8 Exciting Activities For Families To Try In California
There are a great deal of exciting activities for families to try while visiting California. Here are 8 truly astonishing adventures to try!
by Regina Thomas | Regina is a Southern California native who spends her time as a freelance writer. She loves cooking at home when she can find the time and taking walks with her Golden Retriever, Sadie.
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California is one of the largest and most populous states in the U.S. It is home to nine epic national parks. That means when you are living there, you will have access to nature. You will also enjoy good food since there are many good restaurants in this state. On top of all this, you will enjoy California weather since it is quite tolerable; just don’t forget to bring sunscreen–whether that’s all-natural sunscreen or sunscreen for oily skin–you’ll need lots to protect from all the beautiful sun exposure!
Because there are so many exciting activities in California your family should do this year, it can be hard to plan what to do first. So, here’s a list of the 8 most exciting activities that you and your family can do in California!
Hiking
Hiking is one of the exciting activities for families to consider when in California. You can go hiking in different places, including the Yosemite National Park. You will enjoy the scenic views of the longest Waterfall in California. You can also go hiking in the Redwood Parks, where you will see the tallest trees in the world.If you are an advanced hiker and ready for an extreme hiking challenge, you should go hiking on the Lost Coast. However, you should ensure that your hiking shoes have good treads since Lost Coast’s hiking trail can sometimes be slippery.
Swimming
Temperatures can really go high during the summer. Therefore, during this season, you should look for a good swimming hole and swim in it. Some of California’s best swimming holes include the Aztec Fall, the Lower Deep Creek Canyon, the Red Rock pool, and the East Fork San Gabriel River. If you intend to swim with your children, you should go to the Silverwood Lake Swim Beach since it is kid-friendly. Other kid-friendly swimming holes include the Cleghorn Day Use Area and the Big Bear Lake West Shore Beach. However, you should be careful when swimming in these holes since water levels can change when you least expect it.
Whitewater Rafting
California has several whitewater rafting spots, and the Trinity River is one of these spots. This river is a beginner-friendly rafting spot, and it is expansive. You will enjoy the great scenery and calm rapids. Another whitewater rafting spot is the Cal Salmon River. This rafting spot will be the perfect option if you enjoy an adrenaline rush. You can also go to this river to test your rafting skills. Other white water rafting in California include the Lower Klamath River, the Merced River, the American River, and the Tuolumne River. To ensure you enjoy rafting in these spots, you should look for a good white water rafting California company.
Visiting Historical/Art Centers
The Getty Center is a 110-acre historical site located in West Los Angeles. You should visit this site if you are a nature lover or an art enthusiast. You will find a collection of J. Paul’s artwork.Also, you can decide to visit the Getty Museum, where sculptures and artworks are kept. At the Getty Museum, you will get to appreciate Getty’s artwork and sculptures. You can also decide to take a walk in the Getty Center’s gardens and enjoy good food at the restaurant located in this center.
Driving Along the Carmel’s 17-Mile Drive
If you love road trips, driving along the 17-mile Drive will be the perfect activity to go for when in California. Just as the name suggests, the 17-mile Drive is a 17 miles road that passes through pebble beach and weaves along the Pacific coastline. While driving down this road, you will enjoy scenic ocean views.Make a point of stopping at various points to enjoy the scenic views. You will be able to see the Del Monte Forest, beautiful beaches, and palatial mansions. You will also see the famous Lone Cypress Tree.
Wine Tasting
There are various good vineyards in California. Therefore, wine tasting should be one of the items on your to-do list when you visit this state. You can find some of these vineyards in the Napa Valley. This valley usually has many vineyards, and some famous wines, such as the Cabernet Sauvignon, are produced here. You can also visit the vineyards in Santa Cruz to enjoy wine tours and tastings. Unlike Napa Valley, this area is usually not crowded. Some of the vineyards in this area include the Beauregard Vineyard and the Ridge Vineyards.
Bike Tours
Bike tours are common in Napa Valley. They are enjoyable and can help you exercise. When you go for such tours, you will be able to see the vineyards and wineries in the Napa Valley. If you are an experienced bike raider, you can ride the bike alone at your own pace. You will be given a route map to guide you throughout the tour. However, if you are not an experienced bike raider, you will be assigned a tour guide who will guide you throughout the tour.
Boat Riding
Boat riding in the Napa River is another activity you can enjoy when visiting Napa Valley. You will enjoy riding a boat in wide-open waters and narrow portions. Since the waters are calm and safe, you will also not have to worry about your boat riding experience level. You can decide to go boat riding alone or be accompanied by a tour guide. Regardless of your option, you will enjoy scenic views and pass under several bridges. You will also get to see turtles and otters.
The Takeaway
California is home to so many exciting activities, including others that aren’t listed here, and they are waiting for families to try them out. There is just one thing to remember when you head to Cali–go with an open mind.
Head to Napa Valley, where you will see many vineyards and sample different wines. Hike in Yosemite Park, and share the grassy lands with the Bison. Absorb the culture in one of the many historic areas that California has to offer. With an open mind, you and your family will truly fall in love with everything California has to offer!
