Affiliate Disclosure: We’re independent & reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

The 23 Best Cities in California (By a Local)

Updated July 22, 2024
McKenna Mobley
Ask me a question in the comments (0)
A coastline in California under the clear blue sky

People often stay in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego when they visit the West Coast, but there are many other great cities in California to explore. The state of California is so diverse — the landscapes vary greatly from north to south, east to west. There are fascinating cities in nearly every corner of the state. As a California local, I’m here to help you choose the best cities to visit for cliffside beaches, jagged mountain peaks, open deserts, and quality shopping. I've lived here my whole life and have traveled around my home state more times than I can count. In this article, I'll walk you through some of my favorite cities in the Golden State. I'll also highlight some of the fun things to do in California near these metro...

This Content is for Travel Lemming Passport members only.

Not a member? Get Your Passport Now
1st year free with code LEMMING

McKenna Mobley is an avid adventurer, traveler, mountaineer, and writer from Southern California. Her goal is to climb some of the world's highest mountains and visit as many countries as she can. She loves Latin America and has been to almost every Latin country. She also has a thirst for solo adventuring and has hiked 400 consecutive miles by herself through the Arizona desert. She is the author of Budget Travel 101, Your Practical Handbook for Exploring the World on the Cheap.