The Golden State

Capital: Sacramento

California became the 31st state in 1850. Capital is Sacramento. Major cities include Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Monterey, and points north (like Chico, home to Sierra Nevada Brewing).

Burney Falls: This 129' fall is a favorite with locals and people in the know.

California State Capitol: Located in Sacramento, this is where you'll find portraits of Ronald Reagan and the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: A smaller version of nearby Redwood National Park.

Monterey: The US Military has a long history here, including currently housing the Defense Language Institute and the Naval Postgraduate School. Cannery Row used to pack sardines for the nation but kicked into high gear during WWII. This is the time author John Steinbeck captured in his novel 'Cannery Row'. It's all shops, restaurants, and hotels now.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: Located in Simi Valley, this is the largest and most impressive Presidential Library.

Sacramento: Capital city. A former mining town. Also the western end of the Pony Express.

San Francisco: City by the Bay. Trolleys. Bridges. A prison on an island.

National Park Sites Visited

Death Valley National Park: Lowest, hottest, and driest National Park. It's also the hottest place on earth, with temperatures in the 130s in the summer. This place is huge! Takes hours to drive from one end to the other. Add more time if you want to see the sights...I know, it's a desert...what could there be to see?! If you don't see anything else, at least stop by Badwater Basin (also ironic, as it's dry).

Manzanar National Historic Site: One of the relocation / detention facilities for Japanese following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Redwood National Park: Home to the tallest tree on Earth. With prehistoric characteristics (and ties to Jurassic Park films), this is a park worth visiting.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Home to some big trees...including the General Sherman Tree (largest in the world, measured by volume) and the General Grant Tree.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: A beautiful and diverse place with mountains, lakes, trees, streams, and more.

Yosemite National Park: Amazing! If Ansel Adams was inspired here, rock climbers are inspired here, and millions of people have been inspired here...so will you!