Things to Do in California, MD | River, Jets, And Bay Days

California, Maryland works best as a Patuxent River base for naval aviation, waterfront parks, and Solomons day trips.

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For Things to Do in California, MD, plan around the Patuxent River shoreline, the Naval Air Station Patuxent River area, and the small towns that sit within an easy drive. California is practical rather than flashy: the reward is a trip built from aviation history, river walks, paddling, art gardens, seafood, and colonial Maryland sites.

The smartest plan is to use California as the base, then branch out to Lexington Park, Solomons, Leonardtown, Hollywood, and St. Mary’s City. A car helps because the best stops are spread across St. Mary’s County and southern Calvert County, not packed into one walkable main street.

What Should You Do First In California, Maryland?

California, Maryland is strongest when you start with the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum and Myrtle Point Waterfront Park. That pairing gives you the area’s two clearest identities: naval aviation and the river.

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum sits in nearby Lexington Park, beside the St. Mary’s County Visitor Center. The museum focuses on naval aviation testing, flight technology, and the history tied to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, so it is the right first stop for families, aviation fans, and rainy days.

Myrtle Point Waterfront Park gives the trip air and water after the museum. The National Park Service describes Myrtle Point Park as a 192-acre peninsula on the Patuxent River with shoreline, tidal wetlands, forests, and archaeological sites, so it is a strong low-cost stop for a walk, picnic, or birding break.

For paid cruises, guided paddles, and ticketed activities nearby, compare live options after you choose your travel date:

California, Maryland Activities Near The Patuxent River

California, Maryland activities work best as a short-drive loop of museums, parks, waterfronts, and historic sites. Pick two or three stops for one day, or spread the full list across a weekend.

Use this table to match the stop to the traveler rather than chasing the longest list. Most visitors will be happier with one indoor museum, one outdoor stop, and one waterfront meal than with six rushed stops.

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum is the easiest attraction to plan around because the museum hours and admission page lists regular hours and current prices: general admission is $10, seniors and active-duty military are $7, children under 12 are $4, and toddlers under 4 are free.

How Many Days Do You Need Near California, Maryland?

One full day near California, Maryland is enough for the aviation museum, Myrtle Point Waterfront Park, and dinner near the water. Two days let you add Solomons, Leonardtown, or Historic St. Mary’s City without turning the trip into a checklist.

A one-day visit should stay tight. Start indoors at the museum while energy is high, shift to Myrtle Point or Greenwell State Park for river time, then end in Leonardtown or Solomons for food and a sunset walk.

A weekend visit works better for travelers who want history. Historic St. Mary’s City lists 2026 hours as Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with adult admission at $15, so it fits better as a dedicated half-day than as a rushed add-on.

Greenwell State Park is useful when the weather is good and the group wants open space. Maryland Department of Natural Resources lists Greenwell as a 596-acre park on the Patuxent River, with honor-system service charges of $3 for Maryland vehicles and $5 for out-of-state vehicles.

Getting Around Without Wasting The Day

California, Maryland is easiest by car because the parks, museums, waterfronts, and historic sites sit across several nearby towns. Rideshare service may work for short hops, but it is not the safest plan for a full day of stops.

Drivers can keep the day simple by clustering stops by direction: Lexington Park and Myrtle Point together, Solomons with Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Calvert Marine Museum, or Leonardtown with Greenwell State Park and Port of Leonardtown Park.

If you are flying into Washington, DC, Baltimore, or a regional airport and want to reach parks, museums, and Solomons without waiting on local rideshares, compare rentals before arrival:

Where To Stay For Easy Access

California, Maryland is the most practical overnight base for short drives to Lexington Park, Solomons, Leonardtown, and St. Mary’s City. Travelers who want evening waterfront dining may also compare Solomons and Leonardtown before booking.

Hotels in and around California and Lexington Park work well for museum days, base-area visits, and early starts. Solomons works better if the trip is more about the bridge, the marina, the Calvert Marine Museum, and a slower evening near the water.

For a short trip, compare the hotel cluster around California, Lexington Park, Leonardtown, and Solomons on a map before you choose a base:

A One-Day Plan With The Right Mix

A strong one-day plan near California, Maryland balances one aviation stop, one outdoor stop, and one waterfront finish. Add a second day only if Historic St. Mary’s City, Sotterley, or a Solomons cruise is a main reason for the trip.

If you only have a few hours, choose Patuxent River Naval Air Museum plus Myrtle Point Waterfront Park. If the trip is a full weekend, add Historic St. Mary’s City for Maryland history, Greenwell State Park for open space, and Solomons for the Calvert Marine Museum or a seasonal harbor cruise.