Palm Springs is a good place to go for a stylish, mid-century modern vacation. The normal high temperature never drops below 69 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can have fun in the sun no matter when you go.
Don't be fooled by the name "Death Valley." If you know where to look, there is a lot of life in Death Valley National Park. Visit Badwater Basin, which is the lowest place in North America.
Santa Monica as a whole is worth a trip, but don't miss the famous Santa Monica Pier. The 1,600-foot pier has a small amusement park with a roller coaster so you can get a bird's-eye view of the beach below before taking a short, belly-flipping drop back down.
Redwood National Park is in the northern part of the state. It has some of the biggest trees in the world. Some of them are so big that you have to drive through them to get by.
You can sneak in a little magic by going to Disneyland, which is known as "the happiest place on earth." You can visit either of its two parks, or you can get a "Park Hopper" pass to see both at the same time.
Take a boat to Santa Catalina Island, where you can rent a bike (we recommend an e-bike to help you climb the huge hills) and ride as far as your legs will carry you around the rocky coast.
When you go to Yosemite National Park, you'll see beautiful things that Mother Nature has made. Here, you can see stunning views of Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome from lookout points or while driving slowly with the windows down.