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California

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There are many reasons why people choose to go to California because it is known for so many different things. However, for every well-known fact about California, there is one hidden secret that you simply have to visit the state to find out! While California is largely known for the Gold Rush in the 1800s, it's little known that very few of the miners made profit from it. Those that sold them their picks, canteens, and other supplies they needed however, became very rich from that era. This is because these are the people that originally inhabited the land and developed towns that were able to sustain their own needs and have other people live off those needs. These were the first people to succeed in California and the Gold State, as it's appropriately nicknamed, has discovered growth and development ever since.

Areas

Los Angeles is probably the most known area of California and it's because here you can find truly anything that you are looking for! Come here hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars or to try your hand at cards, this city has one of the fastest paced atmospheres in the world!

The San Francisco Bay area is another well-known area and is a top destination for tourists as the area encompasses many cities other than San Francisco including San Jose and Oakland. This area is most known for its liberal perspectives and was the first city in the world to be known for its wide gay community. People love coming to this city to see the Golden Gate Bridge and many other attractions.

Sausalito is the area that is most known for its wealth and fine art community. Although the sheer amount of money here has overshadowed the art component, this is still a beautiful area to stroll along and gaze out at the water of the bay. There is also shopping and dining opportunities here but it will be pricey.

A large portion of California's visitors are travelling to the state to visit beautiful wine country. This area of the state is situated approximately one hour north of San Francisco and here you will find Napa and Sonoma Counties. Experience this unique area in a truly authentic way and stay at one of the many bed and breakfasts that are open for business. Slowly take your time working your way through the vineyards as well as there are hundreds within an hour's drive of each other.

Many people travel to San Diego to visit amusement parks such as Sea World while others travel to southern California to spend their vacation at parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios.

Weather

The weather in California is just as diverse as its people due to the many different landscapes that California has. The climate is generally quite mild although in most areas, it does become exceedingly hot during the summer months, with average temperatures being around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In the mountains it can quickly drop down to below zero degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months but on average, it does not become cooler than ten degrees Fahrenheit in most areas of the state.

Getting There

By plane

When deciding how to get to California, you can take just about any mode of transportation that you would like. Coming by airplane is a feasible option for many who are coming from a very long distance or need to get to other areas of California in a very short amount of time. Just about every major city in California has either a domestic or international airport and airports can be connected to others, making travelling within the state very easy.

By train

Just as with the airports of the state, just about every major city also has a train station that will accept visitors travelling by rail. The Union station in Los Angeles services just about any area you could imagine and other stations throughout the state will take you wherever you need to go!

By car

Many tourists who aren't travelling an extremely long way may find that their best option is to drive themselves to California. If a rental car is needed, you will find any car rental agency you're using right in California and can probably even arrange to leave the car at one of their terminals there! Private bus lines, such as Greyhound, also offer many charter buses to California for a smaller fee than renting a car.

Getting Around

By car

Driving yourself to the different areas of California is really the best way to fully appreciate the entire state and can be done very easily with highways and roads that are well marked and huge landmarks at just about every turn. When in the cities themselves, driving can be hectic so if you're staying for a few days, you may wish to hire a taxi anyway for short distances.

By train

Most train stations service areas throughout the entire state so this can be good way for those that want to see California in an entirely different way!

By plane

Because California does have so many airports, travelling to the different cities is easy and quick when taking domestic flights!

Food & Dining

When it comes to food and drink, California is known for two things -- the crazy diets and the wine. While the wine could put some of Italy's best to shame, the crazy diets are really something that has been somewhat blown up by the media. However, the state is known for its health-conscious diet so you will find a lot of vegetarian and organic food here. But there is also plenty of less-than-healthy American fare such as hamburgers, French fries, and hotdogs. Truthfully, you will find cuisine from all over the world as the many immigrants the state has seen throughout the years have all brought their own unique tastes with them as well. Try Italian, French, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, or anything else you could imagine! You won't be limited on your visit to the Golden State!

Beaches

Mission Beach (Sand beach) Location: San Diego County Mission Beach is one of the most popular in the state due to its fantastic boardwalk as well as the thousands of people that flock here for the bicycling, rollerblading, surfing, and volleyball opportunities. Certain areas of the beach become party zones on Friday and Saturday nights and Belmont Park, which includes a wild roller coaster and a wave pool, also help to greatly add to the excitement. This is a wonderful beach to swim, walk, or simply people-watch!

Crescent Beach (Sand beach) Location: Los Angeles This beach is most popular with families, retirees, and students because of its colorfulness and how lively it is. If you're looking for a quiet beach, you won't find it here but you will find ample room to build sandcastles and beautiful water to test out water wings! Bordering the beach is a street lined with hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops that are perfect for running over to when you need refreshment or for kicking back with a cocktail after a full day of sand and surf!

Santa Cruz Main Beach (Sand beach) Location: Santa Cruz Where else in the world can you lounge on miles of endless sand, absorb history, and watch the whirls and twirls of the amusement park behind you other than on Santa Cruz Main Beach? This wonderful location offers it all! The boardwalk, which is the perfect place for a jog or a sunset stroll, is a State Historical Landmark and serves as the setting for rows and rows of video games and other vendors. The amusement park that you'll have as part of your view also became the oldest in California when it turned 100 in 2007!

Black Point Beach (Rock beach) Location: Sonoma County If you're looking for a wilderness adventure, you'll want to visit Black Point Beach. This beach has rocky terrain that's home to sea lions, starfish, and many other marine and bird life. The beach is in a city called Sea Ranch and this beach represents how the locals live their life here. They are respectful of the nature and work hard to coexist with them. Be extremely respectful of the wildlife here but that doesn't mean you can't snap as many pictures as you're camera will allow!

Rockaway Beach (Sand beach) Location: Pacifica If you came looking for a true California beach, you're sure to find it here! Stay in any of the fine hotels that are so close to the beach, the waves practically touch the buildings and fall asleep every night to the sound of the Pacific crashing against the shore. There are also many restaurants that provide an ocean view in this area and you can take in even more of it as you hike the many trails and look out to Alcatraz!

Sights & Activities

Alcatraz

Probably the most visited site in San Francisco, taking a trip to this island will not only allow you the chance to be placed in a cell just as cellmates were long ago but you will also be taken on a tour of the entire island. This includes seeing how the guards and their families lived on the island and what they had to do as security measures.

Los Angeles

Whatever you want to do, Los Angeles will have a place to do it! Most known for its casinos and shows, you can also visit this wonderful city to find many family-oriented activities! Make sure to spend at least a day or two touring this gorgeous city and see views that are simply spectacular while exploring all that it has to offer!

Napa

Wine and dine in Napa and nothing else needs to be said. It's widely known that some of the world's best wines are made here so take some time to stop and smell the wine!

Beverly Hills

Another stop that may be considered the number one spot when visiting California is Beverly Hills. Stroll up Rodeo Drive, visit the designer stores and take a lot of pictures! You've seen it on TV enough, now it's time to see it for yourself! Also find in Beverly Hills tours of the stars homes and movie studios.

Yosemite National Park

This national park which has been known for so many different things is much like a state unto itself where you can climb Yosemite Valley, check out Glacier Point, and see the massive trees that this park is known for in Mariposa Grove. This is definitely one area you don't want to miss while you're in the Golden State!