California

Visiting California is more than just enjoying the good weather and hanging ten at the beach, although the opportunities to do so are abundant. There’s so much to do and see that you can spend a lifetime exploring it, and still have not seen everything. San Francisco, which transformed into a booming city during the Gold Rush, remains one of the country’s most beautiful and storied cities. If you prefer to escape from the hustle and bustle, enjoy the natural beauty nearby by traveling north to Muir Woods, named after the famous early conservationist, John Muir, where you can walk amongst ancient groves of towering redwood trees. Or, travel along the California coast from Bolinas Lagoon to Point Lobos and Big Sur, an area of unsurpassed beauty that allows for ample birdwatching opportunities to discover the largest number of bird species recorded in any US state. Visit Yosemite National Park to experience the awe-inspiring landscapes of towering mountains and intimate valleys, while quietly observing its rich diversity of wildlife. Farther south in Los Angeles, a visit to the city at the forefront of popular culture is incomplete without a stop to compare handprint sizes with Hollywood movie stars at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.