By Robert Vaux
California has such a diverse landscape and offers so many different possible attractions that one cannot hope to visit all of them in one lifetime. From the scenic beauty of the Sierra Nevadas to the warm
beaches on the coast of the Pacific, from the cosmopolitan sophistication of
San Francisco to the glitz and glamour of LA, the number of vacation spots are practically limitless. A few key locations stand out, both in terms of the number of attractions and in terms of their importance to the Golden State.
Los Angeles
LA has a reputation for being vacuous and shallow, but the array of vacation destinations tells a much different story. A number of museums and art galleries can be found in Southern California, most notably LA County Museum of Art and the Getty Museum in Westwood. The Hollywood and Highland center caters to tourists looking for famous Movieland landmarks, including the famous Chinese Theater with the handprints of movie stars in cement. Disneyland lies in Anaheim, just a short drive to the south, and venues such as the Rose Bowl, the LA Coliseum and Staples Center play host to sporting events, concerts and conventions of all varieties.
San Francisco
What San Francisco lacks in glamour, it makes up for in worldliness and sophistication. It's truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with tourist attractions that take full advantage of that fact. Fisherman's Wharf hosts restaurants, shops and rides, along with tour boats out to Alcatraz prison in the middle of the bay. The Golden Gate Bridge is open for tourists to walk across, and nearby Golden Gate Park offers acres and acres of nature trails and bike paths. The Palace of Fine Arts in the Presido hosts jazz concerts and cultural events, while the nearby Exploratorium provides more than 650 displays of hands-on scientific phenomenon. Sports fans can watch the Giants play in beautiful AT&T Park or catch a 49er game in historic Candlestick Park. And no trip to San Francisco would be complete without a trip on the world famous cable cars.
San Diego
The smallest of California's three major cities holds quieter charms than its brethren to the north. Its warm beaches and gentle tides make seaside activities a joy. SeaWorld, featuring dolphins, aquariums and killer whales, is located along the San Diego coastline, and the city's zoo has a reputation for being the best in the entire world. The San Diego Zoo also runs a Wild Animal Park in nearby Escondido, where animals are allowed to roam free in expansive habitats. The San Diego Convention Center hosts every kind of gathering imaginable, including national political conventions and the famous Comic Con held every July. The Gaslamp Quarter contains restaurants and galleries within easy walking distance of the Convention Center, and nearby Petco Park is home to the city's professional baseball team, the Padres.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is one of the greatest national parks in the country, with more than 1,000 square miles of untouched wilderness. Camping and hiking trails lead visitors to such vistas as the Half Dome granite mountain, the 2,500-foot tall Yosemite Falls and stunning groves of giant Sequoia trees. The park also offers some of the best rock climbing sites in the country, as well as copious nature trails and biking paths. Vehicles are charged a small admission to help pay for park services. Yosemite is open 365 days a year.
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About the Author:
Robert Vaux has been a professional writer and editor since 1995. He has traveled throughout Europe and North America as well as parts of North Africa. Since 2000 he has been a professional movie critic at Flipside Movie Emporium, the Sci-Fi Movie Page and Mania.com. Vaux has a Master of Arts in English literature from Syracuse University.
