Passport Not Required: 9 Places in California That Feel Like You’ve Stepped Into Another Country

In California, you don’t just visit places you time travel, teleport, and tumble through cultures

without ever leaving the state lines. From sun-drenched Tuscan-style vineyards to Japanese

gardens that hum with serenity, California wears a thousand faces. And this summer, as airfare

soars and wanderlust simmers, we say: who needs a passport?

So pack light. Here are nine magical California destinations that feel like they were plucked

straight from another country, minus the jet lag.

Temecula Valley, Riverside County

Rolling hills. Sun-soaked vineyards. Olive groves. If someone blindfolded you and dropped you

into Temecula’s wine country, you might swear you were in Tuscany until you spot someone in

flip-flops saying “dude” by the wine bar.

Temecula’s wineries, like Bottaia Winery or Europa Village, go beyond the pour: they channel

Italian, French, and Spanish vibes through architecture, cuisine, and pacing. Slow down. Sip

some Sangiovese. Say “ciao” to your new favorite weekend getaway.

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Cherry blossoms. Koi ponds. Zen bridges arching over still water. At the Japanese Tea Garden

in Golden Gate Park, the oldest public Japanese garden in the U.S., time stands still. It’s the kind

of place where the air feels like it’s infused with incense and wisdom.

Order matcha at the tea house, stroll through pagodas and bonsai trees, and let the city’s noise

dissolve into the background. It’s Kyoto, with fog and fleece jackets.

Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County

Welcome to Solvang, a tiny Danish-American town that somehow feels...French? That’s

because in between its windmills and aebleskiver shops, you’ll find bakeries and boutiques with

a Parisian sensibility like The Good Life, a wine bar that feels like a countryside café in Provence.

Stroll cobblestone streets, nibble on pastries, and snap a photo in front of the iconic clock tower.

Suddenly, you’re in Alsace, but you’re just north of Santa Barbara.

Olvera Street (Los Angeles) and Mission San Juan Capistrano (Orange County)

From the papel picado dancing in the breeze above Olvera Street to the 1700s Spanish architecture of Mission San Juan Capistrano, parts of California hold on tightly to their Mexican roots, and thank goodness for that.

Step into Casa La Golondrina for margaritas and mariachi, or wander the historic mission

gardens where swallows return each spring. It’s a beautiful reminder: parts of California are

Mexico, and that culture still beats loudly in the heart of the state.

Chinatown, Los Angeles

Red lanterns. Herbal shops. Street vendors. For a moment in LA’s Chinatown, you feel like you’ve stepped into a side street of old Shanghai, especially if you wander through hidden alleys like Chung King Road.

Whether you’re slurping noodles at Lasita, picking up incense and jade bracelets, or snapping photos under the dragon gate, this cultural pocket offers up a kaleidoscope of Chinese-American history and flavor.

Mammoth and Tahoe Region

Think: wooden chalets, snow-dusted peaks, fondue après-ski. In the winter, Mammoth and Tahoe give off serious Swiss Alps energy with high-altitude lakes and mountain villages that feel ripped from a postcard.

But even in summer, it’s a dream. Hike through Emerald Bay, hop on a gondola ride, or cozy up in a cabin that smells faintly of pine and pancakes. The yodeling? Optional.

Palm Springs, California

You’ll find it at golden hour, tucked behind bougainvillea: Korakia Pensione, a Moorish-Mediterranean oasis that looks more Marrakech than Coachella Valley.

With arched doorways, desert lanterns, and firelit courtyards, this boutique hideaway is part Moroccan riad, part Greek island, all California magic. No wonder it’s an influencer favorite and a quiet celebrity escape. Bring a caftan and your deepest desire to unplug.

Carmel, Monterey County

Picture ivy-covered cottages, fog rolling in from the sea, and a bookshop that looks like it was built by hobbits. That’s Carmel-by-the-Sea, California’s answer to the English countryside. It’s where fairytale meets sophistication. Wander the twisted lanes, sip tea at Tuck Box, and browse art galleries that feel like Jane Austen’s cooler cousin curated them.

Avalon, Santa Catalina Island

Catalina’s Mediterranean coastline, with its white stucco buildings and turquoise waters, gives it a strong Greek island vibe. And if you squint just right while eating grilled octopus at Bluewater Grill, you might swear you’re in Santorini.

Bonus: There are no cars in Avalon, just golf carts. Which somehow makes it even more

charming (and slightly surreal).

You don’t have to cross oceans to find adventure. In California, the world whispers through

architecture, aromas, and little cultural echoes if you know where to look.

So this summer, skip customs. Grab your sunnies and head out on a global staycation with all

the flavor and none of the TSA lines.

Where will you “travel” next?

By IG @jessicahall