California Dreaming: Are You Dreaming of a Trip to California?

California
Image via Flickr by Damian Gadal

Where can you go where the weather is pretty much the same year round, there’s beautiful blue sky and blue water, and everyone is drop-dead gorgeous? You’re probably thinking Los Angeles, but California is so much more than just Los Angeles. For those dreaming of a trip to California, read on.

Los Angeles

California
Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles in 1959. Image via Flickr by roger4336

Many first-time visitors to Los Angeles will flock to the more touristy areas of. like the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But don’t overlook the many other great destinations you can visit during your stay in Los Angeles. For example, the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens, the La Brea Tar Pits, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County are all destinations that are off the beaten path that are fun places to spend a few hours and explore while also getting away from the crowds.

Where to stay in Los Angeles: Perhaps you’ll want to stay in the heart of it all in downtown Los Angeles, or maybe you want more of a full beach experience in Malibu. Since Los Angeles is a popular destination, be sure to make your reservation early and check for great deals before spending too much money. After all, you’ll need some cash while you’re there, right?

San Francisco

California
Cable cars in San Francisco. Image via Flickr by Dennis Jarvis

On your visit to San Francisco. you’ll maybe want to ride across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, take a ferry out to Alcatraz, or walk along the Embarcadero. Regardless of what you decide to do, you’ll never be bored in the beautiful city of San Francisco by the bay.

Where to stay in San Francisco: San Francisco is pretty large and has 14 distinct neighborhoods. Many first-timers choose Fisherman’s Wharf, but after a day there, you might run out of things to explore. Consider alternatives like Union Square or maybe Russian Hill instead. With over 200 hotels in the city, book early and find one that is convenient to everywhere you plan to explore during your stay.

San Diego

California
San Diego Marina. Image via Flickr by William Garrett

For those wanting warm weather and a destination close to the water, San Diego is all that and so much more. That’s great for the outdoor adventurist — you can spend all of your time outdoors before maybe heading to dinner in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. Whether you go to a museum, go hiking, or spend all of your day lounging on a beach, San Diego is as close to a perfect destination as you’ll ever find.

Where to stay in San Diego: San Diego is a super-popular destination, and as such, hotels are almost always sold out. With attractions spread out all over the city, you might decide on a hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter, the marina, or maybe Coronado. Rent a car, drive around, and enjoy as much of San Diego as you can.

While these are a few of the most popular places to visit in California, there are certainly many other great cities and towns to explore. In a state that is 163,696 square miles and has a population of nearly 40 million, you’ll never run out of things to do when you visit California.