10 TOP Things to Do in Central California September 2026

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Central California Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Central California has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Central California, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Central California with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Central California

Central California is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Central California, and make it a breeze to explore Central California and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Central California to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Central California, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Central California.

Central California attractions

Central California has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Central California to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Central California.

Looking for things to do in Central California can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Central California or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Central California attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

Things to do

Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets

£81

per adult

94% of travellers recommend

Los Angeles Angels Baseball Game at Angel Stadium

£11

per adult

Relaxing Sunset/Evening Cruise in Newport Beach

£18

per adult

88% of travellers recommend

Newport Beach: Ferry Ticket to/from Catalina Island

£34

per adult

Newport Beach: Luxury Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise

£55

per adult

Luxury Whale Watching: Fewer People, Extra Speed, Expert Staff

£51

per adult

96% of travellers recommend

Whale-Watching Cruise from Newport Beach

£28

per adult

86% of travellers recommend

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Top places to visit

1. Yosemite National Park

Head to Yosemite Village for a beginner’s introduction to the park. Drop into the official visitor centre to pick up maps and activity recommendations, then grab a bite to eat in a local restaurant and plan the days ahead. If you’re not driving, you can jump on a free shuttle bus from Yosemite Village to some of the park’s most iconic sights.

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A waterfall cascading down a steep cliff, surrounded by dense forest and snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.

2. Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley is the emerald green heart of Yosemite National Park. Marvel at the soaring granite walls, including some of the park’s most iconic landmarks, flanking this 8-mile (13-kilometer) canyon.

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3. Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is the continental United States’ largest park. It’s also the hottest, driest and lowest. Despite harsh conditions, the park’s more than 3 million acres (1.3 million hectares) aren’t simply desert plains. Find mountains, canyons, sand dunes, extinct volcanic craters and even palm trees and wildflowers.

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A group of people walking on a salt flat with mountains in the background.

4. Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium showcases more than 35,000 animals and plants across 550 species. You’ll discover all kinds of local wildlife here, including fish of all sizes, invertebrates, mammals and plants.

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5. Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort

The high peaks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains capture plenty of natural snowfall, giving Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort a very long season, usually starting in November and continuing through June or even July. Enjoy sunshine on average 300 days a year as you ski over 3,500 acres (1,400 hectares) of snowy terrain or bike on 80 miles (130 kilometers) of trails. Find plenty of family fun off the mountain too.

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A snowboarder carving through snow with a large spray of snow behind them.

6. 17-Mile Drive

Gaze at dazzling mansions and barking sea lions along 17-Mile Drive, a privately owned stretch of road that winds between Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. This exclusive seafront drive hugs the wild, craggy coastline, passing great cypress trees, rocky coves, sandy beaches and undulating golf courses.

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7. Cannery Row

Discover the leisure attractions along the historic street of Cannery Row. Once a thriving and rather smelly sardine-canning district, today this strip of coast offers fun for the whole family. Peruse the specialty shops and art galleries, dine in seafood restaurants, take the kids to Monterey Bay Aquarium and enjoy watersports in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

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A coastal pier with restaurants and a palm tree.

Recommended things to do in Central California

Number of things to do
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia	:
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Central California

Stay near popular Central California attractions

Yosemite National Park

9.8/10 (1,681 reviews)

Yosemite National Park is one of the world’s most celebrated open spaces, forming the heart of a long strip of protected land that runs north-to-south along California’s eastern border. Imposing rock formations rise over mirror-like lakes, peaceful meadows and shady forests. Strike out on the park’s miles of hiking, ou and horse-riding trails, or head east to discover world-class skiing and snowboarding resorts. This is the American wilderness at its best – a grand landscape of granite monoliths, pine forests, crashing waterfalls and historic Gold Rush towns.

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