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From the rolling Pacific surf, verdant
vineyards, vibrant coastal cities and
magnificent redwoods of the north
to southern California’s dreamy
desert resorts, golden beaches and
cosmopolitan cities, there’s so much
to discover in California at any time
of year. In fact, there’s so much to
experience that you can’t see it all in
one visit, so be prepared for a need
to return, time and time again.
California
WINE TASTING AND NATURAL
WONDERS
The climate of Napa Valley, Sonoma and
Mendocino is the secret of California’s great wines.
Discover your favourite vintage, as you taste your
way around charming vineyards. Head for Lake
Tahoe, the vast plains of Death Valley or the Sierra
Nevada Mountains for a generous slice of fresh air.
Wonder at the sheer beauty of Yosemite National
Park, 1,169 square miles of untamed wilderness.
RESORT LIVING
Cushioned between Joshua Tree National Park
and the San Jacinto Mountains are the prestigious
Palm Springs Desert Resorts. Quite apart from the
year-round sunshine, there’s a wealth of recreational
activities on the doorstep. Back on the coast, the
typically Californian towns of Huntington Beach,
Laguna Beach, Dana Point and Newport Beach are
home to spectacular beachfront resorts.
COSMOPOLITAN CITIES AND
QUAINT TOWNS
San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge and
the 1,000 acres of surrounding Golden Gate Park
lead you into the cultural capital of California.
Must-sees include Fisherman’s Wharf and Union
Square and you won’t want to miss a cable-car
ride up and down the city’s roller-coaster hills.
Head south for historic Monterey, home to an
outstanding aquarium, before taking the famed
17 Mile Drive and reaching charming Carmel with
its quaint antique stores, galleries and boutiques.
Oceanfront Santa Barbara will enchant you
with its tiled terracotta roofs and white stucco
buildings, whilst the altogether more hip San
Diego, home to Sea World, has a hint of Mexican
flavour. Greater Los Angeles ticks all the boxes
with some of the best beaches from Malibu and
Santa Monica to Long Beach as well as glamorous
Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the entertainment
centre of Anaheim, where the original Disney
theme park awaits.
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