12 Bucketlist Experiences You Can Only Have In California

There are certain experiences that a person can only have in California. It’s a state full of unique opportunities, including nature, wonder, adrenaline-inducing fun, and so much more. The following 12 special adventures are unique to the Golden State, which makes them even more remarkable.

1. See which rock wins at the Death Valley Racetrack

Park

This Death Valley spot is one of the most enduring mysteries of today. In an old dried up lake bed, the rocks, as seen below, can move on their own. Drive about 30 miles down the Racetrack Valley Road to find the Racetrack Playa—you won’t believe what’s happening before your very eyes.

Moving stones in Racetrack – Death Valley, United States – Travel photography | © Giuseppe Milo / Flickr

Visit the oldest trees in the world

Soak in the historic majesty of the Ancient Bristlecone Forest. The oldest recorded living trees are still kicking in all of their gnarled beauty here. It’s a hauntingly inspired California place to find yourself.

You and your car can feel alone with nature when you find yourself driving straight through a giant redwood. Drive up Highway 101 to one of three different locations where a redwood tree, split down the middle, stands in the road. If you want the ultimate California experience, make the drive through all three trees!

Tour the Jelly Bean Factory

Find out where all the magic happens at the Jelly Bean Factory. No matter if you’re young or young at heart, the Jelly Bean Factory is a great place to have a fun time. Eat as many jelly beans as your heart desires as you learn about the production of these little sweet treats.

Explore the geothermal pools at Bumpass Hell

It’s like a small slice of Yellowstone, but Golden State style. This particular part of Lassen National Park is home to geothermal pools you have to see to believe. There are 16 acres of bubbling springs, mudpots, and steam vents coming from the earth. Better yet, this volcanic park has a boardwalk that takes you through the area.

Sip wine at the state’s oldest winery

California’s oldest continuously running winery lies in none other than Sonoma County, the epicenter of wine country. Buena Vista Winery is over 150 years old. Its old stone estate is home to some of the best wine in the area and is even on the National Register of Historic Places; it’s as legitimate as it gets. Order a glass or two, sit back, and marvel at the grand piece of cultural history.

Try to find all the Metal Sky Art Sculptures in Anza-Borrego

Just south of San Diego is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; this isn’t just any state park though, as there are over 100 metal sculptures scattered all over the land. The statues depict not only current creatures but also those that once roamed the desert many years ago. A gigantic scorpion, prehistoric mammals, dinosaurs, and even a massive dragon are among the incredible and photogenic sculptures.

Tour Nitt Witt Ridge

Visitors will no doubt have a unique experience at Nitt Witt Ridge. The rag-tag mansion estate, built with trash, scraps, and art, lies in Cambria, and curious minds can take one of the tours offered a few times a week.

Get your yo-yo on in Chico

If you’ve ever tried to master the timeless yo-yo, you know the struggle. If you’ve ever wondered how this classic game came to be, then you should head to Chico to the National Yo-Yo Museum. Nowhere else takes the yo-yo seriously like California, and you can see that firsthand at the museum. Check out the earliest yo-yos from the 1920s, as well as the world’s largest yo-yo, weighing in at 256 pounds.

Say “hi” to the elephant seals in Año Nuevo

Visit Año Nuevo State Park where you can admire the interestingly lovable-looking and protected elephant seal population in its natural habitat. Come here in the summer to hike to the part of the beach where these wonderful sea mammals bask, swim, and just hang out.

Watch the California state fish swim through the Golden Trout Wilderness

If you want to see beautiful golden trout, head to California’s Golden Trout Wilderness. At 10,000 feet above sea level, a special type of Californian grace seems to run through the high-altitude waters.

Observe the crazy banana slug

These curious looking slugs only live and thrive in small parts of a handful of places, including Santa Cruz. Here, you can find the banana slug while hiking the trails of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Try looking under the redwoods and by damp stream beds to watch these bright yellow slugs that every Californian wants to catch in their slow-moving action.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.