Top Hidden Gems in California

California is seen as a global pioneer in popular culture, media, knowledge, creativity, environmentalism, economics, politics, and music. California is a republic in the Pacific region of the United States. It is the most populated state in the United States and the third-largest in the country. In terms of tourism, California leads by example in the United States. San Francisco and Los Angeles are the first places that come to peoples mind when we talk about visiting California. But there are several other hidden gems in California to be explored.

California is a lush, pleasant place where you will find a close-equal mix of wineries and desert, coasts and hills, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an awesome wave in the Big Sur or whirl a cocktail in the Napa Valley. Be mesmerised by the night sky of Joshua Tree, or simply Hollywood star-gaze. Swish down the hills of the Tahoe ski area, or cross the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blast. Don’t hesitate, above all, to soak some of the Golden State sunlight.

Top offbeat places to visit in California

• Redwoods in Arcata
• Pismo beach
• Hearst Castle
• Fort Bragg
• Mammoth Hot Springs

1. Redwoods in Arcata

Established as the Sea of the Sixties, Arcata is among the most radical places on the North Coast. Its civic areas around the historic central park, populated by students of Humboldt State University, ecological campaigners and visitors. Try staring at the trees from the Redwood Stream Buckarettes saddle. Two-hour horse riding tours take you across old-growth forests. You can even ride your horse through a tree. Finally, ensure you soak from the deck of Eureka’s Madaket in the evening.

The city’s passion for nature leads to wonderful attractions for its visitors, including outstanding sustainable restaurants and food markets, eco-friendly crafts and merchandise, and environmental treasures. With the likes of the Arcata Marsh & Wild Sanctuary, featuring low-tech water treatment innovation as well as a multitude of aquatic birds, and the Arcata Urban Park, with miles of hiking, biking and hiking trails.

Also Read: Best Time To Visit The United States Of America

2. Pismo beach

Pismo Beach is located in the southern part of San Luis Obispo County, on the main Coast of California, United States. The county is made of 5 states.   Pismo State Beach and Oceano Dunes are famous areas to explore on the southern side of the island. A haven for thousands of migratory monarch butterflies per year, the state beach also provides two campsites for travelling visitors to spend the night. It’s one of the hidden treasures to be discovered in California.

Oceano Dunes is one of the few state-run Special Vehicle recreational facilities to offer a great chance to drive ATVs and off-road vehicles through sand dunes. In fact, you can also take a leisurely stroll around our award-winning boardwalk next to the Pismo Pier. Consider shopping at the Pismo Beach Exclusive Stores and make sure to check out the California Welcome Center.

3. Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle, San Simeon, is a National Architectural Landmark and California Historic Site situated on the main coast of California in the United States. Planned by William Randolph Hearst, media tycoon, and his designer Julia Morgan, it was constructed between 1919 and 1947. Beautiful pieces of art from his collection offer a snapshot of the riches he encountered on the trip. A showcase devoted to Mr Hearst’s success in journalism, publishing and also politics contains an audio archive of his political speech as well. 

A brief video demonstrating Marion Davies’ career in the film industry. Young tourists to the Castle can experience the show with a free Treasure Hunt map on the desks inside the show gate and there are rewards offered as well. People of all ages will love the “touch gallery” – a show of tiles, marbles, textile products and other products used in the art and architecture of the Castle that enables visitors to view the range in an interactive way that is not permitted on a tour.

4. Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg, officially the City of Fort Bragg, lies on the Pacific Coast of California along Shoreline Highway in Mendocino County. It is 24 mi (39 km) west of Willits, at an elevation of 85 feet (26 m). Fort Bragg is a tourist destination because of its picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean. Among its notable points of interest are Glass Beach and the California Western Railroad (popularly known as the “Skunk Train”). It is illegal to remove any sea glass from the area. But it’s easy to appreciate the smooth textures during a visit.

In the city, the Sea Glass Museum has more than 3,000 items to enjoy, including rare and exclusive types. Established in 1892, the Guest House Museum acted as a guest house for the members of the Union Lumber Company, VIP guests and also for the prospective buyers of ULCO goods. It has become the home of the Fort Bragg-Mendocino Coast history museum, where tourists can hear about the region’s history. This is one of the hidden gems in California waiting to be explored.

Also Read: Things to Do in Payson, Arizona, the United States of America

5. Mammoth Hot Springs

In the Yellowstone National Park next to fort Yellowstone and the Historical District of Mammoth Hot Springs lies one of the most offbeat places in California. Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of thermal springs on a hill of travertine. It has been produced for thousands of years as spring hot water cools calcium carbonate. It is said to have deposits of over two tonnes of calcium carbonate flow every day into the mammoth. Travertine rocks are also flourishing due to the tremendous volume of geothermal currents.

Whilst these springs are beyond the caldera limit, the same magmatic activity has related their energy to the other geothermal areas of Yellowstone. After moving underneath through a fault line that passes through a calcareous and parallel path, the hot water that feeding Mammoth is extracted from the Norris Geyser Basin. .Mammoth Hot Springs’ Terrace Mountain is the world’s highest recognized spring of that has rich deposits of Carbonate.

Get in touch with the destination experts from Pickyourtrail to get the best out of your vacation to the United States. Chcek out our guides page or leave a Whatsapp inquiry for more options.