Articles by "places to visit in california"
Showing posts with label places to visit in california. Show all posts

Many tourists flock to well-known destinations in Southern California like San Diego, Disneyland, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. These are all great places to visit, but if you're looking for somewhere different that's a bit off the radar, check out the following incredible destinations:

The Channel Islands


My husband and I have lived in California most of our lives, but somehow missed these spectacular islands that are classified as one of the U.S. National Parks. After seeing some stunning photos on the Internet, we took a short boat ride to Anacapa Island from Oxnard as part of a weekend anniversary trip.

If you decide to go, be prepared and bring supplies. This trip is for adventurous people in good physical shape. You will need to climb 157 stairs to the top of this rugged little island where there is no food, services, water, or flushing toilets. Now, I HATE outhouses, but I'm telling you - the views of the rocky shoreline, massive cliffs, and jagged peaks were worth it. You can easily hike around the rim of the island in just hours with Inspiration Point a grand reward for your efforts.

728*90

We visited in June when bursts of bright wildflowers covered the small island and thousands of adorable baby seagulls were to be found around every corner. Just beware of their protective mamas who will swoop at your head if you get too close.

We returned a couple of years later and visited the larger Santa Cruz Island for an exciting kayak tour of the historic sea caves. On the boat ride there, we saw a whale and two large schools of dolphins. The waters can be rough at certain points, but the caves were amazing. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Some people consider these islands desolate, but if you have an adventurous spirit and love nature, the Channell Islands are considered the Galápagos of North America.

The Huntington Botanical Gardens


This is yet another stunning place that we failed to visit for decades. Located in Pasadena, the magnificent estate is home to more than a dozen spectacular gardens spread across 120 acres. Hard to say which garden is the most dazzling, but the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the California Garden are a few of my favorites.

We didn't even get a chance to check out the art galleries. The Huntington Art Gallery, houses 18th- and 19th-century British paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, and includes the famous Blue Boy. And to my shame as a writer, we did not visit The Huntington Library itself, one of the largest and most complete research libraries in the United States.

Next time.

Ventura County Wine Trail


Napa may get all the attention as wine county in California, but my husband and I enjoyed sipping our way through the coastal rolling hills near the seaside town of Ventura. We visited two of the nearly 20 wineries and tasting rooms.

You can book one of the many wine tours offered. However, we decided to get a map and explore on our own. Beginning in Ventura at the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 101, we drove up Highway 33 toward Ojai.

Surprises await on this somewhat lonely but charming road - from the "USA's Smallest Post Office" to the last place anyone saw James Dean alive. Our favorite find was Old Creek Winery which felt like returning to a simpler place and time where friendly folk and dogs welcomed us. We enjoyed our purchased bottle of wine and a picnic outside on tables enjoying the Americana view.

By the way, both Ojai and Ventura are worthwhile stops with charming inns, luxurious spas, and bed & breakfasts along with a wide array of outdoor activities. In the summer time, the Ventura Harbor Village is a hubbub of activity with festivals and live music on the weekends.

Laguna Beach


This charming beach town is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. With over 20 different scenic coves, this beach area offers everything from surfing, paddle-boarding, snorkeling, kayaking, and whale watching excursions.

Just beware, the surf can be rough in places. As a teenager, I decided to body surf despite the churning waters and wiped out on a massive wave (think Beach Boys' song: Heheheheheheee wipe oooout!). Actually, I blame the Beach Boys for this entire mishap since they went and romanticized this whole surfer chick thing with songs I grew up on like Surfer Girl. SO their fault.

However, the scenery can't be beat. Add ultra-chic restaurants and shops and one-of-a-kind art galleries and you get the picture. There's even a Baby Boomer Club with Saturday Night dances. Every summer, they host the Laguna Woodstock where baby boomers party like its 1969.

Heisler Park is a good place to start, located just north of the main beach, with an easy half-mile stroll along a paved path with spectacular views of the coastline and the soothing sound of crashing waves. You can take one of the paths to the beaches and tide pools. Benches, picnic tables, and barbecues abound where you can enjoy the magnificent views. Hubby and I had a picnic on one of the grass areas and it was perfect!

Treasure Island Park is another great spot, located on the grounds of the five-star Montage Laguna Beach, where the truly rich stay. Exquisitely landscaped, several lookout benches line the easy-to-walk winding path. Stairways and ramps lead you down to the beach, where you can walk through a beautiful rock archway during low tide, find a spot in the sand for sunbathing, and a large tide pool. In addition, there is plenty of grass areas for a picnic. I'd suggest bringing some wine and cheese to catch a romantic sunset.

Big Bear Lake


I live in the desert, so nearby Big Bear is a great mountain escape with its gorgeous lake and pristine forests. Boating, fishing, and hiking are just some of the activities in this small, laid-back village.

Last summer, my husband and I cycled around the lake, enjoyed a picnic, zipped down an alpine slide, drove go-karts with speeds up to 30 m.p.h., and took a ride on the scenic sky chair for terrific views. After watching people take the chair lifts to mountain bike down the trails, we put this on our to-do list for next time.

For the adventurous at heart, parasailing and ziplining are also available.

El Matador Beach


Looking for a spectacular shoreline with white sands, towering cliffs, crashing waves, and craggy rock formations in a semi-hidden location?

Look no further than El Matador, located north of Malibu off the winding Pacific Coast Highway. It's easy to miss the small, brown sign pointing toward the small parking lot at the trail-head, so watch carefully between Broad Beach and Decker Canyon Roads. Once you find it, be prepared to hike down a 150-foot bluff with the help of some steep stairs.

Not for small children or those who are physically challenged, but if you can make it down the steps you'll be treated with breathtaking views. The locals know about this beach and you may see some photo shoots taking place - we did!

There is blissfully little to do on this small but glorious stretch of beach, so bring a picnic lunch or some wine and find a hidden nook to enjoy an incredibly romantic setting.

Redondo Beach


By now, you've probably noticed that my husband and I are beach bums. We found this beach on accident while looking for a nearby place to stay the night before flying out of LAX the next morning.

The Redondo Pier is a landmark with panoramic ocean views and water activities that include harbor cruises, seasonal whale watching, kayaks, paddleboards, and pedal boats. Truth be known, we didn't try any of these out, but we loved the views from Tony's on the Pier where we enjoyed Happy Hour!

The pier is also home to a 16-foot great white shark affectionately known as Georgette, on display in a large tank at Shark Attack on the Pier. If you have grandchildren with you or are young at heart, you may enjoy the semi-submersible yellow submarine (darn, now I've got the Beatles song stuck in my head) for underwater viewing of the local sea life.

Sure beats staying at an airport hotel if you're flying to or from Los Angeles.

Catalina Island


This island is more well-known than some of my previous recommendations, but a sentimental favorite. My husband and I spent our honeymoon there 40 years ago and have returned several times. This is a small, quaint island, with no stoplights or fast food restaurants. A typical traffic jam involves two golf carts and a bicycle built for two.

On our honeymoon, we blissfully rode bikes around Avalon, went horseback riding, toured the famous casino, and sunbathed on the small beach. We also took a bus to Two Harbors, the only other village on Catalina Island. Snorkeling, parasailing, fishing, glass bottom boat rides, paddleboarding, Segway tours, golfing, and hiking are other popular activities.


Decades later, we sailed our boat to the island from Long Beach - which turned out to be one wild ride. My husband and grown children returned again for our open-water dives to become scuba-certified amid the famous kelp forests surrounded by the bright orange Garibaldi fish. Next time we visit, I want to try the new zip-line that's 600 feet above sea level with one run that is 1,100 feet long with speeds up to 30 m.p.h. Wheee!

As you can tell, Southern California has so many great places to visit, it's impossible to list them all. But hopefully, I've given you some ideas to get you started!

Author: Julie Gorges

Has that dream vacation been on your mind a lot lately, but the travel costs keep holding you back? Make that much-needed getaway possible with Wizootravel. Save up to 60% on hotels and flights with our guaranteed cheapest deals to destinations worldwide. No hidden fees. Just what you see. Book your dream holiday now!

The city of Paso Robles is located in San Luis Obispo County in Central California. Famous for the 200 plus wineries covering over 40,000 acres of planted vineyards, there is a lot more to this unique region than the fermented grapes corked up in a bottle.

The full name of Paso Robles "El Paso de Robles" in English means "The Pass of the Oaks"... which is the essence of this article... passing through to the wonders that surround this enchanted enclave.

A Little Background

Paso, as the locals call it, is a relatively small, farming/ranching town with a population of about 30,000 people and is known for wineries, almond orchards and the production of olive oil, capped off with hot springs which was Paso's original tourist attraction.

Paso Robles has a vibrant downtown area consisting of exceptional dining options and eclectic shopping choices with something for everyone's taste and imaginations. The "Main Street Association" is a very good source of information (PasoRoblesDowntown.Org) with their motto being "Where Everybody Comes Together"... and it is true.

Therapeutic Hot Springs of Paso

As in most travel experiences, it is the journey and the unexpected that leaves an indelible imprint in your memory. In Paso's case, it is the sometimes pungent smell of sulfur that adds a little something extra.

The abundant thermal waters are known for their therapeutic and rejuvenate benefits and thus were a major attraction in the very early days of the town's history.

The Salinan Indian Tribe was the original settlers of this area. In the early 1700s, they introduced the newly arrived Franciscan Priests to the beneficial effects of the water. The Franciscan's subsequently introduced the locals to farming, cattle ranching and... wait for it... wine making and vineyard cultivation.

Hot sulfur springs still flow through Paso Robles and are open to the public in three locations: River Oaks Hot Springs Spa, Franklin Hot Springs as well as in select guest rooms at the Paso Robles Inn.

A Special Treat - The Paso Robles Amphitheatre

The Vina Robles Vineyards and Winery has been in the wine business since 1996 and began hosting an annual Summer Concert Series in 2007. The combination of live music and wine under the stars proved so successful that they decided to create the Vina Robles Amphitheatre in 2013.

The Amphitheatre is one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County and offers a concert season that runs from April through November and features top tier acts from around the world and in all genres. The legendary Tony Bennett performing on a warm, starry summer night... 100 feet away... was a magical experience.

There is not a "bad" seat in the house and all at reasonable prices to accommodate everyone's budget... general admission lawn seating to VIP boxes... all within 150 feet from the stage.

Tin City

When visiting Paso, a must-see stop is on the east side of the 101 Highway. A group of entrepreneurial people created a collection of industrial warehouses known as Tin City.

Their objective is to showcase their unique creations such as small-production wineries, breweries, distilleries, cider houses and an amazing pasta factory and their new restaurant. You can watch them make the pasta as you enjoy eating their excellent entrees.

Parking is plentiful and you can easily walk the entire cluster of buildings set up in a two or three block radius. Of course, a stop along the way may include an outdoor beer garden serenaded by a local band as you partake in a unique tasting experience.

Excellent Logistical Jumping-Off Point

Located on U.S. 101 and midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco this area makes a great destination for a road trip.

Paso is a strategic jumping off point with easy access to the scenery that made this part of California famous including the unique towns and villages such as Morro Bay, Cambria, Harmony, Cayucos and San Simeon... home of the magnificent Hearst Castle.



A Road Trip Back In History - Hearst Castle

California Department of Parks and Recreation manages more than 280 park units and this palatial property is considered to be one of the crown jewels in the system.

In 1919, Newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, along with architect Julia Morgan initiated the plans for the construction of a hilltop house on his ranch at San Simeon. With vast sums of money at his disposal, the "house" became a Mediterranean Revival estate which he named "La Cuesta Encantada" (The Enchanted Hill).

The history is also enchanting but by 1947 the project was still not finished. Unfortunately, Hearst's health became an issue and he had to leave his house... all 165 rooms on 123 acres of prime coastline property with gardens, terraces, and pools... but the house became a full-fledged castle all the same.

A picture is worth a thousand words or more in this case... for more insightful information and hopefully a journey to The Enchanted Hill... go to hearstcastle.org

A Road Trip to the Point Piedras Blancas Rookery

Driving five miles north from Hearst Castle, along one of California's most scenic vistas leads you to a very unique destination and experience... the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery.

The rookery spreads over 6 miles of shoreline with ample parking and easy access, as well as docents to provide information.



The viewing areas are open every day of the year, are wheelchair accessible, and free. No reservations required.

Summary

Paso is known for their wine and exceptional cuisine options, but in reality, after a few tasting sessions your taste buds go flat. To get more out of your visit one should explore the many options of short day trips and experience a part of California that made the Central Coast famous.

After all, what is the hurry... be inspired...

Author: Bob Kollar

Has that dream vacation been on your mind a lot lately, but the travel costs keep holding you back? Make that much-needed getaway possible with Wizootravel. Save up to 60% on hotels and flights with our guaranteed cheapest deals to destinations worldwide. No hidden fees. Just what you see. Book your dream holiday now!