California

Undoubtedly the most diverse state in the union, trend-setting California is all things to all people. Spanning almost 800 miles north-south, and 250 miles east-west, it is astoundingly diverse in climate and terrain. The state is stupendously scenic from tip to toe, ranging from the southern beaches and rugged northern shoreline of the Pacific coast - negotiable along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway - to the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, rising to 14,505 feet. Yosemite Valley, in the Sierras, is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Hikers, skiers, rock-climbers and whitewater enthusiasts are in their element amid these mountains. ...

Undoubtedly the most diverse state in the union, trend-setting California is all things to all people. Spanning almost 800 miles north-south, and 250 miles east-west, it is astoundingly diverse in climate and terrain. The state is stupendously scenic from tip to toe, ranging from the southern beaches and rugged northern shoreline of the Pacific coast - negotiable along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway - to the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, rising to 14,505 feet. Yosemite Valley, in the Sierras, is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Hikers, skiers, rock-climbers and whitewater enthusiasts are in their element amid these mountains. Ancient redwood forests, rocky shorelines, wine-growing districts, and even deserts such as Death Valley (the hottest place in the Western Hemisphere) are among the kaleidoscope of physical draws. San Francisco, in northern California, is a vibrant financial and cultural center, and a gourmand's delight, with a world-famous Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge. Nearby, Silicon Valley is the center of the world's computer industry. Sprawling Los Angeles, to the south, is the hip center of entertainment (centered on Hollywood), as well as Disneyland, with the golf courses of Palm Springs close by.

About the Expert

Christopher P. Baker has authored guidebooks to Costa Rica, California, and various Caribbean islands for Frommer's, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic, among others.