On tour through California's cities

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On the Merced River

Discover California's cities

Diverse places turn a tour through California's cities into an experience. These include megacities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego as well as small towns. In them, life takes place around the market place. However, if you are looking for vibrant life with restaurants and night clubs, California's megacities are the right place. Those who prefer small towns find what they are looking for in the country instead. Sea. Coast. Mountains. Desert. Wine. You experience all this and more on a California tour or a tour through California off the beaten track.

Megacities on a tour of California's cities

Los Angeles

The Los Angeles metropolitan area alone has a variety of cities. These are also worth a visit. Universal's CityWalk features over 60 restaurants, nightclubs, shops and entertainment venues. Just a few kilometers further, Hollywood is waiting for you with the famous logo. A walk along the Walk of Fame is also part of every tour of California's cities. But also a visit to the Chinese Theater with the hand and footprints of famous actors is part of it. A stroll along the Sunset Strip should also be part of a visit to Los Angeles. It's also worth taking a bath at the beaches from Los Angeles.

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Painted Ladies San Francisco Tour through California's cities
The Painted Ladies San Francisco are part of every tour of California's Cities © Bernard Spragg, NZ Flickr

 

San Francisco

However, San Francisco is more manageable than LA. It surpasses the southern city in beauty as well as in the number of its sights. On top of that, you can easily explore the city by public transport. Worth seeing are the California Academy of Sciences as well as the ferry building in San Francisco. There is also a farmers market every Tuesday and Saturday. Golden Gate, Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Park are the more famous sights. You can do this do in San Francisco. .

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There are buses connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles. Find detailed information about the Bus service between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

San Diego

The smallest of California's three major cities is San Diego. It also looks back on a varied history. That's why the Gaslamp Quarter with its Victorian buildings is particularly worthwhile. Wyatt Earp already ran three arcades here. These were once booming, as was the business for easy girls in the red-light district. San Diego is also worth seeing because of its beautiful location on the Pacific. Or do you need tips for one San Diego staycation? A nice excursion for connoisseurs is a road trip to Escondido. on Things to do in Escondido you will find out more about what you can do in this wine region.

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Farm Cities - Roundtrip through California's cities

Burlingame

In the small towns of California you can experience country life. Burlingame is a small town just 26 miles from San Francisco. Because of its 1800 trees, the city is also known as the city of trees. There is also Victorian architecture, shops and weekly markets.

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Petaluma

Petaluma in Sonoma County, however, is located in an agricultural region. Lavender is grown at Lavender Bee Farm. In addition, bees are bred in 300 beehives.

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Laguna Beach round trip through California's cities
Laguna Beach © tdlucas5000, Flickr

 

Laguna Beach

But you can also experience country life in southern California. The town of Laguna Beach is located on the coast. Here you can discover works by regional artists. Laguna Beach is located in Orange County south of Los Angeles. On top of that, the annual agricultural fair "OC Super Fair" comes up with top entertainers.

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Small Towns of California - Round trip through California's cities

Davis

If you like biking, Davis in the Central Valley should be remembered. There are more than 150 kilometers of bike paths in and around this city. In addition, roads and paths can be easily explored by bike.

Davis hotels *

Chico

The small town of Chico is located in the Shasta Cascade region. Antique shops, jewelery shops and art galleries are the main attractions here. Likewise, restaurants provide for the physical well-being. The murals in the village are also worth seeing.

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Stearns Wharf Santa Barbara
Stearns Wharf Santa Barbara © Damian Gadal, Flickr

 

Santa Barbara

One of the most famous small towns in California is definitely Santa Barbara. The architecture is one of the main attractions of the city. Spanish colonial buildings await you. Those who want to explore these can join a guided tour on the weekend. What you in two days in Santa Barbara can be found at California Crossroads.

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Oxnard

Not far away is Oxnard. There you will find buildings from the early years of the 20th Century.

Oxnard hotels *

Palm Springs

Probably the most famous city in the California desert is Palm Springs. Palm trees line the streets of the city. In addition, Mount San Jacinto rises above the city. In the village you will also find galleries, restaurants and shops.

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Sacramento
Sacramento Franco Folini, Flickr

 

Sacramento - Round trip through California's cities

Old Sacramento is also attractive. There are over 50 buildings in this museum. These were created between 1850 and 1870. Here you get an impression of life in the early years of California. Wooden sidewalks and horse-drawn carriages, as well as the railway museum and the historical museum, bear witness to the city's past. However, those who want to get to know modern Sacramento will find restaurants, wine bars, shops, nightclubs and galleries in the center. Our tip: make one Excursion to Yosemite National Park.

Hotels in Sacramento *

The megacities of California are well worth a visit. However, a tour of California's cities is particularly varied, if you take time for the small places.

 

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Organizing a tour of California's cities:

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How to get there

Book yours here Arrival by plane, bus or train*. Lufthansa, United and others fly to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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Source: own research on site.

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline

On tour through California's cities

Monika Fuchs

Monika Fuchs and Petar Fuchs are the authors and publishers of the Food and Slow Travel blog  TravelWorldOnline. They have been publishing this blog since 2005. TravelWorldOnline has been online since 2001. Their topics are trips to Savor, wine tourism worldwide and slow travel. During her studies Monika Fuchs spent some time in North America, where she - partly together with Petar Fuchs - traveled to the USA and Canada and spent a research year in British Columbia. This intensified her thirst for knowledge, which she satisfied for 6 years as an adventure guide for Rotel Tours and then for 11 years as a tour guide for Studiosus Reisen around the world. She was constantly expanding her travel regions, but curiosity still gnawed at her: "What's beyond the horizon? What else is there to discover in this city? Which people are interesting here? What do they eat in this region?" As a freelance travel journalist (her articles have appeared in DIE ZEIT, 360° Canada, 360° USA, etc.), she is now looking for answers to these questions as a travel writer and travel blogger in many countries around the world. Petar Fuchs produces the videos on this blog as well as on YouTube. Monika Fuchs from TravelWorldOnline is among Germany's top 50 bloggers in 2021. Find more Information about Monika and Petar Fuchs here.

11 thoughts too "On tour through California's cities"

  1. I have been 2004 on the west coast. The cities are beautiful and the people are unique. Thank you for the insights into the beautiful world of the West Coast! Greetings Patrick

    1. Gladly, Patrick. I already read your blog post. California is something special, both in terms of its nature, and its inhabitants.

      Best regards,
      Monika

  2. Thanks for this nice compact summary! If ever I ever got to the USA, I'll definitely stop by here :)

    Kind regards

  3. Unfortunately, I have never been to California myself. According to your article and your pictures it is fantastic there. Especially Laguna Beach looks great!
    Lg from Ecuador

    1. Hello Michaela,

      California is very varied. In addition to beautiful coasts, there is also an impressive mountain world. However, the Californian mountains are not quite as high as the ones you are currently conquering in South America.

      Best regards,
      Monika

  4. We were also about to fly spontaneously to LA / California at the end of March, unfortunately the vacation did not work out so quickly. Completely annoying and when I look at your great post, it annoys me a bit more ;-)

  5. Hello, a really great article! Since my son lives in Los Angeles I'm lucky to be in California at least once a year. I enjoy it every time anew. The warmth, the always friendly people, the sea just a dream. I also write reports about it regularly.
    Have a look at me.

    1. Thank you, Sigrid. Glad you like our article. I like to visit you.

      Best regards,
      Monika

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