These are the 35 best things to do in Northern California, according to a local travel expert. (2024)

Northern California has beautiful national and state parks, historic architecture, and a world-renowned food and wine culture that attracts tourists year-round.

As a Cali girl myself, I’ve explored Northern California extensively. I know all the top California activities and excursions to do in the northern part of the state, like Alcatraz Island and Yosemite National Park.I also know plenty of hidden gems, so you can escape the crowds and explore Northern California like a local.

Ready to plan your trip to the Golden State? Read on!

Best Things to Do in Northern California

📺Want more CA activities?In this video Jericha, another California local, shares her 91 favorite things to do in California 👇:

Yosemite National Park

Hike to iconic waterfalls, climb granite rock faces, and camp under famous sites like Half Dome.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (209) 372-0200 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle | 👉 Where to Stay Near Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is the state’s most popular national park and the epitome of Northern California scenery. Millions of visitors are drawn to Yosemite’s unrivaled beauty and vast areas of protected wilderness.

A trip to Yosemite National Park should be on every California itinerary. Visit famous landmarks like Half Dome and Yosemite Valley, or hike epic Yosemite trails like North Dome or Clouds Rest. A favorite activity of mine is watching rock climbers scale the granite walls of the treacherous El Capitan.

Hiking is the main attraction in the national park, but non-hikers will also love the easy nature walks, the many waterfalls, and the park lodge restaurants.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Marvel at San Francisco’s iconic golden-red structure or go for a bike ride over the bridge.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 921-5858 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $8.75, motorcycles, $26.40, 3 axle vehicles, $35.20 4-axle vehicles

Visit the postcard landmark of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, which is also the most photogenic site in town.

The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest bridge in the world when constructed in 1937. It links the city of San Francisco to the rolling green hills of Marin County.

To truly grasp how magnificent the structure is, I suggest either walking or biking across the bridge. Rent a bike in town and cruise on the pedestrian lane high above the water to the charming seaside town of Sausalito on the other side.

Big Sur

Drive Northern California’s most dramatic coastal highway.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (831) 667-2100 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free

Drive the Big Sur coastline, a wilderness area where the road follows the dramatic Californian coast. Make stops along the way to visit famous sites like Calla Lilly Valley, the Bixby Creek Bridge, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

There aren’t many amenities on the drive, besides a few excellent restaurants in the small town of Big Sur. The natural beauty is what makes this area of Northern California so special.

Big Sur is typically considered the barrier between Northern and Southern California. The whole Big Sur coastline takes about 3 hours to drive. However, most of the touristy sections of the drive are found in the northern half, between Monterey and Lucia.

👉 Pro Tip: Check road conditions before you plan your coastal drive. Big Sur has had a few landslides in recent years that have made certain sections of the highway impassable.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Visit 4 different types of volcanoes on the same day.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (530) 595-4480 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a lesser-known national park that is worth the visit next time you’re in Northern California. Home to the largest dome volcano in the world, it is also one of the few places that house all four types of volcanoes — cinder, stratovolcano, shield, and plug dome.

There are many things to do in this popular California National Park like hitting the hiking trails, soaking in hot springs, and visiting fumaroles. Ridge Lakes Trail is one of the top hiking trails in the park and is suited for all fitness levels.

The window to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park is very short, as the roads are closed from the first snow of the year until the late spring thaw. The best time to visit this geologically-rich national park is in the summer when everything is operating in full swing.

Lake Tahoe

Hike, camp, bike, ski, boat, fish, and more in this Sierra Nevada mountain town.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Only 3 hours northeast of San Francisco, Lake Tahoe is one of the best places to visit in Northern California. This Sierra Nevada Mountain town is home to the largest alpine lake in North America, arguably the most beautiful lake in Northern California.

Lake Tahoe is also one of the best places for skiing in California. The high elevation of the town provides perfect snow conditions for hitting the slopes.

Lake Tahoe is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. There are hundreds of hiking trails, mountain biking trails, rock climbing spots, fishing opportunities, and more. Some Tahoe visitors do enjoy the peace of the quiet mountain environment but most visit the town with adventure in mind.

Burney Falls

Visit one of the most dramatic waterfalls in California.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (530) 335-2777 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $10 per vehicle

Burney Falls is a majestic waterfall tucked away in the northeast corner of California. It’s part of McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, one of the best state parks in Northern California.

Spend the day admiring the waterfall and hiking the surrounding trails. Or walk down to nearby Lake Britton, where you can rent a small motorboat to explore the lake’s many coves and inlets.

You cannot swim at the base of Burney Falls — it’s too dangerous. Head to Lake Britton instead to swim and sunbathe on the sandy beaches.

Russian Gulch State Park

View marine landmarks or hike in the nearby redwoods.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (707) 937-5804 | Website | Hours: 7 am-9 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Located in coastal Mendocino County, Russian Gulch State Park is a beautiful nature area with gushing waterfalls and a scenic bridge overlook. It is one of the top state parks in California, with pristine beaches, redwood forests, and hiking trails.

Devil’s Punchbowl is a major attraction of the state park. View the collapsed sea cave from overhead and watch the waves crash into the center. Make sure to bring a rain jacket because onlookers usually get splashed from this area.

This park is located near the quaint beach town of Mendocino, 3 hours north of San Francisco. It’s a must-see stop on a California road trip along the coast.

The Sierra Nevada Mountains

Hike through some of the most beautiful scenery California has to offer.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Stretching along the eastern edge of California, the Sierra Nevada Mountains extend into the neighboring state of Nevada. The Sierra Nevada mountain range proudly claims the highest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney.

The Sierra Nevada illustrates the best beauty California has to offer. There’s magic in every season in the high sierras — changing leaf colors in the fall, glaciated peaks in the winter, wildflower blooms in the spring, and alpine lakes in the summer.

Mount Whitney is my favorite hike in the Eastern Sierra Mountains but there are hundreds of other amazing hikes in California. The Big Pine Lakes trail offers the most beautiful alpine lake views in the state, and White Mountain is a good conditioning hike to get acclimatized to 14,000 feet.

🛎️ Need a Hotel? The Dow Villa Motel offers exceptional views of the Eastern Sierra mountains from every room and is budget-friendly.

Russian River

Explore the small bohemian towns that line the mighty river.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Enjoy a relaxing float down the Russian River! The Russian River snakes through the lush wine country of Sonoma County and offers visitors a chance to swim, kayak, and relax on sandy beaches.

The Russian River offers much more than just swimming and paddling. Visitors will also find hiking trails, delicious eateries, and relaxing spas in the towns along this winding river. Places like Cloverdale, Geyserville, and Healdsburg offer visitors tasty home-cooked meals and small-town hospitality.

Relaxing on the Russian River is relatively crowd-free. The small towns along the river are less touristy than other areas of Northern California, giving you an authentic local experience.

June Lake

Fish or boat on the giant alpine Mammoth County lake.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

June Lake is the perfect mountain getaway from SF. The forested area is home to the high Sierra Mountains and the huge alpine recreational lake.

June Lake is ideal for travelers who like to fish or enjoy water sports. Hiking trails around the lake are suited for all fitness levels.

A popular activity to do in the June Lake area is driving or biking the scenic June Lake Loop. This loop trail takes visitors around the perimeter of the lake, past forest cabin lodges, and circles back past Mono Lake.

I cycled this 16-mile loop when I visited June Lake and with 1,000 feet of elevation gain, this ride was the workout I needed on vacation.

Golden Gate Park

Have a picnic, wander around a museum, or entertain yourself in the tea garden of this large San Francisco park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 831-2700 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Golden Gate Park is one of the best free things to do in San Francisco. With many tourist attractions in the park, it’s the perfect way to spend an idle day in the big city.

Golden Gate Park has 1,017 acres of recreation space, making it one of the largest parks in California. Enjoy paid attractions like the Japanese Tea Garden, the California Academy of Sciences, the De Young Museum, and the Conservatory of Flowers.

Many tourists visit the park during their trip to San Francisco for endless entertainment options. You can walk, bike, or roller skate along the pedestrian pathways while exploring waterfalls, lakes, flower gardens, and more!

Trinity Alps Wilderness

Visit California’s version of the Alps for mind-blowing scenery with zero crowds.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (530) 623-2121 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free

What if I told you that you can see the equivalent of the Swiss Alps in Northern California? Welcome to the Trinity Alps Wilderness. It’s completely free, most tourists have never heard of it, and it has some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in Northern California.

The Trinity Alps are not a national park, so it tends to fly under the tourist radar. There’s a reason for that — there aren’t many roads, amenities, or lodging.

The best way to see the Trinity Alps is by doing a backcountry trek, ranging from 3 days to a few weeks. Those who do make the trek are rewarded with stunning mountain vistas, picturesque alpine lakes, and unparalleled solitude.

Glass Beach

Photograph thousands of shards of sea glass at this protected state beach.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

As the name implies, Glass Beach was once overly abundant with colorful sea glass shards on the sandy beach. This was a result of dumping garbage at a nearby Fort Bragg dump. Glass Beach is now part of MacKerricher State Park, and it is illegal to collect glass in an effort to preserve the remaining shards.

Located near the coastal city of Fort Bragg, Glass Beach is a fun attraction to visit while on a road trip. This is a great stop along the Pacific Coast Highway and is in the perfect location to stretch your legs before driving onward.

San Francisco Bay

Cruise the waters of the bay on a boat tour near the Golden Gate Bridge.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Set sail on the iconic San Francisco Bay. The tour takes visitors around a scenic cruise of the bay, showing off the San Francisco skyline from the water. This boat tour is one of the coolest San Francisco activities.

There are great views of San Francisco Bay from anywhere in the Fisherman’s Wharf area or the Embarcadero area of San Francisco. You will also see a spectacular view of the bay from the famous Coit Tower.

The huge San Francisco Bay comprises the whole coast of San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland. The bay also drains water from approximately 40 percent of California. Not only is the bay a scenic attraction, but it’s also a highly important Northern California water source.

Napa Valley

Go wine tasting in Wine Country USA.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Most every California resident has been to or plans to vacation in Napa Valley. This is the ultimate romantic destination getaway and is great for wine connoisseurs.

There are hundreds of wineries across the rolling hills of Napa Valley, all with their own unique flavors and style. Although there are activities to do in Napa Valley for the whole family, this location is best experienced as an adult-only trip.

Domaine Carneros is one of the top wineries in Napa Valley. Its French-style courtyards and grand architecture make guests feel like royalty. Artesa Vineyards & Winery is another popular winery in Napa, with a wonderful cabernet sauvignon selection.

Santa Cruz

Play games on the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk amusem*nt park.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Santa Cruz is a fun beach town in California. The quirky coastal town caters to locals, tourists, hippies, and college students at the nearby UC Santa Cruz.

One of the most popular attractions is the Santa Cruz Amusem*nt Park. Located on the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk, this is the biggest beach amusem*nt park in California and allows visitors of all ages to reawaken their inner child.

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk Amusem*nt Park is great if you have children, but it is also a fun activity for adults or couples. Win a carnival game prize and munch on a delicious funnel cake at this perfect beach spot.

Redwood National Park

Soak in the views of the tallest trees in the world.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (707) 464-6101 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free

The northernmost national park in California, Redwood National Park is a tree lover’s paradise. This park is home to the tallest trees in the world, along with vast prairies, wild rivers, and the rugged Pacific coastline. It’s one of California’s less visited national parks, so you can enjoy the redwood trees without worrying about crowds.

Great biodiversity exists in the forests of Redwoods National Park. Keep an eye out for noteworthy flora and fauna like elk, river otters, black-tailed deer, rare species of ferns, and more. You may even see black bears or bobcats, although sightings are rare.

Considering an overnight trip to the park? Some of the best places to stay near Redwood National Park are quirky coastal towns, old fishing ports, and charming seaside villages.

Devils Postpile National Monument

Take photos of perfectly geometric basalt column rock formations.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 9 am-5 pm daily | Entrance: Free

This U.S. national monument is located near Mammoth Lakes, California. The unusual rock formation of basalt columns fits together perfectly like a sculpted art piece in the Louvre Museum.

Devils Postpile is a geologic wonder and the upright columns, some of which are over 60 feet tall, display striking symmetry. The pristine mountain scenery and the nearby Rainbow Falls Trail make this a top destination in the Mammoth Lakes area.

This monument is typically open between mid-June and mid-October when the roads are clear of snow and ice. Be sure to pack all of your essentials in your backpack and don’t leave any food in your car, as Mammoth receives heavy bear activity.

Kings Canyon National Park

Visit the Sierra Nevada mountains, view native wildlife, and go hiking in this underrated National Park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (559) 565-3341 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $35 per vehicle

The giant Sierra Nevada valley, towering sequoia trees, and granite canyon walls make Kings Canyon National Park enchanting. Follow winding hiking trails to the Kings River or take a drive to the Roaring River Falls.

This national park is one of the least visited in California, giving visitors unparalleled peace and quiet in the mountains.

Visitors who wish to stay in Kings Canyon National Park overnight have 14 campground options. Three campgrounds are open year-round, but keep in mind that freezing temperatures and icy roads make camping in the winter months more difficult.

Yuba River

Take a dip in crystal-clear swimming holes surrounded by hills and forests.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (916) 941-3101| Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free

The Yuba River is one of the most underrated parts of Northern California. It’s the best place to go nature swimming, especially during the summer. The large hot rocks are perfect for stretching out and sunbathing, and the clear green waters provide instant relief from the heat.

The Yuba River is quite long, but the best swimming holes are between Edwards Crossing and Hoyt’s Crossing. You might need to hike a bit, but you’re guaranteed to find a spot in the river all to yourself. You can also visit South Yuba State Park, a section of the river with more amenities.

The Yuba is the definition of a hidden gem, and most locals like to keep it that way. Be respectful of other visitors, leave no trace, and stay safe in the water.

Mammoth Mountain

Ski down unforgettable slopes in one of the biggest ski resorts in California.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 626-6684 | Website | Hours: Seasonal | Entrance: Starts at $89

Skiers and snowboarders around the country dream of hitting the slopes of this top California ski resort.

Only an hour north of Bishop, Mammoth Mountain has 25 chair lifts and 3,500 acres of skiable terrain. The ski area has a summit elevation of 11,053 feet, making it the ideal location for retaining perfect compact snow during the ski season.

With an average of 300 days of sunshine per year, Mammoth Mountain is the perfect vacation spot in Northern California. While you’re in the area, combine a trip to Mammoth Mountain’s ski slopes with a day trip to Devils Postpile and June Lake for the perfect Mammoth Lakes area trip.

Sequoia National Park

Visit the largest trees in the world.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (559) 565-3341 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $35 per vehicle

Explore the diversity of Sequoia National Park! Also known as the site of the largest trees in the world, this national park should be at the top of your itinerary next time you’re in Northern California.

Sequoia is less popular than Yosemite but just as beautiful. Visitors to Sequoia can walk the short informative trails through the trees, hike to alpine lakes, or picnic by the river. Make sure to stop by the General Sherman tree, so you can see the largest tree in the entire world.

There are 5 lodging options available inside the park and a few primitive campgrounds that offer only pit toilets. Campgrounds are available via reservation on Recreation.gov beforehand. Backcountry wilderness permits are also available for extended backpacking trips in the park.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Fresh oysters, local cheese, pristine beaches, and fantastic wildlife make Point Reyes a NorCal favorite.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 415-464-5100 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free

Point Reyes is a popular weekend getaway from San Francisco, and it’s easy to see why the locals love it so much. Miles of untouched beaches, rolling green hills, a historic lighthouse, and local gourmet foods give Point Reyes a particularly bucolic charm.

The Point Reyes National Seashore is a wilderness-protected area chock full of beautiful beaches, backcountry hiking trails, and rare wildlife. You can see elephant seals and tule elk on land, or rent a kayak to explore the waters.

Point Reyes is a sustainable foodie’s paradise. Make sure to try some of the local cheese companies, like Point Reyes Farmstand Cheese or Tomales Bay Foods. Don’t miss the oysters in nearby Tomales Bay.

Alcatraz Island

Wander through an old state-of-the-art penitentiary that housed world-famous criminals.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 561-4900 | Website | Hours: 9 am-6 pm daily | Entrance: Tours start at $45

Explore San Francisco with a trip to Alcatraz Island. This old water-locked penitentiary housed famous criminals like Al Capone and is now an interactive museum in the middle of San Francisco Bay.

This was my favorite activity in San Francisco growing up and is the perfect Northern California excursion for the whole family. Take a boat from the mainland to this attraction near the Golden Gate Bridge and begin your tour of the old inmate cells.

Winchester Mystery House

Get lost in a maze of rooms and doors that don’t quite make sense.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (408) 247-2000 | Website | Hours: 10 am-4 pm Monday-Thursday, 10 am-5 pm Friday-Sunday | Entrance: Starts at $44.99

Be on your best behavior at the Winchester Mystery House, or you may just open the wrong door. This famous Northern California attraction holds the world record for the longest continuous house construction: 38 years.

The massive estate is quite puzzling. Some doors lead to brick walls, while others on the second story plummet right to the floor of the grand foyer. The construction of this house is a true mystery but wandering around the architectural maze makes it a fun attraction for the whole family.

Interested in all things spooky? Opt for the Haunted Walk with Spirits tour for a spooktacular experience.

Hearst Castle

Take photos at one of the most luxurious establishments in California.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (800) 444-4445 | Website | Hours: 9 am-5 pm daily | Entrance: $30 adults, $15 children

This historic estate is located in San Simeon and dates back 100 years. Famous for its opulence, Hearst Castle is the most luxurious property in California, if not the entire U.S.

This is a great stop on a Northern California-bound road trip from Southern California. With over 127 acres of gardens, fountains, and pools, this grand estate will leave you feeling inspired.

Various tours are available at Hearst Castle including a grand rooms tour, an upstairs sweet tour, a cottages & kitchen tour, a holiday twilight tour, and more! This is also one of the best spots for a photo shoot in California, so visit Hearst Castle in your best dress.

Bodie State Historic Park

Roam about old Western mining buildings that have since been abandoned.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (760) 616-5040 | Website | Hours: 9 am-4 pm daily | Entrance: Free

California is laden with old historic ghost towns, and Bodie State Historic Park is one of the best. It’s a great thing to do in Northern California for history lovers.

Walk the deserted streets of the once-booming gold mining town on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. There is no food available for purchase, but there is an informative museum with a bookstore.

It’s not often you get to visit a town stuck in time. Channel your inner Doc Holiday with a visit to this old American West deserted ghost town.

Muir Woods National Monument

Follow informative walking trails through redwood tree groves.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (415) 561-2850 | Website | Hours: 8 am-8 pm daily | Entrance: $15

A part of the San Francisco Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument is home to old-growth redwood trees. This is the best thing to do in Northern California after you’ve spent a few days in the big city and want a change of pace.

Follow footpaths to Cathedral Grove and Bohemian Grove or have a picnic at Redwood Creek. You can also opt for a trail that leads to a view of the treetops and the distant Pacific Ocean via the Ben Johnson and Dipsea paths.

The 558-acre monument preserves one of the last ancient redwood forests in Northern California. Some of the trees at the Muir Woods National Monument area are over 1,000 years old and over 250 feet in height, making this a top day trip from San Francisco.

Pinnacles National Park

Watch for California natives like the condor and bald eagle while hiking.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (831) 389-4485 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $30 per vehicle

A less explored California national park, Pinnacles is great for nature lovers. Not only is it almost always clear of crowds, but it also has one of the most diverse landscapes of any other national park in California.

This area is a hotspot for wildlife including the massive California Condor, bald eagles, and foxes. Besides sightseeing, some of the main attractions of the park are hiking and rock climbing. There are hikes suited for all fitness levels, but my favorite is the 4.3-mile Juniper Canyon Loop trail.

There is no lodging inside the national park but there are plenty of places to stay on the outskirts. There is a primitive campsite inside the park for visitors who don’t mind rustic lodging.

Monterey

Eat delicious, fresh-caught seafood on the waterfront of this sleepy fishing town.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

A seaside town on the rugged California coast, Monterey is one of the most romantic getaways in California. It’s only 2 hours from San Francisco and is the perfect quiet vacation destination.

The colorful waterfront homes catch the eye and the scent of freshly-caught seafood wafts through the air. Chart House is the best seafood meal in town. Located on the famous Cannery Row in Monterey, this restaurant sources all its dishes locally.

Favorite Monterey activities include biking along the beachfront path, surfing in the Pacific Ocean, renting a sailboat and cruising the harbor, and exploring the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Stroll through the cobblestone streets of this romantic storybook village.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a village straight out of a fairytale. This quaint town is not for visitors who love big metropolitan amenities, but for those who prefer a slower pace of life.

Carmel has white sandy beaches, cobblestone streets, and locally owned restaurants and wineries. Stroll through luxurious shops downtown, or head to the beach for a day in the sun.

Only 2 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, Carmel-by-the-Sea can be an extended day trip or an overnight adventure. I recommend staying at one of the many storybook accommodation options in town. The Hofsas House Hotel has an old European charm and is the perfect option.

Shasta Lake

California’s largest reservoir is a popular spot for fishing, boating, swimming, and camping.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: 530-275-7400 | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: free

Shasta Lake is a huge reservoir in Northern California, close to the border with Oregon. It’s a particularly popular spot for house boating, and there are many houseboat rental companies in the area.

Shasta’s peak season is summer weekends, so book accommodation well in advance. The summer weather is perfect for swimming, camping, fishing, and hiking. Take a day trip to nearby Mount Shasta for views of the 14,000 ft volcano that gives Shasta Lake its name.

Most locals call it Lake Shasta, even though the lake and nearby town are technically called Shasta Lake. Whatever way you say it, Shasta is a Northern California classic.

Lava Beds National Monument

Explore pitch-black lava tube caves created half a million years ago.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (530) 667-8100 | Website | Hours: 10 am-4 pm | Entrance: $25 per vehicle

Located in the Cascade Mountains of Northern California, Lava Beds National Monument sits on the Oregon border and is shared by the two states. It is a little out of the way to get to, but the views at the site make the drive worth it.

Past volcanic eruptions have shaped the rugged landscape and created over 800 caves as a result. Explore the geologic wonder of the Lava Beds National Monument and head into the darkness of the lava caves on site. This outdoor playground of lava tube caves is accessible in all seasons and beckons adventurers at heart.

Lava Beds National Monument has some of the most extensive Native American rock art in California. It is located in the traditional territory of the Modoc people.

Sacramento

Visit California’s state capitol.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Visit Sacramento, California’s state capitol. The large city is halfway between San Francisco and the Sierra Nevada mountains, making it a great stop on a California road trip. You can wander around the historic downtown, admire the grandeur of the Capitol Building, and grab a bite to eat at one of the many great restaurants.

While in Sacramento, you will also see the Sacramento River — California’s most prominent water source. It runs from the Klamath Mountains in the north 400 miles south to Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay.

The Sacramento River is known as “The Nile of the West” and provides 31% of the state’s surface water runoff!

San Jose

Visit the technology capital of California.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | Where to Stay in San Jose

San Jose is the technology capital of California. The city is business-oriented and is home to venture capitalists, small start-ups, and major tech companies.

San Jose and Silicon Valley are where major companies like Apple, Facebook, and Google all have their headquarters. But there are also many families living in San Jose.

During your exploration of San Jose, be sure to check out the Rose Garden neighborhood and admire the 19th-century architecture. The Alameda is another highly sought-after neighborhood with gorgeous murals, historic Victorian homes, and tasty restaurants.

FAQs

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The vast area of Northern California offers visitors a multitude of things to do and it should not be missed on your next California trip. If you’re a traveler on a budget like me, then you’ll find this San Francisco on a budget guide helpful next time you’re in Northern California.

I hope I’ve helped you find the best things to do in Northern California for your trip!