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Northern California is full of secrets waiting to be discovered, Marvel at the spectacular coastline nudged by the rolling Pacific surf. Inland, you will find green valleys with thriving vineyards, magnificent redwoods, majestic mountains and spellbinding national parks.
Southern California has all the ingredients for a superb holiday. What’s more, it has something for everyone. On the one hand, you have some of the most exciting towns and cities and on the other, you have a world of discovery and adventure, with golden beaches, breathtaking scenery, lakes and canyons, snow-capped mountains and rugged deserts.
San Francisco:
San Francisco
Experience the rich cultural life of San Francisco, one of the world’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. The many hills of the city afford visitors plenty of perfect views over San Francisco Bay. The entrance to the Bay is spanned by the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Take a walk across it - well over a mile - and enjoy a gull’s eye view of the shipping traffic passing far below. Visit Golden Gate Park, over 1000 acres of lawns, lakes and a riot of flora. No visit to San Francisco can be complete if it doesn’t include Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square.
Napa
Sitting to the north of San Francisco, Sonoma, Mendocino and Napa Counties are home to a myriad of wineries, tempting visitors from across the globe to taste their award winning wines. Boasting a near perfect climate, soil and water supply speciality chardonnays and zinfandels are produced to exemplary standards. In addition you will find locally grown produce and cheeses in the charming markets and a scattering of small towns with big personalities.
Yosemite
Yosemite National Park was one of the first wilderness parks in the US, yet still maintains its status as one of the country’s most popular national parks. Although famous for its incredible waterfalls, it also boasts over 1,165 square miles of extraordinarily deep valleys, grand meadows and ancient giant sequoias. Visitors marvel at its superb hiking and walking trails, fishing opportunities and the myriad of wildlife which call it home. Yosemite evokes an awe of mother natures’ magnificence making any visit a worthwhile experience.
Monterey
Monterey, the largest city on its namesake peninsula is just 80 miles south of San Francisco. It’s rich in visitor attractions including the Monterey Bay Aquarium with its three storey marine habitat tank and the Splash Zone filled with penguins, sea dragons and super sized scallop and clam shells.
The visitor hub is Cannery Row, historic warehouses from its sardine export era are filled with galleries, restaurants and other entertainment venues. Monterey is a treasure trove of history. The Path of History, marked by tiles on the pavements, leads travellers along a route filled with 19th century adobes, historic homes and churches. Head to Fisherman’s Wharf to see Monterey’s seafaring past brought to life.
Carmel
The quaint seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, is filled with picture postcard cottages dating back to 1902 and cypress trees, planted at the turn of the 20th century to enhance the landscape. Once a bohemian haven, a mecca for artists and a refuge for writers its inspirational attraction is still clearly evident today. Visit Ocean Avenue, the heart of Carmel’s shopping district, is lined with speciality shops, restaurants, art galleries and antique stores.
Lying 12 miles away from the coast is Carmel Valley, lovingly known as the sun belt of the Monterey Peninsula for averaging 283 sunny days each year. Its rolling ranch land, bordered by the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, offer the perfect climate for its lush vineyards and encourage hiking, biking and picnicking by those who visit. A range of resort-style hotels specialise in golfing and exceptional spa treatments.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is one of America’s best kept secrets. Sitting 323 miles south of San Francisco and 95 miles north of Los Angeles in an oceanfront location on the Pacific Coast Highway, it’s a perfect stop on a California coastal fly drive itinerary. Fondly recognised as the Mediterranean of the US, with its tiled terracotta roofs and white stucco buildings you’d be forgiven for forgetting you were in America. Blessed with glorious sunshine, framed by the San Ynez Mountains and breathtaking coastal scenery, Santa Barbara is a perfect destination at anytime of the year!
Santa Monica
The beach resorts of Greater Los Angeles have recently been under the spotlight in a whole host of US films and television programmes, providing great exposure of their boutique shopping, chic dining and of course superb beaches. If you want to wake each morning to the sound of the surf and enjoy days in a seaside atmosphere, yet still have easy access to Los Angeles’ attractions, one of California’s beaches is an ideal choice.
Just 20 minutes from downtown LA, Santa Monica is perhaps one of the states most popular spots, and rightly so. Infamous Santa Monica Pier, bustling with fairground rides and candy stores jets out above the glorious golden beaches, where you can hire a bike and cycle the boardwalks down to Venice Beach. Main Street, 3rd Street Promenade and Montana Avenue collectively provide all the shopping options you could desire. Watch out for celebrities, it’s widely recognised that many prefer the boutiques of Santa Monica to Rodeo Drive!
Los Angeles
Downtown LA’s recent renaissance has attracted a fair bit of attention. With the addition of numerous attractions and cultural sights the area has been transformed and there’s always something to do: museums and galleries to take in the arts; the Jewellery District for treasure hunters; LA’s fashion hub; Little Tokyo, Chinatown and Olvera Street representing LA’s renowned cultural diversity. Sports fans can catch the court-pounding action of the Lakers or Clippers or the puck-smashing Kings at the STAPLES Center. In addition to a number of live music venues, the recently opened NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE features 7,100 seats to listen to hit performers and musicians.
Hollywood has evolved from its historic roots as the birthplace of the film industry into one of LA’s hippest spots to shop, dine and be entertained. At the center of it all is Hollywood & Highland Center with its trendy stores, hot restaurants, hip nightclubs, cool entertainment and the Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards. Nearby, the Hollywood Bowl and Ford Amphitheatre feature concerts under the stars throughout the summer. And moviegoers can see the latest films in classic cinema settings at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Remember to wander outside Grauman’s to see the famous imprints that celebrities have left in the cement over the years. And don’t forget to glance north toward the Hollywood Hills to see the Hollywood Sign, clearly visible in the distance.
In Brentwood, the Getty Center sits like a shining city on a hill with centuries’ worth of art and design in a stunning architectural setting. Meanwhile, the mansions of Brentwood and Bel-Air stud the surrounding hills like diamonds on a lush, green pillow, giving you a glimpse of what Westside is all about. Legendary Sunset Boulevard takes you east through Westwood and Beverly Hills, where Rodeo Drive is just one avenue in the world’s most famous shopping district. And on Beverly Hills’ palm-lined byways, you may think you’re in a movie yourself.
No trip would be complete without a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. Take a studio tour or spend the day on thrilling rides in the theme park. Be sure to check out Universal’s newest attraction, The Simpson’s Ride, a fun romp through a fictional amusement park dreamed up by Krusty the Clown. Then there’s Universal CityWalk Hollywood, an outdoor center with restaurants, entertainment and shopping galore.
Anaheim, deep in Orange County, is perhaps best known as home to Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park. Visit the incomparable Magic Kingdom to meet Mickey and his friends and enjoy the fabulous rides and shows. Just a short drive from L.A.’s magical beaches, Los Angeles International Airport and the amazing attractions that greater LA has to offer, Anaheim is a great base from which families can enjoy the region.
Huntington & Laguna Beach
The beach resorts of Greater Los Angeles have recently been under the spotlight in a whole host of US films and television programmes, providing great exposure of their boutique shopping, chic dining and of course superb beaches. If you want to wake each morning to the sound of the surf and enjoy days in a seaside atmosphere, yet still have easy access to Los Angeles’ attractions, one of California’s beaches is an ideal choice.
Newport Beach
Located on the Californian coast of Orange County, Newport Beach is just 14 miles from Anaheim, home of Disneyland and 50 miles south of Los Angeles. Often attracting a younger crowd, rollerblading the piers and surfing the waves, nevertheless anyone young at heart will love this beach playground. Outdoor water activities surpass themselves, and with nine miles of sandy beach you can always find a quiet spot to simply enjoy the Californian sunshine. If that’s not to your taste, try the local challenging golf courses or visit Newport’s museums and art galleries. You will be spoilt for choice, with over 300 restaurants to select from. From fine to casual dining, there is an obvious emphasis on locally caught seafood as well as American classics.
Palm Springs
Running almost half the length of its east coast are California’s seductive and surprisingly varied deserts. To the north are the vast plains of Death Valley National Park and along the central region is the constantly changing terrain of the Mojave. The southernmost end of the Mojave extends to Joshua Tree National Park, named for the trees which envelope its desert landscape. Sitting here, cushioned between Joshua Tree National Park and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains are the prestigious Palm Springs Desert Resorts.
Rancho Mirage, surrounded by scenic views, blue skies and clear desert nights offers the ultimate retreat destination experience. Yet its location, in the heart of the Palm Springs area provides great access to a myriad of attractions. Rancho Mirage also offers some of the regions most exclusive golf and spa resorts. La Quinta is home to over 20 exceptional golf courses, including the nationally acclaimed Arnold Palmer Classic Course at SilverRock. If golf isn’t your game, take an exhilarating bike ride, romantic hike, stroll charming La Quinta Village and enjoy the host of dining pleasures available. Palm Desert boasts two of the deserts most popular attractions, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens which is a truly fabulous day out for visitors of all ages, and El Paseo, Palm Deserts very own Rodeo Drive.
Palm Springs is the cosmopolitan city hub of the desert resorts. Here you can dine in world class restaurants and stay in boutique-style hotels and although a city it offers a distinctly smaller town atmosphere. Stroll Palm Canyon Drive, and every turn you take reveals a reminder of Palm Springs’ Hollywood past, even today it is the home to the unique Palm Springs Follies. Visit Palm Springs Aerial Tramway which has been delighting its guests for over 30 years, carrying them from the hot desert floor to a snow dusted alpine forest at 8,516ft.
Just minutes from Palm Springs lies the desert sanctuary of Indian Wells. Stunning mountain vistas and swaying palm trees provide a beautiful backdrop to the luxurious golf, tennis and spa resorts. Home to the prestigious Indian Wells Tennis Tournament and Indian Wells Golf Resort it also offers several other year round recreational activities including hiking, biking, canyon jeep tours and hot air balloon rides. With all this on offer, 360 days of sunshine and an average temperature of 74 degrees why wouldn’t you choose to visit?
San Diego
California’s second largest city, San Diego boasts 70 miles of Pacific Ocean beaches and a gentle Mediterranean climate which is perfect for a relaxing vacation. Close to the Mexican border, there is a distinct Mexican influence in many aspects of its lifestyle, cuisine and architecture.The combination of cultural neighbourhoods creates a city with lots to see, do and explore. Visit the Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla and Carlsbad, each with there own charming characteristics. There is an expansive selection of attractions which shouldn’t be missed either. Children will love Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park and LEGOLAND California whilst grown ups can enjoy the luxury spa’s, downtown nightlife, superb shopping and a choice of 92 golf courses in the area.
The terrain changes to the east, from gentle foothills to mile high mountains and the 600,000 acre Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Hiking, biking, fishing and wildlife watching provide a contrast to the hectic city life and the up and coming wine growing region has already won a number of accolades.
