California is well-known for its world-renowned landmarks, but there are also countless hidden treasures, amusement parks, and must-see spots scattered throughout its sprawling terrain that are rarely visited by tourists. These off-the-beaten-path destinations offer unforgettable experiences.
Pfeiffer Beach stands out among Northern California beaches for its captivating purple sand, making it one of the more unique hidden gems. Additionally, benitoite, the official state gemstone of California can be found here.
Pfeiffer Beach
Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur’s PCH Highway 1 is one of California’s most striking natural wonders, known for its breathtaking purple sand and the Keyhole Arch rock formation. Manganese garnet washed down from clifftops causes the hue, making this beach an absolute photographer’s delight and particularly stunning at sunset when sunlight pours through the archway.
Beaches offer ideal conditions for hiking and exploring coastal landscapes, just be mindful to lookout for any local wildlife and respect its delicate beauty.
Swimming may not be recommended due to rough surf conditions, but this area makes an excellent spot for walking and beachcombing. Andrew Molera State Park and Garrapata State Parks both provide stunning coastal views with scenic hiking trails that allow visitors to discover tranquil nature exploration.
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park lies just offshore Southern California and features many natural wonders to behold. The rugged islands, coastal canyons, and pristine beaches boasting rugged terrain as well as wildlife such as seabirds, seals, sea lions, island foxes and fence lizards–plus archaeological sites dating back 13,000 years! Additionally, hiking trails allow visitors to explore this vast park’s breathtaking cliffs and landscapes as well as their decades-long ecological research program which studies and protects flourishing kelp forests.
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five distinct islands and their surrounding waters. Water enthusiasts can swim, snorkel and dive the crystal-clear waters surrounding Santa Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Rosa Islands while boating among them all. On land enthusiasts can stroll tranquil beaches, hike mountain trails and camp at one of the established campgrounds of each island; bird and marine mammal watchers can view species such as Channel Islands Hawk, Island Scrub Jay and Endemic Channel Islands Fox (among many others).
Lava Beds National Monument
Northern California’s Medicine Lake shield volcano hosts an extraordinary region of lava flows and volcanic formations that is far removed from the hot desert areas south of here, offering more than initially meets the eye. Here you will find volcanic tablelands punctuated by cinder cones, spatter cones, pit craters, maars, hornitos and nearly 700 lava tube caves that formed 10,500-65,000 years ago as the outer edges of cooled and hardened lava cooled down and hardened over time.
The monument boasts a rich historical legacy that can be discovered by exploring 13 miles of trails within its borders. Visitors can retrace Native Americans who left behind petroglyphs as well as homesteaders, ranchers and CCC boys from Gillems Camp during Modoc War; modern members of Klamath and Modoc tribes as they follow them all on these paths.
Sonoma Coast
The Sonoma Coast spans from Bodega Bay to Jenner and features bucolic state and regional parks with hiking, camping, surfing, horseback riding and beachcombing opportunities along its sandy and rocky beaches. Its dramatic coastal landscape includes tall cliffs and sea stacks while charming coastal towns and cafes dot its rugged coast line.
The region is well known for its stunning sunsets, which fill the sky with vivid hues. Additionally, its beaches provide ideal conditions for surfing and windsurfing with their strong coastal breezes and steady swells.
Sonoma Coast boasts both natural beauty and an extensive history. Once claimed by several nations – Russia and Mexico among them – and capital of a short-lived independent California state, Sonoma Coast also became home for some of the country’s leading wineries, although its difficult soils and unpredictable weather proved challenging when growing food; yet these exact same factors proved perfect conditions for producing Pinot Noir wines.