TRAVEL > NORTH AMERICA > UNITED STATES > CALIFORNIA

LAND OF PLENTY

Travel throughout California to find an array of climates, terrains and communities. Sandy ocean beaches and rugged cliff sides make up its coastline along the Pacific. The terrain inland undulates from grassy hills down into valleys, then back up toward majestic mountaintops. Massive Sequoias and Redwoods fill forests, while the Central Valley provides abundant agriculture.

The Sierra Nevada Mountains are perfect for skiing in winter, or escaping the extreme heat of the valley in the summer. Found in these mountains are some of the most spectacular natural wonders: Mount Shasta rises up as a monolithic peak; Lake Tahoe is within a few hours’ drive of the magnificent Yosemite Valley; Mount Whitney ascends among the highest peaks to the south; nearby to the east, the land descends to the depths of Death Valley below—respectively these final two are the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States.

Missions maintain evidence of its Spanish history, while native tribes have called this land home for centuries. Immigrants filled the region during the Gold Rush, and now vibrant urban centers provide culture and connection to the world. But where the major metropolis can be sprawling with congestion, its quaint, rural towns and protected landscapes offer a quiet respite and connection to nature. California is a state that offers something for everyone.