Co-written by Himani Yalamaddi
Illustrations by Ananya Bhat
Want to get out of the city for the summer? Here are some sites within California to go explore.
Climb Lassen Peak, an active volcano
Explore Bumpass Hell and Sulfur Works, the park’s colorful volcanic
vents
Camp and swim along Manzanita Lake
Sacramento
River Raft along the surrounding American River
Enjoy a local outdoor concert in Downtown Sacramento every Friday night
Explore the California State Capitol and museum
Stargaze along the riverfront in Old Sacramento, a historic neighborhood
Take it easy at the annual California State fair
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Mt. Whitney
Climb Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S.
Crawl through Crystal Cave on the Adventure Tour and exploreone of the park’s many marble caverns
Hike Moro Rock, the famous granite dome that allows for breathtaking views of the Great Western Divide
San Luis Obispo
Hike or horseback ride to the top of Madonna Mountain
Catch a wave at Avila Beach, a cozy seaside town
Ride a Dune Buggy along Pismo beach
Walk through Bubblegum Alley, California’s version of Seattle’s Gum Wall
Explore the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Kayak into the sea caves on the Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands
Camp at the Scorpion Canyon Campground on Santa Cruz Island or the Water Canyon Camp on Santa Rosa Island.
Snorkel or dive on Santa Cruz or Santa Barbara Islands (Tip: the latter has limited accessibility and few amenities, but makes for a beautiful dive.)
Los Angeles
River Raft on the Lower Kern or the Kaweah Rivers
at the Barnsdall Art Park, a sprawling grounds in the center of the city
Throw a bonfire at Dockweiler State Beach, (one of the only places to do it legally in L.A.)
Rock on at one of the free concerts put on at Amoeba Music
Explore local art on the second Thursday of every month at the Downtown Art Walk