California is a state of many wonders. It’s filled with the best of everything that makes life worth living: sunshine, beaches, rich history and culture, natural beauty from mountains to deserts. With so much to offer it only makes sense that there are some things here that will last forever! In this article we explore 5 gems you can find in California that will last for generations to come.
1) The Redwoods of Northern California
A post about the great things you can find in California that will last wouldn’t be complete without mentioning it’s redwood forests. The coastal region from San Francisco to just over the Oregon border is home to some of America’s oldest and most majestic trees, including both Sequoia sempervirens (coast redwoods) and Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia). These trees once grew as far south as the Central Valley of California, but now only exist in pockets. Today you can find them along part of Highway 101 north from San Francisco to Leggett or visiting Redwood National Park.
2) Yosemite National Park
Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite is one of California’s most popular tourist destinations. With towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and a vast wilderness area it’s easy to see why. The park was established in 1890 and covers an impressive 747,956 acres. It attracts over four million visitors each year.
Yosemite is also home to some of the world’s oldest living things. The Grizzly Giant sequoia in Mariposa Grove was estimated to be over 2700 years old when it died in 1998.
The park is open all year, but the busiest time is from May through September. If you want to avoid the crowds, try visiting in the winter.
3) The Golden Gate Bridge
No list of California landmarks would be complete without the Golden Gate Bridge. Completed in 1937, this iconic bridge spans the strait connecting San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean. It’s one of the most photographed bridges in the world and has been featured in movies such as The Maltese Falcon, A View to a Kill, and The Towering Inferno.
The Golden Gate Bridge is a popular tourist destination, so be prepared for crowds and traffic if you plan to visit. However, it’s well worth the trip!
4) The Painted Ladies
San Francisco’s skyline is dominated by several large hilltop neighborhoods. The most famous of these, nicknamed “The Haight” (for its location on the north slope of Golden Gate Heights) was made famous in the 60s for it’s association with the hippie counterculture movement. Today this neighborhood is best known for it’s colorful Victorian houses, called “Painted Ladies.”
The Painted Ladies are the most well-known part of Haight Ashbury and one of San Francisco’s biggest tourist attractions. It is a great place to explore on foot or by bicycle so you can enjoy these historic buildings up close.
If you’re visiting San Francisco, be sure to check out this iconic neighborhood!
5) The Hollywood Sign
Hollywood is one of the most famous neighborhoods in Los Angeles and is synonymous with the American film industry. The neighborhood got its name from a large sign that was erected on Mount Lee in 1923 to promote the new real estate development “Hollywoodland.”
The sign originally read “HOLLYWOODLAND” but the last four letters were removed in 1949. The sign is now a registered historic landmark and one of Los Angeles’ most popular tourist destinations.
If you’re visiting Hollywood, be sure to check out the famous sign!
Marilyn was born and raised in Sacramento and now runs a travel agency with her friend Katie. She is also a freelance lifestyle journalist and had written articles in local newspapers.