Adventure, Bucket List, Bucket Lists, Bucketlist, California, Destination, USA

California Adventure Bucket List

California Adventure Bucket List - Biplane Fun

There are so many unbelievable adventures in California that I needed a California adventure bucket list. I’ve already crossed off a number of the items but by creating the list I will gain the encouragement to complete them all. Many of the adventures sound like something in a futuristic movie like flying a jetpack, becoming a fighter pilot for the day, performing aerobatics in a biplane or T6 Warbird, or racing a dragster but I assure you that they are not only possible in California, but I plan on experiencing every one of them.
California Adventure Bucket List

Here’s my California adventure bucket list. The highlighted items have already been completed. Clearly, I won’t be able to complete them all this year, but adding them to my list makes me dream a little bigger and gives me a place to start when I’m looking for adventure. How many are on your list?

California Adventure Bucket List

Extreme
Skydive San Diego

Skydive
Bungee jump
Aerobatics in a biplane
Fly in a T6 Warbird
Helicopter lessons
Skull Canyon Ziplining
Exotic car racing
Paragliding
Jetpack

Hiking, Backpacking, & Camping
Laguna Canyon, California

Backpack in Redwood National and State Parks
Oceanview Camping at San Elijo
Hike To Deadman Lake
Backpack to the Ventana Wilderness Hot Tub
Hike Torrey Pines
Hike Devil’s Postpile
Hike Rainbow Falls
Canoe in Moro Lake
Hike to the Hollywood sign
Hike Half Dome
Yosemite National Park
Camp at the Pots
Hike to the Summit of Mt. Whitney
Climb to Yosemite Point
Hike to Burney Falls
Camp at Joshua Tree
Explore Muir Woods
Backpack To Sentinel Dome
Camp and kayak at Catalina’s Two Harbors
Camp at Death Valley’s Wildrose Campground
Hike and camp in the meadows on Mt. Shasta
Hike to the Summit of Mt. Baldy
Hike to Alamere Falls
Soak In The Travertine Hot Springs

Air Adventures

Star Helicopters Flight Lesson

Helicopter flight
Fly a glider
Hot air balloon
Helicopter lessons
Trapeze lessons
Fighter Jet Flight Simulator

Land Adventures
Sledding at Alpine Slide, Big Bear

Drive Route 66
Visit Legoland
Visit Disneyland Adventure
Zipline and explore Moaning Cavern
Stargaze at Glacier Point
Sledding
Rock Climbing
Ride the Skunk Train
San Diego Adventure Safari
Jeep Tour
4-wheeler adventure
Ride the roller coasters at Knott’s Berry Farm
Visit Universal Studios
Skiing
Visit Disneyland 

Water Adventures
At Knott's Soak City

Sailing
Surfing at Huntington Beach
Kiteboarding
Kayak La Jolla Sea Caves
Rafting
Scuba diving
Pirate dinner adventure
Test the water slides at Knott’s Soak City
Go whale watching

What am I missing? I’m always open to suggestions and excited to add to the list. 

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53 thoughts on “California Adventure Bucket List

  1. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says:

    I have only been to CA twice and both times were to San Diego. It was enough to make me plan on retiring there someday, though.

  2. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says:

    I have only been to CA twice and both times were to San Diego. It was enough to make me plan on retiring there someday, though.

    1. Lesley says:

      San Diego is an amazing area. We visit at least once a month. What was your favorite thing about it?

  3. You’re making me want to schedule a trip to Cali!!!! These are all such daring and exciting activities, you’re quite the risk taker!

    1. Lesley says:

      Come on over. We always love guests. Maybe we could even experience one of the adventures together.

  4. You’re making me want to schedule a trip to Cali!!!! These are all such daring and exciting activities, you’re quite the risk taker!

    1. Lesley says:

      Come on over. We always love guests. Maybe we could even experience one of the adventures together.

  5. Yanique says:

    My family loves water activities so I will definitely check out the water adventures available in Cali.

    1. Lesley says:

      We are huge water fans too. It’s a major part of the reason we live here. We tried other states and provinces but we need access to the ocean. What’s your favorite thing to do in the water?

  6. Yanique says:

    My family loves water activities so I will definitely check out the water adventures available in Cali.

    1. Lesley says:

      We are huge water fans too. It’s a major part of the reason we live here. We tried other states and provinces but we need access to the ocean. What’s your favorite thing to do in the water?

  7. jill conyers says:

    More CA! Missing it more too. I would never sky dive. Ever. I’m think my daughter would.

    1. Lesley says:

      Skydiving was one of my favorite adventures. I wish I could do it every morning before I start my day. What’s your favorite adventure?

  8. jill conyers says:

    More CA! Missing it more too. I would never sky dive. Ever. I’m think my daughter would.

    1. Lesley says:

      Skydiving was one of my favorite adventures. I wish I could do it every morning before I start my day. What’s your favorite adventure?

  9. Holy goodness you did some crazy stuff!! I would LOVE to learn how to fly a helicopter! Was it difficult or pretty easy to get the hang of?

    1. Lesley says:

      The flying isn’t difficult but hovering seems impossible. 😉 I loved it though. I considered getting more hours in this year.

  10. Holy goodness you did some crazy stuff!! I would LOVE to learn how to fly a helicopter! Was it difficult or pretty easy to get the hang of?

    1. Lesley says:

      The flying isn’t difficult but hovering seems impossible. 😉 I loved it though. I considered getting more hours in this year.

  11. michele says:

    You and I would get along so well. I live here now (California) and Ive done over half of your list. Now Im going to print this and and adapt it for me! Thanks!!

    1. Lesley says:

      Which part of the state do you live in?

  12. michele says:

    You and I would get along so well. I live here now (California) and Ive done over half of your list. Now Im going to print this and and adapt it for me! Thanks!!

    1. Lesley says:

      Which part of the state do you live in?

  13. Kendra says:

    So many good ideas. It makes me want to go to CA! I haven’t been in years, we used to go a lot when we were kids but haven’t really since I’ve been married. I do want to go in the next year or so (I’ll admit I totally want to go see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter).

  14. Kendra says:

    So many good ideas. It makes me want to go to CA! I haven’t been in years, we used to go a lot when we were kids but haven’t really since I’ve been married. I do want to go in the next year or so (I’ll admit I totally want to go see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter).

  15. I think I would like to try skydiving and visit the gorgeous beaches in Cali! I have never ever been to cali before but I would like to go!

  16. I think I would like to try skydiving and visit the gorgeous beaches in Cali! I have never ever been to cali before but I would like to go!

  17. So many amazing things on this list. My all-time favorite place in California is San Francisco and wine country. We honeymooned there and loved it.

  18. So many amazing things on this list. My all-time favorite place in California is San Francisco and wine country. We honeymooned there and loved it.

  19. Rebecca K. Sampson says:

    Woohoo! You sound like the perfect adventure companion. I hope you are able to cross everything off. You should make a scrapbook if you do, it’d be nice to have a physical record of all of this.

    Be the author of your own story,
    Rebecca Kelsey Sampson

  20. Rebecca K. Sampson says:

    Woohoo! You sound like the perfect adventure companion. I hope you are able to cross everything off. You should make a scrapbook if you do, it’d be nice to have a physical record of all of this.

    Be the author of your own story,
    Rebecca Kelsey Sampson

  21. Wow, there is so much to do there. I have never been to California, but I would love to go there one day.

  22. Wow, there is so much to do there. I have never been to California, but I would love to go there one day.

  23. Debra says:

    My husband lived in California for two years and it is my favorite FAVORITE place to vacation. It is about to get better with Harry Potter!

  24. Pam says:

    We’re currently living in California and I’m amazed at all of the cool things to do here! Best of luck with your bucket list!

  25. Pam says:

    We’re currently living in California and I’m amazed at all of the cool things to do here! Best of luck with your bucket list!

  26. Stacey says:

    You are much more extreme than I am 🙂 I have done a number of these on your list as I live in CA. Hiking Half Dome was my favorite. I’d add: hike the Tahoe Rim trail (or part of it), abalone diving of Gualala, night diving off Catalina, Kayaking Elk Horn Slough, visit the sea lions at Año Nuevo Natural Preserve. OK, I could go on, but your list is already super lengthy. Good luck! Maybe our cross will pass on one of these adventure!

  27. Stacey says:

    You are much more extreme than I am 🙂 I have done a number of these on your list as I live in CA. Hiking Half Dome was my favorite. I’d add: hike the Tahoe Rim trail (or part of it), abalone diving of Gualala, night diving off Catalina, Kayaking Elk Horn Slough, visit the sea lions at Año Nuevo Natural Preserve. OK, I could go on, but your list is already super lengthy. Good luck! Maybe our cross will pass on one of these adventure!

  28. Stacey says:

    Oh, and I highly recommend Trapeze Arts in Oakland. They totally got my up that ladder and flying!

  29. Stacey says:

    Oh, and I highly recommend Trapeze Arts in Oakland. They totally got my up that ladder and flying!

  30. Heather says:

    I have always wanted to see the redwoods. That is definitely on my life bucket list. The extreme stuff…well 10 years ago I would have said absolutely, but now? Now I would much rather take a bike ride through all of the wine country 🙂

  31. Heather says:

    I have always wanted to see the redwoods. That is definitely on my life bucket list. The extreme stuff…well 10 years ago I would have said absolutely, but now? Now I would much rather take a bike ride through all of the wine country 🙂

  32. Koninika says:

    Love the list especially the write up with pictures! California has the weather to pursue all of these at any time! So envious! After kids it’s tough to pursue some of these but looks real fun!

  33. Koninika says:

    Love the list especially the write up with pictures! California has the weather to pursue all of these at any time! So envious! After kids it’s tough to pursue some of these but looks real fun!

  34. Jen says:

    AHHH I love the idea of putting together a bucket list! I found out I was leaving CA in too short notice to have more than a couple dinners with friends on my list, but I want to travel and do these fun things! I love zip lining, too!

  35. Jen says:

    AHHH I love the idea of putting together a bucket list! I found out I was leaving CA in too short notice to have more than a couple dinners with friends on my list, but I want to travel and do these fun things! I love zip lining, too!

  36. CourtneyLynne says:

    Omg this list really is a thrill list that’s for sure. I think I’m too much of a whimp to do most of these lol

  37. CourtneyLynne says:

    Omg this list really is a thrill list that’s for sure. I think I’m too much of a whimp to do most of these lol

  38. Maria says:

    Skydiving and Bungee jumping are one of a kind experiences, I would love to experience. Flying a jet plane too will be fun(:

  39. Maria says:

    Skydiving and Bungee jumping are one of a kind experiences, I would love to experience. Flying a jet plane too will be fun(:

  40. Monika says:

    Great list dear! We are planning a family travel in California. I am sure it will help us a lot. By the way, thanks for this amazing pictures.

  41. The whole list is just a dream for me, especially hiking to Deadman Lake! When’s the best time of the year to go there hiking?

  42. The whole list is just a dream for me, especially hiking to Deadman Lake! When’s the best time of the year to go there hiking?

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