18 California Spots Locals Try To Avoid

California is full of world-famous attractions that look amazing in photos, but locals often skip them. Crowds, overpriced food, and touristy vibes make these spots less appealing to people who actually live here.

If you want to experience California like a resident, you might want to rethink some of these popular destinations.

1. Hollywood Walk of Fame

Stars embedded in sidewalks might sound glamorous, but the reality is far less magical. You’ll find yourself dodging aggressive street performers dressed as superheroes demanding tips for photos.

Traffic is a nightmare, and parking costs more than a movie ticket. Most celebrities avoid this area entirely, which tells you everything you need to know about its authenticity.

2. Venice Beach Boardwalk

Muscle Beach and street vendors create a chaotic atmosphere that can feel overwhelming rather than fun. Parking is nearly impossible to find, and when you do, it costs a fortune.

The beach itself gets packed shoulder-to-shoulder on weekends. Locals prefer quieter beaches nearby where they can actually relax without dodging skateboarders and solicitors every few steps.

3. Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco

Overpriced clam chowder in bread bowls has become the symbol of tourist traps everywhere. The sea lions at Pier 39 are cute, but you’ll share the view with hundreds of other people.

San Francisco residents know better seafood spots with fresher catches and reasonable prices. The wharf feels more like a theme park than an authentic waterfront experience these days.

4. Santa Monica Pier

Carnival rides and arcades draw massive crowds that make the beach almost secondary. Finding a parking spot can take longer than actually enjoying the pier itself.

The restaurants charge premium prices for average food with a view. Locals head to less famous beaches where they can actually hear the waves instead of screaming kids on roller coasters and carnival music.

5. Alcatraz Island

Booking tickets weeks in advance just to see a former prison feels exhausting to most locals. The ferry rides get packed, and the whole experience feels commercialized with audio tours and gift shops.

San Francisco Bay has plenty of other islands and waterfront spots worth exploring. Most residents visited once during a school field trip and never felt the need to return again.

6. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

Window shopping on a street where a single purse costs more than rent isn’t most people’s idea of fun. Unless you’re actually planning to drop thousands on designer clothes, the experience feels pointless.

Sales associates give you looks if you’re not dressed to impress. Beverly Hills locals do their actual shopping elsewhere and only bring visiting relatives here when specifically requested.

7. Universal CityWalk

Neon lights and chain restaurants create an artificial atmosphere that feels nothing like real Los Angeles. Everything costs double what it should, from parking to popcorn.

Street performers and loud music make conversation nearly impossible. Locals only go here if they’re heading to Universal Studios itself, and even then, they try to skip the walk entirely and head straight to the park entrance.

8. Lombard Street, San Francisco

Waiting in your car for an hour just to drive down eight hairpin turns seems ridiculous when you live nearby. Tourists block the street taking photos, making traffic even worse.

The view is nice, but San Francisco has hundreds of steep, winding streets without the crowds. Most residents avoid this area entirely unless they absolutely need to drive through that neighborhood for another reason.

9. Griffith Observatory

Weekend crowds turn what should be a peaceful hilltop experience into a parking nightmare. You might circle for an hour looking for a spot, then hike up in frustration.

The observatory itself gets so packed that you can barely move inside. Locals prefer visiting on random weekday mornings when tourists are still sleeping, or they choose lesser-known hiking trails with equally stunning views of Los Angeles.

10. Pier 39, San Francisco

Souvenir shops selling the same cable car magnets and Golden Gate Bridge snow globes get old fast. The restaurants serve mediocre food at inflated prices because they know tourists will pay.

Even the famous sea lions have become a photo-op circus. San Francisco residents grab their seafood from neighborhood markets and enjoy the waterfront at quieter piers where actual fishing boats still dock daily.

11. Disneyland Resort

Annual passholders aside, most locals avoid the parks during peak seasons when lines stretch for hours. Parking costs as much as a nice dinner, and food inside the park could fund a grocery trip.

The magic feels different when you’re surrounded by stressed families and crying children. California residents know the best times to visit are off-season weekdays, but many just skip it altogether and explore the state’s natural attractions instead.

12. Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoints

Battery Spencer and the bridge vista points turn into parking lot battles on sunny days. Tour buses unload dozens of people at once, making the experience feel rushed and chaotic.

Getting a photo without strangers in it becomes nearly impossible. San Francisco locals appreciate the bridge from their daily commutes or lesser-known spots around the Presidio where they can actually enjoy the view in peace.

13. La Jolla Cove

Seal watching sounds delightful until you realize the smell is overwhelming and the area is packed. Finding parking in La Jolla requires luck and patience most locals don’t have.

The small beach gets so crowded that laying out a towel becomes a territorial game. San Diego residents prefer beaches just a few miles away where they can actually swim without bumping into snorkeling tourists every two seconds.

14. Napa Valley Wine Train

Paying hundreds of dollars to ride a slow train through vineyards feels excessive when you could just drive the same route. The wine tastings are limited, and you’re stuck on a schedule.

Local wine enthusiasts prefer visiting smaller family-owned wineries where they can take their time. The train caters to tourists who want Instagram photos more than genuine wine education or the freedom to explore at their own pace.

15. The Grove, Los Angeles

Outdoor malls with dancing fountains might impress visitors, but locals find the crowds exhausting. Parking costs money even though you’re about to spend plenty inside stores.

The same shops exist in quieter locations throughout Los Angeles. Residents prefer neighborhood shopping districts where they’re not fighting through tour groups and can actually find what they need without the manufactured atmosphere and overpriced parking validation requirements.

16. Yosemite Valley Floor

Summer weekends transform this natural wonder into a traffic jam surrounded by granite walls. Campgrounds book up a year in advance, and day-use parking fills before sunrise.

Shuttle buses get packed like subway cars during rush hour. California hikers escape to the high country trails where they can experience Yosemite’s beauty without the crowds, or they visit during winter when most tourists stay home.

17. Coronado Beach

Hotel Del Coronado draws tourists like moths to a flame, making the surrounding beach feel like an extension of the resort. Finding a quiet spot becomes impossible on weekends.

Locals know San Diego has over 70 miles of coastline with equally beautiful beaches. They head to neighborhoods where beach access doesn’t come with resort prices and crowds of people trying to recreate scenes from old movies.

18. San Francisco Cable Cars

Waiting an hour in line to ride three blocks makes no sense when you could just walk faster. Tourists pack onto the running boards while conductors collect expensive fares.

The novelty wears off quickly for anyone who lives in the city. San Francisco residents use actual public transportation like buses and trains that run more frequently, cost less, and don’t require standing in tourist lines for a brief nostalgic experience.