California named No. 1 state in the nation for adventure vacations. Here’s why
Can’t wait for your next outdoorsy adventure?
California is the best state in the nation for an adventure vacation, according to a new study.
It beat out every other state in the nation across 20 factors, including its number of beaches, balmy climate and “geographical features like terrain ruggedness and forest cover,” according to an analysis by vacation rental marketplace Florida Rentals.
Here’s why California ranked first out of all 50 states for “the most exciting outdoor experiences,” Florida Rental
What makes California the best state for an adventure vacation?
California landed at No. 1 on Florida Rentals’ list of the best states for outdoor adventures with an overall score of 62.39 out of 100.
The state enjoyed high scores thanks to its 13 World Wildlife Fund ecoregions and high number of state and national parks.
California particularly excelled in terms of geography and environment, ranking second in the nation, the study found.
“The rankings show that states with varied terrain and natural features create the best adventure vacation destinations,” a Florida Rentals spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “California offers everything from mountains to beaches.”
This isn’t the first time the Golden State has been recognized for its outdoor offerings.
California is the No. 1 state for hiking in the nation, according to outdoor apparel brand Kühl.
Kühl called the Golden State a “hiker’s paradise” with an “unparalleled variety of landscapes and the most extensive trail network in the country,” The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
What were the top 10 states for adventure vacations?
These were the top 10 states in the United States for adventure vacations, according to Florida Rentals:
- 1. California
- 2. Hawaii
- 3. Washington
- 4. Alaska
- 5. New Hampshire
- 6. Vermont
- 7. Maine
- 8. Idaho
- 9. Oregon
- 10. New York
How did vacation rental company come up with list?
Florida Rentals’ analysis measured the best U.S. states for adventure vacations based on 20 factors across three weighted categories:
- Geography and Environment: Including elevation range, terrain ruggedness, forest cover and the percentage of the state covered by national and state parks.
- Climate and Air Quality: Including high temperature variability, average monthly precipitation and median air quality index.
- Adventure Spots and Amenities: Including the number of beaches, waterfalls, campgrounds, scenic lookouts, hiking trails and amusement parks, plus hiking trail ratings and difficulty levels.
Each of the factors was scored on scale of zero to 10 scale, with higher scores reflecting better conditions for adventure, the study said.
Each state got an overall score out of 100.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
