Best Historic Sites & Landmarks in California
3 historic sites & landmarks in California
Forts, landmarks, monuments and heritage attractions.
Editorial oversight by James Morgan. AI-assisted, human-edited. Our editorial standards
Historic Sites
Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing)
San Francisco, California
Board a ferry across the bay to walk the cell blocks of America's most infamous federal prison, perched on a windswept island.
Historic Sites
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
San Diego, California
Walk through five original adobe buildings and living-history demos in San Diego's birthplace.
Historic Sites
Roaring Camp Railroads
Felton, California
Ride 1890s narrow-gauge steam trains through towering redwoods to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
More about historic sites & landmarks in California
California has 3 historic sites & landmarks we would happily take our own kids to. Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing) is the one most families start with. Board a ferry across the bay to walk the cell blocks of America's most infamous federal prison, perched on a windswept island. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is the other name that comes up again and again. Walk through five original adobe buildings and living-history demos in San Diego's birthplace. Roaring Camp Railroads rounds out the pick of the bunch. Ride 1890s narrow-gauge steam trains through towering redwoods to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.
Tickets at Alcatraz Island (Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing) start from $47.95 per person. The rest of the list does not publish a set price, so confirm admission on the official site.
The historic sites & landmarks on this page are spread across San Francisco (1), San Diego (1) and Felton (1), so it is easy to pair two into one trip.