| California was officially awarded the | | | | Angeles and the capital Sacramento - home to |
| nickname of 'The Golden State' in 1968, due | | | | the interactive Golden State Museum, |
| to its long history and association with all | | | | dedicated to the history of California. |
| things golden - including its famous | | | | |
| sunshine! Life in the Pacific Coast state of | | | | But the city that most typifies the Golden |
| California happens at a different pace to the | | | | State lifestyle is San Diego. Being located |
| rest of the USA. It is the state-wide | | | | in Southern California affords the city a |
| characteristics of a mild climate, | | | | warmer climate than the State's cooler |
| chilled-out residents, beautiful beaches and | | | | northern areas. With great beaches supporting |
| stunning scenery that prove the big draw to | | | | a host of exciting water sports and major |
| the Golden State for visitors from throughout | | | | attractions within the city all in easy |
| the world. | | | | reach, this is the Californian city to visit |
| | | | if you only have time to see one of them. |
| The geography throughout the state is very | | | | |
| diverse, from the coastal Pacific plains in | | | | The eighth largest city in the USA, San Diego |
| the west to the mountainous Sierra Nevada, | | | | offers visitors of all ages enough to keep |
| bordering Arizona and Nevada in the east. In | | | | them happily occupied on a vacation of any |
| between the two is the fertile Central | | | | length. Surfing is a major activity at the |
| Valley, an important agricultural area for | | | | many beaches throughout the region and the |
| the USA. The Sierra Nevada is home to the | | | | culture of its participants has rubbed off on |
| spectacular Yosemite and Sequoia National | | | | the general population, giving them a relaxed |
| Parks, the latter of which contains fine | | | | and pleasant demeanor. Palm trees line the |
| examples of the largest living organisms on | | | | streets and the sun shines for most of the |
| earth: the Giant Sequoia. To sample | | | | year in this idyllic part of California. |
| everything that the Golden State has to offer | | | | |
| a trip to this area is a must. | | | | Downtown hotels in San Diego are a great |
| | | | place to stay in order to sample the Golden |
| Since the influx of initial residents | | | | State's good life. Not only are they in the |
| attracted by the Gold Rush of 1849 California | | | | heart of all the city's amenities, they are |
| has steadily expanded to become the most | | | | next to the harbour and only a short drive to |
| populous state in the USA. Big cities in the | | | | the beach. You'll enjoy your stay so much you |
| State include San Francisco, San Jose, Los | | | | won't want to leave. |