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  • 12 Places In California That Look Like Another Planet
    Northern California,  Sierras,  Southern California

    12 Places In California That Look Like Another Planet

    August 6, 2026 /

    California is home to many unique destinations that look like alien landscapes. From towering rock formations to steaming geothermal areas, colorful hills, and black sand beaches, there is so much to explore in the State! In this guide, I cover 12 natural places in California that look like other planets. If you love discovering awe-inspiring natural places that feel surreal, this post is for you. While some of these attractions are quite popular, I have also included a few hidden gems that you might not know exist! 1. Badwater Basin At Death Valley National Park Badwater Basin is without a doubt one of the most otherworldly destinations to visit in…

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    15 Amazing Places To Enjoy Fall Colors In California

    15 Amazing Places To Enjoy Fall Colors In California

    September 15, 2025
    Various locations with giant sequoia trees in California

    12 Best Places To Visit Sequoia Trees In California

    August 14, 2025
    A windy road traveling through redwoods in California

    15 Best State Parks To Visit In California

    May 6, 2026
  • Top Adrenaline-Pumping Activities In California
    Central Coast,  Central Valley,  Sierras,  Southern California

    12 Top Adrenaline-Pumping Activities In California

    July 31, 2026 /

    California is a hot spot for extreme sports and adrenaline-pumping activities. From bungee jumping to skydiving and white-water rafting, there is plenty to do in California for those who like to live on the edge. Over the years, my husband and I have checked off a lot of extreme activities from our California bucket list. I usually book a few fun activities a year for special occasions like our anniversary or my husband’s Birthday. If you’re looking for something exciting and adventurous to do with your friends or your partner, here are 12 of the top adrenaline activities in California! 1. Bungee Jumping Off The Bridge To Nowhere Bungee jumping…

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    Pismo State Beach Oceano Campground Pismo Beach

    Review Of Pismo State Beach Oceano Campground

    April 6, 2023
    Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

    How To Hike Fiscalini Ranch Preserve In Cambria

    March 27, 2024
    15 Places In California That Look Like Other Countries

    15 Places In California That Look Like Other Countries

    June 17, 2026
  • Top FREE Things To Do In California
    Central Coast,  Northern California,  Sierras,  Southern California

    15 Top FREE Things To Do In California

    July 7, 2026 /

    It is no secret that California is expensive, which prevents many people from exploring the state. If you are constantly dreaming of your next great escape in California, there are ways to lower costs during your trip. Many attractions in California are free to the public, which helps balance out expensive hotels and high gas prices. From iconic landmarks to free gardens, beaches, and museums, here are the 15 top free things to do in California on your next adventure! 1. Griffith Observatory In Los Angeles If you’re visiting Southern California and are looking for free things to do in the area, I highly recommend a trip to Griffith Observatory.…

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    Dog friendly activities in Ventura

    15 Top Dog Friendly Activities In Ventura, California

    February 10, 2025
    15 Top Cheap Places To Visit In California

    15 Top Cheap Places To Visit In California

    September 8, 2025
    VRBO Pismo Beach

    10 Incredible VRBO Vacation Rentals In Pismo Beach

    May 2, 2021
  • 15 Places In California That Look Like Other Countries
    Central Coast,  Northern California,  Sierras,  Southern California

    15 Places In California That Look Like Other Countries

    June 17, 2026 /

    California has always been one of the world’s most diverse cultural melting pots. Because of this, in California, you’ll find architecture, towns, and landmarks inspired by countries from every corner of the globe. You don’t have to book a long flight to feel like you’re stepping into another world. These California locations will transport you to faraway destinations (for a fraction of the price). From charming coastal towns to elaborate temples and gorgeous outdoor destinations, here are 15 places in California that look like other countries! 1. Solvang – Denmark Visiting Solvang truly feels like stepping into another country. Solvang is a small town near Santa Barbara that is designed…

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    Things to do in Ventura

    26 Best Things To Do In Ventura, California (By a Local)

    October 22, 2024
    Volcanic Destinations In California

    12 Incredible Volcanic Destinations In California

    February 26, 2026
    Dog friendly activities in Ventura

    15 Top Dog Friendly Activities In Ventura, California

    February 10, 2025
  • Various images of landscapes from the Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks, California
    Central Coast

    Visiting Gardens Of The World In Thousand Oaks

    May 27, 2026 /

    Gardens Of The World is a hidden little gem in Thousand Oaks and one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in Southern California. This garden is a great place to go for a relaxing morning walk or to escape the busy city life for an hour to recharge. I did a self-guided tour of the gardens on my visit, but you can also arrange a docent-guided tour ahead of time from Tuesday through Friday. Here are my tips for visiting Gardens Of The World in Thousand Oaks, California! Gardens Of The World Highlights Here are a few quick highlights to know before you head out there: How To Get There…

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    Dog friendly activities in Ventura

    15 Top Dog Friendly Activities In Ventura, California

    February 10, 2025
    San Simeon Bay Trail

    San Simeon Bay Trail On Central California Coast

    March 21, 2024
    Top FREE Things To Do In California

    15 Top FREE Things To Do In California

    July 7, 2026
  • Highway 395 winding through the mountains in California
    Sierras

    25 Best Stops Along Highway 395 In California

    May 18, 2026 /

    Planning a Highway 395 road trip in the Eastern Sierra? Get ready for charming mountain towns, dramatic volcanic landscapes, hot springs and some of the best alpine lakes that you can encounter in California! With so many interesting and unique attractions, it can feel a bit overwhelming picking just a few to see on a trip. That’s why I’m highlighting some of my favorites that are a must-see for any traveler in this region. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend trip to Mammoth or going on a longer adventure, here are 25 of the best stops to see along Highway 395 in California! Psst! Be sure to check out my…

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    Trail of 100 Giants

    Trail Of 100 Giants In Sequoia National Forest

    December 3, 2024
    Historical wooden buildings scattered in a ghost town in California

    12 Best Ghost Towns To Visit In California

    December 17, 2025
    View of Half Dome at Yosemite in spring

    12 Incredible Things To Do In Yosemite In Spring

    March 8, 2024
  • A windy road traveling through redwoods in California
    Central Coast,  Northern California,  Southern California

    15 Best State Parks To Visit In California

    May 6, 2026 /

    There are over 280 State Parks that are dedicated to preserving some of the most beautiful natural treasures in California. Some are just as famous as the California National Parks, while others are hidden gems that are often overlooked. I personally love visiting State Parks because they’re cheaper and much less crowded than the National Parks. They are no less spectacular and make for great day adventures and road trip stops. From crystal clear beaches to enormous trees, waterfalls, and scenic desert landscapes, here are 15 of the best State Parks to visit in California! Psst! Be sure to check out my custom Google map at the end of the…

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    Morro Bay State Park Campground

    Review Of Morro Bay State Park Campground

    May 1, 2025
    Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

    How To Hike Fiscalini Ranch Preserve In Cambria

    March 27, 2024
    View of a walkway at a park in Camarillo California

    10 Best Parks In Camarillo, California (By a Local)

    June 24, 2024
  • Visiting The Santa Barbara Museum Of Natural History
    Central Coast

    Visiting The Santa Barbara Museum Of Natural History

    March 26, 2026 /

    Visiting the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a great weekend outing in Santa Barbara, especially if you have kids. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History houses regional exhibits covering animals, birds, sea life, minerals, history, art, and so much more. This museum is fairly small, so it only takes a few hours to walk through it and see all of the exhibits. One of the most unique attractions here is the outdoor garden that has moving life-size dinosaurs – so fun for little kids! This museum is also associated with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on the Santa Barbara Pier. You could be…

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    Things to do Morro Bay

    20 Best Things To Do In Morro Bay, California

    October 5, 2023
    Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

    How To Hike Fiscalini Ranch Preserve In Cambria

    March 27, 2024
    Outdoor pool at the Hummingbird Inn In Ojai California

    Review Of Hummingbird Inn In Ojai, California

    May 27, 2024
  • Volcanic Destinations In California
    Central Coast,  Northern California,  Sierras,  Southern California

    12 Incredible Volcanic Destinations In California

    February 26, 2026 /

    California offers so much diversity when it comes to unique destinations. From towering volcanic peaks to steaming geothermal pools and lava tubes, California is full of landscapes that will simply leave you in awe! In this travel guide, I cover 12 otherworldly volcanic destinations to visit in California. Most of these volcanic landscapes are easy to visit by taking a drive or a short hike to explore them. Whether you’re craving a mountain adventure, love visiting geological wonders, or are looking for road trip ideas, we have you covered! Psst! Be sure to check out my custom Google map at the end of the post with location details! 1. Lassen…

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    Best Hotels in Santa Barbara

    10 Best Hotels In Santa Barbara For a Seaside Escape

    August 28, 2023
    Escondido Falls Trail Malibu

    How To Hike Escondido Falls Trail In Malibu

    October 5, 2023
    Ontario Ridge to Shell Beach Bluff Trail

    How To Hike Ontario Ridge To Shell Beach Bluff Trail

    March 4, 2024
  • things to do in sonora california
    Central Valley

    8 Best Things To Do In Sonora, California

    January 21, 2026 /

    Sonora is a small historic town in one of the most popular Gold Rush regions in California that flourished during the 1850s. Located just an hour from Stockton and two hours from Sacramento, Sonora is a wonderful weekend getaway from the nearby cities. With mountains to the East and the New Melones Lake just a few minutes’ drive from Sonora’s downtown, this area offers lots of outdoor recreational activities along with historical attractions. In this post, I cover 8 top things to do on a trip to Sonora, California! Best things to do in Sonora, California: 1. Columbia State Historic Park Tuolumne County is known for having a few historic…

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    Panorama Vista Preserve

    Hiking Panorama Vista Preserve In Bakersfield

    September 10, 2023
    hart-memorial-park-bakersfield-california

    Hiking Hart Memorial Park In Bakersfield

    September 9, 2023
    Angels Camp RV Park

    Angels Camp RV Park: Camping In Rustic Cabins

    March 19, 2020
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- ABOUT ME -

Welcome to California Wanderland! I’m Laura Sausina, a California local always in search of new adventures around me. California Wanderland is here to help you discover the best hikes, outdoor activities, things to do, and the best places to stay in Central California. Read more about me here!

Recent Posts

  • 12 Places In California That Look Like Another Planet
  • 12 Top Adrenaline-Pumping Activities In California
  • 15 Top FREE Things To Do In California
  • 15 Places In California That Look Like Other Countries
  • Visiting Gardens Of The World In Thousand Oaks

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