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The 101 best California experiences to bookmark now

The Los Angeles Times; Storyblocks

A beach made of kaleidoscopic pebbles. A desert roadhouse with a world-class license plate collection. Medleys of irresistible waterfalls. The last grand train station in America. If you’re looking for the gold of the Golden State, let us be your guide.

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In this drought-paused, restriction-lifted, spring-awakening moment, our state is ready for a good head-to-toe inspection. Come explore with us.

Our travel writer shares his response to the one question people keep asking: Where should I go next?

Christopher Reynolds takes us to his favorite downtown destinations in this 4-minute video.

Print it out, fold it into your pocket and keep track of your adventures. (Or, you know, save it to your phone.)

Want a print version of the list? Our 26-page guide is packed with history, insider tips, traveler updates and photos of the most inspiring adventures across the state.

There’s a lot to see and do across the state’s 163,696 square miles. We want to know what’s at the top of your list.

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Credits

Writer: Christopher Reynolds
Editors: Michelle Woo, Jen Doll, Brittany Levine Beckman
Creative director: Amy King
Design director: Taylor Le
Senior deputy design director: Faith Stafford
Art direction, digital production and motion graphics: Anne Latini
Art direction and print design: Kay Scanlon
Additional print design: Jan Molen
Photo editors: Taylor Arthur, Liv Paggiarino
Photographers: Al Seib, Allen J. Schaben, Brian van der Brug, Nelvin C. Cepeda/San Diego Union-Tribune, Carolyn Cole, Christopher Reynolds, Francine Orr, Gary Coronado, Genaro Molina, Gina Ferazzi, Jason Armond, Jay L. Clendenin, K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union Tribune, Kent Nishimura, Lisa Boone, Luis Sinco, Marc Martin, Mark Boster, Mel Melcon, Myung J. Chun, Peter Da Silva/For The Times, Ricardo DeAratanha, Robert Gauthier, Wesley Lapointe
Copy editors: Doug Norwood, Lisa Horowitz
Audience engagement: Leslie Cory
Digital production: Denise Florez, David Lewis
Video producer, editor and camera: Albert Brave Tiger Lee
Senior video producer: Maggie Beidelman
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