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California loves a flex, and honestly, it’s earned it. It’s the most populous state in the U.S., one of the largest by size, and if California were its own country, it would rank as the fourth-largest economy in the world. You can surf in the morning, ski in the afternoon, and end the day eating world-class food without ever leaving the state. Over-the-top? Maybe. Untrue? Not even a little.
Credit: Pam Blake, 2019
Now the Golden State has another bragging right to add to the pile: the state was named one of the most desirable regions in the world by Wanderlust magazine, a major U.K.-based travel publication known for its reader-driven awards.
California placed third globally, earning a well-deserved bronze medal in the Reader Travel Awards 2025. The ranking is based entirely on reader votes, more specifically, 4.8 million of them.
Kit Leong via Sutterstock
The list highlights the places that travelers actually dream about visiting, exploring, and, yes, living in. According to Wanderlust, voters consistently gravitate toward destinations that offer variety, strong cultural identity, and unforgettable landscapes.
And yes, California checks every box. From iconic coastal drives like Big Sur to national parks such as Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Sequoia, the state delivers wildly different experiences without ever requiring a passport.