Raise your hand if you’ve scrolled through Instagram this past week and saw some influencer lounging by an enviable beach. If you’ve been dying to plan your own dreamy getaway, the vacation you’ve always wanted could be closer than you think. Did you know that you can find clear blue water in California? This list takes you through scenes of beautiful beaches, steamy hot springs, and a few tucked-away gems that are often overlooked. Lake Tahoe Price: Varies by the campsite Location: Lake Tahoe, California Why You Should Go: This beautiful NorCal city offers various scenic hiking trails, campsites, and turquoise water you won’t believe. View this post on Instagram Tag someone you’d take here 💙 Courtesy of @jess.wandering Founders: @takemyhearteverywhere 📍Lake Tahoe, Nevada State Park, USA 🇺🇸 Tag your best travel photos with #travellingthroughtheworld A post shared by TRAVELLING THROUGH THE WORLD © (@travellingthroughtheworld) on Oct 18, 2019 at 2:41am PDT Website Russian Gulch State Park Price: $8 car entrance fee (see here for full details) Location: CA-1, Mendocino, California Why You Should Go: This beautiful state park offers three miles of a leafy canyon along the rocky coastline. Inland, you can find a 36-foot plunging waterfall among the redwoods. View this post on Instagram I've come to learn that California has a flair, For views that make you stop and stare; With a golden poppy tucked into her hair, And a whisper of wanderlust in the air, She'll charm you into a love affair, A relentless pursuit of your next somewhere 💙 #mendocino #californiadreamin A post shared by dipal parmar | travel + sf (@dipalkparmar) on May 7, 2019 at 11:35am PDT Website McWay Falls Price: Free parking on Highway 1 or $10 via Falls Trail Location: Highway 1, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California Why You Should Go: You’ll see amazing views of an 80-foot turquoise waterfall cascading onto the beach. View this post on Instagram The feeling of awe when you get to see with your own eyes a place you’ve been dreaming about...💫 I can’t believe it took me this long to drive along Pacific Coast Highway. Whenever I’ve gone to NorCal I’ve always taken the fastest route, not the scenic. I was doing it wrong this whole time 🙈 Life is truly more beautiful when you take it slow ♥️ Who agrees? ❦ McWay falls is a tidefall, a waterfall that empties into the ocean, although it only truly does it at high tide. Otherwise it looks like this. The beach was not present until the year 1983 after heavy mudslides and reconstruction which helped develop depositing sand there. ❦ 📍McWay Falls, Big Sur, California 📸: @mico_marco ❦ #bigsurcoast #bigsurcalifornia #mcwayfalls #pacificcoasthighway #visitcalifornia #visittheusa A post shared by thalia ❦ travel + lifestyle (@bambi.thalia) on Dec 2, 2019 at 10:56am PST Website Big Pine Lakes Price: Free Location: Big Pine, California Why You Should Go: You can hike to 7 glacier lakes and see multiple waterfalls on this beautiful trail. View this post on Instagram 📍Heaven on Earth 🌎. . . #laborday #labordayweekend #hiking #bigpinelakes #gymshark #gymsharkwomen #fitness #fitgirl #fit #beautiful #nature #love #hikes #lake #clearwater #mothernature #instagood #photooftheday #roadtrip #sierranevadas #templecrag #instalike #instatravel #adventure #fashion #goexploremore #explore A post shared by @ cristinerivera on Sep 2, 2019 at 12:27pm PDT Website Laguna Price: Free to visit (metered street parking) Why You Should Go: There are 27 different beaches to explore within the city of Laguna. Thousand Steps, Victoria Beach, and Treasure Island are a few of our favorites. View this post on Instagram 𓇼 paradise feelings🏝 - #phantom4pro A post shared by Ashlyn Rose ⚓️ California (@ashxvisuals) on Dec 16, 2018 at 10:48am PST Website Catalina Island Price: An adult round-trip ferry ticket costs $74.50. Location: Catalina Island, California Why You Should Go: This beautiful California island looks like the south of France! You can zipline, hike, and take a glass-bottom boat tour in beautiful, lush surroundings. View this post on Instagram Tourist for the day 🌸 A post shared by Brandi Prine (@bwandiprine) on Sep 24, 2019 at 5:54pm PDT Website La Jolla Cove Price: Free Location: 1100 Coast Blvd., La Jolla, California Why You Should Go: You can spot tons of adorable seals cuddled up on the coves here and the water is so blue! In the summer, you can snorkel with leopard sharks. View this post on Instagram A quick post-brunch trip to #lajollacove 🌊 ☀️ 🐠 🏝 with @brenpadg ❤️ #lajolla #lajollabeach #lajollacalifornia #lajollaca #lajollacovebeach #saycheese #coupleselfie #sandiego #sandiegovacation A post shared by Brian (@briansbailey) on Oct 19, 2019 at 12:35pm PDT Website Gaviota Hot Springs Price: $2 for parking Location: Gaviota Park Boundary, Goleta, CA 93117 Why You Should Go: You can soak in relaxing turquoise blue hot springs that feels like a jungle oasis. View this post on Instagram Just me and the palm tree🌴 . . This lil hot springs is in Goleta, about 30 mins north of Santa Barbara. It’s about a mile hike up the Gaviota Trail Head, so it’s a short but pretty hike up and the water’s quite warm! It’s mineral rich and supposed to be good for your health! When we went it had just rained a lot, so it was super muddy and the hot springs were more cloudy and a bit cooler than usual, but definitely still felt good!💙 . . What’s your favorite hot springs in California?💦 . . . . . . . . #gaviotahotsprings #gaviota #goleta #santabarbara #hotsprings #california #explorecalifornia #hiddencalifornia #californiaadventure #californiadreaming #traveldreamseekers #weekendgetaway #weekendwanderlust #californiaweekend A post shared by Jena Kirmse✈️Travel+Fitness (@jenafit2fly) on Mar 1, 2019 at 8:22am PST Website We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit any location, you check the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment.
