Mama Mystic's "All the Things" California Tourist Guide
California, the “Golden State,” offers a vibrant mix of experiences for moms, families, friends, groups, organizations, and individuals who love beaches, forests, national parks, museums, outdoor sports, hiking, surfing, fishing, hunting, driving, entertainment, dining, arts, and culture. Its 840-mile coastline provides water-based activities, while its diverse landscapes—from redwoods to deserts—offer endless adventures. This guide covers seasonal activities, attractions, ticket rates, shows, children’s activities, holiday events, park activities, sporting events, conferences, major concert events (June 2025–March 2026), airport and transit information, lodging, traffic patterns, alternate transportation, food scene, renowned personalities, major cities, interstates, backroads, lake activities, hiking, outdoor activities, and RV-specific information for a 40-ft rig like Chester.
Why Visit California?
California blends stunning natural beauty with rich cultural heritage, making it ideal for diverse travelers. Its beaches, like Santa Monica and Huntington, offer surfing and relaxation, while national parks like Yosemite provide hiking and scenic drives. Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego boast world-class museums, Southwestern cuisine, and festivals like Coachella. Family attractions, outdoor adventures, and a thriving arts scene ensure year-round appeal. However, summer crowds, traffic congestion, and high costs require strategic planning.
Beaches
California’s 840-mile coastline features iconic beaches for surfing, swimming, and family fun.
Beach Location Activities Notes Santa Monica Beach Los Angeles Swimming, volleyball, pier rides Free entry; parking $10–$20/day (Santa Monica) Huntington Beach Orange County Surfing, fishing, beachcombing Free entry; parking $15–$25/day (Huntington Beach) Malibu Beach Los Angeles Surfing, kayaking, sunbathing Free entry; parking $12–$20/day (Malibu) Laguna Beach Orange County Snorkeling, art galleries Free entry; parking $10–$20/day (Laguna Beach) Coronado Beach San Diego Swimming, historic hotel visits Free entry; parking $10–$20/day (Coronado)
Surfing: Huntington Beach, known as “Surf City USA,” and Trestles in San Clemente are prime spots. Best waves in fall (Surfline).
Fishing: Coastal piers like Santa Monica offer snapper and mackerel. Licenses: $17/year (CA Fish & Wildlife).
Note: Most beaches are free to access, but parking fees apply. The California Explorer Pass ($195) covers state beach parking (CA State Parks).
Forests and National Parks
California’s nine national parks and 280 state parks offer diverse outdoor experiences.
Park Location Activities Entry Fee Yosemite National Park Central CA Hiking, camping, waterfalls $35/vehicle, 7 days (NPS Yosemite) Joshua Tree National Park Southern CA Rock climbing, hiking, stargazing $30/vehicle, 7 days (NPS Joshua Tree) Sequoia & Kings Canyon Central CA Hiking, giant sequoias $35/vehicle, 7 days (NPS Sequoia) Death Valley National Park Eastern CA Hiking, desert views $30/vehicle, 7 days (NPS Death Valley) Channel Islands National Park Southern CA Kayaking, snorkeling $15/person, ferry additional (NPS Channel Islands)
Free Entry Days (2025): January 20, April 19, June 14, June 19, August 4, September 27, November 11 (NPS Free Days).
State Parks: Mount San Jacinto for hiking, Anza-Borrego for wildflowers. California Explorer Pass ($195) covers all state parks (CA State Parks).
Museums
California’s museums highlight art, history, and science.
Museum Location Admission Highlights The Getty Center Los Angeles Free, parking $20 Art collections, architecture (Getty Center) The Broad Los Angeles Free, reservations recommended Contemporary art (The Broad) SFMOMA San Francisco $25/adult, free for kids <18 Modern art (SFMOMA) California Academy of Sciences San Francisco $40/adult, $25/child (3–17) Aquarium, planetarium (CA Academy) USS Midway Museum San Diego $32/adult, $22/child (6–12) Aircraft carrier (Midway Museum)
Free Days: Many museums offer free admission on specific days, e.g., LACMA’s second Tuesday (LACMA).
Outdoor Sports and Activities
California is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking:
Yosemite Falls Trail (Yosemite): Moderate, 7.2 miles.
Half Dome Trail (Yosemite): Strenuous, 16.6 miles, permit required.
Skull Rock Loop (Joshua Tree): Easy, 1.7 miles.
McWay Falls Trail (Big Sur): Short, scenic.
General Sherman Tree Trail (Sequoia): Short, paved.
Fishing: Lake Tahoe for trout, San Francisco Bay for striped bass. Licenses: $17/year (CA Fish & Wildlife).
Hunting: Deer (Oct–Dec), turkey (Apr–May). Licenses: $20–$150 (CA Fish & Wildlife).
Surfing: Huntington Beach, Malibu. Rentals: $20–$50/day (Surfline).
Kayaking/Paddleboarding: Russian River, Lake Tahoe. Rentals: $20–$50/day (Visit California).
Driving and Scenic Routes
California’s roads offer breathtaking drives.
Route Description Notes Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) Coastal drive from Dana Point to Leggett Beaches, cliffs (Visit California) Hwy 178 to Death Valley Desert route to Death Valley NP Badlands, scenic views (NPS Death Valley) Tioga Road (Hwy 120) Seasonal Yosemite route Alpine meadows (NPS Yosemite) Sonoma Wine Country Vineyard drives through Napa, Sonoma Charming towns (Visit Napa) Hwy 395 Eastern Sierra views Mountains, lakes (Visit Mammoth)
Entertainment, Arts, and Culture
California’s cultural scene is vibrant.
Theaters:
Music Venues:
Greek Theatre (Los Angeles): Outdoor concerts ($40–$150, Greek Theatre).
Fillmore (San Francisco): Rock music ($30–$100, Fillmore).
Festivals:
Coachella (Indio): April 11–13, 18–20, 2025 ($499–$1,199, Coachella).
Outside Lands (San Francisco): August 8–10, 2025 ($400–$900, Outside Lands).
Seasonal Activities
Spring (Mar–May): Wildflower blooms in Anza-Borrego, California Poppy Festival (Lancaster, free–$10, Poppy Festival).
Summer (Jun–Aug): Beach days, San Diego County Fair ($15–$20, SD Fair).
Fall (Sep–Nov): Harvest festivals, Apple Hill Harvest (El Dorado County, free, Apple Hill).
Winter (Dec–Feb): Skiing at Mammoth Mountain ($40–$100/day, Mammoth), holiday lights at San Diego Zoo.
Children’s Activities
San Diego Zoo: $74/adult, $64/child (3–12) (San Diego Zoo).
Disneyland Resort (Anaheim): $104–$194/adult, $98–$183/child (3–9) (Disneyland).
SeaWorld San Diego: $89.99/adult, $84.99/child (3–9) (SeaWorld).
Legoland California (Carlsbad): $99/adult, $99/child (2–12) (Legoland).
Russian River Tubing: $25/person (Russian River Adventures).
Holiday Activities
New Year’s Eve: Fireworks in San Francisco, Los Angeles (free, Visit California).
Chinese New Year: San Francisco parade, February 8–9, 2025 (free, SF Chinese New Year).
Easter: Egg hunts at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, April 12, 2025 ($10–$15, Happy Hollow).
Fourth of July: Fireworks at Santa Monica Pier (free, Santa Monica).
Christmas: Holiday lights at San Diego Zoo (included with admission, San Diego Zoo).
Local, State, and National Park Activities
State Parks: 280 parks offer camping ($15–$40/night), hiking, fishing (CA State Parks).
National Parks: Yosemite, Joshua Tree for hiking, ranger-led tours.
Activities: Birdwatching, kayaking, stargazing.
Sporting Events and Conferences
Sports:
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets (TBD, $20–$100, Dodgers).
Los Angeles Marathon (March 2025, $150–$200, LA Marathon).
Conferences:
Comic-Con International (San Diego, July 2025, $50–$80, Comic-Con).
Google I/O (Mountain View, TBD, $1,150, Google I/O).
Major Concert Events (June 2025–March 2026)
Event Date Location Tickets Brand New June 4, 2025 Shrine Expo Hall, Los Angeles $30–$100 (Songkick) Ministry June 4, 2025 Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles $40–$120 (Songkick) Alex Warren June 4, 2025 The Masonic, San Francisco $30–$80 (Songkick) Coco Jones June 4, 2025 Regency Ballroom, San Francisco $30–$80 (Songkick) 311 July 12, 2025 House of Blues, San Diego $40–$100 (Ticketmaster) Slightly Stoopid July 19, 2025 Gallagher Square, San Diego $40–$100 (Ticketmaster) Coachella April 11–13, 18–20, 2025 Indio $499–$1,199 (Coachella) Outside Lands August 8–10, 2025 San Francisco $400–$900 (Outside Lands)
Airport and Transit Information
Airports:
Transit:
Los Angeles: Metro Rail/Bus ($2/ride, Metro).
San Francisco: BART ($2–$10, BART), Muni, cable cars.
San Diego: Trolley ($2.50/ride, MTS).
Bikes: Bike-sharing in major cities ($2–$5/ride, Grid Bikes).
Trolleys: San Francisco cable cars ($8/ride, SFMTA).
Lodging
Hotel Location Type Rates The Beverly Hills Hotel Los Angeles Luxury $600–$1,200/night (Beverly Hills Hotel) The Peninsula Beverly Hills Los Angeles Luxury $500–$1,000/night (Peninsula) The Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles Business $150–$300/night (Westin) Hilton San Francisco San Francisco Business $120–$250/night (Hilton) The Ahwahnee Hotel Yosemite Luxury $400–$800/night (Yosemite)
RV-Specific Information
RV Registration: Required for public roads; non-residents can register (CA DMV).
Campgrounds (for 40-ft rigs like Chester):
Campland on the Bay (San Diego): 50+ ft sites, full hookups ($50–$80/night, Campland).
Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes (Groveland): 40+ ft sites, full hookups ($40–$70/night, Thousand Trails).
Ramblin' Redwoods (Crescent City): 50+ ft sites, full hookups ($45–$75/night, Ramblin' Redwoods).
Fueling Stations:
Love’s Travel Stop (Ripon, I-5): Diesel, wide lanes for 40-ft rigs (Love’s).
Pilot Flying J (Barstow, I-15): Diesel, large parking (Pilot Flying J).
Charging Stations: Limited for large rigs; check PlugShare for locations.
Traffic Patterns
Peak Hours: 7–9 AM, 4–6 PM in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego (Caltrans).
Strategies: Use public transit, bikes; avoid I-5, I-10 during rush hours.
Evaluation: Monitor travel times via 511.org.
Food Scene
Local Specialties: California rolls, Mission burritos, cioppino, date shakes.
Restaurants:
Holbox (Los Angeles): Mexican seafood ($15–$30, Holbox).
The French Laundry (Yountville): Michelin-starred ($350–$500, French Laundry).
Burdell (Oakland): California soul food ($20–$40, Burdell).
Seline (Santa Monica): Tasting menu ($295, Seline).
Itria (San Francisco): Crudos, pasta ($20–$40, Itria).
Renowned Personalities
Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks.
Musicians: Lady Gaga, Snoop Dogg, Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Business Leaders: Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg.
Major Cities and Attractions
Los Angeles: Hollywood Boulevard, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier.
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf.
San Diego: San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, USS Midway Museum.
San Jose: The Tech Interactive, Winchester Mystery House.
Sacramento: California State Capitol Museum, Old Sacramento.
Potential Barriers and Strategies
Barrier: Limited surfing opportunities in some areas due to seasonal wave conditions.
Strategy: Focus on prime surfing spots like Huntington Beach or plan visits during fall for optimal waves (Surfline).
Evaluation: Monitor wave conditions and gather visitor feedback on TripAdvisor.
Barrier: Traffic congestion in urban areas during peak hours.
Barrier: Limited ticket availability for concerts and festivals.
Strategy: Book early through Songkick or set alerts on Eventbrite.
Evaluation: Confirm purchases and assess event feedback via reviews.
Barrier: Limited RV charging and large rig parking.
Conclusion
California offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from its stunning beaches and national parks to its vibrant cities and cultural attractions. Plan ahead to navigate crowds, traffic, and RV logistics for a memorable visit.