The Cities of California

Los Angeles, sometimes referred to as the ‘City of the Angels,’ or ‘La-La Land,’ is a magical Southern California city that is filled with award-winning restaurants, designer boutiques, and A-list celebrities. The neighborhood of Hollywood is an industry leader in all things entertainment and is the crown jewel of Los Angeles, receiving millions of visitors each year from all over the world. Los Angeles is also home to some of the best amusement parks in the United States, including Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Six Flags Magic Mountain. Visitors should make it a priority to check out the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica Pier, and the famous Beverly Hills.

San Diego is Southern California’s largest city near the United States/Mexico border; it’s situated approximately 17 miles north of Tijuana, Mexico. The city is famous for its pristine beaches, incredible surf, award-winning Baja-Med cuisine, and all-around laid-back vibes. From Little Italy to La Jolla to Hillcrest to North Park, visitors will appreciate the city’s numerous diverse neighborhoods that each provide their own unique experience. San Diego is a city brimming with attractions, some of which include Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park. It is also home to several world-renowned events each year that visitors should watch for, such as Comic-Con, the San Diego County Fair, and the PGA Farmers Insurance Open.

Located in Northern California’s Bay Area, San Jose is a beautiful city that is surrounded by sprawling hills within the major technology hub of Silicon Valley. The city’s downtown historic district features architectural landmarks that range from Spanish Colonial Revival structures to the 1883 Italianate-style Oddfellows building. San Jose is home to a number of popular attractions that include the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, Santana Row, the San Jose Museum of Art, and The Tech Interactive . Visitors will appreciate the city’s mild and sunny weather, making it an idyllic location for outdoor recreational activities, such as kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking.

San Francisco is a marvelous city that is situated at the very tip of a small peninsula between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean in Northern California. The city is known for its large hills, colorful Victorian houses, cable cars, year-round marine layer, and iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Visitors can take ferry trips to Alcatraz Island where they explore the former site of the notorious prison that once housed famous criminals like Al Capone and George Celino Barnes (Machine Gun Kelly). A visit to San Francisco is not complete without a ride on the iconic cable cars, a trip to Chinatown, and visit to Fisherman’s Wharf – a waterfront neighborhood with sensational seafood stalls, steaming crab cauldrons, and historic ships.

Fresno is a Central California city that is situated within the San Joaquin Valley, roughly 60 miles from four US National Parks; Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Sierra, and Yosemite. The city is plays host to a variety of colorful festivals and events throughout the year that include the Tower District Mardi Gras Parade, Musick Mountain Blues Festival, Big Fresno Fair, and Fall Wine Cornucopia. Fresno is a shopper’s paradise with its numerous shopping malls and areas, such as Fashion Fair Mall, Fulton Mall, and the Fig Garden Village. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Forestiere Underground Gardens, and Woodward Regional Park, are just a few of the city’s favorite attractions that visitors will want to add to their list.

The capital of California, Sacramento is a city that is situated along the meeting point of the American and Sacramento Rivers, approximately 90 miles northeast of San Francisco. Old Sacramento Waterfront offers a wonderfully unique experience with its historical attractions, wild entertainment, farm-to-table dining, shopping, and live music, all along the picturesque Sacramento River. Visitors will have no trouble finding bountiful farmers’ markets, or home-grown breweries, or beautiful street murals while perusing the streets. The city is always humming with things to see, taste, and savor. Sacramento is also home to several excellent museums, including the California State Railroad Museum, Crocker Art Museum, and California State Capitol Museum.

Long Beach is a coastal port city located in Southern California, about 23 miles south of Los Angeles. From sandy beaches to eclectic neighborhoods, visitors will find everything they long for in this urban waterfront playground. Moored in Queensway Bay, The Queen Mary Hotel is a retired art deco-designed ocean liner that features special exhibitions and historic tours, along with 347 spacious staterooms and elegant suites, sensational restaurants and a Sunday Brunch, shops, meeting facilities, a spa, and Pacific Ocean views. Visitors will also want to explore Naples Island, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the picturesque Santa Catalina Island via the Catalina Express.

Oakland is a Northern California city that is situated along the eastern shores of San Francisco Bay, directly across the bay from the city of San Francisco. Near Chinatown, visitors can explore exhibitions relating to art, nature, and state history, at the Oakland Museum of California. The city’s Uptown area features the art deco Paramount and Fox theaters, along with impressive art galleries, trendy bars, and renowned restaurants. Oakland is a city with tons of charm, especially when it comes to its restored Victorian boutiques and architecture. Visitors will want to check out the Oakland Zoo, Lake Merritt, Cabot Space & Science Center, and Redwood Regional Park.

Bakersfield is a Central California city that is situated on Kern River in the San Joaquin Valley, approximately 110 miles north of Los Angeles. The city began as an agricultural trade center for the Owens Valley and Sierra Nevada mines in the 1870s. Now dubbed “Nashville West,” Bakersfield has been a major contributor in the country music scene, and is home to several recording artists, including Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Exhibitions at the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History are focused on paleontology and geology. On the northeastern edge of the city, visitors can explore the California Living Museum – a museum dedicated to California’s flora and fauna.

Home to the world-renowned Disneyland Resort, Anaheim is a Southern California city that is situated just southeast of Los Angeles. Disneyland is a massive park of family-friendly, themed rides, hotels, shops, and restaurants. Anaheim has grown to become much more than just the destination of a famous theme park. Visitors can explore Center Street, ride BMX or skateboard at the Vans Skatepark, take trapeze lessons at SwingIt, catch an NHL Ducks game or MLB Angels game, or take the whole family to popular Medieval Times. Visitors will definitely want to explore the Anaheim Packing House – a historic citrus packing warehouse that has been transformed into one of the greatest, original American food halls.