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 & Landmarks in California: what to expect
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.
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.