California - Satisfying the Taste For Adventure

California is the third-largest state in the United States and also the most populated one.
A cmbination of sunny beaches (California is the proud owner of 1,264 miles of coast line), the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada , deserts, picturesque lakes and glaciers, the state is popular residential and vacation destination for many people. It is thought that the population is made up of ethnicities from more than 170 countries, mostly focused in cities of Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco. The desert covers one quarter of the state's land.

San Diego is famous with animal lovers for the San Diego Zoo  - one of the most attractive and rich in species. The zoo is home to a real celebrity: Shamu, a killer whale who is the informal symbol of the city. The Sea World Adventure Park is home to dolphins, penguins and sharks at their performances.

In the north, you'll find the Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, the home of Sequoia trees, the largest living organisms on Earth.

Golf courses are scattered throughout the entire state. During the winter, skiing is the most popular activity, while during the summer you have numerous options from hiking to climbing, kayaking to mountain biking.

Climate:
The climate of California is Mediterranean; the winter season is cool, and the summer is warm. In the central parts of the state winters are cold, summers are hot. The variety of weather conditions and climates allow for a wide variety of outdoor sports.

The economy is based on machinery, agriculture, biotechnology, and of course, tourism; the richest deposits of natural resources are natural gas, petroleum, and timber.

Disneyland:

Walt Disney's original idea was to create a place where both parents and children would have fun together. Disneyland in California serves that purpose providing many different kinds of rides, parades, shows and even fireworks. Disneyland is a place offreedom for the kids, who gladly wear funny hats and take pictures with the come-to-life cartoon characters.

Grauman's Chinese Theatre:

One should be obliged to include Grauman's Chinese Theater on the list of must-see tourist spots in California (also known as Mann's Chinese Theatre). The interesting history of this landmark begins with its founder, Sid Grauman, who had stepped in a freshly paved sidewalk by accident, making a footprint. That inspired him to invite the celebrities of the time to do the same. It all started in 1927. The footprint-filled sidewalk was named Forecourt of the Stars. As of today, the number of celebrity footprints is more than 200, turning Grauman's Chinese Theatre into one of California's most attractive sights. The celebrity-lined row includes the names of Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Adam Sandler and many, many more.

The spectacular building of the Chinese Theatre itself needed a special authorization by the Government to import all the pagodas and bells form China. Presently, Grauman's Chinese Theatre is a place where movie premieres are held, providing an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the stars, although one cannot buy a ticket for the premieres.

Chinatown:

Chinatown is locked between Broadway, Bush, Kearny, and Stockton streets. Combining mystery and the wiff of ancient times Chinatown is an interesting spot to walk through and got lost in the maze of restaurants, shops and markets. It is a center of cultural development of the Chinese-American population. Young amateurs hone their skateboarding skills beneath the statue of Sun Yat-sen in St. Mary's Square. Venturing further into Chinatown, you'll certainly come across people playing mah-jong, and a number of flea markets with paper lanterns. Wander until you get hungry and then try some Chinese noodles or dim sum on Stockton Street. And just when you are about to leave Chinatown, pick up some fortune cookies, prepared in the old-fashioned way.

History:

The first population to inhabit in the lands of California were the Native Americans arriving about 15 000 years ago. Portuguese and Spanish travelers and explorers made expeditions during the 15th and 16th centuries. California was founded in1769 with the first Spanish mission at San Diego. Mexico ceded the territory to John C. Frémont in 1847, thus turning it to U.S. territory. The subsequent Gold Rush drew in a lot of new settlers and the growth continued. Recently, California was pronounced as the most populated state.

The history of the name:

A book by Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo called 'Las Sergas de Esplandian', written in 1510 is believed to have given the state its name. The book describes the fictional story about a Spanish island far away form Europe, run by Queen Califa.

Giant Redwoods:

Any tourist's route across California should definitely include the curious Giant Redwoods, one of the largest tree species. They reach an impressive 115 meters in height and 8 meters in diameter, they can be seen only in California, and they live to be 2200 years old. The tree trunk bark reaches a thickness of 8 inches and gives the trees their name with its reddish-brown colour.
The Giant Redwoods are spread across the coast of California from Big Sur to the Oregon border.
Redwoods National and State parks are ideal places for hiking along trails surrounded by these majestic trees. About 100 campsites are available in the area.

Napa Valley Wine Country:

The wine industry is also very important in California. Visiting Napa Valley Wine Country will leave an imprint on your mind. The area is a favourite of people who appreciate good relaxation and comfort with numerous options for accommodation and the spirit of an old-fashioned resort where time has stopped. The rolling landscapes are inspirational. If you want to strengthen your connection with nature and its true peacefulness Napa Valley Wine Country is your destination. Home to 300 wineries, it's the best place for wine-tasting. Another interesting feature that will send you back in time is the open-air farmer's markets where you can buy homegrown produce and sense the real taste of food.

There's one more treat to discover, especially if you are a fan of David Beckham - visit the LA Galaxy's Home Depot stadium for an exciting match and some celebrity watching.