United States of America

Click here to find your California
California
From the misty redwood forests and gently rolling vineyards of the
north to the sweeping deserts and sun-kissed beaches of the south,
California’s diversity makes it one of the most exciting states to visit in
the whole of the USA.
If America has an answer to Tuscany then the celebrated wine regions
of Napa Valley and Sonoma are it, where the quality of the vintages is
easily matched by the excellent calibre of the hotels and restaurants.
Away to the east, shimmering in shades of green and blue, is spectacular
Lake Tahoe, a lure for watersports enthusiasts in summer and skiers in
winter. To the south, the natural attractions of Yosemite National Park
have become icons of the American landscape, from El Capitan, the
largest single granite rock on earth, to Yosemite Falls and magnificent
Half Dome.
Below wine country lies the City by the Bay, sensational San Francisco,
home to vintage cable cars, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden
Gate Bridge. The city also marks the start of one of the world’s greatest
road trips – 500 miles of breathtaking seascapes along America’s dream
drive, the Pacific Coast Highway, from San Francisco to San Diego. An
uncontested highlight is the astonishing stretch of coast from Monterey
to San Simeon, a serpentine ribbon of highway winding hundreds of feet
above the roaring Pacific through the wilds of Big Sur. From here it’s
on to the ‘American Riviera’, stylish Santa Barbara, before setting your
sights on the Hollywood Hills and the glamour of LA.
Sonoma
San Francisco
Napa Valley
Monterey
Big Sur
Pismo Beach
Santa Barbara
Yosemite
National Park
Carmel Valley
San Luis Obispo
Santa Monica
Lake Tahoe
CALIFORNIA
Newport Beach
Laguna Beach
Los Angeles
San Diego
Palm Springs
Los Angeles has something for everyone, from the designer boutiques
of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and the carnival-esque amusements of
Santa Monica, to the family attractions of Universal Studios Hollywood
and nearby Disneyland Resort. Yet it’s not the only city worth stopping
at in the south. Lost in the desert, the oasis town of Palm Springs is
a much-loved retreat of the Hollywood elite, while stylish San Diego
offers beautiful broad beaches, a world-famous zoo and safari park, and
one of the most exciting downtown areas in America.
Important Information
Best time to visit Southern California can be visited year-round; summers
are hot and dry while winters are slightly cooler with a small amount of rain.
Northern California has a more temperate climate with warm summer days
but cold winters. The northern coast experiences rain and fog during the
winter while the mountains have some snowfall.
Average temp 21°C
How to get there British Airways from Heathrow to San Francisco,
Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose • Virgin Atlantic and United from
Heathrow to Los Angeles and San Francisco • American Airlines and Delta
from Heathrow to Los Angeles
Average flying time 11 hours
GMT -8 hours
Tourist office www.visitcalifornia.com/uk
Ideal for Beaches, Surfing, Culture, Art, Cuisine, Nightlife, Shopping,
Natural Beauty and Hiking
58 Surfer, California