CALIFORNIA, THE GOLDEN STATE!

California, famous for its weather, astonishing nature and wildlife, diversity of people and its beautiful coast line. From Eureka in the North, along the vineyards of Napa, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge continuing on the Pacific Coast Highway to Los Angeles and San Diego in the South! Or inland from little mining towns and white water rivers to the majestic Yosemite National Park, the harsh of Death Valley and the snowy ski slopes of Mammoth Mountain. Its All California! Year round beauty, just one visit is enough for a lifetime in love!

And you will not be the first to fall in love with the land of milk and honey. California, the 6th largest economy in the World, if this State would be considered a separate Country, harbors 32 million people and is considered to be the Gateway to the Pacific. The beauty of San Francisco is known the world over. It is a friendly ‘town’ set alongside the San Francisco Bay protected by its natural ‘Gate’ and home to many International Financial Companies, Advertising Agencies and what is remaining of the dotcom industry. Los Angeles, of course, known for its Entertainment and Music Industry, just a 6 hours drive south of San Francisco, is the 2nd largest city in the USA. Both Cities are completely different from each other yet both are ‘typical’ Californian, sharing a mild climate, a positive attitude on life and Great Outdoors!

Although our CityTracer Editors have flown the world over, California remains, definitely, one of our absolute Favorites! Life it!

San Francisco Building Image from www.checkoutlosangeles.com

INTRODUCTION

Although the first Spanish explorers reached California in 1542, and Sir Francis Drake landed near San Francisco Bay in 1579, European colonization did not begin until the Spanish Franciscan missionaries arrived in 1769 (Rawls 1984). Over the next few decades, the Franciscans built 21 missions along the coast from San Diego to San Francisco. These missions served religious and secular purposes: to protect Spanish interests in the area, as well as to convert the natives to Christianity and make them "useful" citizens of the Spanish empire. Native Americans were relocated near the missions and forced to work. Nearly two-thirds of the native population died as the result of introduced diseases (Rawls 1984).

In the early 1800's American trappers arrived in the state, attracted by the wealth to be had from selling sea otter and beaver pelts. Both animals were trapped to near extinction. By 1841 settlers from the eastern United States were arriving in California via the Oregon Trail. Mexico ceded title to California to the United States in 1848; in the same year, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill, resulting in a flood of prospectors, miners, farmers, merchants, and their families. The European-American population of California grew from 15,000 in 1848 to 380,000 by 1860 (Eargle 1986).

According to Kevin Starr (State Librarian Emeritus of California) California's future and its promise are nothing less than the future and promise of America. It has a California context, to be sure, but it is nothing separate from the dreams and hopes and aspirations of all the American people in their collective struggle to create a decent, fair, and secure republic. In recent times the American people have turned to California and asked it to create a technological revolution, and California responded-in Silicon Valley, in San Diego, and on the campuses of our great universities. The American people turned to California for new models of how to live their daily lives, new ways of enjoying and celebrating the gift of life, and California responded with an outpouring of architecture, landscaping, entertainment, and recreational activities. It contributed a new relationship between American people and the outdoors, expanding and enhancing leisure in these United States. America looks to California as its bellwether, as the place where new lifestyles and attitudes begin.

WHEN TO GO

Well, considering the climate, all-year-round is pretty good. However we would avoid January through March, since these months are considered the rainy season. Best period therefore is April through December. And even more specific spring and fall are usually a lot more convenient (less tourists) and affordable. Especially airfares in July and August can double! Checkout our TravelDesk for more information on airfares, hotels, hostels and car-rental. You have to consider though that most National Parks will close in winter, usually after first snowfall. Check the National Park Service Information Site for up-to-date travel advisory. Make sure that when you go out into the Wilderness that you are well prepared for all possible weather conditions, as storms set in fast. Checkout our Weather Center for current weather updates and 5-Day Forecasts for California.

California Desert Road Image from www.checkoutlosangeles.com

WHERE TO GO

Every inch of California would be great to visit! Although this would be our best advice, we admit we could give you some more information. Start in Los Angeles or San Francisco, both cities have International Airports most Airlines service with Daily Flights (TravelDesk). Then, it entirely depends on the amount of time you have. From a couple of days to a couple of weeks, make your sightseeing fit your schedule! Driving the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to San Francisco and/or vice versa would take you about 2 to 3 days (taking the 101 or 5 Freeways will take only 6-8 hours) and is considered one of the most scenic Highways in the World! Other options would be a 3 day trip from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park or a 3 day trip from Los Angeles to Death Valley National Park. You can read more about these trips and locations in our Grand Tour section. And when you have some time, this chapter will Guide you past the Best California, Arizona, Nevada and Southern Utah have to offer!