America’s biggest sporting event of the year will kick off at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 8. While millions will tune in for the on-field action, it’s also the perfect time for non-sports fans to visit some of California’s most iconic sites.
Here’s a guide to help you experience California, minus the crowds, while the rest of the world is glued to the TV.
1. Head to the theme parks
Beat the spring-break rush with an off-season trip to Disneyland Resort in February, when crowds thin out and the two Anaheim parks offer shorter wait times as well as special events. Super Bowl Sunday falls during the festive Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure Park, and it’s also a great time to ride fan favorites like Radiator Springs Racers.
In Buena Park, meanwhile, Knott’s Peanuts Celebration is in full swing at Knott’s Berry Farm, and the same off-season logic applies to other popular California theme parks, including Universal Studios Hollywood, LEGOLAND California, and SeaWorld San Diego.
2. Play a Pebble Beach course
Pebble Beach Resorts is legendary, with the No. 1 public golf course in the country and an exclusive private club that’s accessible only to its 250 members and their guests. Booking a tee time for non-guests is nearly impossible, but golfers can use Super Bowl Sunday as a chance to score a coveted noon tee time when pre-game coverage is in full swing.
Try The Links at Spanish Bay, which features 14 oceanside holes that curve along the Monterey Peninsula coastline. (Also check out other trip-worthy golf courses in California, like Torrey Pines in San Diego.)
3. Visit Yosemite National Park
February is typically one of the quietest months at Yosemite—a great time to walk through the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, hike Cathedral Lakes on the John Muir Trail, or stroll along the easy 1-mile loop to Lower Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley.
While there’s too much to explore in just one weekend, be sure to catch a crowd-free sunset at Tunnel View, which overlooks El Capitan, Half Dome, and Glacier Point.
4. Hit the slopes
In February, powder days tend to be plentiful and holiday crowds have dispersed. While everyone heads inside to watch the kickoff, hop on the ski lift for some crowd-free runs. This smart strategy applies to ski resorts across California, from Heavenly and Palisades Tahoe up north to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain down south.
5. Explore Alcatraz Island
Scoring a last-minute weekend seat on the San Francisco ferry bound for Alcatraz Island is a rare victory. Same-day tickets typically sell out, but the game day will likely offer more flexibility for both the classic tour and the Alcatraz and Angel Island Combination Tour.
6. Book a tough table
Bypass crowds and screaming fans at a tough-to-book restaurant that promises a television-free dining experience, whether you want to enjoy an early Valentine’s Day dinner or finally try a certain Michelin-starred spot. Get on the waitlist or try to score an early dinner reservation at opening time for restaurants that typically book up months in advance, like the dim sum–style State Bird Provisions in San Francisco, Providence in Los Angeles, and Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad.
7. Splurge on a shopping trip
If high fashion gives you an adrenaline rush, score big at one of California’s luxury hot spots on a day with fewer crowds. South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa is California’s largest mall and a mecca for fashionphiles. From established fashion houses like Hermès and Oscar de la Renta to jewelers such as Harry Winston and Cartier, it’s rare to find this many big-name boutiques under one roof. Before you leave town, take advantage of Orange County’s coastal locale to shop alfresco with ocean views at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.
8. Experience Griffith Observatory
In L.A., Griffith Observatory offers up its own kind of star power. The Los Angeles institution is only open Friday through Sunday and lines tend to peak around dusk, so aspiring astronomers should arrive shortly after the 3:30 p.m. kickoff for enough time to see exhibits, listen to staff talks, and use the high-quality public telescopes.
Catch the sunset from the observatory roof at about 5 p.m. then hang out for a bit longer in the rooftop dome for some nighttime stargazing with the observatory’s original Zeiss telescope, installed at opening in 1935.
9. Head to Monterey Bay Aquarium
Between weekend adventurers, tour groups, and school breaks, California’s largest aquarium always draws a crowd. A visit in February skirts around the high holiday and summer seasons for your best shot at exploring Monterey Bay’s more than 200 exhibits without the lines. A bonus: You’ll more likely have a front-row view of feedings for the sea otters and in the Kelp Forest.
10. Go to a famous museum
Typical weekends can be pretty busy at California museums that use timed reservations—like The Exploratorium in San Francisco—and spots can book up way ahead of time at The Broad, the free downtown Los Angeles art museum known for its contemporary art. Use this game day to secure one of the limited same-day passes at The Broad, for instance, then make a beeline for popular exhibits like Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room: Longing for Eternity.
All of February is also a prime time to visit museums in San Diego. Get a pass at a local library to make the most of San Diego Museum Month to get half off admission to 70 museums, including the Fleet Science Center, Maritime Museum of San Diego, and the Comic-Con Museum.
11. Attend the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The acclaimed Santa Barbara film fest is happening on the same weekend (it spans from Feb. 4–14), so check out some of the 200-plus films, tributes, and panels. Panel tickets start at $20 and a four-pack of film screenings is $72. The film lineup will be announced Jan. 14.
12. Check out California’s blossom season
Beginning in early February, fruit and nut orchards start blossoming in pink and white all over the state—like the colorful almond trees in Yolo County (in Capay Valley) and Butte County (around Durham).
Make it a road trip by following routes such as the Almond Blossom Cruise in Modesto and the Fresno County Blossom Trail (check the areas’ websites to get the latest on this year’s peak dates, which tend to span from February to March).