CALIFORNIA

California is located on the west coast of North America. It is the largest US state by population, and the third largest by area. California offers something for everyone: Southern California is home to such popular attractions as Disneyland, Hollywood and the beaches in Malibu that inspired the television show Baywatch, while the northern part of California offers the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the hills of San Francisco, the vineyards of Napa Valley, and the capital, Sacramento. Outside California’s major cities one finds some of North America’s most rugged national parks, incredible skiing/snowboarding opportunities, and quiet and ancient northern forests including the highest mountain peak in the contiguous USA, Mt. Whitney.

The culture of California is a Western culture and most clearly has its modern roots in the culture of the United States, but also, historically, many Hispanic influences. As a border and coastal state, Californian culture has been greatly influenced by several large immigrant populations, especially those from Latin America.

Capital: Sacramento

Best Time of Visit:

  1. Any time is a good time to be somewhere in California, but the best time to visit pretty much depends on what type of vacation you envision. Most people arrive in summer, between June and September.
  2. The shoulder seasons (March to May and September to November) bring smaller crowds and lower prices
  3. Unless you’re planning a beach vacation, winter (December to February) is a great time to visit.

Min Days Required: 7 days

Places of Interest: 

  1. Los AngelesLos Angeles, the “city of angels” and celluloid celebrities, is the city of glorious sunshine and blue skies throughout the year. Los Angeles is the city of Hollywood, the world’s most glamorous movie industry. Images from this city have been flashed on millions of movie screens all over the world and Los Angeles has come to epitomize the ultimate American dream of riches and glamour, fame and fortune. 

LA is also one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the U.S, a synthesis of many ethnic communities – Chinese, Japanese, Hispanic, Korean and Middle Eastern – who give this city a distinct flavor. LA has often been described as ‘nineteen suburbs in search of a city’. Everything about the city is on a grand scale – from the magnificent sights to the posh neighborhoods and large homes sprawled around swimming pools and gardens. You cannot fail to be impressed by the sheer enormity and charisma exuded by Disneyland, Hollywood’s Universal Studios, or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and the shops and entertainment spots of Broadway. LA throbs on, with beautiful orange groves in the background and the shimmering beaches of Santa Monica, Newport and Long Beach.Places to Visit: Disneyland, Universal Studios, Los Angeles Zoo, Dodger Stadium, Santa Monica Pier, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
  2. Sacramento – California State Railroad Museum, Crocker Art Museum, Capitol Park, Sacramento History Museum.
  3. San FranciscoBe sure to wear some flowers in your hair when you visit bohemian, bustling San Francisco. San Francisco is nothing like any other city you may have visited. Every twist and turn in the city is like being in a maze – every corner you turn brings up something new and exciting! The city’s multiculturalism, its hang-loose attitude, its notoriety over the ages and the sheer effervescence in celebrating life here is what makes San Francisco unique. Come to San Francisco, if you want to break free and mingle with other liberated souls!Places of Interest: The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf,
  4. San Diego– Sea World, San Diego Zoo, University of California, La Jolla

Climate:

  1. The state’s climate varies from temperate at the coast to the brutal winters of the mountains to one of the world’s hottest regions in the deserts.
  2. Rainfall is more common in the northern part of the state than in the south, and snow is rare except in the mountains.
  3. The hottest temperature ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, 134°F (56.6°C) was at Death Valley in 1913, and temperatures regularly exceed 120°F (49°C) during the summer.
  4. In contrast, winter temperatures in the mountains can drop below 0°F.

Currency: US Dollars

Things to carry:

  1. If you are coming during the winter, be prepared for generally, sunny days and cool evenings. The best way to dress is in layers.
  2. When it does rain, it is chilly. So be prepared and do bring a warm jacket. When the sun is out, the days are quite comfortable and nice.
  3. People on average dress pretty well and when you go to any of the clubs or nice restaurants, be prepared to dress up.
  4. Sunscreen lotion, moisturizer, sunglasses, hats.

How to get there:

Air:

The primary (commercial) airports are in:

  1. San Francisco Bay Area–San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK) & San Jose Mineta (SJC)
  2. Los Angeles area–Los Angeles International (LAX), Burbank Bob Hope (BUR, Orange County John Wayne (SNA) ,Ontario (ONT) (Inland Empire doesn’t get a movie star), and a small airport at Long Beach (Jetblue western hub) (LGB)
  3. San Diego (SAN)
  4. Sacramento (SMF)
  5. Reno, Nevada (RNO) for the Lake Tahoe area
  6. Fresno-Yosemite (FAT)
  7. The next busiest second tier airports are Santa Barbara (SBA) and Palm Springs (PSP)