What to do in Central Valley, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Central Valley
Sacramento featuring heritage architecture and an administrative building
Sacramento showing interior views
Sacramento showing heritage architecture and a city
Kings Beach State Recreation Area which includes general coastal views and landscape views

Central Valley Tourist Attractions & Activities

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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

What to do in Central Valley


Discover the most popular places to visit in Central Valley

Explore areas of Central Valley

Greater Sacremento

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.

Downtown Sacramento
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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.

Montgomery Estates
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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.

Lakeside Park
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Dollar Point

While visiting Dollar Point, you might make a stop by sights like Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area and Tahoe City Field Station.

Dollar Point
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Tahoe Meadows

When in Tahoe Meadows, you can plan a visit to Casino at Harveys Lake Tahoe and Casino at Harrah's Lake Tahoe, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Tahoe Meadows
Sugar Bowl which includes snow, landscape views and mountains

Al Tahoe

4/5(1 area review)

If you're spending some time in Al Tahoe, Regan Beach and El Dorado Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Al Tahoe

 

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Day trip destinations from Central Valley