California Travelers Recommend

No trip to southern California would be complete without spending some time soaking in the sun and lapping up the waves on the sand. While Long Beach has its own beaches, many enjoy driving about 30 minutes to Huntington Beach for a truly scenic experience. With almost nine miles (15 kilometers) of connected beach. While Long Beach is a coastal city with beaches and water activities, it’s also home to a number of interesting historical and cultural experiences. Spend the morning perusing museums like the Long Beach Museum of Art, Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Adobe, the Museum of Latin Art, Scorpion Submarine Museum and the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum. Having a meal, shopping on or touring the historic Queen Mary is also a treat, as the ship was once considered the most luxurious liner in the world and today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At night, take in a show at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, home to the Center Theater.

America's gateway to Mexico, San Diego lies at the end of miles and miles of sandy coastline which span the glittering Pacific. Day 1: San Diego City TourConsider getting settled into your host city with a guided Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour, or add the harbor to your itinerary by way of bus and harbor cruise, or orient yourself by sticking to simply the most famous San Diego sights. Day 2: San Diego AdventureStart your day off with a visit to Balboa Park, where you'll find the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Then head to SeaWorld for another dose of wildlife, or go further afield to Legoland in Carlsbad. The kids will love you for it! Day 3: Day Trips From San DiegoSan Diego abuts the Mexican border and Tijuana. If you're inclined, don't miss out on all the exciting opportunities to explore the southern Californian coast and indeed beyond.

A lot is said about San Francisco, both by visitors and locals alike. Foreigners often dub it "the most European" city in America. W.H. Taft called it "the city that knows how," and Rudyard Kipling was known to have said "San Francisco has only one drawback: 'Tis hard to leave." Day 1: See the City Consider one of the many tours available to get your bearings and see some of the traditional “must-sees” like the Cable Car, Alcatraz, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Day 2: Local Flavor Today, take time to see the colorful neighborhoods while sampling some local fare. Many wonderful museums and parks are easily accessible as well. Day 3: Day Trips from the Bay Less than an hour from town awaits many a gorgeous vineyard, wine-tasting galore, culinary delights and fresh country air. Head to the Napa Valley and see where those famous California wines are grown.

If you are vacationing there during the winter, there’s a good chance you plan on hitting the slopes. Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe has good runs for both skiing and snowboarding, and staying in South Lake Tahoe offers a wide range of tourist activities, including casino gambling in the adjacent town of Stateline, Nevada. In the summer, Lake Tahoe becomes more than chairlifts and craps tables. On a three-day trip, start it off with a helicopter tour of the lake. There are a number of these, varying in duration and flight time, from ten-minute tours of Emerald Bay to sunset tours of the entire lake. For the time it takes to pay and prep, you might be better served by paying for a longer tour; the lake’s different areas all hold their own charms, and an hour-long flight makes for a truly memorable experience. Helicopter tours are available year round, weather permitting.