Few places on Earth offer a better chance of spotting celebrities
than Los
Angeles, which draws more than
45 million visitors each year. The city offers beaches,
museums, and plenty of shopping – but as magical as Los Angeles
is, a few days of never-ending
traffic on the 405 can take a toll on even the most steadfast
traveler.

Luckily, plenty of places in the Golden State are just as
beautiful – and a lot less traffic-jammed.  Click through the slideshow above.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is full of quaint cottages.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, on the
Monterey Peninsula, looks like a fairy-tale village. The
romantic city has quaint streets, adorable cottages, and
stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Big Sur has sweeping ocean views.

Surfers come from all over to ride the waves at Big Sur, just south of
the Monterey Peninsula. Big Sur, home to the Bixby Bridge, is
known for its low-key beaches, abundant campsites, and rugged
coastline.

The Pacific Coast Highway takes you over rocky seaside cliffs.

Some trips are more about the journey. A
road trip down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, often
considered
one of the world’s most beautiful drives, is sure to stun.

Napa Valley is known for its wine and vineyard views.

Wine enthusiasts will find heaven in Napa Valley, just north of San
Francisco. The county is revered for its vineyards. You can go
wine-tasting and ride the Napa Valley
wine train, a train with restored, 100-year-old railcars and
a traveling restaurant that runs through the region.

Hearst Castle is on a 127-acre estate.

Hearst Castle is perched
high in the hills of San Simeon. The mansion, which is on a
127-acre estate, was built between 1919 and 1947, holds a large
collection of art and antiques, and was once a playground for
Hollywood’s biggest stars. You can take tours
of the different rooms and art in the castle.

Santa Catalina Island has a botanical garden and zip-lining.

Vacationers sail to Santa Catalina Island,
just off the coast of Los Angeles, in pursuit of laid-back
beaches, shopping, and more. The island is home to the Wrigley
Botanical Garden, the relaxing waterfront town of Two
Harbors, and adventures like zip-lining and biking.

San Francisco offers its well-known trolleys as well as roller disco, breweries, and more.

As
expensive as it is to live in San Francisco, the Bay Area makes
for a great vacation spot. Its trolleys, hills, and the Golden
Gate Bridge draw thousands of visitors each year, and there
are plenty of
non-touristy things to do, such as a visit to the aquarium,
roller disco, or a brewery.

Read more:
The 19 best things to do in San Francisco, according to people
who live there

Yosemite National Park is a nature-lover’s dream.

Yosemite National
Park has been popular with hikers, campers, and all-around
nature lovers since 1864, when President Abraham Lincoln
designated it a protected
wilderness area. Within the 1,200-square-mile park, you can
see the sweeping beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains and
extraordinary waterfalls.

San Diego is almost always sunny.

San Diego’s beaches and

near-perfect weather welcome visitors from around the globe.
With sites like the world-renowned San Diego Zoo and views of the
San Diego Bay, the city offers plenty of entertainment.

Santa Barbara has mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.

The surrounding Santa Ynez Mountains and nearby Los Padres
National Forest create a striking backdrop for Santa Barbara. Nicknamed the
American Riviera, the coastal city’s red-tile roofs and white
stucco buildings show off its Spanish and Mediterranean
influences.

Joshua Tree National Park is breathtaking.

Joshua Tree National
Park shows off another side of the Golden State’s natural
beauty. Named for the Joshua trees that grow in the area, the

desert park offers fantastic camping, rock climbing,
stargazing, and more.

Read more:
People are cutting down the namesake trees in Joshua Tree
National Park during the government shutdown

Lake Tahoe offers summer and winter sports.

Located on the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for
every kind of traveler. The area surrounding the crystal-blue
lake has world-class restaurants and lodges and offers
opportunities for water sports, hiking, and biking.

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