Things to see and do in California
How long have you got? My advice is to take longer than 2 weeks if you are able, that way you can really delve into the State, it’s big at 163,700 square miles (the UK is 93,600 sq. miles). The most popular way to get around is to self-drive, it’s your choice; Motorhome, convertible, 4WD or Harley Davidson. There’s always coach and rail if you don’t fancy driving. Driving distances are deceptively long, especially to us Brits; from North to South it takes around 15 hours to drive non-stop on the Interstate, needless to say I wouldn’t recommend this! However long you have I can tailor-make a trip that incorporates what you want to see and do.
What to do? It really depends upon what your interests are and what you want to see. Love beaches? You are spoilt for choice, start with Huntington beach, where surfing was created, and why not have a surfing lesson? Prefer your beaches empty and atmospheric? Just north of San Francisco they are wild!
Ever wanted to climb a mystical volcano? Visit Mount Shasta, the second largest volcano in the USA, believed to be one of the earth’s energy vortex centres. Visit the hottest place on earth in Death Valley. Ski, hike or rock climb in epic landscapes. Cycle over Golden Gate bridge. Take photos to rival Ansel Adams at Yosemite National Park. Wildlife your thing? Then kayak with sea otters in Morro Bay, whale watch in Monterey and visit the world-famous aquarium there. Drive a dune buggy over the Sahara-like landscape of Oceano Dunes and relax afterwards at Pismo Beach chowing down on fresh clam chowder. Listen to the best in Rock, Pop and Indie at Coachella music festival, an open-air event which happens in April, set in the desert near Palm Springs. The night sky here is amazing!
Glamp or hide out in a cute cabin in the Redwood forest near Russian River, Sonoma county and see some of the oldest trees in existence. Kayak and sunbathe along the sunny banks of the river, eat in Michelin starred restaurants or buy fresh produce at local farmers markets. Whilst there visit the nearby Napa Valley, home to the best wines in the world. Don’t want to drive? simply take the Napa Wine Train and relax in the hot springs in nearby Calistoga.
Shop ‘til you drop on Rodeo drive or get bargains in outlet malls. Immerse yourself in Yoga, Meditation and Spiritual studies at the Esalen institute along the Big Sur.
Visit the 21 Spanish Missions, each dotted about 30 miles apart between Sonoma and San Diego, they are beautiful old buildings erected by the Spanish between 1769-1833 as a way of gaining a foothold in the new frontier.
See the famous Gay Pride festival in San Francisco. Celebrity spot in LA. Visit Universal Studios or the original Walt Disney-land in Los Angeles. Go to a baseball game in San Francisco, San Diego or Los Angeles. Indulge your inner nerd and take part in Comic-con, in San Diego which happens every July. Work out on Venice beach (AKA Muscle beach) with the locals. Shut yourself (temporarily) into a cell in the infamous Alcatraz prison just off the coast of San Francisco. The possibilities in this forward thinking State are endless.
The weather here is constantly sunny, although in such a huge state it does vary. Northern California can get rainy between December and March so if you are a skier or desert lover then this is your time. San Francisco has it’s own micro climate with the famous fog that rolls in which can make summers feel like winter, best to visit this area in September or October when its warmer and has clear sunny skies. June to August is busy with holiday makers so if you prefer it quieter then try April/May or September through November.
I was lucky enough to call California home for nearly 5 years, whilst here I did pretty much all of the above.
So, if you want advice, have questions or want me to plan a trip of a lifetime, then please do get in touch, I love talking about California!