California has enough famous attractions to fill up several volumes. From great cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles to the redwood forests of Eureka and the gorgeous vistas of the Pacific Coast Highway, the Golden State has something to interest everyone. Of course, the state has plenty of hidden gems but first-time visitors should make time for its most famous attractions.
The Golden Gate Bridge stands at the entrance to San Francisco Bay, and remains the quintessential icon of the Bay Area. It was designed by Joseph Strauss, with a unique reddish orange color that helped it blend into the nearby scenery. It first opened in May 1937, and since then tens of millions of people have passed over it every year. It stands almost 750 feet tall and extends well over a mile and a half. Southbound traffic into the city must pay a toll, but northbound traffic is free, and the Bridge is open to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Walt Disney first conceived of Disneyland as a place where his fans could experience the wonder of the Disney ethos (something his rather stodgy Burbank studios couldn't do). It first opened in 1955 amid the orange groves of Anaheim, and has since become a cultural institution. It is divided into eight different "lands" each containing rides and attractions that embody a different theme. Classic rides like Peter Pan and the Pirates of the Caribbean rub shoulders with newer attractions like the Indiana Jones ride. A second park, Disney's California Adventure, has opened just across the way.
The Hollywood and Highland complex constitutes the heart of Hollywood, with a number of famous attractions within its confines. It's anchored by the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with the names of famous stars in the sidewalk. The Hollywood sign is easily visible from its main entrance, and the complex contains both the famous Chinese Theater (with stars' handprints in the cement) and the Kodak Theater (which hosts the Oscars every year, as well as numerous other shows). Similar historic landmarks, such as the El Capitan theater and the Egyptian theater, are just a few blocks away.
The San Diego Zoo first opened in 1922, and today stands as one of the best in the world. It houses more than 4,000 different animals belonging to nearly 1,000 different species: most of them maintained in expansive habitats that mimic their natural terrain. The nearby San Diego Wild Animal Park (also run by the Zoo) uses the Southern California landscape to emulate the savannahs of Africa, allowing numerous species to roam at will across the landscape.
Publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst built a private Shangri-La along the central California coast near San Simeon. Today it is open to the public, who can wander among the stone halls, view Hearst's exquisite collection of art and watch animals such as zebra and antelope, which are descendants of Hearst's private zoo. Hotels and motels can be found in nearby communities, allowing visitors to spend multiple days exploring the castle if they wish.
Along the famous Highway 101 near the Oregon border lie the Redwood National and State Parks. They comprise over 131,000 acres, given over to old-growth forests of majestic redwood trees. The trees constitute some of the oldest and largest living things in the world, and form the anchor to an extended ecosystem that includes animals such as bobcats, black bears and bald eagles. Though they are protected areas, the parks contain a number of campsites and hiking trails, allowing visitors to enjoy the natural wonders around them.
