How to Enjoy Your Vacation in
California
Five things to see and do in California
California has so much to offer that it would probably take you years to explore
everything. Your choices are many, from bustling cities to deserted beaches and national parks. As you go from
south to north, it gets greener and wilder, and as you travel from west to east, it becomes more mountainous and
dryer. As hard as it is to pick just a few things to see and do, we wholeheartedly recommend the
following.
Visit Hollywood
No vacation in California is complete without visiting Hollywood. Here is what you
can see: the famous Hollywood sign, Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue – the heart of Hollywood, Hollywood Walk of Fame where stars with
names of notable movie celebrities are inlaid in sidewalk, Hollywood Wax Museum, Guinness World of Records
Museum, the Hollywood Museum, Capitol Records Building, The Academy's Grand Lobby Gallery and Fourth Floor
Gallery which both offer free exhibitions that are related to the film industry and much more.
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If you are
a movie fan, on your vacation in California you can also visit film studios,
such as Paramount
Pictures. (Image source:
Pixabay.com) |
You can also take a tour of current homes of top movie stars like Jennifer Aniston
and Tom Cruise, as well as former homes of Michael Jackson, Madonna,
Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.
National Parks
Maybe you will be surprised to find out that California has seven National Parks,
including Yosemite, San Francisco Maritime Park, Death Valley which covers 3.3 million acres and is the
largest National Park in the US,
Sequoia, Joshua Tree, Lassen Volcanic and Redwoods National Parks. If I had to choose, I would opt for Yosemite
and spend as much time there as I can because the nature and the scenery are just stunning.
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There are many National Parks in
California, one of them being
Redwoods National Park, known for its giant trees, considered to be
the tallest in the world. (Image source:
Pixabay.com) |
Some must see spots are Yosemite Valley and the Merced river, gorgeous Yosemite
Falls, Cathedral Beach and its view of Three Brothers – a three headed cliff, Bridalveil Fall and Fern Spring. These are just a few of many and you could spend eternity
there soaking up the beauty. Other National Parks won’t disappoint you either.
Go to sports events and venues
We all know that Americans are big sports fans, and there are plenty sports teams
and events in California. Los Angeles hosts a number of world-famous sports teams, including baseball professionals
like the Dodgers and one of the most famous basketball teams in the whole world - the Lakers, as well as college
teams such as the UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans.
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Apart from baseball and American
football, basketball is another
extremely popular sport. (Image source:
Pixabay.com) |
Getting some NBA tickets will
certainly add value to your vacation. You could also visit some famous sports venues like the Dodger Stadium,
The Forum, which is the former home of the Lakers, or the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena, home
field for the USC Trojans football team, as well as occasional sporting events.
San Francisco
There is a classic song line that goes like this: “If you’re going to San Francisco, make sure you wear a flower in your hair”. Although it is from the hippy era, it is still
very much descriptive of the city’s atmosphere – it is open, friendly, cosmopolitan and a lot of fun. Home to
first wave hippy communes, peace movement, psychedelic rock, New Age spiritual movements and rich art scene, San
Francisco is still one of the most open-minded cities in the world.
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San Francisco is known for its
many unique features, including downtown area,
which makes the rest of the city easily
accessible. (Image source:
Pixabay.com) |
It is fairly easy to see as well since the downtown is not so big and you can walk
mostly anywhere. There will be some hilly streets but this is part of San Francisco’s charm. The public transport
is one of the best in the country, with lots of buses, underground trains, streetcars and even boats to get you
from one place to the other. Sights include the legendary Golden Gate Bridge,
Alcatraz, Lombard Street, Chinatown, North Beach and so many more.
Hit the beach
California is a synonym for beach life, and there are amazing places to discover
along the coast, from secluded beaches to bustling boardwalks like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk located 90 minutes south of San Francisco. It has everything from corn dogs and cotton
candy to wooden roller coasters offering unforgettable views of Monterey Bay. There are many spa centers and
restaurants to be found along California’s Highway 1 and you can even see elephant seals. You can swim, snorkel,
dive, surf, or just simply chill out gazing at the ocean.
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One of San Francisco's trademark
features, the Golden Gate Bridge, can be
barely seen here above the fog from one of the beaches. (Image source:
Pixabay.com) |
California is a state that is probably the most popular with tourists, and for a
reason, you have it all here: the beach, sunshine, sea, good looking people, busy nightlife, good quality food and
amazing nature. Anywhere you choose to go, you will sure return with a smile on your face.
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