The most iconic places on the West Coast and how to visit them on a road trip like no other
What should you see in California?
To be honest, the best answer would be: everything, absolutely everything! California is amazing in every possible way, and if you decide to visit, whatever destination you choose, you really can’t go wrong.
To explore it all, though, even years wouldn’t be enough. But to see the very best spots, 2 weeks can be enough—which is exactly how long our Golden State tour lasts.
What will we see during the tour?
A whole lot of amazing places: here’s the best of our trip, from California’s major cities to its national parks!
Read also: 7 things to see in Fuerteventura, told by someone who lives on the island every day
California’s cities...
Let’s take a great tour of California’s main cities, which, okay, hardly need an introduction.
But if you’re here to find out what to see in the Golden State, how could we not talk about them?
Los Angeles
In the most chaotic metropolis in all of California, there’s no shortage of things to do.
Let’s start with Hollywood, the neighborhood with more stars on the sidewalk than in the sky, thanks to its world-famous Walk of Fame. Taking a stroll here is a must—perhaps while pretending you’re not looking for the name of your favorite star.
Don’t lie, we know you’ll do it!
Then there are the major studios, and there are plenty of them: Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount, and Sony Pictures...
These movie studios have produced countless blockbuster films that became huge successes.
Another place you absolutely shouldn’t miss is Sunset Boulevard, a stretch nearly 40 km long, where every neon sign seems to have a story to tell.
And last but not least, Beverly Hills, a town in the Los Angeles area full of outrageously wealthy people.
Here, Rodeo Drive welcomes crowds of visitors every day for shopping—or, for the rest of us, for dreaming in front of the shop windows. And then there are the huge star-studded mansions: the perfect place to get a closer look at where celebrities live.
San Francisco
San Francisco also has plenty of amazing things to see. At least when the city’s famous thick fog decides to clear and actually lets you see something.
How could we pass up a ride on the Cable Car?
You know the one, right? It’s that fantastic tram that runs through the city, plunging boldly down those steep hills San Francisco is known for.
The city’s most iconic attraction is undoubtedly the Golden Gate, a giant nearly 3 km long with towers over 100 meters high, painted orange so it remains visible even on the foggiest days.
But if you go a little farther out, there’s something even more fascinating out at sea: Alcatraz, the most famous prison in history! A visit here is a must if you want to discover stories of daring escapes—or attempted ones—from the prison that even held Al Capone.
...and the coolest natural parks of all!
California’s big cities are great, but we prefer nature. And there’s plenty of it here, with some of the most beautiful parks in the entire world.
Sequoia National Park
Let’s begin with Sequoia National Park, a natural reserve packed with giant sequoias.
Here, you’ll spend loads of time looking up until your neck begs for mercy. But it’s absolutely worth it to admire these giants of the tree world.
You can actually see sequoias in several other parks in the American West, but the ones in Sequoia National Park are among the largest of all. In particular, the reserve’s greatest giant is General Sherman, an enormous 80-meter tree that may not be the tallest in the world, but it is the largest by volume.
Yosemite National Park
Well, this one is an easy winner.
Yosemite is the undisputed king of American parks, with breathtaking waterfalls and rock formations that seem to defy gravity: a true paradise for climbers.
And for the less adventurous?
Well, there are miles and miles of hiking trails crossing forests and winding along crystal-clear rivers. And if you’re lucky, during your walk in nature you might even spot some local residents: deer, squirrels, and at higher elevations, even a few bears.
In short, Yosemite is truly incredible—so beautiful that we dedicated a full article to it: check it out here!
Read also: A night in a real igloo + the northern lights: the unforgettable combo from our Lapland tour
Joshua Tree National Park
How can we even describe this place?
Let’s put it this way: it’s a park where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, with a landscape so otherworldly it will make you feel like you’ve landed on another planet.
The stars shine here like nowhere else, thanks to the complete lack of light pollution.
But why does it have such a strange name? Who is this Joshua?
Well, Joshua Tree is simply the name used in the United States for the Yucca brevifolia, a plant species with a truly unusual appearance—something that looks almost unreal.
In conclusion
And here we are, at the end of our virtual journey through California. Virtual only for now, though.
Sto Gran Tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience in the Golden State with an incredible 13-day itinerary: we’ll walk among giants in Sequoia National Park, stroll along Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, try to catch a glimpse through San Francisco’s famous fog, and do plenty of other amazing things.
Ready?
Book your spot and let’s go!
