Final Up to date
They are saying the West Coast is the perfect coast and I’ll again up that declare any day of the week. I’ll have been born and raised in Texas, however among the finest years of my life have been spent in California.
I am not going to sugarcoat the frustrations of residing right here, however on the finish of the day, there isn’t a different place I might moderately name dwelling.
And I do know so as a result of I’ve left earlier than and the grass actually wasn’t greener each actually and figuratively.
The Golden State might not get every part proper, but it surely’s top-of-the-line locations to journey within the nation.
I’ve lived right here for 10 years and visited each metropolis. These are my 5 favourite locations:
5) San Francisco
I do know, I do know – San Francisco has modified. We even included this superior metropolis as a spot not to visit this yr and with good motive.
If Tony Bennett left his coronary heart in San Francisco at this time somebody would steal it and promote it on the black market.
The crime waves and unpleasant zombie apocalypse-esque streets are one thing I can overlook as a result of I like it a lot and have by no means had a nasty time.
Whilst unlucky as town has modified, the cultural neighborhoods, superb views, enjoyable points of interest and phenomenal meals scene stays, which is why it barely cracks my prime 5.
Having traveled to about 30 nations, my favourite restaurant on the planet continues to be Terra Cotta Warrior situated within the Outer Sundown neighborhood.
It is a no-frills, but genuine, Chinese language restaurant specializing in delicacies from the Shaanxi province. If this place ever shuts down, SF might not even crack my prime 10. That is how good it’s!
4) Malibu
Spoiler alert: Los Angeles correct won’t ever crack my favorites listing for something. Personally, I consider it is probably the most overhyped metropolis in America, however outdoors of town limits is the place LA is at its finest.
Malibu is a lot greater than a Miley Cyrus track. This ritzy seashore city is a spot the place common Joe’s like me can mix in and hobnob with the wealthy and well-known, in contrast to Beverly Hills the place I really feel appeared down on after making a Goal run.
Lined with scrumptious upscale eating places, very nice seashores and the scenic Topanga State Park for unimaginable views and hikes, Malibu is an superior place to go to.
The coastal drive itself is superb. Simply plan forward for site visitors throughout Spring Break and summer time.
Talking of summer time, who’s coming to the at all times in style Malibu Chili Cook dinner-Off with me?
3) Sequoia Nationwide Park
My favourite place in California to immerse myself in nature past the state’s unimaginable seashores is unquestionably Sequoia National Park.
When you can fly into Fresno (positively not a favourite), a road trip makes the journey extra enjoyable with stops in charming small cities like Kernville.
Sequoia’s backroads are indescribably lovely. Simply put together higher than I did by renting a Toyota Yaris.
Regardless, a visit to Sequoia ought to actually be bucket-list worthy. Few locations have given me a way of appreciation for nature greater than this park.
Seeing footage of the mountains and large bushes on-line are one factor, however seeing them in individual is a complete totally different degree.
2) Orange County (Seashores)
Orange County covers quite a lot of floor in southern California with cities corresponding to Santa Ana, Irvine, and Anaheim, however I am not right here to advertise Disneyland anymore than it must be.
Orange County’s quaint seashore cities are beautiful and it is actually arduous to choose only one. Every of them tends to have its personal distinctive vibe, corresponding to luxurious Laguna Seashore to extra laid-back Dana Level and San Clemente.
If I needed to choose one it might rely on my funds for the day, however it might be a toss-up between Laguna Seashore and San Clemente.
You may’t go fallacious with both, though San Clemente positively has rather more of an area really feel as a surfer’s favourite hangout.
1) San Diego
My dwelling for 10 years and hopefully many extra, San Diego is with out query my favourite vacation spot in California.
Touring is my past love and one among few passions in life, however regardless of the place I’m or how lengthy I have been there, I at all times sit up for coming again dwelling to this lovely metropolis.
Typically overshadowed by the gargantuan measurement of Los Angeles, San Diego continues to be a significant metropolis with lots to do past planning seashore days from Coronado to Oceanside.
With historic districts corresponding to Outdated City often called the “birthplace of California” to cultural neighborhoods like Metropolis Heights the place greater than 80 dialects of languages are spoken, San Diego is not only a “seashore city” per se.
Whereas it is positively no digital nomad haven with a excessive price of residing, my favourite half about San Diego aside from Mexican Meals, after all, is you’ll be able to go climbing within the mountains, hit up the seashore and see the snow all in the identical day.
There may be at all times one thing to do outdoors within the metropolis, however the pleasant small cities like Julian being in shut attain make for a straightforward escape for a change of tempo when wanted.
And after an evening within the wild Gaslamp District downtown, you’ll positively want a change of tempo.
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Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.