Low Key Tourist Must-Visits of Northern California

When it comes to the south end of the state, California’s tourism credentials are a given. From LA and Hollywood to the Mexican border city of San Diego, it’s easy to list must-visit attractions in counties such as Malibu, Joshua Tree National Park and Long Beach. But whilst the attractions here may be louder and more widely advertised, the attractions nestled in Northern California are worth a visit too.

Southern California may have Tinsel Town and the San Diego Zoo but travelling north will lead you to more discrete and nuanced attractions, all within driving distance from the great value Good Nite Inn promotion code hotels. Remember that Northern California is home to the much-celebrated wine country and is also home to some of the most cutting-edge technology companies in the world. On top of this, the top half of California is where the state’s capital city is.

All this and more awaits visitors exploring the wonders of Northern California. With its diverse natural landscapes, wondrous cities, and some of the best hotels in California, this is your guide to the top attractions in the North of the Golden State.

Sonoma Wine Country

Just an hour drive from San Francisco and you’ll be right in the heart of Northern California’s famous wine county – Sonoma. Here you’ll find more than 500 wineries to tour, taste, and drink in the views from, as well as a whole stretch of the Pacific Coast to enjoy. With amazing hotels nearby such as the Good Nite Inn Rohnert Park just thirty miles away, this area of Northern California is a quaint and quiet touristic gem.

Big Sur

Southern California may be home to vast expanses of sandy beaches, but Northern California boasts more dramatic landscapes draped in fog and craggily coves. Such is the case with Big Sur State Reserve, where you’ll find many small bays and hiking routes along the Pacific Coastline. Purple cliffs bookend the famous Pfeiffer Beach and it’s easily walkable in the day but is closed off to tourists during the nighttime due to its treacherous paths and conditions.

Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco’s famous suspension bridge is a mile wide and connects the San Francisco Bay to Marin County. Arguably the most photographed bridge in the world, the famous red structure can be cycled as part of the US Bicycle Route 95, well worth a spin if you can handle the San Francisco hills on the way back!

Redwood National Park

The Redwood National State Park is actually made up of four rainforests, despite being advertised as one entity. Harboring some of the oldest redwood trees in the world, this 139,000-acre reserve makes up almost 45 percent of the redwoods in the world, which can live for up to 3000 years. With an abundance of hiking routes and beautiful prairies, rivers, and coastlines to explore, this is a must for nature lovers in Northern California.

Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital city of California and home to some of the best museums in the state. For the history of California and its founding, the State Capitol Museum and Museum of California are well worth a visit, whilst the Crocker Art Museum is the oldest of its kind west of the Mississippi.