California is an American state that stretches along the west coast. Its access to the ocean and the border with Mexico give the area additional tourist perks. Even without them, though, the state is full of amazing places for fun and travel. Its major cities are Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. The state is also the birthplace of American cinema. Local studios open their doors to visitors and build theme parks based on their movies.
The best minds in the world of modern technology and software have settled in Silicon Valley. Sequoia National Park allows you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and admire the huge trees that are over a hundred years old. Even the bridges and roads between landmarks make for a vivid experience and enjoyable drive.
The most interesting and beautiful places to walk
Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most recognizable bridges in the world. Crosses the Strait of the same name. Since its construction in 1937 and for almost 30 years was the largest suspension bridge. Its length is 2,737 meters and the height of the roadway above the water is 67 meters. It is accessible to cars, cyclists and pedestrians. It has a total of 6 lanes and a width of 27.4 meters. To cross the bridge in the southern direction car owners will have to pay 6 dollars. Golden Gate Bridge.
Alcatraz
A small island in the San Francisco Bay. In the past there was a lighthouse and a fort, and then the famous prison. Some of the most dangerous prisoners and those who tried to escape from other places of detention were transferred to Alcatraz. In 1963 the prison was closed, and 10 years later made into a tourist destination. Visitors get to the island by ferry. The tour includes a tour of the cells and a story about the famous “inmates”.
Santa Monica Pier
Leads its history since 1909. Since then, the pier has changed a lot. The economic purpose has given way to entertainment. It is free to visit, and the area is always crowded. Each attraction is paid for separately. Nearby there are many cafes, outdoor sports fields, a large parking lot. In summer they show open-air movies and organize concerts. Fishermen stand with fishing rods right on the pier.
Fisherman’s Wharf
San Francisco’s harbor district has long been the city’s main calling card. The Maritime National Historical Park, a chocolate factory, and a cannery are located nearby. Stores, cafes, and amusement rides are concentrated on Pier 39. People also come here to see the California sea lions. They feel at ease, are not afraid of people and put on a real show, begging for fish.
Lombard Street
Located in San Francisco. The serpentine road on one section of the street has 8 curved turns. This flattens the 27 percent slope of Rushen Hill to some extent. This segment is one-way and is subject to additional speed limits. Its length is 180 meters. At the top there is a parking lot for the cable car, a special public transport of the city.
Hurst Castle
Located about midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The first buildings appeared on this piece of land in the second half of the century before last. Until the middle of the twentieth century the estate was rebuilt many times, and sometimes it was completely demolished in order to rebuild it. Now Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark. The grounds include a movie theater, swimming pools, courts, and an airfield.
Winchester House
Built in 1884 in San Jose. It was rebuilt many times until 1922. Sarah Winchester believed the house was haunted by the spirits of the rifles her family produced. She invested heavily in this Victorian-style mansion. Sarah used her own designs for the construction without using architects. The house now has four floors, before the earthquake there were seven.
San Francisco’s aerial streetcars
An unusual form of public transportation has been open in the city since 1873. A hybrid of a streetcar and a cable car is included in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The system is unprofitable because it costs half as much to build other transportation lines and keep them running. However, cable cars are the face and symbol of San Francisco, so they are upgraded, improved, and kept in business.
Palm Springs aerial tramway
The world’s largest aerial tramway with rotating cabins. The trip lasts about 10 minutes and gives tourists the opportunity to view the valley from different angles. At the top of the route is a station. A couple of restaurants, an observation deck, a museum, a souvenir store and two theaters are always open to visitors. From here, there are 50 miles of hiking trails in different directions.
