10 Best Best Places to Visit in California in the Spring

California is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful states in the US. Not only does it have the best wine regions in the Western hemisphere, cultural events, and the best weather throughout the year, it also offers different variations of natural spaces. We’re talking - ocean coast, lakes, beaches, waterfalls, forests, deserts, and mountains - all in one Golden State.

Spring break is on the way, after a long winter comes the sun, clear skies, and creating new memories. You can find all of that and more in California, and in this article, we laid out the 10 best places to visit during the springtime. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you are in for a treat!

1. Napa Valley

Napa Valley holds first place out of all California wine regions not only because of the award-winning fruity wines but also because the scenery resembles that of Tuscany. The Italian vibe that follows you along the ride to Napa, does not stop once you get there. On the contrary, experience the bottled poetry and feel like you are drinking the embodiment of Petrarka’s poems.

The rustic experience of Napa’s wine train transcends time and you will feel as you were time traveling. Wine and dine in one of the 100-years-old train cars and visit wineries along the railway. The train stops besides local tasting rooms and you can partake in murder mystery games, as well.

It is no surprise that Napa Valley is beloved by so many young couples - it is airy, sunkissed, and romantic. Whether you decide to pedal, walk, ride the train, or a car - the romance will not evade you.

2. Santa Rosa

In the heart of Sonoma County there lies a town called Santa Rosa, a place where the classic wine country meets international beer city. We recommend you stay in Santa Rosa and visit the whole of Sonoma County from the Mayatama Mountains to the rugged ocean coast.

The best Pino Noar you can find is right here in Sonoma and you can drink it in Buena Vista, one of the oldest wineries in the West. Visit Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad Square for the time-traveling experience, wine tasting, and antique shopping.

Drive down to Bodega Dunes Beach and catch the spring migration of California’s grey whales. Each spring the grey whale travels along the Pacific coast to Alaska, where it will stay during the summer. That is why spring is the best time to visit the open sea and uncrowded beaches around Bodega Bay are the haven for whale watching.

3. Anza Borrego Desert

Springtime does wonders to Anza Borrego Desert State Park, after a super bloom of wildflowers and unique cacti. There are not many things more astonishing than a sunrise in Anza Borrego during early spring. Summer is too hot, winter is not enough colorful, but spring brings the best out of this state park.

If you want to go deeper inside the desert you are probably going to need a 4x4 vehicle because the roads are sandy. But for the most part, the roads are passable and there is no traffic on the road. So, if you are staying in Riverside, San Diego, or some other part of Southern California, Anza Borrego could be a day trip. Wake up early to see the sunrise, and explore the spring in the Anza Borrego Desert.

4. Death Valley During the Meteor Shower

Death Valley is another desert terrain of California and in the springtime, it becomes a popular place for those who like meteor showers. Lyrids meteor shower occurs each year during the spring and this year you can catch it on 21 - 22 April. Death Valley offers a calm and dark place to soak up the beauty of this springtime miracle.

If you get lucky you might catch a glimpse into the desert oasis, with fish and other desert fauna around it. Not to mention, if the season had heavy rains, you might just see wildflowers everywhere and that will make you forget the morbid name of the lowest National park in the country.

5. Yosemite’s Waterfalls

Yosemite National Park gets crowded in the summer, but any local would tell you to visit it during the spring months, just after the snow from the mountains starts melting. If you want to see the spectacle at its peak, visit the numerous Yosemite waterfalls at the end of April and during the whole month of May. 

This could be an incredible experience for hikers, and you could make a trip out of exploring the waterfalls. There are dozens of them, both big and small, some you can see up close, but others are so big that you need to stay far away to see their full length. Begin with Yosemite Falls, which is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world with almost 2,500ft in length.

6. Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe in the springtime can surprise you - it can refresh you with clear skies and sunny days, but also baffle you with snow, so come prepared. It is not unusual to go skiing in springtime around Lake Tahoe, and it is maybe even better because there are no crowds and the weather is nice.

Lake Tahoe offers numerous outdoor activities from both the winter and summer seasons. After skiing, you might do kayaking or paddle boating - even mountain biking, if the snow melted on the trails. Lake Tahoe is a great getaway and a chance to steal the last glimpse of California winter.

7. San Francisco

San Francisco has the best weather in April and May, with cloudless skies and the absence of fog. Experience sightseeing in the city without the tourist crowds and heavy air. Visit the Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz, or walk around the famous uphill streets.

San Francisco is famous for its art scene and counterculture lifestyle. Visit the Haight-Ashbury to explore the 1960 hippie movement. You can learn more about the movement or you can shop for memorabilia and antiques. Visit the Golden City for the urban experience of art.

8. Avalon

If you are looking for a piece of mind and relaxation, Avalon, the city of Catalina Island, will suit your mental health. It is not hot, nor cold - the weather is warm with a subtle breeze. The island is located in the Pacific Ocean just a boat ride away from the coast of Los Angeles.

Parasailing is an option for adrenaline junkies, but there are many relaxing activities, such as booking a submarine tour to observe marine life or renting a bike to ride along the shore. The city has many restaurants and romantic places for quick couple-getaways.

9. Malibu

Malibu, the city of celebrities, offers luxurious experiences and dreamy beaches. You can take a hike near Point Dume and watch the sunset over the ocean, or wine and dine in deluxe restaurants. Malibu has it all.

Visit the Getty Villa and the Adamson House, two unique locations in the city. Getty Villa is a controversial museum of Mediterranean antiques that an oil magnate collected during his travels from the beginning of the last century. Adamson House is a pleasure for architecture lovers, as it is all made out of porcelain tiles.

10. Baywood Los Osos

Last but not least, this small town of San Luis Obisbo County will make you feel like you are in your movie. Nothing like the rugged, stony beaches and wavy ocean, with the breeze in your hair at all times to make you feel like the main character on a journey of self-discovery. For greenery lovers, there is a Los Osos Oak State Park that offers various hiking trails. Make a runaway to this calm place and rest your eyes and mind for a few days.

What to Pack for a Springtime in California

So many places and it’s so hard to choose, but there you have it - the ten best places to visit during Californian spring. Now, if you decided where to go, you might wonder how to pack. Well, it depends. It is better to pack a light jacket if you were to stay near the ocean, as the wind can be slightly more cold than inland.

As you go up the mountain, it will get colder, but you can probably wear summer clothes in the desert. Always check the weather report a few days before your visit, so you can plan your outfits accordingly. Additionally, always remember to bring a bathing suit as you never know what can happen - after all, it is California.