Like ancient global empires of the past, social media platforms are constantly rising and falling. We have the Myspace profile ruins, a booming Twitter population, and the buzzy new kid on the block — TikTok. More than just dance challenges and Starbucks drink hacks, TikTok offers a world of wonder, and you don’t even have to travel outside the country to view it. In honor of the 31st state in the union, here are 31 California hidden gems as seen on TikTok.
Follow our TikTok, Instagram and Facebook for more local travel inspiration!
1. A dreamy outdoor tequila bar in San Jose
@bui_basics Here is a #tequilabar we discovered in the Bay Area, California. It has yummy #craftcocktails and the best #bohochic vibes. Highly recommend! ♬ Levitating - Dua Lipa
2. Narnia in Mill Valley
@localgetaways This dreamy sunrise spot is only a few minutes off Hwy 101 🐴✨ #horses#sunrise#bayarea#beautifuldestinations#millvalley#horsehill#marincounty#views ♬ FOUND IN DREAMLAND - Terrell Burt
3. Ice cream tacos in Los Angeles
@losangeles_eats FOLLOW to find out WHERE everything posted on this page is from! Revealing locations at 100k! 👅 #icecream LegendaryChallenge #GreentoPurple
♬ Seve - Tez Cadey
4. Surfing without getting in the water in Dana Point
@localgetaways You don’t have to get wet to go surfing #golfboard #golflife #golfing #surfing #surfboard #onthegreen ♬ Burn - Official Sound Studio
5. Paragliding proposals in Santa Barbara
@santabarbarapicnicco This wasn’t planned... 🪂 #busythinkingabout #picnic #paragliding #santabarbara #picnicfantasy ♬ The Spins - Mac Miller
6. A gorgeous indoor/outdoor restaurant in Corte Madera
@localgetaways The newest RH rooftop restaurant in Corte Madera — thanks for the tip @destroyeats! #rh #rhrooftop #cortemadera #marin #traveltiktok #bayareafoodies ♬ Sleepmode - Official Sound Studio
7. The epitome of the Southwest in Joshua Tree
@eagertravele My fav trail in Joshua Tree National Park #foryoupage #fypage #nationalpark #joshuatree #joshuatreenationalpark #hikingtrail #california #california ♬ The Night We Met - Lord Huron
8. Kayaking with seals and otters in Moss Landing
@localgetaways Kayaking in Elkhorn Slough, tons of sea otters and seals!#kayakingadventures#seaotter#seals#weekendvibes#elkhornsloughmontereybay@elkhornslough.org ♬ Lazy Sunday - Official Sound Studio
9. A restaurant with a funicular in Capitola
@amanii.xo this place was so cute 😩 #capitola #santacruz #bayarea #travel #restaurant #aesthetic #capitolabeach #thingstodo #viral #trend ♬ Peaches - Justin Bieber
10. The Taj Mahal floating home in Sausalito
@localgetaways Sausalito’s Taj Mahal floating home at sunrise #sausalito #marincounty ♬ SO FAR AWAY - ZØYA
11. A hidden gem paradise in Laguna Beach
@exploringwithvee After more than a year finally got to go haha #lagunabeach #socal #leavenotrace #hiddengems ♬ Everybody Talks - Neon Trees
12. The best vegan wrap in the North Bay
@localgetaways The best vegan wrap in the North Bay! #veganfood#sausalito#hiddengems#veganwrap#bayareafoodies#foodtiktok#livelongandprosper#vulcan#hikingfood ♬ NOTHING - Westover
13. Sunflower maze in Carlsbad
@lewildexplorer Sunflowers and Strawberries in SoCal! #socal #sandiego #outdoors #california ♬ original sound - Jeanine | travel & outdoors
14. Self-serve boba in Irvine
@queenchristinnee try it lol!! address is: 13252 Jamboree RdIrvine, CA 92602United States #boba #bobalove #orangecounty #socal #irvine #goodeats #explorecalifornia ♬ Mad at Disney - salem ilese
15. Drive-thru tree in Eureka
@santanalovee Missing road trips with my bae 🥺 #chandelier #chandeliertree #sequoia #eureka #california #drivethru ♬ Ты мой кайф - Джаро & Ханза
16. The dreamiest hotel in Cambria
@navigatehere Hidden gem in California. #cambria #lodge #whitewater #moonstonebeach #roadtrip #stayvacation #hotelcalifornia #centralcalifornia #airbnb ♬ Paradise - Ikson
17. An outdoor art wonderland at the Salton Sea
@viancacastro Found this cool place because of TikTok 😎 #bombaybeach #saltonsea #getaway #ArtSkills #Walmart2hrExpress #art #museum #drivein ♬ Runaway (U & I) [Svidden & Jarly Remix] [Paper Towns Soundtrack Version] - Galantis
18. The best egg sandwiches in Cupertino
@bayareafoodies Like 👍, if you love eggs! #egg #eggs #eggsandwich #tiktokfood #tiktokfoodie #cupertino #bayarea #sanjose #viral #fyp #foryou ♬ original sound - Tim
19. Independence Trail in Grass Valley
20. Stunning sunsets at June Lake
@thesocalgal One of California’s lesser known hikes! #californiaadventure #norcal #naturelover #junelake #sierranevada #hiddengems #california #hikingtips ♬ Stay - Kygo / Maty Noyes
21. Railbikes in Sacramento
@maddy.eccles Reposting this footage ✨ Sacramento RiverFox Train Railbikes #thingstodoinsacramento #thingstodoinsac #sactiktok #916tiktok #916 #railbikes ♬ Vivi Trend x No hands DJ Yames - Dj_yames
22. Clearwater kayaking in Tahoe
23. A secret garden restaurant in LA
@labucketlist Who’s heading to Fia for dinner this weekend? 🌱 #la #santamonica #bucketlisters ♬ Pretty Boy Swag x What You Know mashup - asamr
24. Portside Pier in San Diego
25. A color-changing butterfly drink in San Francisco
@allie.eats Too extra or not extra enough? 💁🏻♀️ #foodinfluencer #foodie #sanfrancisco #bayareacheck #bayareafoodies #instaworthy #prettydrinks ♬ original sound - Allie Eats
26. Kelso Dunes in Mojave National Preserve
@readysetpto add to your bucket list people!! #kelsodunes #california #mojavedesert #sanddunes @harimarishoes #travel #adventure #losangeles ♬ Pound Cake - Baby Gas
27. The perfect beer garden date spot in Oakland
28. The historic Sutro Baths
@bossybrittany 1004 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121 for everyone asking where Sutro Baths are! ❤️📍 #sanfrancisco #sutrobaths #onestepcloser ♬ Runaway - AURORA
29. Big Sur Bakery
@millie.lai Stopped by here for ☕️ & pastries while at Big Sur!💫 #bigsur #bigsurbakery #coffeeshop #bakery #sffoodie #norcal #bigsurca ♬ Night & Day - Instrumental
30. Año Nuevo State Park
@puretrips Finding hidden gem #3 at Año Nuevo State Park #hiddengem #pch #highway1 #pacificcoasthighway #hiddencove #californiabeach #tiktoktaughtme ♬ Buttercup - Jack Stauber
31. And more amazing food in San Francisco
@nicolejadeyee Don’t sleep on this bakery - #janethebakery #fyp #bakery #croissant #kouignamann #cookie #food #review #foodtiktok #sanfrancisco #sf #foryou ♬ Dancing in My Room - 347aidan
