More interesting places to visit and fun things to do:
San Francisco Zoo
Nestled in a beautiful spot on the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Zoo houses more than 1,000 exotic, endangered, and rescued animals. The Zoo’s animal family represents more than 250 species, and it features lovely peaceful gardens full of native and foreign plants.
The Mystery Spot
The Mystery Spot is a unique destination tucked into the redwood forests, just outside of Santa Cruz, California. This 150-feet-in-diameter gravitational anomalystumped the original landowners and it continues to bewilder tourists who find the laws of physics questioned there.
Filoli
Located 30 miles south of San Francisco, in the small town of Woolside, California, Filoli is a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This destination houses one of the most exquisite country estates remaining from the early 20th century. Visitors tour beautiful gardens,explore the main house, and even attend themed events and parties.
Cliff House
Cliff House is a world-famous attraction situated inside of the Sutro Historic Landscape District in San Francisco. More than just a stunning structure housing an elegant restaurant and bar, the entire piece of property offers gorgeous views of the Pacific, amazing Lands End Trails to take to Ocean Beach, and the famous Sutro Bath ruins.
Hearst Castle
Step back in time and relive a unique chapter in American history at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. The Castle was the private residence of newspaper giant William Randolph Hearst, and was originally built as a modest hilltop home. The castle up being one of the world’s most extraordinaryestates, however, and it showcases one of the best collections of ancient art.
Año Nuevo State Park
Año Nuevo State Park is located in the San Francisco Bay Area and is one of the largest mainland breeding colonies in the world for the northern elephant seal. Take a docent-led tour to see the seals, and stop to admire the beautiful native plants and critters that live the pristine intertidal ecosystem.
Fort Ross
Fort Ross is one of the biggest tourist attractions between Bodego Bay and Fort Bragg, located 11 miles north of the town of Jenner, California, on Highway One. This scenic site houses a National Historic Landmark-designated Russian-era Fort, and it features many historic structures that bring to life the times of early California.
Jack London Park
Located in Glen Ellen, California, Jack London State Park is a National Historic Landmark that features wonderful trails, beautiful picnic spots, historic stone barns, and the House of Happy Walls Museum. The Park was founded in 1960 and offers 39 acres to explore, including London’s gravesite and personal holdings.
The Walt Disney Family Museum
The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco is a 40,000-square-foot historic brick building filled with exhibits and start-of-the-art technology illuminating the fascinating life of Walk Disney. From Mickey Mouse and Snow White to Mary Poppins and Disneyland, the museum brings Disney’s legacy to life.
Fort Point
Immerse yourself in Civil War History at Fort Point, a historic military structure in San Francisco that features a beautiful design of arched brick casemates – architecture at its finest! Fort Point offers an incredible vantage point of the spectacular Golden Gate and the San Francisco Harbor, which perfectly-protected the Fort from Confederate and foreign attack during the U.S. Civil War.
Chabot Space and Science Center
Students of all ages learn and find inspiration at Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland. Exploring the universe and our planet are fun when you can participate in hands-on interactive exhibits, displays, and planetarium shows. Gaze through giant telescopes and experience the wonders of Earth and the cosmos.
Winchester Mystery House
Wander through 110 of the 160 rooms in the Winchester Mystery House, a Victorian mansion in San Jose, California built and designed by the Winchester rifle heiress. Tours of the estate take you through an extravagant maze of architectural craftsmanship, which includes an eerie staircase that descends 7 steps and then rises 11.
Roaring Camp
Roaring Camp sits nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the city of Felton, California, located just 6 miles up the hill from Santa Cruz. Roaring Camp is a re-creation of an 1880’s logging town, complete with authentic period steam locomotives that take visitors on Redwood Forest Steam Train excursions and Beach Trains that travel to Santa Cruz.
California State Railroad Museum
The California State Railroad Museum first opened to the public in 1976 and has become one of Sacramento’s largest and most popular attractions. Come and explore more than 250,000 square feet of space filled with exhibits, restored railroad cars, and locomotives that illustrate railroad history in California and the West.
California Cavern State Historic Landmark
Captain Joseph Taylor discovered Mammoth Cave, part of the California Cavern system, in about 1849 or 1950. This Northern California attraction, which sits in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Gold Country, has welcomed many visitors over the years including Mark Twain and John Muir. Come and see beautiful crystalline formations, many of the rarest ones found in the Middle Earth area.