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Historical place to visit in California!
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items As a California native, I’ve explored some of the state’s most iconic, historic, and hidden gems, and I’m here to share the must-visit spots you won’t want to miss! From walking through the eerie halls of the Winchester Mystery House to standing bene...
Map
Sections
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Northern California
Central California
Southern California
Coastal California
Northern California
Historical sites in Northern California!
The Golden Gate Bridge is a huge feat of history and it is even cooler to see in person. It is always so breathtaking getting to drive over it, this is a free sight!
Golden Gate Bridge
Going to ANY of the California missions is a cool experience. The catholic church threw Native Americans into missions to teach them their language, culture, and religion. The native people were held there against their will. Like I always say, in or...
California Missions Pilgrimage United States Catholic Tours
This is one of my favorite things in San Francisco. There is just something about San Francisco in general that I just love..to visit.Pier 39 is completely free to walk around! You can shop, eat, or stop and see the Sea Lions!
California Sea Lions at PIER 39
This street was so weird to drive on for the first time! The way that all of SF is laid out is so interesting and odd, this street is no different. This is also another free thing you can do in SF!
How to Visit San Francisco's Winding Lombard Street
Alcatraz is an INSANE place and is important to history. Tours are hard to book and prices vary on what time or year or day of the week you choose to go! But this is worth it!
Alcatraz Tour Options
The BF Hastings Building was the western terminus of the Pony Express from April 1860 to March 1861. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961, at one time the building also housed the State Supreme Court and Wells, Fargo and Company. For al...
B. F. Hastings Bank Building
Sutter’s Fort represents the first pioneer settlement in Sacramento and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961. There is more on this historic place online! But I love this option because it is also cheaper! I am not sure how prices run ...
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park
Getting to see Angel & Elis Island has always been a bucket list thing of mine because my family came from Portugal and Armenia during the genocide through Ellis island! I think that this is a great experience for everyone and can shed some light...
Angel Island Immigration Museum
This is another free thing you can do if you are ever in California or near this area! This bridge is absolutely daring and has been in so many famous movies, it is not even funny.
Felton Covered Bridge County Park
Located in San Jose, California, the Winchester Mystery House is one of the most famous and intriguing historic mansions in the United States. Built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Wirt Winchester, this sprawling Victorian m...
Winchester Mystery House
Nestled in the heart of Northern California’s redwood country, the Drive-Thru Tree Park in Leggett offers visitors a chance to experience the majestic beauty of the redwoods in a truly unique way. Home to the famous Chandelier Tree, a towering 2,000-...
Drive-Thru Tree Park Leggett
Located in Coloma, California, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is the birthplace of the California Gold Rush, making it one of the most significant historical sites in the state. It was here, in 1848, that James W. Marshall discovered gol...
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Central California
Historical Sites in Central California!
Bodie was so cool but so eerie at the same time. Bodie is a town stuck in time, Bodie, once a bustling community of gold miners, with salons, hotels, shops, churches, and public buildings, experienced the rhythms of boom and bust that are common in m...
Bodie State Historic Park
Located in Sequoia National Park in Central California, the General Sherman Tree is a must-visit historical site and one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world. As the largest tree on Earth by volume, this towering giant stands at 275...
General Sherman Tree
Located in Central California, Yosemite National Park is one of the most iconic and historically significant natural destinations in the United States. Established in 1890, it was a key inspiration for the national park system, thanks in part to the ...
Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Central California, Sequoia National Park is a breathtaking destination known for its towering giant sequoia trees, rugged landscapes, and rich history. Established in 1890, it is one of the oldest national p...
Sequoia National Park
Located in Calaveras County, California, the Mark Twain Cabin is a fascinating historical site that offers a glimpse into the life of one of America’s most famous authors. This small cabin is a reconstruction of the original cabin where Samuel Clemen...
Mark Twain Cabin (No. 138 California Historical Landmark)
Located in Mariposa, California, near the gateway to Yosemite National Park, the California State Mining & Mineral Museum offers a fascinating look into the state’s rich mining history and geological wonders. This museum tells the story of the Ca...
California State Mining and Mineral Museum Park Property
Southern California
Historical Sites in Southern California!
Disney land is very historical since this is where Walt Disney came up and introduced Mickey & Minnie Mouse to the world. Some of the parts of disneyland are still original! My favorite part of disney land is that they keep Walt's lamp on as a sy...
Disneyland® Official Site
The Hollywood sign is a sight to see if you are not a Californian. For people who have only ever seen it on TV, it is so worth it to drive by or even go see it close up! This is another free thing you can do!
Hollywood Sign
The Whaley family came to California from New York chasing the “American Dream”. In 1857 they moved into this house which is known as the “most haunted house in America”. You do have to pay to take a tour and look around but its decently priced.
Whaley House Museum
The Davis-Horton House was built in 1850 and is the oldest standing structure in Downtown San Diego. Its fascinating history includes being shipped across the country from Maine along with several saltbox-style structures, as well as serving as the c...
Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House Museum
Located in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park is a breathtaking destination filled with unique landscapes, towering rock formations, and the iconic Joshua trees. Whether you're planning a trip with family, friends, or a significant other,...
Joshua Tree - National Park Service
Located on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, the TCL Chinese Theatre is one of the most famous and historic movie theaters in the world. Since its grand opening in 1927, this legendary theater has hosted countless Hollywoo...
TCL Chinese Theatre
Perched on the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula in San Diego, California, Cabrillo National Monument is a breathtaking historic site that offers stunning ocean views, rich history, and diverse outdoor activities. The monument commemorates the...
Cabrillo National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Located in Yorba Linda, California, the Richard Nixon Library & Museum offers an in-depth look at the life, presidency, and legacy of America’s 37th president, Richard Nixon. Situated on nine acres, the museum features interactive exhibits, histo...
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum | Richard ...
Located in Orange County, California, Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the most historically significant and visually stunning landmarks in the state. Founded in 1776 by Spanish missionaries, it is often referred to as the "Jewel of the Californ...
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Located in Exposition Park, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) is one of the largest and most impressive museums in the western United States. Home to over 35 million specimens, NHM offers an interactive and educational experience...
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Docked in Los Angeles at the Port of San Pedro, the Battleship USS Iowa Museum offers a unique and immersive experience in naval history. This legendary World War II-era battleship, often called the “Battleship of Presidents,” served in WWII, the Kor...
US Navy Museum & Tours in Los Angeles - Battleship USS Iowa
Coastal California
Historical Sites on the Coast!
Hearst castle is gorgeous and it is in an gorgeous part of California. This is one of the coolest tours I have ever been on, I recommend it to everyone! The tickets are normally $100, tours & prices normally vary on date.
Hearst Castle
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Located in the heart of San Luis Obispo, California, Bubblegum Alley is one of the most quirky and unique landmarks on the Central Coast. This 15-foot-high, 70-foot-long alleyway, covered in layers of chewed bubblegum, has been a local attraction sin...
Bubblegum Alley: Gum Wall of San Luis Obispo
Perched along the stunning Sonoma Coast in Northern California, Fort Ross is a fascinating historical site that offers a glimpse into Russian-American history. Established in 1812 by the Russian-American Company, Fort Ross served as a Russian fur tra...
Fort Ross, California