California Travel guide

The Golden State

California is one of the largest states in the US (trailing Alaska and Texas in size) and is referred to as the Golden State, which originates from the gold rush of 1849. Very few miners did anything but become broke, while those that supplied the miners with materials grew very rich. 

Location of California

California is located along the west coast of the United States and is one of the most visited places on the planet. The capital has moved over time but is currently in Sacramento, located in the central part of the state.

California weather

California coastline has a Mediterranean climate and as such, has attracted large populations and have successfully used political means, particularly in the southern region (Los Angeles in particular) to redirect water resources from both northern regions and other states to serve thirsty populations. Central California is the breadbasket of the nation. 

California cities

Los Angeles 

Los Angeles is the most populous city in California and is located in the southern half of the state. It is a great and very diverse city; from Hollywood to East L.A. you can find every possible lifestyle represented in this microcosm. Los Angeles is home to traffic jams, smog, and political power in the state. 

San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay Area is home to the cities of San Francisco, San Jose, the 3rd largest California city and the nation’s 10th largest city, and Oakland. San Francisco is best known for its picturesque Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and the former prison on Alcatraz Island. Generally seen as one of the most liberal places on the planet, the Bay area also boasts Silicon Valley, home to a multitude of high-tech companies and venture capitalists and Stanford University, legacy of capitalist titan and former California Governor Leland Stanford. 

San Diego

San Diego is located on the southern end of the state and offers good beaches and water-based sports. It is home to the west-coast submarine fleet for the US Navy. There are many family-friendly things to visit in San Diego including Sea World, Mission San Diego De Acala, and the Wild Animal Park. Avoid the World Famous San Diego Zoo unless you like crowds and prefer not to see large wild animals close-up. Though a package is available at the Wild Animal Park, San Diego Zoo, and Sea World that gives you one pass to all three. They don’t have to be used in one day, and it’s quite a bit cheaper than going to all three individually. The San Diego Zoo does have some wonderful displays, even if there are large crowds, and if the pandas are out, the crowds in the rest of the zoo tend to dim down. The tour buses are also nice to take around the zoo. 

Theme parks

Southern California is also known for its theme parks: Disneyland, California Adventure, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, and many more. These places are very fun to visit, and continue to bring in tourists by the millions every year. If you go to Disney, always use fast-passes to get yourself scheduled on the popular rides. If you go Universal, bite the bullet and get VIP passes you’ll do all the popular rides in a single morning otherwise prepare to wait 2 hours per ride! 

Transports in California

California is the third biggest state in terms of land size, and is larger than many countries. Nevertheless, getting around California can be completely simple. In addition to interstates and US highways, California has one of the most expansive state highway systems in the United States. As with all travels in the United States, a car is the best way to get around and see all destinations or flying would be a more reasonable option. Many major and low fare airlines link cities within the state of California.

Vast terrain of California is associated by an extensive system of freeways, expressways, and highways. California is well-known for its car culture, giving cities of California a reputation for stern traffic congestion. Construction and maintenance of state roads and state-wide transportation planning are primarily the responsibility of the Transportation’s California Department.

Sports and Activities in California

California has hosted the Olympic Games three times: the 1932 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics, and the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. 

California has the major professional sports leagues, far more than any other state: National Football League, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, Women’s National Basketball Association, and Women’s Professional Soccer 

California is home of the most prominent universities and has many respected collegiate sports programs, such as the athletic programs. 

The city municipalities house a variety of sports activities. The California State Games Championship takes place in California every year.