Taking It All In, California Style!

Do you ever go to a restaurant and find yourself scanning a menu that is loaded with goodies of all sorts? You think to yourself, “where do I even begin?… This all looks so tempting!” But now that the server has gone around the table to receive menu selections from the rest of your party, the pressure is on for you to make up your mind… Yikes! Okay, think fast! Now you must narrow down all of your interests into one selection. Oh, if only you could have mini portions of all of the deliciousness that has caught your eye!

To me, California is a state full of all types of wonderful things. It’s like one of those items on the menu where you can actually get a taste of everything. Whether you feel like driving down beautiful coastal highways, visiting national parks overflowing with the world’s tallest trees, or hopping in your car to go snowboarding for the day, you can really see it all in this beautiful state. Try exploring desert regions, whichupon further examination reveal bizarre plant life and rare animal sightings. Cruise through wine country to get a taste of the local vino. Capture photos of 1,100 miles of breathtaking coastline as waves crash against the large rocks that peek out on the horizon. Or perhaps be daring enough to take a dip in the water to catch a wave (a large wave I might add…and if you are lucky the water might be up in the 60’s!). You have come to the right place if you have come to California!

With so much to offer, it is no wonder that a visitor will become a lifelong returner to California! I spent four days in California last year and was only able to get a glimpse of what there was to see. The climate was perfect with crisp, starry nights, which beckoned bonfires and a blanket, and warm, clear days, which called for sandals and a tank top. We drove down to San Diego for one day and dined on authentic Mexican cuisine and salty margaritas! Delicioso! We journeyed up through Santa Barbara and Santa Monica all while taking in the sights along the way. A car trip in California is no bore! We spent a day in the Joshua Tree National Park, climbing through boulders and winding through cactus mazes. We ventured over to Los Angeles and hiked through Malibu State Park where we saw plenty of visitors traveling on horseback, as well as various types of wildlife prancing, slithering, and swooping through the lush landmark (where Planet of the Apes and M.A.S.H. was once filmed). We stopped by local organic farms where you pick your own strawberries and literally taste it before you buy it…all based on the honor system – drop your cash in a drop box even if you don’t have enough.

After taking in all I could see while I was in California, I came back home hoping to return to the golden state sometime soon. It’s baffling to think that one state’s variety on one coast can solely be compared to what we see in over a dozen states on another coast. If you haven’t yet seen California I suggest you pencil it in your calendar, program it in your Iphone, or send yourself a reminder via some device…just make sure you go!!