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You know that feeling when your social feed is full of sun-kissed friends bragging about their “European summer”? Well, take heart, because a travel enthusiast named Daniella Bragg says you might not need to blow your savings on a transatlantic flight to get that same magical vibe. She argues that California is basically a treasure trove of “near-dupes” for some of Europe’s most gorgeous, and let’s be honest, ridiculously crowded hotspots. With travel costs climbing and those dreamy European towns turning into selfie-stick obstacle courses, it’s the perfect time to look closer to home. Who knew you could trade in your passport for a simple driver’s license and still feel like you’ve escaped to paradise?
First up on the dupe list is Catalina Island, which is apparently a spot-on stand-in for Italy’s glamorous Amalfi Coast. You know how everyone from old-school movie stars to influencers goes gaga over those colorful cliffside villas in Italy? Well, Catalina has the same kind of dramatic cliffs and clear blue water, minus the Instagram-famous stampede. It’s a place where you can live out your “Dolce Vita” dreams without having to pack a single worry about getting elbowed by a content creator. One look at the crescent-shaped Avalon Bay and the beautiful climate, and you’ll swear you just stepped into a relaxed, California-girl version of a Mediterranean postcard.
Next, if you’re craving those impossibly blue lakes you usually see in Swiss milk commercials, you need to point your car toward Big Pine Lakes in the Eastern Sierras. Honestly, it’s like someone air-dropped a chunk of the Swiss Alps into the Golden State. There’s an 8.6-mile trail there that leads to these insane turquoise lakes, and experts are like, “Yeah, this is one of the best hikes in the state.” They even recommend booking a campsite so you can catch both sunset and sunrise, especially with the dramatic Temple Crag peak looking on like it’s totally normal to have such an epic view in California.
For those who are more into hanging out by the ocean, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is apparently the perfect mirror to Spain’s Mallorca, but with way more sea otters. You get those same epic, cliff-lined coastlines and sheltered swimming coves that Mallorca is so famous for, but instead of just looking at pretty water, you’re getting a full wildlife show. You can spot harbor seals just chilling on the shore and, if you time it right between December and May, you might even catch a gray whale swimming by. As the article jokes, try getting that kind of entertainment in Spain.
If you’re less about the ocean and more about fairy-tale charm, you can’t go wrong with Monterey County’s Carmel-by-the-Sea. This place is like a whimsical European village that just decided to plop itself down on the California coast, and honestly, it feels like you’re on a movie set. It’s apparently so ridiculously cute that Architectural Digest named it the prettiest town in California, and it’s a top spot for marriage proposals. It’s got that whole old-world charm that makes you want to start humming a Disney song and maybe pretend you’re a character in a storybook.
Finally, to get your French fix, skip the French Riviera and head to Laguna Beach. The charming seaside atmosphere, hidden coves, and gorgeous water are supposed to be a dead ringer for posh St. Tropez, but without all the influencer-filtered hype. Of course, as with any great place, there’s a catch. The locals are starting to get a little protective. Officials over in Orange County are cracking down on the oversized tents and shade structures on the beach, so the county can handle both the residents and the beach-goers, but they’re trying to keep things a bit more, shall we say, spacious.
So, go on, trade your crystal-clear memories of Europe for the crystal-clear water of California. It seems the real secret is that you can find a little bit of the world’s magic under the Golden State’s very own sun. Just remember, when you post those envy-inducing photos, maybe don’t mention you’re only a few hours from the office.
