It's easy to fall in love with California. From white-sand beaches to steep mountain peaks, the state's myriad offerings draw travelers from around the globe.

Visitors are spoiled for choice but if you are planning a trip, make sure to include some of the state's top attractions on your list.

You can't visit the Golden State and miss the Golden Gate. The Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco is one of California's most iconic symbols. Visitors can drive, walk or bike across the bridge for beautiful views of the bay.

It's one of the most popular national parks and for good reason. The stunning Yosemite Valley has to be seen to be believed. Travelers should plan ahead for a visit, especially in the summertime when accommodations are booked months, if not years, in advance.

Take the kids or just feel like a kid again with a visit to the Disneyland Resort. Star Wars is set to open this summer with a series of new rides and attractions.

It's the "ultimate Hollywood experience." Live the movies you love through epic rides and interactive thrills at Universal Studios. Home to Harry Potter's Wizarding World and Even if you don't go into the park, Universal City Walk offers dining shopping and entertainment.

Death Valley is one of the driest places on earth, but could arguably one of the most beautiful. Stop in to see the lowest place in North America, Badwater Basin, run around in the sand at the Mesquite Dunes or stargaze one of the darkest skies in the country. Right now is a prime time to visit with cool temperatures and a brilliant wildflower bloom.

The home of William Randolph Hearst really is more a castle than a house. Visitors can choose from a variety of tours that take them through the various rooms of Hearst Castle and garden spaces offer stunning views of California's Central Coast-keep an eye out for the zebras that now graze wild around the hills.

The beautiful McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is one of the highlights of a drive along California's coastal highway. Currently, the Waterfall Overlook trail is getting a makeover, but restoration work should be completed soon.

The Bixby Bridge might not be as famous as the Golden Gate but its location at the edge of Big Sur serves as a gateway to a part of California's stunning Pacific Coast Highway that is unrivaled in beauty and also serves as the entry to the eclectic coastal town of Big Sur.

Perched on the edge of Carmel, walking around Point Lobos State Reserve is like stepping into a painting. The serene coastal area is home to sea animals, wildlife, hiking and diving as well as the quirky but must-visit Whalers Museum.

Stop into the Monterey Bay Aquarium to get an up-close look at local marine life. From kelp forests to feisty sea otters, this is a destination not to be missed on the Central Coast. Avoid the crowds waiting in line by booking tickets in advance.

The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is an admission-free amusement park filled with fun rides and games. Its one of the oldest parks of its kind in California and its Giant Dipper Roller Coaster hugs overlooks the ocean.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are nestled into the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains and home to some of the world's largest trees with the General Sherman tree dominating the Giant Forest. In addition to trees, visitors will find numerous hiking trails, picnic spots, camping areas and an informative Visitors Center.

At the very southern tip of California's Central Coast is the coastal gem of Santa Barbara. The seaside city is perched on an idyllic stretch of sand and blends California's laidback coastal vibe with the region's more lavish touchpoints, including luxury hotels, fine dining and fabulous wine tasting.

Channel Islands National Park is easily one of the country's most remote parks, but it's a jewel in the swirling waters off Southern California. The chain of five islands is only reachable by boat but is rich in unspoiled natural beauty and teeming with wildlife.

If you are visiting in the near future, a stop at the Antelope Valley Poppy Fields is a must. Rains around California have brought another super bloom of wildflowers and dry, desert regions are painted with colorful flowers.

Located atop Mount Hollywood, the Griffith Park Observatory gives visitors commanding views of Los Angeles and is one of the city's great cultural attractions. It is home to a high-tech planetarium and public telescopes and is an ideal perch from which to enjoy one of California's famous sunsets.

The Venice Beach Boardwalk has to be seen to be believed. It's one of California's number-one attractions in large part because of its famous street performers, eclectic shops and quirky eateries. If you need your fortune read, a new tattoo or want to partake in a drum circle, Venice is the place.

It's one of the most iconic signs in the world and visible all around the Los Angeles area. It's illegal to hike right up to the sign, but various hikes take you pretty close. Your best bets are the Mt. Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail and the Cahuenga Peak Trail.

The Huntington is not just a research institution and world-renowned museum, it's home to more than 100 acres of manicured botanical gardens, the most famous of which are the Japanese Garden, the Desert Garden and the Chinese Garden. Guests can also stroll through the galleries where they will found a renowned collection of 18th- and 19th-century European art and 17th- to mid-20th-century American art.

The world-class Getty Museum is a Los Angeles treasure with dramatic buildings perched high above West L.A. While a stunning art collection awaits visitors, its events are equally intriguing, including Friday-night concerts, kid-friendly programs and ideal spots for a weekend picnic.

Joshua Tree National Park is where you will find a rugged landscape, interesting rock formations and incredible desert flora and fauna, including the park's namesake Joshua Trees. The park straddles two deserts, the Colorado and the Mojave, and visitors will find ample opportunities for hiking, camping and stargazing.

There's more to Napa Valley than just wine tasting. From fine dining to hiking, biking and hot air ballooning, California's premier wine destination offers big adventure in a stunning setting.

This protected coastline is located in Northern California's Marin County, north of San Francisco. The highlight is Alamere Falls, which runs onto the seashore below. The Point Reyes Lighthouse is also an ideal place to spot migrating whales.

Lake Tahoe's stunning Emerald Bay is a National Natural Landmark Eagle Falls and Vikingsholm Castle, a 38-room mansion that is one of the best examples of Scandinavian architecture in the U.S.

Emerald Bay Beach is one of the most photographed places on earth and visitors can enjoy kayaking and paddleboarding, jumping of the pier or just simply basking in the rays of the sun.

This national park is home to snowy Lassen peak, bubbling mud pots and millions of lava rocks. Visitors can see steaming fumaroles, meadows carpeted with wildflowers, volcanoes and strikingly clear lakes.