The golden state is home to some of the country’s most impressive parks, each showcasing a different side of its natural beauty, from towering redwoods and rugged mountains to sun-drenched beaches and quiet desert landscapes. Yet even among these standouts, one remains a clear favorite, winning over visitors year after year.
According to a latest report from TrustedHousesitters, which analyzed Google search volume, trends, and Yelp ratings to rank the top summer bucket-list destinations in the U.S., Point Lobos takes the top spot as the #1 must-visit destination in the country.
The study includes a full list of 15 destinations, which are ranked below:
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, CA
- Mount Rainier National Park, WA
- White Rock Lake, TX
- Dry Tortugas National Park, FL
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI
- White Sands National Park, NM
- Cades Cove, TN
- Torch Lake, MI
- Cannon Beach, OR
- Arches National Park, UT
- Big Bear Lake, CA
- Fall Creek Falls State Park, TN
- Acadia National Park, ME
- Antelope Canyon, AZ
- Havasu Falls, AZ
Point Lobos, ‘California’s crown jewel’
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea, is a standout stretch of California’s Central Coast. Established in 1933, it’s often called the “crown jewel of the California State Park System” thanks to its dramatic coastal scenery.
Sea otters are one of its most iconic residents. According to The Point Lobos Foundation, they live in the reserve year-round and even breed there.
For visitors interested in exploring below the surface, scuba diving and snorkeling are limited to Whalers Cove and Bluefish Cove. The water stays cold throughout the year, averaging around 50°F, according to Sea Temperature reports, so proper gear is essential.
Even so, the reward is a rich underwater landscape of kelp forests, rocky formations, and abundant marine life, making these coves some of the best shore-access diving spots in California.
