Fun Outdoors Activities In California You Should Try

If you’ve never seen the wonders of this state, California has a ton to offer. There are a vast variety of landscapes and attractions to explore. From waterfalls to sprawling fields, you’ll find them while exploring the region’s interior. Then, the Pacific is waiting for you once you’ve hit the coast. Here are a few of the best things out there to see & activities in California while visiting.

Napa Valley Wine Tours

Almost everyone has heard of the lavish wine tours offered in Napa Valley. Since this area has perfect weather for grapes, it’s been a huge wine exporter. So, they’ve designed some amazing spots to see if you’ve never visited before.

See when the next one is offered, and sign up if you can. After tasting wine fresh from the bottle, it’s hard to settle for anything less. It has an otherworldly aroma, and it’s complemented with a decadently-bold flavor. You don’t need to travel to a different country to explore extravagant vineyards when we have them right here in the USA. 

Alcatraz Tours Amid the Bay

San Fransisco has enough to occupy you the entire trip. But, if there’s only time to explore a few things, make sure to visit this famous island. First built to serve as a prison, Alcatraz has grown into a popular tourist destination & must-do activities in California you should try.

Exploring the walls of this old, abandoned prison is worth doing if you’ve never had a chance. Since it has been popular for so long, there are plenty of legends detailing its storied past. Sometimes, you’ll see it on lists of the world’s most haunted places, too. So, it’s a great place to check out if there’s someone in the family who loves ghosts. A guided tour will provide you with the history of the area and ghost stories elevating your experience. 

Mojave Desert ATV Exploration

Late at night, the Mojave Desert quickly turns into a frigid wasteland. Getting lost out there would be a death sentence if nobody was able to find you. But, you can take a tour of this inhospitable location and be safe while doing it. Simply sign up for an ATV tour, and they’ll bring you along for a wild ride. Experienced tour guides will know all the cool spots to check out and know the way back by heart. 

Since there’s so much to see & activities in California to do like – deep in the desert, you may not have enough time to do everything. But, if there’s a chance you can make it, set aside some time. You’ll always love how it felt to go so far away from the rest of civilization.

Rafting Down the American River

White water river rafting has been a favorite pastime for adrenaline junkies. So, if there’s one of them in you, go see how it feels to flow down the American River. Since its current is quite strong, you’ll fly down the river faster than you thought possible. By the time you’ve gone all the way down it, you’ll be full of excitement.

Plus, there’s nothing to worry about if you’re safety conscious. Since the guides have gone down it so much, they’re well prepared to show you the way. They’ll give everyone a life jacket before they’re boarded. Even if someone falls off the raft, it’ll keep them above water. 

If you are a beginner to white water rafting don’t be scared to go. It can be a thrilling experience everyone should try at least once in their life. You can also assure your safety since experienced guides will be there to support your rowing. 

Whale Watching in San Diego

Have you ever seen a whale up close? If that’s something you’ve never done, try doing it while you’re in San Diego. They’ve featured tons of tours to go out and see them. Since whales visit the area quite often, it’s not hard to spot them out in the harbor. From humpbacks, orcas, and dolphins you will be amazed by these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. 

They may not be close enough to spot from the shore so look for whale watch boat opportunities. Once they’ve let you finish boarding, these charters can go out to the best spots where whales congregate. Make sure to bring your camera to get some great photos. 

Animal Encounters in the Depths of Yosemite

Yosemite might be the world’s best place to see wildlife. They’re hardly disturbed by your presence, too, thanks to the strict regulations. Since they’ve never had a reason to fear humans, you can approach them without scaring them off.

But, don’t get too brave while you’re out there. This park has a ton of predators, waiting to snag their next meal. So, make sure to hire a guide if you’d like to see them in their natural habit and pack appropriate beer cans if you plan on camping there. 

Yosemite has some breathtaking scenery. If you are an experienced mountaineer they have amazing mountains you can climb. If that isn’t your thing, you could go hiking as well. 

Surfing in Santa Cruz

California is known for its great waves and surfing culture. Santa Cruz is a popular place to go surfing in California. Whether you are new to surfing or experienced this is a great place to catch some waves. There are many surfing schools in the area that could teach you how to surf while on your trip. Make sure to book any plans ahead of time though as it is an incredibly popular service. Many times they also provide the wetsuit and board for you, so you won’t have to worry about investing in equipment before trying the sport. 

Learning to surf can be tricking. However, once you learn how to get on the board and ride your first waves, you will absolutely fall in love with the sport of surfing. 

Having a Great Time While Exploring California

California has so much to see & activities in California to do. However, it’s hard to schedule everything in one trip. Fortunately, that means there’s a reason to visit again after you’ve gone. Thanks to its wildly-different environments, it’ll be like visiting somewhere brand-new.