Who among us hasn’t dreamed of exploring California? This state is an icon of American life. California will definitely appeal to those who like a beach vacation, beautiful landscapes of wild nature, know a lot about wine and can’t imagine their life without cinema.
In this amazing place everyone can find an activity to their liking – whether it’s a pastime in the desert or in the forest, in the mountains or on the beach. However, in addition to the picturesque landscapes in this region, there are many other entertainment venues for all tastes.
What about picking up a rental car and experiencing it? Excellent road infrastructure will make you feel confident in any situation. Plus, you can plan the route in the way you want. If you don’t know where to go first, here’re some great destinations…
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Muir Woods State Reserve
You have no excuses to miss this amazing place! Muir Woods is the closest national monument to San Francisco, giving everyone the best opportunity to see the redwood trees after just a couple of tens of kilometers. The national monument is located in a canyon with kilometers of hiking trails. And also there is an observation deck with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean – Muir Overlook. Everyone who travels along the Pacific Coast Highway tries to visit it.
Over 1000 years old, the towering sequoias are the tallest living creatures in the world and also the perfect place to hide from the sun. There are car routes throughout the park, and you can follow them to see the most significant places.
Yosemite National Park
This is America at its most impressive! The park is located just three hours’ drive from San Jose, thus, you can book van rental in San Jose and go there with your family or friends.
This is a wild, rugged and completely charming park. Choose to hike through a sequoia forest, witness waterfalls cascading down a granite rock, or a kayak sailing along the Merced River, which flows through Yosemite Valley – one of the most easily accessible spots in the national park. Even in a tourist destination as popular as Yosemite Valley, you can easily turn off the beaten path and find something amazing.
Napa Valley
If Yosemite offers true wilderness adventures, Napa Valley offers a glimpse of classic California. This is home to the world’s leading vineyards and a true gourmet paradise. The people of the Napa Valley know a lot about a good life, and will gladly share their secrets with you and teach you how to enjoy life.
Here you can take tours of the best vineyards and taste delicious wines. During the tour anyone can admire the opening landscapes. The travel itinerary is as follows: Napa – Yountville – Oakville – Rutherford – St. Helena. All this time, passengers are told about the art of winemaking, as well as treated with the best wine from the Valley. The duration of the trip is three hours.
If you are traveling in a rental car, you can follow the signs and tour the valley on your own.
Death Valley
A national park is hidden behind a mysterious name, and generally, this area is known for its hot climate. In 1849, victims of the gold rush came here in order to get to the gold mines faster. Not everyone managed to survive, that’s why this place got its name. The easiest way to get there is with a rental car from Los Angeles – the whole journey will take about 4 hours.
In the southern part of Death Valley, there’s an amazing geological phenomenon – sailing stones. The fact is that stones, some of which weigh several hundred kilograms, for no apparent reason crawl along the bottom of a dried-up lake. Research is ongoing to determine the nature of this phenomenon.
For geologists, Death Valley is of particular interest: there are rocky formations, alkaline deposits, and salt reservoirs. Surprisingly, about 95% of the park’s territory is considered to be undeveloped.
Big Sur
California is famous for its coastline, but there’s nothing more spectacular than the Big Sur area. It’s the perfect place to surf and travel. Drive your rental car there and get ready for an unforgettable experience. Just imagine – 160 km of beauty that will take your breath away!
Mountains, hills, forests, cliffs, coves, birds and animals on the shore, huge waves: it looks really impressive! All this divine landscape until recently was inaccessible to the human eye. The Spaniards looked at him as they sailed on ships. Only in the 30s of the XX century the Americans built their now famous Pacific Coast Highway. Bridges linked Northern and Southern California.
When you finish your car trip, walk along the sea and then enjoy delicious cuisine and stunning views from the coastal restaurants. If you need even more experience – then head to the nearby Los Padres National Park, which is also incredibly beautiful.