Grand California Adventure - Cities

San Diego, CA

Going from the South to the North, San Diego is the first must-see California location. Admittedly, this is the place in California I have the least experience with. I've only driven through it on two occasions, and only stopped for about an hour or so each time.

Still, San Diego may be, for Easterners with no clue at least, an "idyllic California." When I was younger growing up in New England, my idea of California was surfers, palm trees, lots of sun, and lots of "hang ten, dude." And then I moved to the Bay Area and learned that California is a diverse place.

San Diego is a stunningly beautiful city, due to both its location and consistently sunny weather. What I remember most from my time there is its strange feel/culture, a sort of mix between military and the surf/skate crowd. San Diego also has the largest concentration of naval facilities in the world, after the disintegration of some Soviet facilities.

Los Angeles, CA

I don't even know if this needs to be written down. I think LA is an obvious American mecca. For everyone who's ever wanted to be a star, this is the place they got off the bus.

Los Angeles is the city California is famous for. Everyone knows it for Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and smog. I know it for CalTech and Pasadena, which is great town/city neighborhood. My sister lives there

I don't know what else to say about LA. This is officially known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, and is responsible for a good 90% of America's modern culture, I would say. Also, the smog isn't as bad as everyone says; Houston is much worse. Yet for all this, I'm supposed to hate it, because I am NorCal, and NorCal hates SoCal and vice versa, or something silly.

I find the Bay Area more interesting. LA has better weather. Let's just leave it at that.

San Luis Obispo, CA

I really, really like San Luis Obispo. I think that it is the most underrated city in California. it is situated pretty much exactly halfway between LA and San Francisco, which also makes it a perfect stop on any California road trip/tour.

The downside is that it is off the 101 and not I-5. But I-5 is really boring anyway and doesn't go anywhere neat. You only use it because it is so much faster.

The town is really laid back. The coast is extremely pretty. It still has a kind of small-towny feel and is really hip without being annoying (ahem, San Fran.) I stop here whenever I get the chance. If you're trying to get a good feel of what coastal California is about, and not just San Fran and LA, you owe it to yourself to visit San Luis Obispo.

Besides, the drive up from LA, hugging the coast the entire way, is AMAZING, particularly if done at sunset. You can smell the salt air and cruise the coast with the top down. Just be careful; lots of 4 way intersections, on what is technically a highway. Be safe out there.

Monterey, CA

There is much more to Monterey Bay than the Aquarium. That said, you should go to the Aquarium, because it is a really nice one. It is one of the more famous aquariums in the world, and currently houses a Great White Shark.... not your typical aquarium fare. I am, however, very sad that the sunfish recently passed away. He was my favorite part of the aquarium.

Besides gorgeous coastline and ample marine life, Monterey is also historically connected to author John Steinbeck, because of his novel Cannery Row. Neighboring town Carmel-By-the-Sea also hosts the famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for fine motorsport enthusiasts the world over. At certain times of the year you can expect to find Ralph Lauren driving his Bugattis here.

Santa Cruz, CA

I debated adding Santa Cruz, not wanting my California list to be too Bay Area top heavy.

However, I purchased one of my motorcycles here, and thus I owe this small town. It is also a large tourist destination, with a thriving coffeeshop/young people college campus crowd, and a famous boardwalk with rides and other attractions. And it is on the ocean. So we're including it.

San Francisco, CA

If you're only going to visit two places on your trip to California, LA and San Fran have to be those two places.

San Francisco is known as the capital of the alternative culture. The antiwar counterculture of the late 60s and the Gay Rights movement both got their start here. It is known for being an incredibly tolerant and peaceful place.

I live nearby, and as such it is hard to give tourist information. I always take family and friends to Fisherman's Wharf to see the sea lions and have some seafood. The Mission District and Haight-Ashbury also have a lot of history. The hills on Lombard Street (and EVERYWHERE for that matter) and the Golden Gate Bridge are other famous tourist destinations. It is a remarkable city...even if it is continuously covered in fog. I must say, this was not the idea I had in my head of California when I first arrived. And that is great, and more interesting, it is just..... different.

But then again, San Francisco has always been a little..... different, and prides itself on that.

Mendocino, CA

This is a small town in California that no one ever visits but more people should. Mendocino-Fort Bragg are also the more interesting towns in far-Northern California. No disrespect to Eureka and Crescent City, but you you're nowhere near as interesting.

This tiny little town, nestled on the coast on winding Highway 1, makes the fog in San Francisco look like kid stuff. The few times I've been the town has been veritable blanketed in the stuff; you could cut it with a knife. When the fog rolls out, you are left with am impressive landscape and seascape. Mendocino is essentially a small New England town, California-style. It has a lot of charm, and I think it would have to be in the top 5 places in the world to stay at a Bed and Breakfast. Plus I heartily recommend the drive up the length of the 101 up to Vancouver, branching off onto Highway 1 when it exists. Or down the 101 if you're coming from Seattle or Portland.

Congratulations on your great California adventure, really getting a feel for the state. yes, I did not include the interior cities and towns. There's a reason for that. There are lots of great attractions and parks in the California interior. There aren't really many good cities.