California is known as the Golden State for many reasons — the seemingly endless sunshine, the fields of yellow wildflowers that appear every spring, the history of gold mining in the state, and of course, the golden sunsets.

The state itself is as diverse a place as its official nickname. California is the most populated US state and home to 3 of the country’s largest cities as well as 36 National Natural Landmarks, 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 280 state parks, and 149 federally designated wilderness areas.

This vast state has everything you could want for an epic nature getaway, from rugged mountain ranges to sandy beaches plus plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting.

Deciding where to go first might just be the hardest part of planning a visit to California, so to help you out we’ve made a fun quiz to give you a personalized travel recommendation.

Should you head North and see Redwood National Park or venture into the southern deserts to explore Joshua Tree National Park? Take our quiz to find out.

Get the book:

 150 Nature Hot Spots in California