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North
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California
In 1769, Spanish missionaries first established outposts in San
Diego - and continued throughout the century up the coast north to San
Francisco.
Today,
California's early history is inexorably intertwined with Spain in a "chain"
of missions that now stretches 650 miles along the El Camino Real or King's Highway.
California became
a U.S. territory when Mexico surrendered it in 1847. The following year, the discovery
of gold at Sutter's Mill started the California
Gold Rush, which for years afterward brought thousands of settlers looking
to "strike it rich" and fulfill their dreams of wealth and glory. While
gold lured them to the West Coast, it was the beauty of the country, the amazing
weather and the abundance of natural resources that kept them there. Today,
California continues luring those seeking riches and fame to Los
Angeles and Hollywood.
Wine lovers also
are drawn to world class vintages in grape growing areas throughout the state
that rival even classic European wine country.
Other California
natural wonders such as Lake Tahoe, Yosemite
National Park and Sequoia National Park awe both natives
and visitors. Along the coast, 17
Mile Drive and California Highway 1 provide travelers with
breathtaking scenery as they explore these world-famous stretches
of the Golden State.
Beside
works of nature, California is also home to the
Golden Gate Bridge in San
Francisco, the San
Diego Zoo, and Disneyland
in Anaheim. The British soccer star, David Beckham is only one of the celebrities
who you'll find living in California, and tours of movie celebrity homes are a
must-see on any visit to Los Angeles. For
more travel ideas, surf around at top sites offering plenty of detailed info on
what else to see, where to go and what to do in California ... Related
Web Sites: California
Tourism - Catch
your breath and settle down for the big site covering a big topic with travel
updates, event schedule, top tourist sites and special highlights including theme
parks and kid's attractions, the complete guide to hotels, RV parks and hostels,
regional and state maps. Anaheim
Orange County California - The home of Disneyland, with information on
what else there is to do with guides to hotels & restaurants, nightlife, beaches,
family fun plus practical facts on getting around, pictures, maps & directions. California
Central Coast Tourism - Hit the beach running with this online guide to
the state's natural wonders including beaches, trails, fishing guides, winery
tours, related pictures and maps for Monterey, Ventura, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara
and Santa Barbara counties. Beach
California - More virtual fun-in-the-sun offering an extensive collection
of beach photos and information plus inland attractions nearby up and down the
coast. Northern
California Travel and Tourism - Offering a virtual visitors guide with
hotels, pictures, maps, event schedule, popular attractions and more for all eight
northern California regions including Shasta, Trinity, Butte, Tehama, Siskiyou,
Modoc, Plumas, and Lassen counties. California
Fall Travel Calendar:
California
Summer Travel Calendar:
also see in Travel - > Los
Angeles | San
Francisco | San
Diego California
Beaches | California
Vineyards & Wineries
also
see -> California
Fall Foliage | Christmas
in California Moving
to California | Ski
& Snowboard California
Related Features :
Elephant
Seals of the California Coast | Affordable
Bay Area Hotels The
Only Romantic Spot in California - Dana Point |