Ultimate Guide to California

Discover California like never before with this exclusive interactive bucket list map and guide from Ryan & Katy, featuring over 700 handpicked destinations and activities. Few people know California as well as the Smilkos. From breathtaking photo spots and cozy accommodations to hidden gems and bucket-list adventures, this guide is your ultimate tool to explore the Golden State. Whether you’re planning a road trip, a weekend escape, or seeking inspiration for your next adventure, this map offers detailed insights and personalized itineraries to make your journey unforgettable. Your California adventure starts here—let’s make it extraordinary!

And as an added bonus, you'll also find over 40 bucket list locations in Oregon.

Guide by Ryan & Katy Smilko
Made in English
5.0

Sarah Puckett

July 2025

We used Katy and Ryan’s map to plan our 3 week road trip in California. Their guide really covers everything and they have a wealth of knowledge to share! We especially loved all the cool hikes and photos spots around Mt Shasta and the Redwoods.

Jessica Hammond

December 2023

Love the detailed itinerary. I didn’t have 7 days but I did get to pick/choose out of the 7 day trip that I could do in 2-3 days. It is super helpful to know if something costs money or is free, if there’s more to do or if it is just a good picture point/scenic spot, etc. The actual overview and message gives a nice summary about the location. I will absolutely use the itinerary when I come back out to explore NorCal again. Thanks again you guys 🫶🏼✨

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Ryan & Katy Smilko
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Hi there, I am Ryan & Katy Smilko Guide. I have been trained to answer travel questions just like Ryan & Katy Smilko would do in person, but faster.

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Get an interactive, playful, and easy-to-navigate map that you can personalize by adding and favoriting spots, then filter to see only what matters to you.
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Start with a pre-made itinerary as a template, or build your own from scratch by using all the listed things to do and adding your own
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Guide by Ryan & Katy Smilko
Joined in October 2023

Hey hey! If you don’t know us, we are Ryan and Katy, and we are California soft adventurers. For nearly 10 years, we’ve been chasing the ultimate California adventures—tracking down epic hikes, hidden viewpoints, dog-friendly escapes, scenic drives, and one-of-a-kind experiences you can’t find in a guidebook. And after all that exploring? We make sure there’s an amazing spot to eat, drink, and rest our heads. These are the experiences we live for.

Our goal is to help YOU have the best experience traveling or exploring California. So if any of the below activities interest you, then our map and guide is exactly what you're looking for!

🥾 Hikes & Trails 🛣️ Scenic Drives ⛰️ National Parks 🐶 Dog-friendly activities 🏨 Hotels & stays 🌊 Waterfalls 📸 Scenic viewpoints ⛵️ Tours 🚁 Experiences 🥃 Wineries, breweries & cocktail bars and we’re only going to keep adding so much more‼️

And as an added bonus, you'll also find over 40 bucket list locations in neighboring state of Oregon!

Still curious or want more info, head to our website! 👉🏼 https://smilkoslens.com/map-of-california/

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