Things To Do

California has a reputation as a haven for people with creative minds, and you can see this in its multifaceted cultural offerings. Arts abound here in four main formats: large-scale, world-class organizations; smaller, quirkier museums, often showcasing the Golden State’s history and its abundant idiosyncratic subcultures (think surfers, Silicon Valley techno-wizards, and Peanuts aficionados); music venues galore; robust artists’ communities, and cultural offerings through California State Parks and the California Museum 's Hall of Fame and Legacy Trails . Below you'll find a small sampling of California’s cultural bounty. Want to learn more? Come to California!

Visit Shop California , a proud partner of Shop America, to enjoy the “best of” cultural experiences in each of California’s tourism regions combined with special VIP shopping and dining offers.

For information about the California Cultural and Heritage Tourism Council’s 6th Annual Symposium, click here.

The Golden State boasts more than 1,100 miles of breathtaking coastline, ranging from Hollywood-perfect expanses of smooth sand to dramatically windswept oceanside cliffs. If your idea of a perfect day involves beach volleyball, building sandcastles, hiking along picturesque seaside trails or catching a wave, you can find it all at California’s many beaches.

Conventional wisdom holds that California is for the young-and who are we to argue? The state is chock-full of attractions for kids of all ages, especially the under-18 set. From Disneyland, the granddaddy of all theme parks, to world-class aquariums, zoos, historical museums, and outdoor activities, California will keep your family engaged and hopping.

Save on your next family-fun vacation with California Fun Spots, offering downloadable coupons on attractions throughout the Golden State, from theme parks, zoos, aquariums and museums to all sorts of other adventures!

California is a golfer’s paradise – with pleasant temperatures year-round, the green is always calling. Tournaments around the state draw scores of fans, and visitors can also experience the famous Pebble Beach course or take a swing at any of the hundreds of specially-designed courses around the state – San Diego alone has 92. Golf lovers can purchase custom-fit golf clubs or receive special golf massages while staying in private suites – complete with their own putting greens. With hundreds of public access facilities and resorts across the state, head to California to golf near the ocean, among the pines, or in the middle of the desert. Plan your trip today!

To find out more about the top golf courses in 12 different California regions, view the 2011 Official California Golf Publication .

California’s cities pulsate with energy long after the sun has set. In fact, it’s not until streetlights blink on throughout the metropolitan areas that some of the state’s most dynamic venues—blues bars, comedy clubs, dance halls, martini lounges—spring to life.

Gold was what brought the world to California more than a century and a half ago. Gold of a different vein — nature’s gold — draws the world to California today. National parks , lakes, rivers, deserts, redwood glens, and wind-tousled peaks; Yosemite , Death Valley , Big Sur  and Mt. Lassen  — the list of California’s most precious commodities goes on and on. Not to mention the California State Parks  system has treasures as diverse as the state: herein you will find the largest and most diverse natural and cultural heritage holdings of any in the nation. To grasp California’s true gold, you must leave the words behind and go to one of the state’s many special places. Experience the outdoor magic at the edge of Lake Tahoe. Hoist a backpack and head for the backcountry of the Los Padres National Forest near Ojai, where you can hike to a swimming hole framed by a granite gorge. You can even take a boat out to one of the five islands of Southern California's Channel Islands National Park and camp where sea lions outnumber campers a thousand to one. And, families travelling in California will appreciate the state’s commitment to strengthening children’s connection to the great outdoors, with the California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights .

Shopping is an art form in California. Whether you're in search of the perfect cocktail dress or an authentic Mexican piñata, you'll find it here. Want to sample fresh produce? Try our farmers markets. Looking for a handmade ceramic bowl? Check out one of the many artist enclaves dotting the state. Simply looking for a great bargain on shoes? California has some of the largest outlet centers in the country. Or are you looking to indulge in the latest designer wear? Then head to our high-end shopping districts or malls. Visit Shop California , a proud partner of Shop America, to enjoy special VIP shopping and dining offers in each of California tourism region combined with the "best of" cultural experiences. 

Wellness is a serious pursuit in California, so its little wonder the state is home to an unusually high number of exceptional health and beauty spas and wellness centres. Whether you desire an afternoon’s pampering or a weeklong rejuvenation retreat, you’ll find your bliss here.

Want a taste of California? Visit a farmers’ market and rub shoulders with celebrity chefs and foodie insiders picking out the finest organic produce. Step into sleek restaurants serving innovative, ultra-fresh California cuisine. Taste gelato made with locally-produced chocolate and toasted hazelnuts, or handmade cheeses from local farms. Drive down a tree-lined lane to wineries in grand chateaus, or relaxed, family-run vineyards where the guy pouring and chatting in the tasting room is a world-class winemaker.

If you’re looking for tips on the must-see food destinations or want to find out what’s new and what’s happening in CA cuisine, check out our Must Sees or Inside Scoops. If you have a little more time to explore, and want to experience a complete CA food and wine-themed vacation, take a look at our Wine & Dine Trip Ideas. And for even more information on CA wine events, activities and tastings, visit the Wine Institute .

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! From the northern tip of California, practically all the way to the Mexican border, California offers superb snow activities. Hundreds of miles of white-capped mountains provide unparalleled opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, skating, snow climbing — even sleigh riding. For more information on California’s ski and snowboard resorts, lessons, cross-country skiing options, trip planning assistance, and much more — be sure to start with the California Ski Industry Association , but don't forget to check out excellent regional resources such as the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority , the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureau , the Big Bear Lake Resort Association , or the Mammoth Lakes Visitors Bureau .

Visit Winter Deals to take advantage of amazing discounts at California's world-class ski resorts.