wheresjessieb — Yosemite National Park

Less crowded, less expensive, just as incredible. Most people stick to the most well-known: Napa, Yosemite, the Pacific Coast Highway. All great. But equally worthy of adding to your itinerary are these three underrated places in California—which you could easily visit in addition to or instead of the major icons. I’ve spent the last 12 years traveling around California and these also happen to be 3 of my favorite places to travel to 😉 EASTERN SIERRA / HIGHWAY 395 ✦ Replaces: Yosemite ✦ Do: Road trip down Highway 395, with stops at Mono Lake, the ghost town Bodie (it’s a detour), Mammoth, Bishop, and Lone Pine / Alabama Hills. ✦ Eat: Don’t miss a New Zealand hand pie at @pinopies by June Lake. ✦ Stay: Camp along the way. SANTA YNEZ VALLEY ✦ Replaces: Napa ✦ Do: Explore it’s charming small towns (Los Olivos, Los Alamos, Santa Ynez are faves), go horseback riding, and taste wine. @lumenwines and @clementinecarterwines are two standouts you can’t miss. ✦ Eat: BBQ at @prieditebarbecue (Los Alamos) and seafood at @barlecote (Los Olivos) ✦ Stay: Rennovated motel, @skyviewlosalamos. The pool alone is worth it. MENDOCINO COAST ✦ Replaces: Big Sur ✦ Do: Kayak with Catch-a-Canoe, hike the headlands, actually unplug. ✦ Eat: Pizza at The Brikery by @cafe.beaujolais, take in views with a drink at @ and get a vegetarian, southern-style brunch at @fogeatercafe. ✦ Stay: @harborhouseinn if you want to splurge; @mendocinogrove for glamping and outdoorsy vibes. Share this with whoever keeps asking you where to go in California. 👉 Follow @wheresjessieb for more off-the-beaten-path California travel ideas. #californiatravel #visitcalifornia #easternsierranevada #santaynezvalley #jessiebincalifornia