15 OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
California is full of stunning wonders, and it’s so massive! There are so many amazing things to do in the Golden State that you’ll need a bucket list to see them all. Why not plan a road trip with your besties? We’ve made an epic list of the best Northern California road trip ideas you need to try for the adventure of a lifetime.
From hidden turquoise blue pools you can swim in, to enchanting waterfall hikes, stunning sunset beaches, and quirky roadside stops, this state has it all. Are you ready to explore?
Golden Gate from Kirby Cove Photograph by Cain Buckler
1. Kirby Cove
Price: Free
Location: Kirby Cove, San Francisco, California
Why You Should Go: This hidden gem has a tree swing with amazing views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge.
Image by VINCE
2. Cypress Tree Tunnel
Price: Free
Location: Cypress Tree Tunnel, Inverness, California
Why You Should Go: You can walk through a massive tunnel of cypress trees towering over you. It makes for a fantastic photo.
Photo via National Parks Service
3. Muir Woods National Monument
Price: $15 entrance fee per person and $8 per vehicle parking
Location: 1 Muir Woods Rd, Mill Valley, California
Why You Should Go: This scenic location is known for its old-growth Redwood trees and beautiful hiking trails. Everywhere you look, there are jaw-dropping views.
Photo by Charli Dawn
4. Bixby Bridge
Price: Free
Location: Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur, California
Why You Should Go: You can see incredible views of the Pacific Ocean coast and dramatic cliffs from this iconic California bridge.
Photo by Lindsay Vacek
5. McWay Falls
Price: $10 per car entrance fee to Big Sur
Location: McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California
Why You Should Go: You can take pics by a massive 80-foot waterfall cascading onto the beach. Did we mention the water is bright turquoise?
Photo via Treebones Resort
6. Glamping At The Treebones Resort
Price: $215 a night for two guests with a two-night minimum stay.
Location: 71895 Highway 1, South Big Sur, California
Why You Should Go: You can sleep in a giant human-sized nest hotel overlooking the Big Sur Coast and the Pacific Ocean.
Photo by Roberto Nickson
7. Sequoia National Park
Price: $35 per vehicle
Location: Sequoia National Park, California
Why You Should Go: Walk among giants with some of the oldest living trees on earth. In winter, it's a snowy wonderland.
Image by Christopher Khoitran
8. Temple Crag
Price: Free for hikers
Location: Big Pine Lakes Trail, John Muir Wilderness, California
Why You Should Go: You can see seven stunning turquoise alpine lakes and waterfalls on this hike. You can take a dip in some too!
Image by Daniel Elson
9. Seven Teacups
Price: Free
Location: Seven Teacups Trail, Springville, California
Why You Should Go: This hike takes you to seven beautiful cascading waterfalls. They do look like spilling teacups!
Photo by Svyatoslav Romanov
10. Burney Falls
Price: Day use fees range from $8 to $10
Location: Burney Falls, California
Why You Should Go: An easy one-mile hike will take you to one of the most stunning natural wonders you’ve ever seen, including a 129-foot waterfall.
Photo by Nathan Dumlao
11. Yosemite National Park
Price: $30 per vehicle
Location: Yosemite National Park, California
Why You Should Go: You don’t even have to hike to see the falls. There are numerous places you can spot them throughout the valley, and the scenery is stunning.
Photo by Josh Soriano
12. Alabama Hills
Price: Free
Location: Alabama Hills, California
Why You Should Go: You can hike amidst crazy-looking rock formations that look out of this world and camp for free under beautiful clear, starlight skies.
Image by Ian Shive
13. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Price: Free
Location: White Mountain Rd, Bishop, California
Why You Should Go: You can see the Milky Way here on a clear night and camp under some of the world's oldest trees.
Photo by Vache Geyoghlian
14. Rainbow Falls
Price: $10 per person cost for shuttle service to get to the falls.
Location: End of CA-203 West Mammoth Lakes, California
Why You Should Go: This 101-foot cascading waterfall often has giant double rainbows framing it.
Image by Janelle of @destinationdame
15. Wild Willy's Hot Springs
Price: Free
Location: Mammoth Lakes, California. You can see the directions listed here.
Why You Should Go: You can soak in beautiful heart-shaped hot springs surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
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Contributed by estCA staff, Lindsay Vacek