Spring Break: Destination California

California State has an area of 163,696 sq. miles, with 3,427 total miles of coast, making it the third largest State in the country. And, most impressive of all is that California has something for everyone: rushing rivers, crashing waves, sandy beaches, majestic mountains, towering trees, “desolate” deserts, haunted ghost towns, unique wildlife, big cities, small towns, fertile fields, idyllic mountain glens, and placid lakes.

You can find restaurants, hotels, amusement parks, quiet parks, museums, fishing, skiing, water skiing, hiking, sunbathing, biking, swimming, boating and cruising. You can find all this, and much, much more in California

 1) Yosemite National Park

Located in Mariposa County, in the Sierra Madre Mountain range, Yosemite presents a look into true natural beauty. Pristine views of lakes, snow-capped mountains and peaceful valleys are enough to take your breath away and have you wishing you never had to leave. Towering Sequoias, considered the oldest trees in the world, stand out against clear blue skies. Thundering waterfalls, babbling streams, whispering leaves, chattering squirrels and beautiful birdsong all blend to create a symphony that not even Respighi could duplicate. All this add up to a true paradise. Bring along your camera, you’ll need it.

2) Coloma

Coloma is an extremely small town located in the Eldorado Hills, about 46.5 mi from Sacramento. It is most famous for being the town where Sutter’s Mill is located. Sutter’s mill is where James W. Marshall first discovered gold, giving rise to the California gold rush in 1848. A restructured Mill, in the original design, now stands in the same spot. And there is still “gold in them thar hills” and panning for gold is still a favorite pastime. You can also search for meteorite fragments from the 2012 Sutter’s Mill meteorite.

3)  Calico Ghost Town

Located in the Calico Mountains, in the Mojave Desert region, lies an interesting ghost town named Calico. At one time, Calico was famous for its silver mine, and was considered to hold some of the best silver veins in the country. When the veins petered out, the mine was closed, and the town built up around it was abandoned. As with many abandoned towns of the Old West, Calico became a ghost town; several paranormal manifestations have been reported in both the town and mine. There is a mine tour and museum, and mining artifacts can still be found near the abandoned graveyard.

4) Buena Park/Anaheim

In northern Orange County there are two fine cites sitting in each other’s lap: Buena Park and Anaheim. Here, you can find sports events, theme parks, fine dining, theatre events, great hotels, and plenty of museums. “Believe it or not”, even Ripley’s is there. Just 30-minutes further north, you can find yourself surrounded by prehistoric natural history at the La Brea Tar Pits, where incredibly preserved artifacts can still be found.

5) Irvine

 Unlike the relationship of most universities and cities of the same name, the city of Irvine did not come before the University. It was built up around the university on land belonging to the Irvine company. Since then, it has grown in magnitude, taking over a large part of what was once Santa Ana Heights, an unincorporated area.

Among the many things that can be enjoyed in Irvine are the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Lyon’s Air Museum at the John Wayne Airport, the Five Point Amphitheater, various other parks and ecological sites, and much more. 

6) Newport beach

Whether you’re interested in simply relaxing in the sun, swimming, body surfing or board surfing, walking along the shoreline, observing small marine life in tide pools, deep sea fishing, or playing Beach Volleyball, Newport Beach is the area for you. From the beaches and tide pools of Corona del Mar to the wide-open beaches of the Balboa Peninsula, you’ll find yourself in a Newport frame-of-mind.

7)  Big Bear

 Big Bear City is located near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. At only 87 miles from Newport Beach, it is located at 6,759 feet above sea level. The lake has just recently relaxed Covid regulations and is waiting happily to share its nature hikes, picnic grounds, camping areas and cabins with the lucky folks who choose to spend time in this mountain paradise.

8)  Catalina Island

 Catalina Island lies twenty miles off the California coast, in the Pacific Ocean. In the waters surrounding this island are found some unique forms of marine-life, including the Garibaldi fish, which didn’t get its name because Giuseppe Garibaldi discovered it (he didn’t). There are several ways to discover why the fish has this name, and if you’re not into scuba diving or snorkeling, there are always the glass-bottom boat tours for which Catalina Island is famous. Add in the palm trees swaying in the gentle breezes and the white sand beaches, and you’ll think you are in paradise.

9)  Mojave Desert

As with most of California’s ecosystems, the Mojave Desert is unique. It includes one of the hottest places in the world (Death Valley), but it also has a number of plants and animals unique to the Mojave. It has a more temperate atmosphere than most deserts, although it is still, nonetheless, very hot during the day and chilly at night. Although taking a warm jacket with you to the desert might sound strange, yet it is smart to have one at hand. The Mojave Desert is also known as the Mojave National Preserve.

 

10) San Diego

San Diego has some of the most interesting theme parks in the State, and even in the entire country. Where else can you go on an African Safari one day, coming into close contact with elephants, rhinos and other animals close to extinction, and then go shake fins with orcas, dolphins and sea lions, walk through an aquarium and meet face to with a shark (and not swim for your life) the next? These surprises, and more, will captivate your heart in San Diego.

This article was written with another scope in mind, but because of a series of mishaps, the article was unable to be placed in the intended venue. It seemed a pity to waste all those hours of work, so I hope whoever reads it will enjoy it and maybe take their Spring Break somewhere in California, hopefully in one of these 10 destinations.