Travel Topics
San José’s beloved Christmas in the Park returns downtown, filling Plaza de César Chávez with decorated trees, animated displays and food vendors. Downtown Park Experience Downtown Park Experience is a…
More theatre than market—though there’s plenty of shopping—The Great Dickens Christmas Fair recreates Victorian London across 140,000 sq ft of the Cow Palace. Running weekends from late November to late…
Silent Stay Retreats offers a transformative experience of inner peace through silent meditation. Nestled in the beautiful hills of Santa Barbara, California, it provides a serene and nurturing environment for…
If you are looking to support destinations that are doing their part for the planet, look no further than the Golden State. It should come as no surprise that California…
Made up of 50 states, the USA is a huge country. This means that it can be overwhelming for any potential tourist looking to visit the country, as there is…
The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic may have put all our travel plans on hold for the forseeable future but this does not mean we can’t plan ahead. For instance, why not…
Matthew Ogborn takes a trip to SLO CAL to take a sideways glance at all the great California wine on offer in the region. When my wife and I were…
The Wonderfront Music and Arts Festival 2025 will feature many famous names in March, but perhaps the real star is the city of San Diego itself. There is also a…
Each autumn the town of Danville in Tri-Valley, California hosts the Eugene O’Neill Festival to celebrate the works of America’s premier playwright and Nobel prize winner…
Sonoma County is one of California’s finest wine regions. Noted for the quality of its wines, especially chardonnay and pinot noir, and a 45-minute from San Francisco, the region has…
With August upon us now is the perfect time to daydream about being on a beach somewhere with sand between your toes and an ice-cold drink in your hand. And…
Whether visiting Sacramento as part of a California road trip, or taking a city break for a long weekend, this 48-hour guide to things to do in Sacramento will take…
Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival at the Golden Gate Park attracts the top names in the music world. Though don’t just think it’s all about music. Add to the concert art displays…
The Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza is a mix of many shades of blues music and even more flavours of craft beers and ciders. Music ranges from blues to…
While many cities in the USA are home to craft breweries, few can compare to San Diego, the California craft beer capital. More than 100 craft breweries reside in San…
Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone headline the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held in Indio, Greater Palm Springs, California, in April. More than half a million people…
Garlic lovers get your diaries out now and book in 23 July to 1 August for the Gilroy Garlic Festival. This weekend is full of fun and great garlicky food, such as garlic chips and garlic…
Feel the wind through your hair as you ride along some of the most exhilarating Canada and US cycle routes in 2019. Whether looking for a peaceful ride to explore…
At the end of his week’s trip through California, Mark Bibby Jackson follows some of his favourite movies through the streets of San Francisco and finds amid all the amazing…
On a trip to Yosemite Park and Tuolumne County, Mark Bibby Jackson glories in the vast open spaces, incredibly friendliness and wonderful nature, as he discovers another side to California…
Whether sampling the alternative tipple in Sonoma County, or joining fellow beer fans at the Great American Beer Festival in Colorado, visitors will find plenty of opportunity in the US…
Hollywood might not be in San Francisco, but some of the most famous films have been set in California’s northern city – and that’s not even counting the TV series…
Want to visit the Golden State but do it the green way, we have compiled 11 activities to discover California ecotourism, lower the carbon footprint and leave you with a…
From goat yoga in Oregon, to Santa Barbara’s salt caves and blissful paddling in Newport Beach, here are our ten ways to find your zen in the States…
The Golden State is an appropriate moniker for California, which has flourished ever since gold was discovered in 1848, leading to the gold rush and the 49s, which is also the name of the leading San Francisco American Football team. Evidence of the state’s mining heritage abound especially if you head away from the major cities.
Even before the Beach Boys created their unforgettable sounds, the state has been a dream destination for people looking for some beach and surf, or more recently to try the excellent wines in Sonoma and Napa, as well as the Tri-Valley.
The main reason for the state’s success as a tourist destination is its weather. You are practically guaranteed sun on your holidays, and whether you are looking to hike through Yosemite or lazing around on one of the state’s numerous beaches, a touch of sun on your face make things just that much better.
If Los Angeles proves too much for you, then head across the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco hugging Route 1 along the way. Few cities in the world compare with San Fran for entertainment, cuisine and practising those hill starts.
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a growing thing in the state, for inspiration, you can read out 11 ways to enjoy California ecotourism.
But the state is much more than a city break. Head towards the Sierra Nevada and enjoy the clear skies and fresh air of the mountains, just check that the wildfires are not still raging before you head off. There you will discover another side of California that has not changed much in the 170 years since the 49s rolled into town.
