If you're looking to escape the crowds of California's better-known parks, the Shasta Cascade region is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise year round, where every kind of recreation on Mounts Shasta and Lassen, without the crowds and with no need for advance permits. Here, you’ll also find some of California's best fly-fishing, arts, music, museums, and other urban amenities.
Stand in the Thunder of a Waterfall
You may have missed your opportunity to strike it rich during the California Gold Rush, but local landmarks, annual celebrations, and history museums in Auburn, Nevada City, and Angel’s Camp will take you back. You can still pan for gold on the rivers that run throughout this region, though fishing, rafting and kayaking are more popular nowadays. Enjoy urban diversions in state capital Sacramento. Escape to the Sierra foothills for outdoor recreation year round.
Make Golden Memories Along Historic Highway 49
From Brad and Angelina to Will and Jada, when the stars need to get away from it all, they head to some of California's finest hotels and resorts. We're counting down some of the fabulous lodging options in the great state of California -- click to find out where the stars stay!
To really get a taste of California Wine Country, Chris Jacobs rides the Napa Valley Wine Train. The train, which features vintage train cars dating back to the early 1900s, boasts a 180-degree view of the rolling hills of the Napa Valley in the Vista Dome, and haute cuisine made "a la minute" by chef Kelley MacDonald. Watch for more of Chris' tour of the train!
Chris Jacobs shows us how grapes go from the vine to great wine. Watch the video to see more!
Chris Jacobs is taking a tour of the North Coast Wine Country of California! He makes a stop at the Francis Ford Coppola winery, owned by the famous director, where he learns how grapes are processed into fine California wine.
"Vineyards are very beautiful places filled with life," Coppola himself tells ET, adding, "And then you get to drink the wine."
Chris then hops aboard the Napa Valley wine train, which features breathtaking views enhanced by a gourmet menu from the kitchen run by executive chef Kelley MacDonald. Watch the video for more!
Find yourself amid the nature preserves, forests and rugged trails of California’s North Coast, and you’ll also discover artist enclaves, fine dining and music festivals. The giant tree you can drive through near Redwoods State Park is one of the area’s most famous landmarks, as are the wineries of Sonoma county.
Cruise the Avenue of the Giants
The City by the Bay is home to more than just good food and the Golden Gate Bridge, the culturally rich town has also provided the backdrop to over 100 films since 1924. Watch the video to see TheInsider.com's Jarett Wieselman sift through the impressive catalogue of San Francisco classics, which include Basic Instinct and Vertigo, narrowing them down to the top 10!
We're counting down classic films that were shot in the City by the Bay. From Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone's classic thriller, Basic Instinct, to Sean Connery and Nic Cage's blockbuster action flick, The Rock, to Robin Williams' comedy Mrs. Doubtfire, San Francisco has played host to numerous memorable movies. Watch the video for more!
San Francisco is considered one of the greatest cities in the world for many things, including five-star dining, a happening theater scene, and gay and lesbian culture. And, beyond the fifty-square-mile city, in the surrounding Bay Area, there’s so much more to explore, including Silicon Valley’s innovations, Marin’s Headlands, the Napa Valley’s vineyards, and Berkeley’s free spirit.
San Francisco's Famous Golden Gate Bridge
The hard part, when thinking about California’s High Sierra, is deciding what to do during your visit. The options include Yosemite, King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks where John Muir was inspired by breathtaking scenery, now famous mountains, and the majestic sequoias, the oldest trees on earth. Farther north on the Nevada border is Lake Tahoe, surrounded by world-famous ski resorts with legendary snow in winter, and arts, music, and festivals in summer. The options for outdoor activity are endless.
Swim or Ski: Year-round Fun in Tahoe
Drive through the Central Valley, and you’ll see evidence of how life here has historically revolved around agriculture. You’ll find incredible farmer’s markets, roadside produce stands, and festivals that celebrate local specialties: wine, tomatoes, asparagus, cheese and more. The region’s major cities, including Bakersfield, Fresno and Stockton, offer many attractions including museums, concerts, racing, country music and unique gardens.
Fresno County Blossom Trail, Fruit Trail, and Farmers MarketFrom Brad and Angelina to Will and Jada, when the stars need to get away from it all, they head to some of California's finest hotels and resorts. We're counting down some of the fabulous lodging options in the great state of California -- click to find out where the stars stay!
Find the perfect balance between urban and rural on California’s Central Coast. Artist enclaves in Carmel and Big Sur, celebrity residents, world-class resorts, an emerging wine region and a castle are part of the attraction, yet the atmosphere is relaxed and casual as you make your way along scenic Highway One from Monterey to Santa Barbara. Wildlife refuges, state parks and beaches inspire rambling hikes along the way.
Astonishing Hearst Castle on the Central Coast
We continue our tour around California, as Chris Jacobs pays a visit to Tinseltown landmark Universal Studios Hollywood. Watch the video to check out famous attractions like King Kong 360 3-D, the iconic house from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, and the shark from Jaws, for yourself!
Where in California do the stars love to go? They revealed all at ET's Emmy Party! For Jason Lee it's Big Sur, while Kyle Richards' favorites are Santa Barbara and Palm Desert. Watch to find out what other beautiful California locations the stars love to visit!
The question in Los Angeles is never what to do, but where to begin. The county is home to many famous attractions in a relatively concentrated space. Your choices include amusement parks, architectural landmarks, art museums and galleries, beaches, parks, hiking and shopping, to name a few. After the sun goes down, you’ll find there’s an abundance of nightlife options, including movies (of course!), as well as live music and comedy provided by performers both legendary and yet-to-be-discovered. A region of great diversity, you'll also discover a world of culinary adventures.
Star-gazing at Universal Studios, Hollywood
Ontario, Riverside and San Bernardino are thriving urban centers in one of the fastest-growing areas of California. However, the area’s agricultural roots are still alive in the surrounding small communities where you’ll find many farms, and the Temecula wine region, which boasts many award-winning wineries. You’ll also find summer fun at Big Bear Lake, winter sports in the San Jacinto Mountains, and a lot of both in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Temecula Wine CountryFrom Brad and Angelina to Will and Jada, when the stars need to get away from it all, they head to some of California's finest hotels and resorts. We're counting down some of the fabulous lodging options in the great state of California -- click to find out where the stars stay!
With its perpetual sunshine Southern California has long been the premiere vacation spot for American families, making it the perfect destination for some of America's greatest theme parks! Watch the video to see The Insider's Brooke Anderson give a virtual tour of So Cal's most magical family attractions.
The orange orchards of Orange County are a little harder to find these days, but not so the ideal citrus-growing climate. Theme parks, outdoor shopping complexes, and fine restaurants in Anaheim, Costa Mesa and quintessential beach towns along the coast take advantage of the great weather.
Magical Times at DisneylandWith its perpetual sunshine Southern California has long been the premiere vacation spot for American families, making it the perfect destination for some of America's greatest theme parks! Watch the video to see The Insider's Brooke Anderson give a virtual tour of So Cal's most magical family attractions.
Tony Hawk has made an indelible mark on the world of sports as one of the greatest to ever step on a skateboard, but he's not just a one-dimensional athlete.
Having grown up in sunny California, Tony was immersed in surfboarding culture. As far as Tony's reasons for staying in the Golden State, he cited the open-mindedness of its citizens and the sunny weather as key components to his decision. Watch the video for more.
Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk was born in Carlsbad, California, but that's not the only area of the state that he loves! Tony has a soft spot in his heart for San Francisco and Mammoth -- watch to hear why!
As if San Diego's 70 miles of coastline and reliably sunny weather weren't enough, the city is also home to museums, a world-renowned zoo, theme parks, famous golf courses, and a lively theater scene, as well as great food, shopping and nightlife in the historic downtown quarter.
Wave to the Giant Pandas at the World Famous San Diego ZooFrom Brad and Angelina to Will and Jada, when the stars need to get away from it all, they head to some of California's finest hotels and resorts. We're counting down some of the fabulous lodging options in the great state of California -- click to find out where the stars stay!
The warm air may draw you here, but any number of other attractions will keep you coming back. It could be the innovative spas in Desert Hot Springs, the outdoor adventures in the desert, art galleries in Palm Desert, hot air ballooning over Joshua Tree, or the hundreds of birds at the Salton Sea. Then again, it could be the simple act of lounging by a turquoise pool in Palm Springs that’s reason enough for a repeat visit.
Unravel Desert Mysteries in Joshua Tree National Park
Get the Official State Visitor's Guide
Sign Up for our Email Newsletter
Become a Fan! Like Us on Facebook
