California on the road

About the destination: San Diego, California, is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States and, arguably, one of the most beautiful. The whitewashed stucco buildings give a Mediterranean-style flavour to the architecture while the culture has a decidedly Mexican influence to it. Despite this foreign-country look and feel, the city of San Diego is uniquely American and a truly memorable place to visit. Mission Beach, one of the city’s most iconic spots, is perfect for surfing and relaxation. Balboa Park is one of the greatest urban parks of the world. With museums and gardens inside the park, you can spend days there. The grand houses of the Coronado district exude luxury and are an historic national landmark. San Diego’s Old Town recreates traditional life from the past. Many fascinating buildings and artefacts bring the history alive in this area of the city. Everywhere there are blossoming flowers and spouting fountains and the magnificence of this colourful garden city makes it easy to forget the arid terrain of the nearby desert. With its many attractions and close proximity to Mexico, San Diego is an unforgettable city that's a very special kind of tourist metropolis.

About the destination: Nicknamed the City of Angels, Los Angeles is a leading global hub for business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, sports, technology, and education. Los Angeles is architecturally diverse and its attractions are spread over a large area. Downtown is a thriving urban centre, a business district and home to the Grand Avenue cultural corridor. Everyone knows about Hollywood and you have got to visit the Hollywood sign, when in Los Angeles, as well as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Hollywood celebrates its contribution to entertainment through these celebrity stars. Experience the colourful lifestyle of the West Coast on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Here, you will find a festive atmosphere, eclectic entertainers and funky shops. By the scene at Santa Monica Beach, is the famous Pier with a perennial carnival like setting. Draws locals, as well as visitors from around the world. Located in Griffith Park on Mt. Hollywood is the Griffith Observatory. This great public observatory has state of the art facilities and excellent views of Los Angeles. If you are a shopping buff, you will love Rodeo Drive. A glamorous shopping District, Rodeo Drive is full of upscale and fashionable shops. Take a walk around Beverly Hills, you might even spot a celebrity in this neighbourhood. This city offers great weather, good shopping, lots of diversity, great cultural events, excellent dining, and friendly people. Los Angeles is cool, fake, stylized, vast and never boring.

About the destination: Santa Barbara is a city and metropolitan area in California. Santa Barbara is also referred to as the American Riviera. Santa Barbara is an ideal holiday destination for the whole family, with a zoo, museums, plenty of activities to partake in, numerous restaurants, guided tours and an excursion to the incredible Channel Islands.

About the destination: Pismo Beach is a city in San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast region of California, United States. The estimated population was 7,931 in 2014, up from 7,655 in the 2010 census. It is part of the Five Cities Area, a group of cities in that area of San Luis Obispo County. The "5 Cities" is actually only 3 cities; Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, and Arroyo Grande. Oceano is a Community Service District and Shell Beach is part of Pismo Beach. Its motto is "Clam Capital of the World".

About the destination: Cambria is a coastal village in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California State Route 1 (Highway 1). The name Cambria, chosen in 1869, is the Latin name for Wales. Cambria is located amidst Monterey pines in one of only three such native forests.[3] In the past, the town was known by the names of Slabtown, Rosaville, San Simeon and Santa Rosa. The corresponding census designated place (CDP) had a population of 6,032 at the 2010 census, slightly down from 6,232 at the 2000 census.

About the destination: Monterey is a town in the Monterey County area of Monterey Bay in California. Monterey is one of the more beautiful coastal cities of California and can make for a great two day trip for those visiting San Francisco or a weekend getaway for California natives. It was originally the state capital of California, and has more historic buildings in its downtown than any other city west of Santa Fe. Today it is best known for its beautiful coastline, its world-class aquarium and from the many John Steinbeck novels set here, including Cannery Row and Tortilla Flat. The Monterey Peninsula has the largest population of sea otters on the California coast. The abundance of marine wildlife visible from the shoreline is one of the primary attractions of the region. Seals, sea lions, and sea otters are visible all year-round, and migrating whales are commonly seen in the fall and spring months. Alvarado Street serves as downtown Monterey's main drag. It has superb restaurants, a selection of bars and unique shops.

About the destination: San Francisco is a major, vibrant and cosmopolitan city in California. In San Francisco, history and modernity merge to give visitors an unforgettable experience. From Mission Dolores, the city's first stone building or the city’s legendary cable cars to the high-tech Financial District. A trip to San Francisco is sure to leave you with incredible memories. A boat trip is a fantastic way to explore the “City by the Bay.” Explore Fisherman's Wharf, packed with shops, galleries and restaurants offering delicious seafood. Take a stroll down the Golden Gate and admire the views over the bay and the Pacific Ocean, visit the various maritime museums, and, of course, no visit to San Francisco is complete without a trip to Alcatraz, the island prison that once held some of the country’s most infamous criminals, such as Al Capone. If it’s a more relaxed atmosphere you’re after, pass through the grand architecture and flowing lagoon of the Palace of Fine Arts. The Transamerica Pyramid has become the city's most famous landmark. The 260 metre high pyramid structure is located in the heart of the Financial District. Situated between three hills, San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest Chinese settlement outside Asia with pagodas, colourful bunting, decorated balconies and Chinese characters combining with the sounds and exotic aromas of this fascinating area. The Painted Ladies are charming Victorian wooden houses located on the edge of Alamo Square and the Haas-Lilienthal House is a well-preserved gem of a bygone era. San Francisco thrives on diversity and has a contagious energy. This city is magical and everyone should visit here at least once.