• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Benicia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Benicia
© KaliforniaBlackStar/stock.adobe.com

2. Bodega Bay ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bodega Bay
© Barry/stock.adobe.com

3. Berkeley

Berkeley
© dexchao/stock.adobe.com

4. Empire Mine State Historic Park

Category: Activities
Empire Mine State Historic Park
© anthony/stock.adobe.com

5. Folsom Lake

Category: Activities
Folsom Lake
© paulbriden/stock.adobe.com

6. The Locke Historic District

Category: Attractions
The Locke Historic District
© Lina/stock.adobe.com

7. Jelly Belly Factory Tours

Tours
Jelly Belly Factory Tours
© philn99/stock.adobe.com

8. Lake Tahoe

Category: Activities
Lake Tahoe
© Jeremy Janus/stock.adobe.com

9. Lodi

Lodi
© Chantarat Downing/stock.adobe.com

10. Murphys

Murphys
© NDStock/stock.adobe.com

11. Napa Valley

Napa Valley
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12. Nevada City

Nevada City
© venemama/stock.adobe.com

13. Apple Hill

Apple Hill
© OlgaDm/stock.adobe.com

14. Auburn

Auburn
© bbourdages/stock.adobe.com

15. Brannan Island State Recreation Area

Category: Activities
Brannan Island State Recreation Area
© ivanko80/stock.adobe.com

16. The California State Railroad Museum

Category: Kids & Family
The California State Railroad Museum
© Johnbraid/stock.adobe.com

17. Davis

Davis
© AlessandraRC/stock.adobe.com

18. Donner Memorial State Park

Category: Activities
Donner Memorial State Park
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

19. Emerald Bay State Park

Category: Activities
Emerald Bay State Park
© Hans Debruyne/stock.adobe.com

20. Oakland

Oakland
© Crin/stock.adobe.com

21. San Francisco

San Francisco
© Luciano Mortula-LGM/stock.adobe.com

22. Sonoma Valley

Sonoma Valley
© rmbarricarte/stock.adobe.com

23. South Yuba River State Park

Category: Activities
South Yuba River State Park
© James Sakaguchi/stock.adobe.com

24. Stockton

Stockton
© Terrance Emerson/stock.adobe.com

25. Sutter Creek

Category: Activities
Sutter Creek
© venemama/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

  • Sacramento is the lovely state capital of California, located along the confluence of the picturesque American and Sacramento Rivers.
  • After exploring city attractions like quaint Old Sacramento State Historic Park, visitors can use the city as a launching-off point for traveling through some of the Pacific Northwest's top wine regions, including the charming Napa, Sonoma, and Lodi, the "Zinfandel Capital of the World."
  • Many regional mining boom towns have been preserved since the 19th-century California Gold Rush, operating as living history museums today offering underground mine tours and gold panning experiences for families.
  • Visitors can also take a day trip to areas around the San Francisco Bay, including hip towns like Berkeley and Oakland.

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