I've Lived in California My Whole Life-These Are the Most Underrated Destinations in the State

"The challenge of understanding California and all it has to offer travelers is that it is a behemoth in size-at nearly 156,000 square miles-and somewhat shrouded in stereotype. It has beautiful beaches, sure, and Los Angeles and San Francisco are iconic cities within its bounds, but so much of California's beauty goes unseen if you don't leave those urban centers."

"I didn't think so at the time, but I was fortunate to grow up in the Central Valley of California; it may not have been a hub of opportunity, but it was an unbeatable location from which to explore the state. Combine that with two parents who have never blinked an eye at a long drive, and the result is me, a kid-turned-adult who will buckle up for just about any road trip to a new-to-me corner of California."

California spans nearly 156,000 square miles and contains vast, varied landscapes beyond its famous cities and beaches. Hidden regions like Cuyama Valley, Channel Islands National Park, and Russian River Valley offer tranquility, ferry-accessible islands, river floats, redwoods, wine tasting, and outdoor adventure. A Central Valley upbringing and a culture of long drives fosters road-trip exploration to discover lesser-known corners. San Luis Obispo provides coastal access, verdant foothills, kayaking, and wine country within a few hours of Los Angeles. Reaching these destinations is part of the experience and reveals overlooked beauty across the state.

Read at Travel + Leisure