Visiting makes you realize it’s called the Golden State for a reason.
Welcome back to the column! The 4th state I will cover is California, a state with significant cultural, industrial, and tourism influence. From driving through the state, I realized not many other states have such distinct topography in their lines the way California does. Not to mention the abundance of natural scenery and activities found scattered throughout the state. I spent a week in California just to explore the state’s magnificence and here’s what I liked:
Distinct Cities
California’s major cities give off different vibes, but that’s what I find unique. San Francisco and the entire Bay Area emanate a Pacific coastal vibe, and it’s evident with the chilly weather and wharfs/piers. Meanwhile, Los Angeles and San Diego give off a tropical vibe, with palm trees everywhere and the beaches. I found it amazing that there was such a major difference for cities that are six-eight hours apart. Though the traffic in both L.A. and the Bay have garnered a notorious reputation nationally, the cities are still worth exploring every inch because of vastly different attractions (unfortunately I did get stuck in bad traffic though).
A-List Attractions
Speaking of attractions, California has an abundance of those, and more than a week is needed to explore everything the state offers. The Bay Area has the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the ever-famous streetcars, and Silicon Valley. Meanwhile, San Diego has La Jolla and the Coronado Bridge, along with some beautiful beaches. And finally, there’s Los Angeles, with the glamour of Hollywood, the entertainment powerhouse in the country, along with Rodeo Drive, Hollywood & Highland, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica Pier. There’s no shortage here as these attractions resemble the cultural significance of the state.
In & Out Burger
All I must say is the restaurant is a must eat when visiting the West Coast or California for the first time. There are tons of locations in California, especially near the major cities.
Nature
As if the attractions in the major cities were not enough, California has terrific natural scenery. I was amazed by California having distinct topography, such as mountains, beaches, vineyards, deserts, forests, cornfields, etc. Though I didn’t have a chance to visit many of the natural vistas, there’s so much to explore, like Redwoods, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Channel Islands, Big Sur, a drive along Highway 101, you get the point. With all it offers, all I can say is stay golden, California.
