Things To Do

California has a reputation as a haven for people with creative minds, and you can see this in its multifaceted cultural offerings. Arts abound here in four main formats: large-scale, world-class organizations; smaller, quirkier museums, often showcasing the Golden State’s history and its abundant idiosyncratic subcultures (think surfers, Silicon Valley techno-wizards, and Peanuts aficionados); music venues galore; robust artists’ communities, and cultural offerings through California State Parks  and the California Museum 's Hall of Fame and Legacy Trails . Below you'll find a small sampling of California’s cultural bounty.  Want to learn more? Come to California!

Visit Shop California , a proud partner of Shop America, to enjoy the “best of” cultural experiences in each of California’s tourism regions combined with special VIP shopping and dining offers.

For information about the California Cultural and Heritage Tourism Council’s 6th Annual Symposium, click here.

The Golden State boasts more than 1,700 kilometres of breathtaking coastline, ranging from Hollywood-perfect expanses of smooth sand to dramatically windswept oceanside cliffs. If your idea of a perfect day involves beach volleyball, building sandcastles, hiking along picturesque seaside trails or catching a wave, you can find it all at California’s many beaches.

California is a golfer’s paradise – with pleasant temperatures year-round, the green is always calling. Tournaments around the state draw scores of fans, and visitors can also experience the famous Pebble Beach course or take a swing at any of the hundreds of specially-designed courses around the state – San Diego alone has 92. Golf lovers can purchase custom-fit golf clubs or receive special golf massages while staying in private suites – complete with their own putting greens. With hundreds of public access facilities and resorts across the state, head to California to golf near the ocean, among the pines, or in the middle of the desert. Plan your trip today!

Join us for a sweeping tour of California Golf’s hidden treasures. To discover more golf packages across the state, visit travel4golf.net .

To find out more about the top golf courses in 12 different California regions, view the 2009 Official California Golf Publication .

California’s cities pulsate with energy long after the sun has set. In fact, it’s not until streetlights blink on throughout the metropolitan areas that some of the state’s most dynamic venues—blues bars, comedy clubs, dance halls, martini lounges—spring to life.

California is a paradise for those who love being outdoors. Its size and diversity provide a range of activities unmatched in North America, and the temperate climate in most of the state means that many of these activities are available year round.

Each aspect of the state lends itself to activity. The longest coastline in the United States offers beach and watersports galore along with some of the most breathtaking coastal golf courses in the world. The three active volcanoes lend their slopes to up and downhill sports, the deserts to trekking and climbing and the national parks can be viewed from horseback or from the air.

Shopping is an art form in California. Whether you're in search of the perfect cocktail dress or an authentic Mexican piñata, you'll find it here. Want to sample fresh produce? Try our farmers markets. Looking for a handmade ceramic bowl? Check out one of the many artist enclaves dotting the state. Simply looking for a great bargain on shoes? California has some of the largest outlet centers in the country. Or are you looking to indulge in the latest designer wear? Then head to our high-end shopping districts or malls. Visit Shop California , a proud partner of Shop America, to enjoy special VIP shopping and dining offers in each of California tourism region combinded with the "best of" cultural experiences. 

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! From the northern tip of California, practically all the way to the Mexican border, California offers superb snow activities. Hundreds of miles of white-capped mountains provide unparalleled opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, skating, snow climbing — even sleigh riding. For more information on California’s ski and snowboard resorts, lessons, cross-country skiing options, trip planning assistance, and much more — be sure to start with the California Ski Industry Association , but don't forget to check out excellent regional resources such as the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority , the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureau , or the Mammoth Lakes Visitors Bureau .

Wellness is a serious pursuit in California, so its little wonder the state is home to an unusually high number of exceptional health and beauty spas and wellness centres. Whether you desire an afternoon’s pampering or a weeklong rejuvenation retreat, you’ll find your bliss here.

Conventional wisdom holds that California is for the young and who are we to argue? The state is chock-full of attractions for kids of all ages, especially the under-18 set. From Disneyland, the granddaddy of all theme parks, to world-class aquariums, zoos, historical museums, and outdoor activities, California will keep your family engaged and hopping.

Want a taste of California? Visit a farmers’ market where celebrity chefs and foodie insiders pick out the finest organic produce. Step into sleek restaurants serving innovative, ultra-fresh California cuisine. Taste a gelato made with local chocolate and toasted hazelnuts, or handmade cheeses from local farms. Drive down a tree-lined lane to wineries in grand chateaus, or relaxed, family-run vineyards where the guy pouring and chatting in the tasting room is a world-class winemaker. Everywhere you turn in California, there are endless ways to taste, sip, savor, and enjoy. 

Make the most of your visit by taking advantage of special events and exceptional deals offered throughout the state. Wine events, activities and tastings also are coordinated year-round by the Wine Institute and its more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses.