World Class Attractions of California (San Diego, Riverside: castle, car, rating)

[sonoranrat]

Okay here is my rating system for tourist attractions:

5 star - World Class
People travel from half-way around the world, like say Australia, and visit it as a primary attraction. (Ex. Disneyland, Yosemite National Park).

4 star - Continental Class
Just a notch below world class, people travel continental distances like New York City to visit it as a primary attraction. Long distance travelers might visit as a secondary attraction on a longer stay. (Ex. Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour?)

3 star - Regional Class
People travel by car or short flight from as far as Tucson, AZ to visit it as a primary attraction. Long distance travelers might visit as a tertiary attraction on a longer stay. (Ex. La Brea Tar Pits?)

2 star - Municipal Class
This is an attraction that mainly serves people within a metropolitan area. (Ex. Castle Park in Riverside)

1 star - Barely an attraction
This barely qualifies as an attraction.

What are the top 3, 4 or 5 star tourist attractions of California?

[RosieSD]

I'm not sure if you want us to limit it only to attractions, or also include cities. If just attractions and not cities, my votes would go something like this:

Yosemite National Park- 5
Death Valley National Park - 5
Big Sur Drive (when open) - 5
---

Joshua Tree National Park - 4
Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks - 4
Redwoods National Park - 4
Lake Tahoe - 4
Napa - 4
Disneyland - 4
Lassen National Park - 4

--
Golden Gate Bridge/Golden Gate Park - 3
Catalina Island - 3
Anza Borrego State Park - 3 (in terms of awareness, but really should be a 4)
Torrey Pines State Park - 3
San Diego Zoo - 3
Hearst Castle - 3
Balboa Park San Diego - 3
Griffith Observatory LA - 3
Palm Springs Ariel Tram - 3
Mount Shasta/Shasta Lake - 3
Rafting American River or California Salmon River - 3
Alcatraz - 3

But, I'm sure other people will have additional ideas.

Great thread topic!

[RosieSD]

Surprised no one else has added to this thread. sonoranrat, can you clarify whether you only want attractions, or if it is also OK to rate cities? Thanks!

[sonoranrat]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Surprised no one else has added to this thread. sonoranrat, can you clarify whether you only want attractions, or if it is also OK to rate cities? Thanks!

I had attractions in mind but feel free to rate cities if you wish as well.