California Archives - Visit USA Parks

Pick Your Path in Bishop, California

With so much to discover in the lower 48, we rarely go back time after time to the same destination. But when an area has as much to discover as Bishop, California, it’s easy to book a return trip. This small town with a regional population of 10,000 is nestled in between the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains on the eastern side of the Golden State. Not to be confused with a road-side pitstop on the way to Yosemite National Park, Bishop is a year-round outdoor mecca that knows how to keep its locals and tourists busy.

California from Sea to Yosemite: The Southern Central Valley

California, Itineraries

California’s Central Valley is the heartland of California. It stretches through remarkable vineyards and welcoming tasting rooms, past farm stands, along country roads, and through uniquely artistic communities right to the gates of some of the nation’s most renowned national parks such as Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. Follow this itinerary to explore the southern portion of this 400-mile long heart of California.

Pacific Ocean to Lush Forest: Explore California’s Northern Central Valley

California, Itineraries

Imagine a place with easy access to multiple national parks, flavor-filled farmlands, and mountain landscapes. Throw in rich history, international culture, and welcoming towns and cities, and you have California’s Central Valley. Follow this itinerary for a delicious, beautiful, authentic tour of the northern Central Valley.

Redding, California: Downtown to the Outdoors in Under 60 Minutes

California, Places & Experiences

We were lucky to be in Redding on a First Friday where artists lined the streets and the shops stayed open late. The following morning we ate fresh tamales and drank locally roasted coffee from vendors at the Redding Farmer’s Market.

Yosemite: Nothing else like it

California, Places & Experiences

Yosemite. One word, four syllables. Not a lot in the way of descriptions, but with Yosemite, it’sall you need. That one word conjures up cloud-crowned heights with crested waterfalls tumbling over the lips of granite monoliths; of deep valleys with quiet streams following their own path through western pines; of meadows with horizonic views. It is a word of Iconic Grandeur.

Uncover California’s Central Valley in Yolo County

California, Places & Experiences

Getting off the grid in California can be hard to do, but not if you know where to look. Let us help you discover Yolo County in California’s Central Valley. Here, small town culture hemmed in by beautiful rolling hills and countryside connotes a slower pace of life, perfect for first-time visitors and return travelers alike. Take your time sipping, tasting, and pedaling your way through Yolo County. You’ll be amazed at how much this part of the Golden State has to offer!

California Road Trip: Be Sure to Make This Stop

California, Places & Experiences

Not sure where to begin your next California road trip? Let us help! Just a few hours from the north entrance of Yosemite National Park is a lively city known as Stockton. Settled between the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sierra Nevada mountains, Stockton is ideal for a traveler looking to get a healthy mix of culture, food, and outdoor adventure. Plan your trip in advance—check out this sample itinerary!

Your Perfect 4-Day Road Trip through Gold Country, California

California, Places & Experiences

Gold Country, California is one of our favorite off-the-beaten-path destinations for those who want to see a different side of the Golden State. Home of the original gold rush that forever changed a nation, this region is within striking distance of both Lake Tahoe and Sacramento, making it an achievable and creative destination for those who love history, outdoor adventure, farm-to-table food, and know how to enjoy a booming wine and beer scene.

Granite & Gold in Tuolumne County, California

California, Places & Experiences

Gold and granite have been enticing visitors to central California since the mid-1800’s. All around Tuolumne County there are nods to the region’s roots, from Gold Rush era experiences to fantastic museums that educate visitors on the state’s history. Meanwhile, granite continues to beckon travelers from around the world to the same area. Tourists still flock to the Yosemite area to witness the breathtaking domes, sheer walls that reach sky-high, and waterfalls that drop to the valley floors. The combination of granite and gold make Tuolumne County one of the most interesting places to visit.

Fossils to Falls: Visiting Yosemite, California

California, Places & Experiences

“Hi, do you have the ‘Sandy the Squirrel’ card?” I asked, standing in the Yosemite National Park Visitor’s Center. See, I was on a mission. Essentially a scavenger hunt leading through Yosemite National Park and beyond. By collecting two or more trading cards, I could win a serious vacation package to return to some of the most amazing country in the USA! What I didn’t know was that this “highway” of sorts would bring me to some incredible places while visiting Yosemite.

Category / California

Search Visit USA Parks

Pick Your Path in Bishop, California

California from Sea to Yosemite: The Southern Central Valley

Pacific Ocean to Lush Forest: Explore California’s Northern Central Valley

Redding, California: Downtown to the Outdoors in Under 60 Minutes

Yosemite: Nothing else like it

Uncover California’s Central Valley in Yolo County

California Road Trip: Be Sure to Make This Stop

Your Perfect 4-Day Road Trip through Gold Country, California

Granite & Gold in Tuolumne County, California

Fossils to Falls: Visiting Yosemite, California

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