of Hitchcock’s thriller, “Vertigo”, you can see one of its locations here.
Santa Cruz Natural History Museum
The beautiful scenery will leave you in awe, as you will be surrounded by the coast, redwood forests and mountains when you visit this museum. If you come, you must visit the amusement park on the boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. At the touch pool, you can touch live plants and animals from the intertidal zone. Don’t miss it!
Gilroy Gardens de California
Located in the garlic capital of the world, Santa Clara pays homage to the crops grown in the Central Coast agricultural country. Get up close and personal with farming-themed rides, such as Artichoke Dip, Mushroom Swing and of course Garlic Twirl. Be sure to check out the 25 amazing circus treeswhich grow in shapes that defy nature.
House of Fruit Care Center
What began as a cherry stand in 1908 is now a major attraction that welcomes more than 3 million visitors each year. The Fruit House in Hollister features a 10,000-square-foot market, 24-hour restaurant, candy store, RV park, 14-room inn and playground.
The market sells dried fruit, dried fruit, wine, and fresh produce from around the state (Watsonville strawberries, Fresno pistachios, Gilroy garlic, and more). You can also get the family’s traditional white, red, and rose wines. And most importantly, enjoy the town’s signature drink: pomegranate wine!
Where to go in San Diego: the vibrant Californian paradise
Fresno Chaffee Zoo California
Fresno is the agricultural center of the Central Valley, offering beautiful gardens, parks and the Fresno Chaffee ZooThe zoo has unique natural environments, such as African
Adventurea 5.2-hectare savannah-like landscape that is home to nearly 200 species of animals from around the world. You’ll see red kangaroos, wildebeests, cheetahs, king cobras and more.
Don’t miss the chance for your kids to feed giraffes and ask about behind-the-scenes experiences like breakfast with the rhinos or sea lion training sessions.
