Things to do in Northern California
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Most popular activities in Northern California
Attractions
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San Francisco CityPASS®: Experience 4 must-see attractions
Cruises & boat tours
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Private & custom tours
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GoCar San Francisco Tour
History & culture
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California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
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Hidden Stairways of San Francisco
What to do in Northern California
Discover the most popular places to visit in Northern California
Redwood National and State Parks
Walk amid towering trees, hike along scenic coastal trails and spot rare wildlife at this spectacular national park in North Coast California.
Yosemite Valley
From Yosemite Falls to Half Dome and El Capitan, you can see some of the most stunning scenery in the world from Yosemite National Park’s central valley.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Travel through the beautiful vineyards of Napa Valley in old-world style and enjoy gourmet dining and unbeatable scenery from your vintage railcar.
Yosemite National Park
The hiking trails, waterfalls and mountains full of diverse wildlife make this national park one of the country’s most picturesque.
Stanford University
Enjoy the collegiate vibe around Stanford University, a top university in Palo Alto. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
Pier 39
This waterfront attraction offers thrilling rides, innovative street performers and colorful souvenir shops, but it’s the sea lions that win the day.
Palisades Tahoe
Two expansive ski resorts in North Lake Tahoe have joined to provide some of the finest snow experiences on the whole continent, with an added dash of celebrity sparkle.
Oracle Park
Whether or not you’re a baseball fan, this charming ballpark with outstanding views should be on your San Francisco sightseeing list.
Golden 1 Center
Catch an event at Golden 1 Center, and enjoy other activities in Sacramento such as biking. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.
Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Northern California
Union Square
Major tourist destination in downtown San Francisco, Union Square boasts shopping, hotels, and theaters. Explore department stores, boutiques, and galleries, or catch a performance at various theaters. Enjoy the Dewey Monument and stunning views from nearby hotels. Easily accessible via cable car lines, buses, and subway systems.
Fisherman's Wharf
Discover Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park in this bustling tourist hotspot. Savor seafood at family-owned restaurants and explore the sea lion colony, while enjoying convenient cable car access.
Downtown San Francisco
Serving as San Francisco's central business district, this area boasts Northern California's two tallest buildings, the Salesforce Tower and Transamerica Pyramid. Explore shopping malls like the Embarcadero Center and enjoy parks such as Sue Biermann Park, all easily accessible via Muni bus and rail lines.
Downtown Sacramento
Undergoing revitalization, Downtown Sacramento boasts the retail and entertainment hub, Downtown Commons (DOCO), with Macy's and various dining options. Explore the California State Capitol, Sacramento City Hall, and enjoy convenient public transit options.
Downtown Napa
Downtown Napa is a destination visitors seek out for is abundant dining options, fine wine, and stunning river views. You might want to check out attractions like Napa Valley Wine Train or Napa River while you're exploring the neighborhood.
South of Market
From baseball games to top-notch art exhibits, find endless entertainment in one of San Francisco’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.
- Places to visit
- Hotels near popular Northern California Attractions
- Nearby cities for things to do
- Expedia's Latest Trends
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Yosemite Valley
- Napa Valley Wine Train
- Yosemite National Park
- Stanford University
- Pier 39
- Palisades Tahoe
- Golden 1 Center
- Oracle Park
- Golden Gate Park
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Googleplex
- Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort
- Levi's Stadium
- Moscone Convention Center
- Tesla Motors
- Northstar California Resort
- Lombard Street
- Sonoma Plaza
- San Jose Convention Center
- Chase Center
- SAP Center at San Jose
- Santana Row Shopping Center
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Presidio of San Francisco
- Jack London Square
- 17-Mile Drive
- Winchester Mystery House
- Alcatraz Island
- University of California
- Stanford University Medical Center
- Carmel Beach
- University of California
- Hotels near Stanford University
- Hotels near Redwood National and State Parks
- Hotels near Yosemite Valley
- Hotels near Napa Valley Wine Train
- Hotels near Yosemite National Park
- Hotels near Pier 39
- Hotels near Palisades Tahoe
- Hotels near Golden 1 Center
- Hotels near Oracle Park
- Hotels near Golden Gate Park
- Hotels near Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
- Hotels near Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Hotels near Golden Gate Bridge
- Hotels near Googleplex
- Hotels near Monterey Bay
- Hotels near Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort
- Hotels near Levi's Stadium
- Hotels near Moscone Convention Center
- Hotels near Northstar California Resort
- Hotels near Lombard Street
- Hotels near San Jose Convention Center
- Hotels near Chase Center
- Hotels near SAP Center at San Jose
- Hotels near Santana Row Shopping Center
- Hotels near Presidio of San Francisco
- Hotels near 17-Mile Drive
- Hotels near Winchester Mystery House
- Hotels near Alcatraz Island
- Hotels near University of California