What to do in Central Valley, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Central Valley

Types of activities

Where to stay

Central Valley travel guide

Sacramento featuring heritage architecture and an administrative building

Sacramento showing heritage architecture and a city

Kings Beach State Recreation Area which includes general coastal views and landscape views

Places to Visit in Central Valley

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Central Valley, California while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Central Valley attractions from NZ$26, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Central Valley tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 2 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Central Valley. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Heavenly Ski Resort

Heavenly Mountain Resort lives up to its name; it is the place to be in Lake Tahoe in winter. This is the biggest ski resort in the area, with the highest peak, the longest vertical drop, some of the best terrain parks, and the best views. Thanks to its rocky trails and lakeside location, it offers plenty of activities in summer too. Daredevils, partygoers and nature lovers flock here year-round.

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Heavenly Ski Resort which includes a lake or waterhole, snow skiing and landscape views

2. Palisades Tahoe

Head to Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows for a stellar ski experience ideal for snow lovers of all abilities. The resort’s highly coveted terrain and conditions attract Olympian Jonny Moseley, among other celebrity skiers year-round.

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Squaw Valley Resort showing snow and snowboarding as well as an individual male

3. Northstar California Resort

Northstar California Resort is a laid-back mountain resort combining the excitement of on-mountain activities with high-end shopping and après-ski entertainment. Located on Mount Pluto and Lookout Mountain in Tahoe National Forest, the resort draws both winter and summer sports enthusiasts. Go skiing, snowboarding, telemarking, biking, fishing and hiking.

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Northstar California Resort showing a hotel and ice skating as well as a small group of people

4. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks lie side by side and encompass some of the most astounding terrains on Earth. Here, everything is big; the trees are like natural skyscrapers and the canyons seem bottomless. Discover a dramatic landscape of towering mountains, deep caverns, gushing waterfalls and forests that can make you feel as though you have stepped into a fairytale land of giants.

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Sequoia National Park which includes forests as well as an individual female

5. Emerald Bay State Park

Declared a National Natural Landmark in 1969, Emerald Bay is surrounded by snow-capped peaks that are a stark contrast to the cobalt-blue water of the lake. It’s no wonder that photographers, hikers and other nature lovers flock here year-round.

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Emerald Bay State Park featuring landscape views, general coastal views and forest scenes

6. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Walk at the foot of towering volcanic peaks and peer into pools of geothermal water and mud at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Step from the rocky landscape into serene woodland to discover a variety of animals living in the challenging environment.

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Mill Creek showing dangerous animals and forest scenes

7. Heavenly Gondola

The Heavenly Gondola provides some of Lake Tahoe’s most staggering vistas. Hop in the gondola cabin and rise slowly for 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers) up the mountainside as you watch over brilliant blue lake waters and dense green forests. In winter, pristine white snow blankets the landscape. Enjoy views from the Observation Deck, have drinks or a meal in the café and discover hiking trails, zip lines and varied family adventure activities.

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Heavenly Mountain Gondola featuring tranquil scenes, a lake or waterhole and a bay or harbour

Recommended things to do in Central Valley

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What to do in Central Valley

Discover the most popular places to visit in Central Valley

Palisades Tahoe

4/5(3 reviews)

Two expansive ski resorts in North Lake Tahoe have joined to provide some of the finest snow experiences on the whole continent, with an added dash of celebrity sparkle.

Golden 1 Center

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Catch an event at Golden 1 Center and enjoy other activities in Sacramento such as cycling.Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Northstar California Resort

5/5(1 review)

Amid the beautiful landscapes along Lake Tahoe is a mountain resort with family-friendly snow sports, hiking trails, golf and boutique shopping.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Be humbled by nature at its most impressive in these two breathtaking national parks, home to some of the largest living things on this planet.

Emerald Bay State Park

5/5(10 reviews)

This scenic inlet offers a beautiful beach, island, waterfalls, wreck dives, heritage sites and campgrounds with views over the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe.

Heavenly Gondola

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Glide across the sky and appreciate breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Tahoe on this scenic gondola ride to a summit where exciting adventure activities await.

Discovery Park

Discovery Park is just one of the places to see in Sacramento, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Sequoia National Park featuring forest scenes as well as a small group of people

General Sherman Tree

4.5/5(4 reviews)

The world’s largest tree by volume, this giant sequoia is more than 2,000 years old. You must see it in place to fully appreciate its colossal size.

Cal Expo

Learn about the events happening in Cal Expo during your trip to Sacramento. While you're here, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Explore areas of Central Valley

Downtown Sacramento

3.5/5(7 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Sacramento. Top attractions like Golden 1 Center and K Street Mall are major draws, and you can catch the metro at 8th & H/County Center Station or 7th & I/County Center Station to see more of the city.

Northstar Village

While visiting Northstar Village, you might make a stop by sights like Northstar California Resort and Big Springs Express Gondola.

Montgomery Estates

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Montgomery Estates and surrounding area, you can visit Heavenly Valley Creek and Bijou Community Park.

Lakeside Park

5/5(2 area reviews)

Lakeside Park might not have many top sights, but Casino at Harveys Lake Tahoe and Casino at Harrah's Lake Tahoe are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Central Sacramento

If you're spending time in Central Sacramento, check out sights like Golden 1 Center or Sutter's Fort State Historic Park and hop on the metro to see more of the city at 29th Street Station or 39th Street Station.

Apple Hill

While visiting Apple Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Apple Mountain Golf Resort and Time Out Spa.

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