The nation’s third-largest state, California boasts so many attractions it’s sure to satisfy every type of traveler. Nature-lovers and urbanites, gourmands and oenephiles, adventure-seekers and sun-seekers, star-gazers and starstruck, young and old will all find their niche in the Golden State.
Since California boasts so much natural diversity, a California vacation can include skiing in the Sierra Nevadas, swimming in the Pacific or rock-climbing in Joshua Tree National Park. In fact, the state has five climactic zones—coastal, desert, foothill, mountain and valley. A vacation in California is also known for its abundance of manmade attractions. World-famous amusement parks, world-class museums, the cultural attractions of Los Angeles and San Francisco, hundreds of golf courses, pampering spas, gorgeous vineyards and endless shopping await those who travel to California. No wonder it’s the most-visited state in the U.S.
California has 14 major airports located throughout the state. Rental cars are widely available, with most firms requiring a minimum age of 25. To drive the entire length of the state on Interstate 5 would take a minimum of 15 hours. Bus routes travel throughout the state, while those who’d like to see California by train can ride Amtrak’s Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner lines. Weather varies in California depending on the climactic zone and the altitude. It’s a year-round travel destination, however, with most people visiting during the summer months. Autumn is a particularly lovely time to visit Northern California, especially wine country, while winter and springtime are ideal seasons to visit the desert areas to avoid intense heat. For more information on California travel, log on to www.visitcalifornia.com, the California Travel & Tourism Commission’s website.