8 Cities in California
TO VISIT THIS SUMMER

California is a place that’s known for many things. Dubbed the The Golden State, you’ll find plenty of cities within this state that are worth visiting. From National Parks to sunny beaches, theme parks, and more, you’re spoilt for choice on where to go first.

Whether you’re here to spend a long weekend, a couple of weeks or you’re looking to road trip for a month or two, there are plenty of cities worth putting down on your list to visit.

With that being said, here are eight cities to visit this Summer in California. Hopefully, you’ll find plenty to do in these city locations and you’ll make an abundance of memories too.

Santa Barbara

Located on the central Californian coast, Santa Barbara offers some breathtaking views with the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains. You’ll love the Spanish colonial heritage which is clearly still present in much of today’s architecture.

There are plenty of upscale boutiques and restaurants to enjoy that offer a delicious range of local wines. Santa Barbara is known for its broad and sandy beaches. Whether you’re looking to catch waves or keep your feet firmly on the warm sand, it’s a great place for all vacationers, whatever the type.

Five things to do in Santa Barbara

1. Old Mission Santa Barbara
2. Stearns Wharf
3. Santa Barbara Zoo
4. Santa Barbara County Courthouse
5. Inspiration Point

Fresno

Fresno is a city located in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Home to the Forestiere Underground gardens created in the early 1900s, these Roman-catacombs-inspired subterranean passages are certainly worth exploring when you’re in the area.

There’s a lot to explore in Fresno, from plenty of trails in local parks to saying hello to sea lions at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. The city is also a base for Yosemite National Park, which many people find themselves trekking to for its giant rock formations and waterfalls.

Five things to do in Fresno

1. Fresno Chaffee Zoo
2. Forestiere Underground Gardens
3. Chukchansi Park
4. Fresno Art Museum
5. Woodward Regional Park

Turlock

Turlock is the second largest city found in Stanislaus County. It’s at the heart of California’s Central Valley. The population has grown steadily over the years and you’ll find over 70,000 residents inhabit the city today. It wasn’t always a city though and was only formed in the early 1900s.

The city of Turlock offers plenty to see and do, despite being one of the smaller cities in the entirety of the Californian state. You’ll want to find the best place to stay in the area, so a motel in turlock ca is worth booking to make the most out of your trip.

Five things to do in Turlock

1. Carnegie Arts Center
2. Rembrandt and Rose
3. Turlock Historical Society Museum
4. Monte Vista Crossings Shopping Center
5. Regal Cinemas Turlock Stadium 14 Movie Theater

San Fransico

As one of the more iconic cities in California, San Francisco not only has the Golden Gate Bridge, but a variety of iconic attractions that draw people from all over the world.

San Francisco is a city of neighborhoods that has its own charm. You could spend many days and even weeks in this city and you’ll have not explored it all. You’ve got a staggering 808,437 residents, making it the 17th most populous of states in 2022. As a densely populated city in the US, it’s definitely got plenty going on for tourists to enjoy.

Five things to do in San Fransico

1. Golden Gate Bridge
2. Cable Cars
3. Golden Gate Park
4. Pier 39
5. Alcatraz Island

Modesto

Modesto is the largest city in Stanislaus County in California. It has a population of over 210,000 and is the largest 19th largest city within the state of California as of 2020.

It’s a city located in the Central Valley, around 68 miles from Sacramento. The area of Modesto is known for being the birthplace of famed director George Lucas. If that’s not a claim to fame, then what is?

It also has an annual cruise night to help celebrate classic cars. It’s got a great mix of activities, worthwhile for anyone who wants to visit a new unexplored city in the Californian state.

Five things to do in Modesto

1. John Thurman Field
2. McHenry Mansion
3. Great Valley Museum
4. Modesto Arch
5. Tuolumne River Trail

Carmel-by-the-Sea

As a small beach city in California’s Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea, it’s known for libraries, museums, fairytale cottages, and galleries.

Carmel is known for its many attractions, whether that’s the sandy white beaches via Carmel Beach Boardwalk to the picturesque surroundings. Carmel Beach itself is a favorite for both locals and tourists.

Five things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea

1. Tor House
2. Point Lobos
3. Sunset Cultural Center
4. Carmel Beach Boardwalk
5. Garrapata State Park

Mendocino

Mendocino is a coastal city in northern California. It’s well known for its cliffside trails and beaches. Mendicino is known for its natural beauty, glass-bottom beaches, and oceanfront botanical gardens.

Home to the 19th-century For House, the Mendocino Art Center, an assortment of parks, as well as a cluster of restaurants, you’ve got plenty of choices when traveling to this part of the world.

Five things to do in Mendocino

1. Russian Gulch State Park
2. Mendocino Art Center
3. Ross Ranch
4. Ford House Visitor Center & Museum
5. Mendocino Headlands State Park

Sacramento

Finally, and most importantly, not least, Sacramento is a fantastic location to vacation in this summer. The capital of the U.S. state of California, it’s home to the historical era of the city’s Gold Rush, featuring wagon rides and wooden sidewalks. There are several museums, making this a great spot for any history buff.

You’ll see plenty of history that’s frozen in time when visiting Sacramento. The Transcontinental Railroad is one of the country’s earliest technological feats and therefore a hotspot for many tourists visiting.

Five things to do in Sacramento

1. Capitol Park
2. Old Sacramento
3. California State Railroad Museum
4. Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
5. California Automobile Museum

With eight cities to get you started, that should be more than enough to have an enjoyable trip to the Golden State of California. Make sure to take plenty of snapshots and live in the moment when visiting these wonderful cities.