In Love With – California

by Au Pair in America
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Welcome to our latest blog, In Love With California!

A state that needs no introduction, California is loved around the world for its natural beauty and endless adventure.

California is famous for its lively cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. But it’s also full of natural wonders. You can hike in Yosemite National Park, taste wine in Napa Valley, or drive along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway.

Whether you’re dreaming of Hollywood’s charm, the relaxed vibe of surf towns, or the peaceful mountains and deserts, California has it all. Keep reading to see why people from all over the world fall in love with this amazing place! 🌴☀️🏞️

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Must-see Sights in California:

🌉 Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco): What better place to start? One of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Walk, bike, or simply take in the views of the city and bay.

🌿 Yosemite National Park: Famous for its towering cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient sequoia trees.

🏖️ Venice Beach (Los Angeles): A lively beach with street performers, colourful murals, and a scenic boardwalk. Great for people-watching and soaking up the sun.

🌵 Death Valley National Park: Experience desert landscapes, salt flats, and colourful canyons! Visit during cooler months for hiking and photography.

🍇 Napa Valley: A famous wine region with vineyards and charming towns. Enjoy wine tasting and scenic drives.

🎡 Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles): A lively pier with a theme park, sandy beach, and ocean views.

🎢 Disneyland (Anaheim): The world-famous theme park full of thrilling rides, shows, and Disney magic. A must-visit for fans of all ages.

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California Bucket List: Top Activities and Experiences to Try

🌉 Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge: Enjoy amazing views of San Francisco and the bay as you walk along this famous bridge.

🌵 Hike to the Hollywood Sign: Take a hike to get a closer view of this iconic landmark and enjoy panoramic views of Los Angeles.

🌿 Visit Sequoia National Park: Stand beneath the towering sequoia trees, including the famous General Sherman Tree – the largest tree on Earth.

🚗 Drive the Pacific Coast Highway: Take a road trip along this scenic highway with stunning ocean views.

🌵 Stargaze in Joshua Tree National Park: Experience the clear desert sky at night, perfect for stargazing.

🎢 Experience Disneyland: Enjoy the magic of Disneyland with rides, exciting shows, and meet-and-greets with Disney characters.

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Exciting Celebrations in California

🌴 JanuaryPalm Springs International Film Festival: Start the year with this renowned film festival showcasing the best in international cinema (more info).

🏃‍♂️ MarchLA Marathon: Run through Los Angeles, passing iconic landmarks like the Hollywood sign and Santa Monica Pier (more info).

🎤 AprilCoachella: One of the most famous music festivals in the world, featuring top artists, art installations, and a unique desert setting (more info).

🎉 AprilCinco de Mayo Festival (Los Angeles): Celebrate Mexican culture with parades, live music, food, and dancing in LA (more info).

🎆 JulyFourth of July Fireworks Show (San Diego): Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display over the bay and celebrate America’s birthday with family-friendly activities (more info).

🏄‍♂️ JulyUS Open of Surfing (Huntington Beach): Watch top surfers compete in one of the biggest surfing competitions in the world, with a lively atmosphere and great beach vibes (more info).

🎡 JulyCalifornia State Fair (Sacramento): Explore agricultural displays, local food vendors, carnival rides, and concerts at California’s biggest fair (more info).

🍎 SeptemberApple Hill Harvest Festival (Placerville): Celebrate the fall season with apple picking, cider tasting, and family activities in the Sierra foothills (more info).

🍷 OctoberNapa Valley Harvest Festival: Enjoy wine tastings, fresh local food, and live entertainment in one of the world’s best wine regions (more info).

💀 NovemberDay of the Dead Festival (Los Angeles): Honour the Mexican holiday with traditional food, and performances in LA’s historic Olvera Street (more info).

🎄 DecemberChristmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (San Francisco): Watch the giant Christmas tree light up at Union Square, with live entertainment and holiday cheer.

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Best Selfie Spots

🌉 Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco): Snap a selfie with this world-famous bridge in the background. The best views are from Battery Spencer or Crissy Field.

🌴 Venice Beach Boardwalk (Los Angeles): Take a fun photo with colourful murals or the iconic Venice sign.

📸 Hollywood Sign (Los Angeles): Get a selfie with the legendary sign in the background. The Griffith Observatory offers a great view.

🌿 Yosemite Tunnel View: Capture a stunning photo of Yosemite Valley with El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall all in one frame.

🌵 Joshua Tree National Park: Take a unique selfie with the twisted Joshua trees and rocky desert landscape behind you.

🎢 Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle (Anaheim): Snap a magical selfie in front of the pink castle – a classic Disney photo spot.

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Must-Try Foods and Drinks

🍕 California-Style Pizza: A delicious thin crust pizza with fresh, local toppings like avocado, arugula, and goat cheese. A must-try for pizza lovers.

🍣 Sushi: California is known for its fresh sushi, with local fish like tuna and salmon. Don’t forget to try a California roll!

🍔 In-N-Out Burger: A classic fast-food chain serving up simple yet delicious burgers and fries. Try it with their special “animal style” toppings.

🌮 Fish Tacos: A Baja California specialty, these tacos are made with fresh fish, often grilled or fried, and topped with salsa, cabbage, and a tangy sauce.

🍑 California Avocados: Creamy and rich, these avocados are perfect in salads, sandwiches, or on toast. California grows some of the best!

🥤 Kombucha: A refreshing, slightly tangy fermented tea that’s become a popular drink in California.

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Fun Facts About South Carolina

🎬 Hollywood’s Heart: California is the birthplace of the movie industry. You can visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame and see the stars of your favourite actors and celebrities.

🌵 Largest Desert National Park: Death Valley National Park, located in California, is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the United States!

🍇 Wine Country: Napa Valley is one of the most famous wine regions in the world. While California is known for wine, it’s also a major producer of almonds, olives, and avocados.

🌴 “Selling Sunset” Filming Location: The famous Netflix show Selling Sunset is filmed in California. The luxurious homes you see on the show are real and located in some of the state’s most glamorous neighborhoods!

🏖️ California’s Beaches: California has over 800 miles of coastline, with some of the best beaches for surfing, sunbathing, and beach sports!

To read more of our ‘In Love With’ blogs, click the button below.

In Love With America

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