CALIFORNIA, EUREKA... I HAVE FOUND IT!
BY CLAY
LARROY
There
is nothing more exciting than traveling.
Whether you are going for a road trip to see something new in your own state,
or heading off to somewhere for the very first time to visit a city you have
always dreamed of, there are some travel
basics that you should know. Travel in the
off seasons from November to
April, to avoid
crowds, save money and enjoy temperate weather. In those months, many families
with children cannot travel due to school commitments, making many tourist
attractions much less crowded. This may also result in lower costs for airfare
and hotels. When
you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!
California Travel Guide
Arrive in California and you are opening a treasure chest of
stellar scenery, super-cool cities, innovative dining and theme parks
guaranteed to unleash your inner kid. Everything glitters here; from the
snow-capped Sierra Nevada to the sparkling sands of SoCal's surf beaches, via
the diamond-clad fashionistas of Rodeo Drive.
Gold diggers,
hippies, techie geeks, surf dudes and wannabe stars have all sought their piece
of California's good life, and its cities are hubs of aspiration and
inspiration. Cosmopolitan San Francisco chucks eye-popping scenery and start-up
ventures at you like a tennis ball machine. In Los Angeles, celebrity spotting
in chic boutiques, exclusive restaurants, or even the gas station is a regular
and fun occurrence.
California's
ruggedly beautiful coastline curves north of Los Angeles along coastal Highway
1, an iconic American drive. At Big Sur, dramatic cliffs plunge into the
Pacific Ocean where California grey whales migrate and condors soar overhead.
Visitors come to hike through humongous redwoods, participate in the local
artist scene, and escape anything man-made. Meanwhile, surfers and sun worshipers enjoy sand and swells along San Diego's sweeping shores.
To the east, the
Sierra Nevada is an extraordinary playground of sky-scraping mountains,
towering sequoias and plummeting waterfalls. Skiers float through powder above
Lake Tahoe, climber’s inch up Yosemite's El Capitan, and hikers trek the
long-distance John Muir Trail. You can travel in the same day from Mt Whitney,
the highest mountain in the lower 48 states, at 4,418m (14,494ft), to
Death Valley, the lowest place in North America at 86m (282ft) below sea level.
With its
never-ending stream of foodie fads and inventions, Californian dining is an
adventure too. And the Napa and Sonoma Valleys produce excellent wines, but
keep the quaffing until after you've ridden Disneyland's spinning teacups.
Things to see and do in California
Alcatraz
Try to escape from Alcatraz (www.alcatraz.us),
once the site of the USA's toughest maximum security prison and now a national
park built on an isolated island in the San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz offers a
close-up look at the infamous federal penitentiary via an audio tour, walking
tour, and lectures by historians. Ferries depart regularly for the island but
bear in mind the only way to get to Alcatraz is by a ferry operated by Alcatraz
Cruises, LLC. They're located on Pier 33 in San Francisco. Nighttime tours sell
out quickly but add a spooky element to the island.
Ancient forests
In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (www.nps.gov/seki),
famed for their forests of giant sequoia trees, see the 2,500-year-old General
Sherman Tree Giant Forest, the largest tree in the world (by volume) with a
circumference of 31m (103ft). Kings Canyon is the deepest canyon in the USA.
Joshua Tree National Park was named as a National Monument in 1936. The Park is
234,000 acres of protected wilderness with a variety of hiking trails for
beginners and experts, campgrounds, two deserts, and mountain ranges.
Geologists believe the area is over a million years old. Joshua Trees
themselves are giant members of the lily family. Bobcats, coyotes, and
roadrunners call the park home.
Beaches
La Jolla is one of San Diego's best and most popular beaches.
Somewhat protected from the prevailing southwest wind, it's a safe, gentle spot
to learn or enjoy surfing. Most of the formal surf schools operate here for
this reason, and a lot of local kids practice their basics at the Shores before
graduating to bigger and better breaks. Laguna Beach (www.lagunabeachinfo.org),
is the 'Riviera of the West Coast' and jewel of Southern Californian beach
cities. This charming seaside village is filled with bistros, shops and art
galleries, including the famous Laguna Art Museum. Other famous beaches in
California include Malibu,where you can enjoy the picturesque coves, or Marina
del Rey (www.visitthemarina.com) for those wanting to admire
the flocks of sailboats. Venice Beach (www.venicebeach.com)
is an eclectic mix of skaters, street performers and buzzing crowds.
Big
Sur coastal highway
Drive the ruggedly beautiful Big Sur coastal highway (www.bigsurcalifornia.org)
south of San Francisco. Visit the quaint historic coastal towns of Carmel and
Monterey, and eat fresh seafood in waterfront restaurants. Be sure to pull over
at one of the lookouts or beaches and scan the sky for California condors and
the water for gray whales. Renting a convertible for the picturesque trip is
highly recommended.
Cannery Row and Old Fisherman's Wharf
View the famous 1920s sardine factory, Cannery Row (www.canneryrow.com)
and Old Fisherman's Wharf (www.montereywharf.com)
in historic Monterey. Sample the traditional clam chowder and sourdough bread.
See where John Steinbeck found inspiration for many of his classic works and
look for seals sunning on the rocks. Be sure to sample at least one bowl of
clam chowder.
Clear Lake
Fish for bass at Clear Lake (www.lakecounty.com),
the largest natural freshwater lake in California, known as the 'bass capital
of the world.' Clear Lake is one of the most ancient lakes in California, at
approximately 2.5 million years old, and has over 160km (100 miles) of
shoreline. Attend a local festival, or go waterskiing, fishing, swimming,
boating, cycling, birdwatching or rock collecting.
Disneyland
Experience the magic of Disneyland (www.disney.go.com)
where the imagination is the destination. Become a kid again in an enchanted
kingdom home to Mickey Mouse and all of the famous Disney Characters.
Restaurants, shopping, shows, and one-of-a-kind rides are fun for kids of all
ages and adults who are really kids at heart.
Hearst Castle
Visit Hearst Castle (www.hearstcastle.org)
built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst on an enchanted hill
overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The property is 40,000 acres of ranch land that
includes three guest houses, a renowned European and Mediterranean art
collection, magnificent gardens and pools, and an abandoned zoo. Hearst Castle
is one of America's greatest palaces.
Hiking
Hike or camp in Yosemite National Park (www.yosemitepark.com),
which contains the world's best-known glacier-carved valley, spectacular
waterfalls, granite monoliths and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Hike or
rock climb the eerily remote Joshua Tree National Park (www.joshua.tree.national-park.com). Cross the
Mojave Desert to Death Valley (www.nps.gov/deva), the hottest and lowest place in
the continental United States at 86m (282 ft) below sea level.
Hollywood
View the famous
Hollywood sign in the hills above the city. Film crews can be found on location
all over the region, though most of the filming happens behind the well-guarded
gates of the various studios scattered across the city. See which celebrity
handprints fit yours at The Hollywood Walk of Fame or hop on a guided bus tour
to see where the movie stars live.
Lake Tahoe
Explore Lake Tahoe (www.sierratahoe.com),
set 1,800m (6,000ft) above sea level. Enjoy clear blue skies, snow-capped
mountains, and rich culture and history. Ski Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows (www.skialpine.com)
or take a paddle-wheeler cruise across the lake.
Little Saigon
Visit Little
Saigon, the largest Vietnamese business district in the USA. The area features
an Asian Garden and a wide variety of French, Vietnamese and Asian shops and
restaurants.
Marshall Gold Discovery State
Historic Park
Pan for gold at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (www.coloma.com)
where California's 1848 gold rush began. Visit the museum and original and
restored buildings at Sutter's Mill in Coloma.
Play
golf
Tee off on one of the greens at Pebble Beach (www.pebblebeach.com),
which has hosted the U.S. Open five times and is one of the most famous golf
courses in the world. This world-class resort has four golf courses with
impeccably manicured greens overlooking the ocean. Professional staff offers
individual and group instructions.
Ride a cable car
Ride a cable car up and down the steep hills of San Francisco,
overlooking the city's glistening bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Cable cars are an
iconic part of San Francisco's past that have been preserved as an ideal and
fun way to view the city. If you want to ride in the exterior of the car, hang
on to the poles and watch out for potential hazards. View the actual
cable-winding machinery at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum (www.cablecarmuseum.org).
Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum
Visit the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum, a frontier fortress full
of mementoes from the Western stars' films and television shows. The Route 66
Museum (www.califrt66museum.org) displays a collection of
artifacts and photographs related to the famous highway.
San Diego Maritime Museum
Enjoy the San Diego Maritime Museum (www.sdmaritime.com)
anchored along Harbour Drive, or take an excursion into Mission Bay on a yacht
or excursion boat.
San
Diego Zoo
Explore the world-famous San Diego Zoo (www.sandiegozoo.org),
which houses 800 different species. The entire zoo is designed as a 40-hectare
(100-acre) tropical garden, and offers many educational programs including
nighttime sleepovers and wild animal camps.
Santa Monica Pier
Walk the Santa Monica Pier (www.santamonicapier.org),
the West Coast's oldest pleasure pier, built in 1908, and now an entertainment
park with roller coasters and giant Ferris wheel (www.pacpark.com).
The pier draws over four million visitors annually who enjoy watching a variety
of street performers and artists with a Pacific Ocean backdrop. Below the
Pier's eastern deck is the Santa Monica Pier aquarium.
Shasta Lake
See the breathtaking natural wonders of the beautiful Shasta Lake (www.shastalake.com),
and the dramatic, snow-capped Mount Shasta (www.mtshastachamber.com),
one of the nation's tallest mountains at 4,248m (14,162ft).
Shopping in Beverly Hills
Shop in Beverly Hills (www.beverlyhills.org),
the world's most famous shopping district, and look out for Hollywood
celebrities.
Wine tasting
Taste premium California wines (www.winecountrygetaways.com)
in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, north of San Francisco. Mumm Napa (www.mummnapa.com)
is a working winery and vineyard in Napa California with award winning grapes
and a picturesque outdoor patio for table service wine tastings. The property
also offers guided tours and a photography gallery. Sonoma and Napa Valleys are
world famous for their wines and many vineyards are open to the public for
tastings.
REFERENCE SITES:
“Southern California, where
the American Dream came too true.”
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Live Well, Laugh Often and Travel Much!
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