Located on the west coast of the USA bordering the Pacific Ocean,  California is one of the most dynamic and diverse states of the union with a landscape from sub tropical beaches to temperate high mountains and desert.

Situated between Mexico in the south and Oregon in the north, the coastal strip is the main agricultural and cosmopolitan area (remember Bay Watch?) with great beaches. Away from the coast, the landscape changes to high mountains and down to the deserts of Nevada and Arizona. (The state is approximately 900 miles long north-south, and 200 miles east to west).

Los Angeles:
Made famous by the movie industry and home to Hollywood and all it's stars, Los Angeles is the largest city in California, the second largest city in the USA and is located on the south coast of California. A little north is Ventura County and the Channel Islands National Park. Ventura guide & other  Attractions

San Francisco:
Situated on the coast north of Los Angeles and renowned for it's steep streets, cable cars and views of San Francisco bay where you will find the island of Alcatraz (where you can now visit). The city has a moderate climate with warm summers and cool winters without extremes as the constant breezes off of the Pacific Ocean have a moderating effect. Note that evening breezes can be fresh all year round and a sweater/windproof is essential in the evenings. Attractions,

In all the cities you will find great shopping, restaurants, wineries, resorts and hotels, museums and galleries, and out of town hundreds of parks and reserves. Just north over the Golden Gate bridge, you will find natural sites including Muir Woods redwood forest, Marin County and the Marin Headlands, Stinson Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Mount Tamalpais. Marin County.

California regions:
San Diego, The Central Coast, Central Valley, Deserts, Gold Country, High Sierra, Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, North Coast, Orange County, San Diego County, San Francisco Bay Area, Shasta Cascade. Attractions, Escorts