“An afternoons drive up from LA will transport you high upon the mountains, where up above forests and the cold blue lakes, eagles circle, or perhaps that drive will take you out and over the Mojave, with its weird and wild desert vegetation and immensely beautiful vistas. Not too far away from there is the Yosemite, Death Valley and Sequoia National Park with its gigantic trees which commenced their growing far before the Parthenon had been built - these trees are the oldest living things on Earth. One should take to visiting such wonders and the places of their dwelling, often, and be conscious, in the midsts of the city, of their neighboring, enveloping presence. For this, this is the real nature of California and the secret to its, my fascination; this undomesticated, untamed, aloof and prehistoric landscape which will relentlessly remind the traveller of their human condition and the circumstance of their brief tenure on this earth.

  -Christopher Isherwood, Exhumations  

California Love Part 1 

Far and wide a land of all for all

I am going to start by saying California has it all. No exaggeration - California a behemoth for spectacular wonders in its well-preserved wilderness, first-class cities, celebrated waterfronts and beaches, alluring dining and cuisine and wines wow! - rivaling some of the best wine (and wine country) the world over. It is just too easy to be close to and ready for all the action from just about anywhere one finds themselves in California, whether you are in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles or even Bakersfield!!  Traveling around California is tremendously simple and scenic - with one of the biggest state super highway road networks in the US that bring to your car door most of the Golden State’s many wonders. You can ski, swim, surf, and appreciate fine cuisine all in one single day if you like - but you would be doing yourself a disservice because you might want to make it two to ten days instead!  California is the most populated state in the country, has an economy that rivals many of the worlds top countries economies and by land mass, is the third largest state in the USA. It is of no strange consequence that California entices millions of visitors every year for a multitude of reasons and tastes. It has it all (there, I said it again). 

    

Natural Wonderland

California for nature lovers If it’s nature you want and to getaway from the city, California caters en masse. National Parks and wildlife areas such as Pinnacles National Monument on the Central Coast; awe inspiring Joshua Tree National Park within the capacious Mojave Desert and the famously photographed by Ansell Adams, Yosemite National Park is a rock filled haven for hikers and climbing enthusiasts alike. Death Valley is the largest National Park in the USA as well as taking the accolade as the hottest place on the planet (in summer). Spoil yourself to a remarkable Death Valley wildflower bloom from March to April. Don't miss the gargantuan Sequoia trees, the tallest largest living organisms on earth, and where they reside – you guessed it - Sequoia National Park. California Redwood trees, another magnificent giant tree graces the rugged shores of California’s northern coasts.  

So special

From the moment one arrives in California, they soon thereafter discover why such a vast and varied region adjacent to the big blue Pacific (Ocean) is so pricelessly and irreplaceably special. The 48 tallest peaks in the state reside in the spectacular Sierra Nevada region of California to the east. Mt. Whitney accommodates thousands of hikers, climbers and bushwalkers each year to its awe inspiring 14,505 feet of serenity and untouched wilderness. California’s premier ski resorts, including Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain can also be found here, nestled among the Sierra Nevada mountains. If you have time, regardless of season, the mountains are a natural beauty to behold and well worth your time. 

Napa 

To the north of California’s easy going capital, Sacramento, is California’s Napa Valley. The Napa Valley region has a reputation worldwide for it’s first class wine. My wife and I found it super easy to traverse the Napa Valley. After all, we encountered some of the most superb restaurants and wine tastings that the state (and country) has on offer.  

We temporarily lost ourselves in a bit of old-world extravagance at a bed and breakfast on the Carmel coast immediately after spending the day at Hearst Castle, San Simeon. Next time we plan to explore California’s coastline further with a daytrip to the Channel Islands (Santa Rosa was recommended to us) and/or take in whale and dolphin watching expeditions off San Francisco’s pacific shores.  

Hearst Castle San Simeon

Get there!

Don’t delay booking your trip to California; you could be bathing at the beach or hiking up a mountain by this time tomorrow!  Conclusion  If you’ve never given it a thought or been afforded an opportunity to take a trip to California, add it to your ‘bucket list’ of must see places in the near future. 

To be honest, California is without question entirely beautiful and a unique world of natural pleasures. There are parts of it that will utterly amaze you and at times you’ll actually wonder if you are even on the same planet, let alone the same state. California traveling is popular for all people, of all ages - so no matter what you’re hoping to achieve, see or do, you will most certainly find it in sunny California.   Get there now!

Bon Voyage!!

@Booky