Are you disappointed that you may not be able to travel abroad soon? Well, there’s an American state with world-class attractions with worldwide popularity where you can make a stopover without a passport. With its turbulent rivers and towering redwoods, canyons dug by glaciers and ancient lakes, deserts and rugged Pacific beaches, California is the nirvana of nature lovers and adventurers. The Golden State also offers European-inspired beach towns and villages, a wine country that rivals Tuscany, vast salt flats similar to the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia and green hills reminiscent of Ireland. Better yet, the giant spaces of the third giant state are ideal for a remote social getaway.
Whether you live in California or need some other state in the near future, here are some of your popular and lesser-known (and fascinating) destinations that will make you feel away from home.
If you’re looking for a Scandinavian getaway, head to Solvang, a captivating village founded in 1911 by Danish settlers. This small town in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, with gingerbread architecture, windmills and friendly people, can make you still in the United States.
Solvang, which means “sunny fields” in Danish, remains true to its namesake with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Explore souvenir shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, trendy boutiques and dine at farm restaurants with a fork during your visit. Popular Solvang attractions include the Elverhj Museum of History and Art, which showcases the city’s Danish heritage, solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, The Santa Agnes Mission and the 700-seat Solvang Open Air Festival Theatre, which features remarkable performances.
The Napa Valley is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque and popular wine regions in the country, on a par with the Tuscan wine region. You may not find cypresses along the roads, but there’s plenty of pristine wine to drink in a magical setting. A 13th-century Castello Di Amorosa will send you to the Italian countryside, without having to go through the long adventure by plane. Whether you’re planning a wedding, honeymoon or getaway with a friend, Napa Valley will make your dreams come true.
Catalina Island offers many attractions and visitors can enjoy boating to appreciate its marine life, hikes, suvs, zip line to Catalina zip line and golf at Catalina Island Golf Course. In a post-COVID-19 world, you can even watch a movie at the Catalina Casino’s art-deco theater. Don’t expect to play here; the word casino in Italian means place of collection.
Located in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest, just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, Arrowhead Lake resembles the Swiss mountain and interlaken city lake. The official of this san Bernardino county destination even claims that the village “is nestled in the beautiful forest, with the charm of Swiss chalets.”
Visit it in winter and make your friends think you’re on holiday in the Swiss Alps. During the warmer months, watch the lake’s appealing history on the Lake Arrowhead Queen rowboat (which also welcomes your dogs). If you want to be informed about water skiing, sign up for categories at McKenzie Water SkiIng School.
The Lost Coast, with its stunning beaches laden with floating wood, is one of the most secluded adventure destinations in the state. The 5.6 km stretch of Black Sands beach, which resembles the Icelandic beach of Reynisfjara, is the highest point in the region. The secluded beach is located sixty-five miles south of Eureka. Hikers can walk along Lost Coast Trail to succeed in desert camps. Keep in mind that abnormal waves and tides make it difficult to swim here, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying its mystical beauty on a contemplative ride.
If the Dead Sea is on your wish list, make room for Mono Lake, the oldest lake in the Western Hemisphere. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevadas, this ancient desolate salt lake is sometimes known for its outstanding teba towers (limestone structures) that rise from its depths in intriguing forms. Better yet, the higher salt content allows swimmers naturally, as do millions of other people traveling to the Dead Sea. Mono Lake is a short drive from Yosemite National Park.
The green Irish hills of St. Louis Bishop receive their call from the lush hills of Northern Ireland. The diversity of the low mountains is located between San Luis Obispo and the Pacific Ocean. The Irish Hills Nature Reserve on California’s central coast features a variety of trails, adding the Froom Creek Trail, an old mining road, and the Morro View Trail, which dominates Morro Bay.
Before you plan your parent, visit the California Responsible Travel Center.
I’m an animal lover and a globetrotter in New York. My love of adventure has taken me all over the world, from Australia to Zanzibar. I’m passionate about it.
I’m an animal lover and globetrotter founded in New York. My love of adventure has taken me all over the world, from Australia to Zanzibar. I am passionate about conservation, ecological travel and the search for lesser-known destinations. My paintings have been published in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Fodor’s Travel and USA Today, among others. For the more than 15 years, I’ve been diving with sea lions in the Galapagos, worrying about orphaned ualabi in Queensland, reading whales in Costa Rica, exploring glaciers in Iceland and making my way through Thailand. Lately I’m going to stop up in all 50 states and see more animals in the wild. Follow me on Instagram on @nature__traveler.