California in Brief - a short guide to help visitors find places to stay and things to do.
California the State
One of the most visited states in the Union, many Californians if asked would think it a good idea if it was split into two regions North and South California, the hub of each respectively being San Francisco and Los Angeles. each of these two large cities spread their influence over the state, San Francisco has a relaxed charm and sophistication, whilst Los Angeles exudes a sunny and beach side atmosphere.
Travel is relatively easy by air bus or train, but there is not doubt that the car is king. We have hotels listed almost anywhere in California, the popular hotels in places to stay can be viewed by taking any highlighted link
Let us start our journey from San Francisco in the North, working our way along the coast to sunny Los Angeles and San Diego then across to the east of California where you will find the Sierra Nevada and Death Valley, worth mentioning here is the fact that Las Vegas should not be missed of a trip to California, as it is no doubt the states favorite over the border playground.
San Francisco sits ion a natural amphitheatre created by the hills around the bay, it has a coy and yet invigorating air, and the fogs which roll in from the sea create a romantic feel rather than anything else. from San Francisco you are within striking distance of the Sate Capital Sacramento and of course a visit to this region wouldn't be complete without taking the time to see some of the regions tourist spots, the Napa Valley for wine buffs, or Oakland, San Jose and of course the wonderful 17 mile scenic drive which starts at Monterey. If you are travelling east into the state perhaps you might consider Lake Tahoe for a few days or stay at Fresno which is well placed for Yosemite or Kings Canyon and Sequoia
Highway 1 connects San Francisco with LA and runs for some 400 miles along a coastline which in places is spectacular. The Monterey Peninsula is a sea washed coastline of cypress tress and home to pelicans sea otters and sea lions the latter can be seen sunning themselves on the rocks around here. Well worth a visit is the World beating Monterey Bay Aquarium. The 17 mile drive is a long scenic highway ( there is a toll charge) which starts in Lighthouse Avenue at Paradise Grove, travelling along here you will pass through Pebble Beach and its famous golf courses and eventually arrive at Carmel by the Sea. The rural routs of highway 1 joins Federal 101 at San Luis Obispo where you travel on to Santa Barbara. Its here that you get the first feel of Southern California, with Spanish influenced architecture and palm fringed streets. within a short time you can now be in the centre of the Los Angeles beaches, perhaps visit Hollywood or Beverly Hills, Ontario CA, stay somewhere else in Orange County or Go South to Visit San Diego beaches or Perhaps East to Palm Springs
For a complete listing of places to stay and accommodation in California please visit our California Hotels Page
California things to do and places to visit.
For full information on tours shows airport transfers and popular places to visit please take the links to our tours pages listed by destination below
California's Popular National Parks
California has some awesome outdoor destinations, from barren desert to whispering redwoods you cannot fail to be impressed by the wonders of nature and a glimpse into what it must have been like before man trod this region. here is just a glimpse into two of the most popular.
Sequioa
Nearest town for hotels (just outside the park) is Three Rivers
Turn back the pages of time 3,000 years with a trip through Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks. At Giant Forest, in Sequoia Park, is the General Sherman Tree. The largest tree in the world, standing 275 feet high and 103 feet in circumference. The second largest tree in the world, the General Grant Tree, and the Nation's Christmas Tree is located at Grant Grove in Kings Canyon.
Both parks provide a hiker's domain of spectacular peaks, canyons, lakes and streams, threaded with a thousand miles of trails. Connecting the two national parks is the Generals Highway, a 46 mile long scenic road from Ash Mountain through Giant Forest to Grant Grove. The highway reaches 7,643 feet at Big Baldy Saddle. This highway and branch roads take you to such attractions as Moro Rock, Crystal Cave, Crescent Meadow, Big Stump Grove, and Roaring Fork Falls.
Approached along highways 180 and 198 which feed from route 99 San Francisco and Sacramento north to Fresno, (you could take the 41 here to Yosemite) or carry onto Bakersfield and LA south.
Giant Forest named in 1875 by explorer and conservationist John Muir is the place to find the biggest redwoods in the Park, including The General Sherman Tree 275ft high and 103ft around its base It is estimated to be more than 2000 years old, it is located 2 miles north east of Giant Forest Village, and from this massive redwood you can take the two hour (two miles) Congress Trail which loops around a grove of Sequoia. apart from its Sequoia groves it possesses beautiful meadows. From Giant Forest take the one hour drive to Morro Rock (a large granite dome) and crescent meadow. You can climb the 400 steep steps to the top of the rock along a 1/4 mile trail, here the view, especially at sunset, is worth the effort ( take a torch)
Crescent Meadow is a lovely high country meadow allow around 60 minutes to walk around it, and appreciate the wild flowers you will find here, especially in Spring.
Grant Grove, near to Kings Canyon entrance is where the General Grant Tree can be found, here you can take a 1 hour hike passing through other giant Sequoia, and then drive to the 7600 ft high Panorama Point.
If you decide to visit Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon, you will find a place of quite walking trails lush vegetation and tumbling waterfalls. The road zig-zags down into the canyon, be sure to stop at Junction View on the way, Cedar Grove attractions include North Dome which some say is a reflection of Yosemite's Half Dome.
Zumalt Meadow is a huge alpine meadow at its best when the summer wild flowers are in bloom, and is reached via a footpath from Cedar Grove. Roaring River falls is less than a five minute stroll from the parking area. The drive through the gorges of the Kings River (South Fork) are areas to see some of the best scenery in the park, but allow 3 hours to do this drive.
Yosemite
At the park entrances, follow the signs to Yosemite Valley, the Valley has steep rocky walls, the most famous being El Capitan around 3500 ft high of a sheer invitation to rock climbers, in summer you can hike to the top of this massive creation of nature by taking the John Muir trail or Mist trail to Little Yosemite Valley, this is a strenuous walk of some 17 miles round trip, and you should be physically able to take on this challenge.
The valley is the heart of the park (visitor center) and most of the hiking trails lead from here, one of the most popular walks leads to Vernal and Nevada Falls, at their best after the snowmelt in spring ( allow 3 hours to walk up and and another 2 hours to walk down). There are regular shuttle buses running in the valley to take visitors around the sites, these service numbered bus stops from which visitors may get around the major places of interest without the need for driving. You may see wildlife in the open here, with regular sightings of Coyote, Mule Deer, Raccoons, Bighorn Sheep,the Grey Squirrel and the occasional bear. You may be lucky enough to catch a site of the Peregrine Falcon, which is now breeding in this area, other bird life includes Steller's Jay, Golden Eagle, Owls.
Yosemite's wide range of elevations produces a habitat which nurtures 37 kinds of native trees and hundreds of species of wild flower, the California Black Oak, Ponderosa Pine, Incense Cedar, Mariposa Lily, Shooting Star, etc., On the north side of the valley a path leads from shuttle bus stop no 7 to the base of Yosemite Falls, at 2425ft, impressive views of both the upper and lower falls can be had from the path to the base see also Bridal Veil Fall a little further down the valley, where the wind swirls about the cliff, blowing the water from side to side in a delicate free fall.
Half Dome (an 87million years old granite monument to the effects of glaciation. stands at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley dominating the views, rising the 8842ft it is an impressive sight. Mirror Lake is a moderate easy one mile walk from shuttle bust-stop 17, this lake can dry up in summer, as it is naturally evolving into a meadow. Glacier point, the road to here begins at Chinquapin on route 41 from the valley arriving at the top walk to the edge and catch your breath as you will look down 3214ft to the valley floor and have the most stunning panoramic views, Badger Pass Ski Area is situated on the road to Glacier Point, a modern ski resort with chair lifts and 9 ski runs and there are 90 miles of Cross Country skiing trails beginning from here.
Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass, (closed in winter) at over 900ft is the highest motor vehicle pass in California, there are plenty places to stop for viewing and further east is the meadows themselves the highest sub alpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada. At the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoia, located near the junction of Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road, you will find one of the two remaining trees you can still walk through in Yosemite At the southern end of the Park, on route 41 is the magnificent Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia, the home of the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest Sequoia in the World.
