Catalina Island on the 4th of July.
I moved to California in 1997 when I got out of the Army. Quite honestly, it was a shock to my system. I grew up in the small state of New Hampshire in the heart of New England where we had four distinct seasons and a “hearty” constitution.
California is huge. I can travel 6 hours from LA to San Francisco and still be in the same state! (That’s a strange concept for me, having a “small” state of mind ☺ ) Coastal Southern California is very urban and includes San Diego as well as Los Angeles. It the winter time, there is Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead in southern California near the desert.
California’s wine regions ranger from Santa Barbara in the south all the way to Napa County, about 1 ½ hour north of LA. What makes the region perfect for wine growing is the moderate temperature all year round. Many California wines have been recognized on the world stage.
California’s coast is one of the longest and most picturesque. While I haven’t been to many lighthouses, there are many up and down the coast. Most of the lighthouses can be found in the San Francisco Bay area.
California has a ton of festivals and fairs. My favorite is the California Strawberry Festival held in May in Oxnard on the Ventura Coat. There’s also a garlic festival held in Gilroy in July, but I keep seeming to miss that one. Gilroy is about an hour south of San Francisco.
One of my favorite places to visit is Catalina Island, 26 miles off the Long Beach shore. Avalon captures a warm Mediterranean ambience. Last July, I had a chance to meet Patti Boyd when she visited for the 4th of July holiday. It may sound corny, but I really like the hometown honest folksiness of the golf car parade. I love listening to the USC marching band which visits every 4th and the fireworks over the bay are beautiful.
California has a lot to offer and 13 year later, I’m still discovering fascinating things about the state I now call home.
Have you been to California? What were some of the places you visited? What appeals to you about the state?
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0 COMMENTS
Yadira A.
14 years agoNope never been to California, but I think what would appeal to me most are all of the beaches. It does sound like there is a lot to do there and I would love to go some day.
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StephanieBurkhart
14 years ago AUTHORCalifornia is a gorgeous state, but it can be expensive. My favorite beaches are the ones on Catalina Island.
Smiles
Steph