If someone mentions the Western U.S.A. area, one of the places that will enter your mind first would be sunny California. Located on the Southern Pacific coast, this beautiful state is the third largest territory in the United States.

California is also known as the most populous, with an ethnically diverse population of nearly 34 million. In terms of entertainment and sights, California holds some of the best tourist spots in the country. It’s no wonder that thousands of tourists flock to this Western state every year.

You’re probably thinking of going to California for your next vacation, but you might not have an idea of which locations to visit. Don’t worry, because California is jam-packed with tourist attractions you can’t miss.

California also boasts desert areas, lush forests, snow-capped mountains and sandy and rocky bridges. Because of its diverse geography, California offers numerous scenic and interesting spots that will please any adventurous and fun-loving traveler.

Here are the top ten tourist sites in California that you certainly must visit during your vacation. Have fun!

10. Death Valley National Park

If you’re up for an adventurous trek, then you should visit this California site. The Death Valley National Park can be found within the Death Valley, located between California and Nevada. It is considered one of the driest, lowest and hottest area in the country.

This national park has a desert-like appearance, with snow-capped mountains, streaming sand dunes and water-fluted canyons. It might seem dismal at first, but many eager and adventure-seeking campers love going to this site. If you have an RV, you can also stay in Death Valley for a longer period of time.

9. Venice, Los Angeles

Although the Venice in Italy is more famous, this district in west Los Angeles is still well-known and is one of the most popularly visited tourist areas in California. Venice is known for its beautiful beaches ideal for surfing and boardwalk entertainments.

If you go to this district, you’ll see street performers, vendors and fortune tellers along the boardwalks. There are also many areas for biking, rollerskating and walking, as well as establishments such as restaurants and boutiques.

Another popular attraction in Venice is the man-made canals. These imitate those found in Venice, Italy. Although these are only replicas, they are just as beautiful as the original ones. Seeing these attractions will make you feel as if you’re in Italy.

8. Beverly Hills

Remember that hit TV teen soap opera that aired back in the 1990s? Beverly Hills is often mentioned as a posh and glamorous area because of its trendy and large mansions owned by affluent people.

Located in the Western side of Los Angeles, this place is worth a visit if you’re looking for modern entertainment. There’s a lot of modern establishments, such as restaurants, hotels and shopping areas in this place.

Of course, your Beverly Hills experience won’t be complete without a sightseeing tour along the city boulevards. Go cruising and visit Sunset Boulevard, Santa Monica Boulevard, Wilshir Boulevard and Rodeo Drive.

7. The San Diego Zoo

Do you love seeing animals? Then you should visit the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. With more than 4,000 animals of over 800 species, this 100-acre California zoo is definitely one of the largest and most progressive zoos in the world today.

The San Diego Zoo holds numerous animals, ranging from exotic birds to humongous gorillas and pandas. Mammals, reptiles and sea animals can also be viewed in this zoo. For an enjoyable, interesting and educational vacation, you should visit the San Diego Zoo.

6. Napa Valley

If you’re a wine fanatic, or if you just want to get a taste of a good Californian grape harvest, then the Napa Valley should be included in your travel itinerary. Napa valley is located in the Napa county and is known as an American Vitacultural Area.

Stretching over 30 miles long and with 45,000 acres of grape vineyards and wineries, you’ll surely get a fill of the best-tasting wine California has to offer. Napa Valley is definitely paradise for wine lovers.

Aside from wine tasting and visiting wineries, you can also enjoy scenic tours in the Napa Valley. There are also recreational sports (such as golf), relaxing services (such as spas) and good dining and gourmet sampling here.

5. The City of Malibu

You can’t visit California without getting a tan, and Malibu is the perfect place to get the beautiful bronze-colored skin you want. A 21-mile strip located on the Pacific coastline, this popular city is well-known because of its warm and sandy beach areas, such as the Zuma Beach and the Surfrider Beach. Every year, thousands of tourists flock to this city to enjoy the clear skies, the warm sun and the beautiful ocean water.

Malibu is also famous because it’s the home of many famous celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Jim Carrey, Courtney Cox, Danny Devito, Whoopie Goldberg and Steven Spielberg, to name a few.

4. Yosemite National Park

If you’re looking for a relaxing, green and scenic place in California, you should definitely visit this national park. Located in Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties, Yosemite covers a land area of 1,189 square miles that reaches the slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

For people who want to enjoy lush surroundings, fresh air and relaxing and scenic views, Yosemite is a must-visit tourist spot. Every year, more than 3.5 million tourists visit this place. It was even declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.

Yosemite National Park is known for its biological diversity, its beautiful waterfalls, clear streams, marvelous granite cliffs and breathtaking Giant Sequoia groves. You can also do numerous activities in this place, such as hiking, horseback riding, swimming, rafting, fishing, camping, picnicking, skiing and ice skating.

3. The Golden Gate Bridge

Don’t be fooled by the name because this bridge isn’t made from precious gold. The name was derived from the “Golden Gate”, a North American strait connecting San Francisco bay to the Pacific.

This suspension bridge is definitely a must-visit site in California. The Golden Gate Bridge connects the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to the city of San Francisco. It has a length of 8,981 feet, a width of 90 feet and a height of 746 feet. The Golden Gate Bridge is the second longest suspension bridge in the country, next to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York.

You should pass by the Golden Gate Bridge while you’re in California, since this structure is definitely a sight to behold.

2. Disneyland

If you love cartoon characters and you’re looking for some thrilling fun and adventure, Disneyland is the place to be! The most famous and world-renowned of all theme parks today, this is an attraction that should always be included on your California travel itinerary.

Found in South Harbor, Anaheim, this exciting and marvelous theme park established in 1955 is managed by The Walt Disney Company. Today, more than 500 million people have visited Disneyland, including tourists from all over the world.

Disneyland offers numerous fun attractions, such as the chilling Twilight Zone of Terror, the intergalactic and interactive Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and the bug-inspired Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train. You should also pass by Mickey’s House and have your picture taken with the most lovable mouse on Earth.

For those who are young (and young at heart) Disneyland is definitely the “Happiest Place on Earth”! Make sure that you spend a fun-filled day (or two) in this exciting destination if you go to California.

1. Hollywood

Who isn’t familiar with Hollywood? Of the numerous places in the United States, this is probably one of the most popular all over the world. Located in the northwest area of Los Angeles, Hollywood is known as the center of the American movie industry and home of the most famous movie stars. If you’re interested in the glitz and glamor of the silver screen, then this is the number one place you should go to when you’re in California.

Hollywood has many areas that any movie fan would find interesting, such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This famous sidewalk is located along Vine Street and Hollywood Boulevard. The Walk is embedded with over 2,000 five-pointed stars that feature the names of human and fictional celebrities who have made a mark in the entertainment history, giving them their much-deserved tribute.

Other attractions that you should go to while you’re in Hollywood include the Hollywood Bowl, The Hollywood Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium and Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

Touring and vacationing In California is always lots of fun, as long as you know where to go! Wherever you may plan on going, don’t forget to take take a camera with you to capture those Californian vacation memories! Enjoy!