California is famous for many things – vibrant cities, incredible wines and beautiful beaches, to name a few. But the size and diversity of the state leaves much to be explored off the beaten path - from secret islands and rivers, to mythical boiling mud pits and safaris. There's always something unexpected just around the corner in the Golden State. Following are 10 insider tips for those who prefer to take the path less traveled and want a fresh perspective on California

The Cable Car to California's Stars

The name Palm Springs normally evokes the image of a sprawling desert lined with palm trees. However, aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway you can experience five distinct 'life zones' in a mere 10 minutes. As visitors scale North America's sheerest mountain face on the two mile ascent, you'll pass through the Sonoran desert, the creosote scrub community, the chaparral, and the coniferous forest before reaching the subalpine forest at the top of Mt. San Jacinto. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, it's a truly unforgettable ride, with temperatures varying an amazing 30-40 degrees from start to finish. At the top you'll enjoy stunning views of the pristine wilderness, from the Coachella Valley to the Salton Sea.

Riding the River in LA

A surprising fact, unbeknown to even most Angelenos, is the Los Angeles River that runs 52 miles through the city. Often featured in films - think John Travolta and Ryan Gosling revving their cars along the empty concrete storm drains – the once forgotten river has been the source of intense debate over the years. Recently, attitudes have begun to change and parts of the river have been opened up to the public. LA River Expeditions runs recreational and educational canoeing and kayaking excursions through the navigable waterways, peppering the aquatic adventure with a history of the infamous LA water-wars and information about conservation and protection. This is a surreal experience, during which you can explore a different side of the City of Angels, seemingly miles away from the glamour of Hollywood and beaches of Santa Monica. Sign up to their newsletter for details on upcoming trips.

Hike through Dante's Californian Inferno

It turns out that boiling pools and bubbling mud pots aren't just a creation from dark myths and Hollywood movies. Head to Lassen Volcanic National Park and you'll be confronted with Bumpass Hell, a spectacular concentration of hydrothermal features in Northern California. The appropriately named Bumpass Hell, an area of strong smelling and fantastically colored streaming pools and soils, can be reached by a moderate 1.5 mile trek. The trail usually opens on July 1, and visitors should be sure to stop by to experience the high-velocity stream jetting from Big Boiler – the temperature was once measured as high as 322°F (161°C), making it one of the hottest fumaroles in the world! 

Oakland to Denmark via Venice, no passport required….

People visit Oakland to experience its food and art scene, and to take a quick trip to Italy and back! Just outside of San Francisco lies the tidal lagoon of Lake Merritt, nestled in the centre of Oakland. Surrounded by parkland and the city, visitors can take an authentic gondola ride on the lake and enjoy a tranquil cruise around this calming little oasis. Running for over 14 years, Gondola Servizio indulges guests with wine and fine Italian deserts, allowing visitors to sample of bit of Venice before returning to the buzzing Bay area.

In keeping with the European theme, the Central Coast of California is also home to a little slice of Denmark. Nestled between Santa Barbara and Santa Maria lies Solvang, an authentic Danish town, complete with windmills, Danish bakeries and a smorgasbord restaurant! Despite appearing in the film Sideways, this Scandinavian beauty still has the power to raise a bewildered look on visitors faces as they cruise along Highway 101. Make sure you experience Solvang's Danish Days Festival, 20th – 22nd September 2013. A weekend of Danish cuisine, dancing, beer-gardens and parades make up this incredible celebration of Danish culture.

Safari in San Diego

You don't have to take a trip to Africa to experience the Big 5. In typical California fashion, the Golden State likes to bring the world's most amazing sights straight to its doorstep, which is what you'll find in San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Stretching across a 1,800 acre area in the San Pasqual Valley, there's a plethora of wild animals including rhinos, elephants, cheetahs, lions and meerkats wondering freely around the park. It's a fantastic place to connect with the wildlife in a big open space and there's even a 160 foot high zip-line soaring above the animal exhibits. For the ultimate Safari experience, you can spend the night camping in tents which overlook the park's African Plains field, meaning you can fall asleep to the sound of the wildlife with the park's Roar and Snore Safari.

The Safari Park also offers a range of incredible conservation and education activities for children, making it a great destination for families who want to mix the beach with the wilderness.

Dive into unknown California

Everyone's heard of the Galapagos Islands, but how about the Galapagos Islands of North America? Located just off the shimmering central coastline, the Channel Islands form one of the U.S's most beautiful and unique National Parks. The islands are abundant with stunning, unique animal and plant species, and offer visitors a chance to explore an undiscovered land, off the beaten tourist trail. Visitors can go diving and snorkelling to explore the marine life, kayaking and hiking across the different terrains, and birding and whale watching.

Easily accessible from Oxnard, Ventura and Santa Barbara, daily boat trips take visitors out to these unspoilt gems. The islands are protected, so there are no hotels on them and visitors have to camp if they want to stay overnight, making the experience a real opportunity to get to know the endemic flora and fauna – definitely one for the bucket list. In the meantime, consider adding California author T.C. Boyle's latest two novels, San Miguel and When the Killing's Done, to your summer reading list; both stories are set on the Channel Islands.

Great White Shark Diving

The haunting silhouette of the Farallon Islands keeps a closely guarded secret; within the rugged rocks lies the ultimate adrenaline adventure - diving with Great White Sharks. 26 miles off the coast of San Francisco, marine enthusiasts can join shark diving expeditions for the opportunity to see amazing natural predatory behavior in action. For those who are unsure about getting up close and personal with Jaws, Great White Adventures also runs trips for Topside Observers, where guests can view the action from the surface. These educational trips are an incredible experience for fans of the outdoors and ocean, and offer a safe way to experience some of nature's most dramatic feeding events.

Discover the Playground of America

For those visitors looking for a more intimate experience, the Yosemite Conservancy offers a dedicated Outdoor Adventure Program which is led by highly qualified naturalist guides. They take great pride in providing visitors with a unique Yosemite experience and outlook by exploring more hidden parts of the park while educating those with a love of nature and wildlife. Working with the Yosemite Conservancy is a great way to discover another side of one of the world's most famous natural treasures, whether it's through the restoration of trails and habitats throughout the park, electronic bear monitoring equipment to keep bears safe, or wildlife protection programs. There's also a range of short term experiences visitors can get involved in, from hour long Junior Ranger Walks to weekends learning about the protection of wildflowers and Yosemite's avian life.

Beer Camp…yes, really!

The ultimate summer camp really does exist. Just North of Sacramento is Chico, home to the Sierra Nevada craft brewery, best known for its tasty Pale Ale, and host of an annual Beer Camp.  Hop lovers from around the world apply for the chance to immerse themselves in all things beer and learn about the art and science behind brewing, before slipping into the lab coat and mastering their own creation from grain to glass. This is a once in a lifetime experience, with the chance to learn about the craft beer scene in California and see personalised beer sold in local NorCal bars.

Travel like a Local

Here at Visit California, we like to support the local community and environment as much as possible, and encourage our visitors to do the same, undertaking trips which will directly benefit the local towns and contribute to conservation efforts. Visit California teamed up with Responsible Travel to create a total California guide to help visitors travel like a local and experience an authentic holiday. Check out the link below, which brings you in-depth information on everything from eco-friendly hotels and the best hikes around the state, to where to go whale watching and pristine ski locations.

www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/california

Visit California (formerly known as the California Travel & Tourism Commission) is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs - in partnership with the state's travel industry - that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to Visit California, travel and tourism expenditures total $106.4 billion annually in California, support jobs for 917,000 Californians and generate $6.6 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about Visit California and for a free California Official State Visitor's Guide, go to www.visitcalifornia.com. For story ideas, media information, downloadable images and more, go to media.visitcalifornia.com.