California: Top 20 attractions in an unforgettable state

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

One of the most famous bridges in the world and a symbol of San Francisco. Since its construction in 1937 and for almost 30 years, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world. It is 2,737 meters long, and the roadway is 67 meters above the water.

Point Reyes

Point Reyes is located approximately 50 km northwest of San Francisco. It is part of a national park.

The hilly terrain is covered with trees, close to the ocean, where quiet beaches and secluded lagoons stretch out. If you are lucky, you can see whales, which are often found off the coast of California. We recommend taking a walk to the Point Reyes lighthouse, which offers simply magnificent views.

Griffith Park

Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It covers more than 1,700 hectares in the eastern part of the Santa Monica Mountains and is a true island of wilderness in the heart of Los Angeles.

Its landscape is unique thanks to an amazing combination of natural vegetation, cultivated areas, and complex terrain with elevation changes. Here you can explore the green area using scenic hiking and biking trails. Active recreation enthusiasts can also visit the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, golf courses, and Bronson Caves. The park's most popular attractions include the Los Angeles Zoo, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the Griffith Observatory.

Statue of Liberty, New York

When visiting America for the first time, people want to see all the sights of the United States. One of the world's most famous symbols of the country, the Statue of Liberty, is located on a small island in New York Harbor.

The majestic sculpture of a woman with a torch in her hand, stretched toward the sky, has become the embodiment of American freedom. The crown on her head has seven rays, representing the seven continents and seven oceans. In her other hand, she holds a tablet engraved with the date of the Declaration of Independence.

Alcatraz, San Francisco

A small island in San Francisco Bay. In the past, a lighthouse and a fort were built here, followed by the famous prison. Alcatraz was used to house particularly dangerous prisoners and those who had attempted to escape from other prisons.

In 1963, the prison was closed, and 10 years later it was turned into a tourist attraction. Visitors reach the island by ferry. The tour includes a tour of the cells and a story about the famous "guests."

Sequoia National Park, Sierra Nevada

Sequoia National Park is located in the southern part of the Sierra Nevada. The largest tree on Earth grows here—the volume of wood in the General Sherman sequoia reaches almost 1,500 cubic meters!

Two species of these trees grow in the park: giant and evergreen. They reach 100 m in height and 10 m in circumference, and their age ranges from 2 to 4 thousand years. Other attractions in the park include Moro Rock, numerous caves, and a car tunnel inside a huge sequoia that fell onto the road.

Central Park, New York

Central Park occupies a special place among New York City's attractions. It is an oasis of calm amid the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. The green space stretches 4 km long and 800 meters wide.

The park was opened in 1859. Tens of thousands of workers spent 20 years improving the area. About 5 million trees were planted, and soil was brought in from ecologically clean areas.

Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign is located on the slope of Mount Lee in the southwestern part of Griffith Park.

It was originally installed here in 1923 as an advertisement for a new residential neighborhood, but it was later adopted by tourists and has been a world-famous symbol of Los Angeles for many decades. Several trails lead to the sign. However, it is not possible to get close to it, as it is protected by a fence and guarded by police to prevent vandalism.

The best vantage points for viewing the sign are the Griffith Observatory and the Ovation Hollywood shopping center.

Hollywood

There are many film studios here, as well as many celebrities from the world of cinema. The Hollywood sign on the hills is a landmark not only for the district, but also for the city.

The local Walk of Fame gave rise to the tradition of creating such streets in other cities around the world. And in 1929, the first Oscar ceremony was held at the local Roosevelt Hotel. Now it has moved to the Dolby Theatre.

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe undoubtedly occupies an honorable place in the ranking of "the most beautiful places in California."

It is the second deepest lake in the United States and the eleventh deepest in the world. Its coastline stretches for 116 km. The Indians called it "lake country" in their language, and the colonizers simplified the long name to simply Tahoe. You can also gamble here—it is one of the few places where it is not prohibited.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States. At its entrance is the Urban Lights installation, consisting of 202 historic street lamps collected from across Southern California.

The museum's collection, which occupies several buildings, includes more than 150,000 objects and covers 6,000 years of world art history. In addition to permanent exhibitions, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, creative meetings, concerts, master classes, documentary film screenings, and many other interesting events.

The White House, Washington

The main attraction not only of California but also of the United States, from the point of view of the history of the executive branch, is usually the White House.

It is a symbol of American democracy. The residence of the country's rulers is named after the color of the building itself. Every year, about one and a half million tourists flock to the capital to see the grandeur and beauty of this world-famous building.

Silicon Valley

In its current form and status, Silicon Valley began to take shape in the middle of the last century. It is known throughout the world for its densely located offices of high-tech companies.

Corporations related to computers, mobile devices, and software are based here. Business giants try to make buildings visible from the outside and modern on the inside, so the appearance of the area is impressive.

Santa Cruz Beach

The city of Santa Cruz is located on the northern shore of Monterey Bay, 115 km from San Francisco.

Surrounded by farms, it gives the impression of a rural province. But within the city walls, life is bustling, thanks in part to the students of the University of California, whose campus is located there. The coastline here is incredibly picturesque. Below, you can see (and sometimes even feed) sea lions, and on the pier, you can have fun at one of the few remaining old-style amusement parks.

Universal Studios, Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a fascinating combination of a film studio and theme park, making it well worth a visit to Southern California.

Its territory is divided into 10 lands dedicated to cult films and cartoons. Guests can enjoy dozens of fantastic attractions, spectacular shows, excellent shopping, and a wide selection of cafes and snack bars. And if you want to take an unforgettable journey through the studio and take a look behind the scenes of the filming process, be sure to visit Studio Tour Plaza.

Pentagon

When visiting America, be sure to see the "political" sights of the United States, such as the Pentagon. The country's Department of Defense is also located there. The official address is Arlington County, Virginia, but for a long time the Pentagon has been associated with the capital, Washington.

The building is the largest office building in the world. It is shaped like a pentagram, which is why it is called that. The total area of the complex is 600,000 square meters.

The Pentagon is also famous for its system of corridors. Their total length is 28 km. At the same time, the structure is designed so that you can reach any point in the building, even the most remote, in 7 minutes.

Santa Monica Pier

This famous pier dates back to 1909. Since then, the pier has changed significantly. Its economic purpose has given way to entertainment.

The area is always crowded. Each attraction is paid for separately. There are many cafes, open sports grounds, and a large parking lot nearby. In the summer, movies are shown and concerts are held outdoors. Fishermen stand with their fishing rods right on the pier.

Death Valley

Death Valley is located in the Mojave Desert and Great Basin region, southeast of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It got its current name from settlers who, during the gold rush, tried to reach the gold mines by the shortest route.

Not everyone made it. Those who did managed to do so named the area Death Valley. The highest air temperature in the world was recorded here. The valley is also known for its moving rocks, a mystery that many scientists have tried to solve.

Winchester House, San Jose

A creepy, unique attraction. Sarah Winchester believed that the house was haunted by the spirits of those killed by rifles made by her family. So she invested her entire inheritance in this Victorian mansion. Sarah used her own designs for the construction, without resorting to the services of architects, and installed hundreds of doors, many of which lead nowhere, so that the spirits could not find her.

The house now has four floors, but before the earthquake, it had seven.

La Jolla, San Diego

The seaside village of La Jolla is a special place in San Diego. It exudes relaxed luxury, and the rugged Pacific coastline offers magnificent views.

You can start your day with a picnic in Ellen Browning Scripps Park or a round of golf at Torrey Pines, then go in search of seal colonies. But the favorite pastime for visitors to the village is beach relaxation. One of the most popular locations for this is La Jolla Cove, where you can go snorkeling and diving. La Jolla Shores and Windansea beaches are perfect for surfing, kayaking, and families with children.