When you get the opportunity to travel, you hope to create memorable experiences that last a lifetime, perhaps obtaining a trinket or two as a reminder. And you will probably have a selection of well-marketed destinations at the back of your mind that you imagine will give you this experience.
Los Angeles offers the opportunity to breathe the same air as famous film stars and take photos next to their stars on the Walk of Fame. To the north of California is the tech capital of the world and the home of the iconic Golden Gate bridge. But there is more to the Golden State than the well-documented attractions of LA and San Francisco.
Here are some of the other Californian cities you should allocate some space in your vacation itinerary and why.
1. Sonoma
If you have done even mild research on this southern Californian county, you will be familiar with its reputation as a wine destination. There are more than 400 wineries within the boundaries of Sonoma. Dedicating a day for a wine tour at Kendall-Jackson, Rodney Strong, or any other of Sonoma’s renowned wineries will prove a worthwhile investment.
But there is more to Sonoma than learning about wine, tasting it and securing some fine vintage for consumption back home. It is a haven for nature lovers or anyone longing to give themselves a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. A walk through the exotic vegetation in Sonoma Botanical Garden is what the doctor ordered for the weariness of the daily grind.
If you’re lucky, you will arrive in time for the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival, a celebration of beer, fine wine and live entertainment. The Sonoma County Restaurant Week brings together the tastiest offerings from the county’s most celebrated eateries.
2. San Jose
Tucked away in Silicon Valley, this city is home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world- PayPal, eBay, Western Digital and Cisco Systems are all headquartered here. And if you wish to immerse yourself in the techy culture, you can start at The Tech Interactive.
Here, you can get a feel for where the world is heading tech-wise. You’ll experience the latest in virtual reality and robotics while learning about the latest cybersecurity advancements. If this doesn’t quite quench your curiosity, you can head over to the Intel Museum to see how their ubiquitous chips are made.
But San Jose is more than just a geek paradise; there is also for outdoor enthusiasts to do. A walk or bike ride along the Guadalupe River Trail will lead you through some of the most picturesque parts of the Bay Area. There is also plenty for art lovers to feast their eyes on, and the city hosts a number of music and film festivals throughout the year.
3. Oakland
Oakland has plenty to offer the foodie seeking a unique experience. A food tour through Rockridge and Grand Lake or the seafood restaurants in Chinatown promises some tasty and Instagram-worthy moments. A vegan trail is also available if you have non-meat food preferences.
Laughter is known as the best medicine, and you will get it in copious amounts at the award-winning Comedy Oakland. Here you will be entertained by a great selection of upcoming and seasoned comedians.
And Oakland has more to offer in the live entertainment department, from spellbinding shows at the Paramount Theater of the Arts to scintillating guitar and piano performances at The Alley. If you’re hoping to catch a musical legend live on stage, you must check the Oakland events calendar. Venues like the Oakland Arena have hosted the likes of Paul McCartney and Adele.
There is plenty of kid-friendly entertainment in Oakland, including interaction with monkeys and other animals at the Oakland Zoo.
4. Anaheim
Speaking of fun places for kids, you will be hard-pressed to find your tiny tots in a more captivating venue than Disneyland. This is one of Anaheim’s biggest claims to fame as a leading Southern California tourist destination. Rest assured, your kids will be talking about the rides and the legendary TV cartoon characters they find there for a long time.
Adventure City also offers rides and a number of other thrills for youngsters. If you love baseball, you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to tour Angel Stadium of Anaheim, home to some of the nation’s past and present greats.
Take the time to try the offerings of unique restaurants like Pour Vida Tortillas and Tapas and sample the beer at Breury Terreux.
Unheralded Gems
While you are guaranteed Instagrammable moments at the Hollywood sign and California’s other traditional attractions, some lesser-known attractions are worth your time. You will find them in Oakland, Anaheim and other less glamorous parts of the Golden State. These may turn out to be the highlight of your Californian escapade.
