People & Places
A trip to California
A city of angels, a magic kingdom, vineyards, valleys and stars in the sidewalk. No wonder a trip to California is like stepping into another world, writes Patricia Curmi
California, like El Dorado or Quivira, was a mythical name taken from a novel which described a utopia that ignited the public's imagination following the discovery of America which revived the age-old dream of a paradise on earth.
Arriving in California today still has that ethereal quality about it – but instead of the utopia of old, it's the fantasy world of film and glossy magazines you are stepping into.
If scandal and celebrity were commodities, California would surely be a superpower; as it is, the state's immense wealth already means it outranks most countries as the world's seventh-largest economy. California is a state of contrasts: the dizzying opulence of Beverly Hills, the cacophony of sounds and sights in Los Angeles, the buzzing bohemia in San Francisco, and the thousands of acres of plunging valleys and waterfalls in Yosemite are all scattered within a state roughly seven times the size of the UK.
City sweeps
The peak tourist season in Los Angeles is around July and August, so expect prices to rise along with the temperatures. Going earlier in June can be cheaper, but heavy coastal fog means sightseeing could be a little difficult. The big Latino population in LA means getting a world-class burrito is always a snip, and there are plenty of quality restaurants serving food from all over the world. But for those on the hunt for a bit of typical Los Angelino cuisine, remember this is the state that gave the world MacDonald's, so expect an abundance of cheap fast food outlets.
For somewhere with a less frantic vibe, San Francisco is world renowned for the local colour and beatnik eccentricity a world away from the plastic fantastic of Los Angeles, but for a more mellow break, San Diego has all the components for the perfect vacation. The brochures rave about the 'So-cal' beach scene, but it's only when you're wandering through downtown and along the beachfront with its Mediterranean facade, you feel you are having the quintessential Californian experience. Don't forget to check out the zoo, even if you don't have kids, it's a fantastic trip.
Beach breaks
Surf, family fun, sunbathing or posing – whatever you want to do, there's probably a beach in California that has it. Malibu Lagoon Beach, also known as Surfrider Beach, lays claim to some of the best surfing in the world. It also has extensive wetlands and good saltwater fishing. Zuma Beach, also in Malibu, is more family orientated, with good body boarding and wide, clean sandy stretches that aren't overlooked by the Pacific highway. Beach bums should make a beeline for Ocean Beach in San Diego. Absent are the chain stores, fast-food restaurants and in their place are a quaint fishing pier, trendy local characters and surfers making the most of the waves. Worth a mention purely for the novelty, Dog Beach, also in San Diego, was the first to allow leash-free pooches to roam its sands. Shoes are probably a good idea, then. If you're in Northern California Muir Beach in Marin County is less than a half hour drive from San Francisco and has some of California's most scenic, rugged coastal views.
Perfect parks
Hollywood may be all right for the snap happy star spotters, but California doesn't end at the city limits. Yosemite national park, east of San Francisco, manages to wow its thousands of visitors each year, and ranks as one of the state's top nature attractions. Just south of Yosemite, however, tree-huggers may think they've landed in heaven at Sequoia and Kings Canyon national park. Called the land of the giants, ancient trees tower for hundreds of metres above, and put you firmly in your evolutionary place. Channel Islands national park near Los Angeles is made up of eight islands that have been isolated from the mainland and thus have developed a staggering array of indigenous plant and animal life. A visit is highly recommended if you're looking for a tranquil stroll rather than an exhausting hike.
Finally, no mention of Californian parks would be complete without a mention of the most famous of them all: Disneyland. Okay, it's the holiday equivalent to an injection of liquid sugar to the brain, but as saccharine and over-the-top as it may be, you know you have to do it at least once. And anyway, it's California – where else in the world can you say you cavorted with a giant mouse, stood reading stars in the sidewalk for at least an hour and watched the sunset over a flawless beach all in the same day?
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