Hollywood Boulevard is one of the most famous areas of Los Angeles, and one that is a must-see for movie lovers who want to visit their favorite actors star on the Walk of Fame. If this is your intention on visiting the area however, be prepared – there’s now a lot of stars on that boulevard, and finding the one your looking for could take some time. Unless you’re interested in seeing who else is honored with a star, save some time and buy a guide map which will show you exactly where your idol’s star is located!

Once a part of the seedier side of LA, Hollywood Boulevard has had something of a face lift in recent years and there are now a number of interesting places worth taking a look at, as well as a modern mall which provides some relief from the California heat, as well as allowing a little retail therapy to help take your attention away from your tired feet having walked around the Boulevard! Movie lovers will have a great time at the Hollywood Museum on Highland Avenue – here they’ll find not only props and posters, but exhibits such as the Hannibal Lector’s cell from the “Silence of the Lambs”. If you prefer your exhibits to be a little more interactive and educational however, walk a little further on past the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and you’ll find the Hollywood Entertainment Museum which has, amongst other things, a backlot tour.

For those visitors who want to see the home of “Oscar”, as well as the “Hollywood” sign, Hollywood & Highland is the place to be. Here you’ll find the familiar building of the Kodak Theatre which is the current Academy Award venue, as well as an archway through which to admire the “Hollywood” sign in the distance.

There are a number of smaller museums which offer a taste of Hollywood’s past as well as the celebrities who made it famous so make sure that the first stop you make is at the Visitor’s Information Center so that you don’t miss anything on your walk down one of the world’s most famous Boulevards.

When life’s stresses and strains get too much for you, head over to Catalina Island and you’ll find a peaceful retreat that’s bound to have you relaxed in no time. The island, is only approximately 22 physical miles from the mainland, but in terms of lifestyle and sheer population, it’s a lifetime away. With only 2 ports on the island, one into the main town of Avalon, and the other into the more secluded side of the island at Two Harbors, and only two ways onto the island, via the water or helicopter, there’s very little noise from vehicles. Relatively few cars exist on the island and most visitors either get around on foot or bicycle.

Despite being such a small island, there are things to do here on the days when you feel like doing something a little more energetic than watching the sun move around, and when you first arrive on Catalina Island you should visit the local Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau which will give you all the information you need about what’s on, where to find it, and of course ideas of where to stay and eat if you haven’t already made reservations. In the peak months however, you should always at least reserve your room before venturing across to the island. Although you may be lucky to arrive and find a room free, it’s not likely during high season because of the limited amount of accommodation available.

Two of the most popular places to visit on Catalina Island are the Catalina Island Museum which charts the history of the island through it’s various stages from the more recent history through the Hollywood era (the island was one of the first main Hollywood film sets) right back to the Native Americans. Just about 2 miles out of Avalon you’ll find the Wrigley Botanical Gardens which will delight anyone who has an interest in flora and fauna. William Wrigley (as in the chewing gum empire) once owned the island and you could even stay in his mansion which is now converted into a bed and breakfast establishment.

Catalina Island may not sound very exciting when compared with the attractions of Los Angeles and San Francisco, but for anyone needing to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, it’s a perfect beach oasis.

If you are looking to take a romantic vacation with your loved one this year, California should definitely make it to the top of your list. One of the things that makes California a great state is the variety in geography and cities, and it’s this variety that also makes it a prime target for vacation.

If you and your partner pampering on your romantic vacation in the Golden State, a great destination is Palm Springs. Between spa treatments and strolling around the golf course, there’s something for everyone in Palm Springs. If you’re looking for a quiet get-away retreat to spend time reconnecting with your spouse whilst soaking up a little California sunshine, this is a great choice as Palm Springs is located in the Mojave Desert and it rarely falls below freezing – even in winter.

If connecting with nature is more your idea of a romantic retreat, northern California may be just the ticket. Yosemite National Park has it all: Beautiful scenery, lavish hotels, and if you seek them out, special offers that give you the chance to enjoy it all without breaking the bank. Whether you want to be a hiker out in the daytime wilderness with your loved one, or whether you want to snuggle together at night next to a roaring fire, Yosemite may be just what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a romantic winter break, northern California has great skiing to offer to both novice and expert alike.

Of course, you can’t forget the tourist destination, Disneyland. It may not sound romantic, but if that’s the reason for your vacation, you’ll find that you’ll have relaxed quality time during the day as you wander around the park, then at night you can relive the memories of the day over a candle-lit meal at one of the restaurants in the area – and what could be more romantic than watching a fireworks display with someone you love?

So whether your idea of a romantic vacation is wanting to relax, hike, or sightsee together, you’ll love what you find in California.

The Napa Valley area of California is synonymous with good quality wines, but it’s also a great place for a romantic vacation with a touch of class! It’s also within easy driving distance of San Francisco.

The vineyards in the Napa Valley are a wonderful place to explore, many of them open their doors to the public – some owners even allow wine tasting (so check in advance what’s available if this is something you’d like to take part in) evenings – and give visitors an opportunity to see where and how the wine is nurtured and matured. Some vineyards also offer a restaurant service, accompanied by good wine of course, and because they aren’t commercial restaurants, they usually only cater for small numbers making it a special romantic experience.

You don’t have to like wine to enjoy a romantic vacation in the Napa Valley. This part of California doesn’t attract as many visitors as either the larger cities, or even the nearby Yosemite National Park, and the kind of visitors who do choose the Napa Valley are usually those who are looking for a little peace and quite on their holiday. Because of the tourist demographic, you are unlikely to encounter large groups with families and loud teens looking to party – both of which could ruin a time when you want to spend quality time with your partner!

That doesn’t mean however that the Napa Valley is without its own form of excitement. There’s more to this area than watching grapes grow, and wandering around musky wine cellars! The scenery of the Valley is one of it’s major features, and the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion such as an anniversary would be to take a hot air balloon ride over the area. There are a number of different options available to you, but most of them start at the crack of dawn so be prepared for an early start to the day. Once the balloon rises, and the Napa Valley spreads out below you, the tiredness will soon be forgotten however! Make your reservation for the trip of your choice before you leave home, balloon trips are quite popular and especially in peak vacation times have their places booked out quickly!

If you are in the process of planning a vacation for you and your partner, and want to go somewhere romantic, take a closer look at the Napa Valley. It could be just what you’re looking for.

After The O.C. hit the airwaves, people everywhere began to associate California with snobs and over-the-top riches, and even though the show has now ended, the obsession with Orange County hasn’t abated.

There’s a good reason for this. Orange Country is an amazingly beautiful and diverse area, with Mediterranean-like weather year-round. Residents surf the waves on Christmas, something that people from northern states like Idaho or Wisconsin could only dream about. Many consider Orange County to be one of the most perfect places on earth because of the juxtaposition of temperate weather, beautiful scenery, high job growth, and of course its ideal proximity to Los Angeles and San Diego.

Of course when all of these factors combine together into one area, you’ll quickly find that another, not-so-perfect aspect comes into play: soaring housing prices and cost of living. As a place to vacation however, this only affects the average tourist in terms of the cost of accommodation and eating out as this may be higher than in an area where property owners/restaurateurs have less overheads to pay. The main problem isn’t so much that holidaymakers are faced with higher prices, but rather that Orange County isn’t a vibrant cosmopolitan city with many different cultures woven into its backdrop. Many tourist attractions, and even stores, are generic with little local color. This doesn’t apply everywhere however, the world famous surfer’s paradise of Huntington Beach can be found in this area, as can the unique Crystal Cathedral! For kids there’s Disneyland, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and even a toy museum to keep them amused.

You may not be able to relive the highlife from the TV show – unless you are part of that scene, but you will have a great holiday because the natural beauty of Orange County can’t fail to charm you.

Los Angeles is hugely popular with tourists as well as wannabe celebrities and of course movie stars and it is possible to get closer to the rich and famous if you know where to look. It’s even possible to become one of the audience members at a live taping of one of your favorite shows if you know where to look. Here’s a sample of what you could experience on your California vacation (note some of these require a little bit of planning before you leave home!).

1. Catalina Adventure Tours

When the glitz of the current movie scene gets too much, take a trip back in time to beautiful Catalina Island. Here you’ll find a gentler pace to recharge your batteries whilst still keeping touch with Hollywood through the museums and exhibits that proclaim it’s place in movie history.

2. NBC Studio Tour

This tour lasts about 70 minutes but during that time you’ll get to see what happens behind the scenes in a TV studio. If you’re lucky enough to be there on the right day at the right time, you may even get to see a show being taped.

3. Warner Brother VIP Studio Tour

This is a real gem for movie buffs as visitors are guided through back-lot streets, sound stages and even sets they’ll recognize from various productions.

4. Audiences Unlimited Inc

If you’d like to see a TV show being taped live, this is the place to contact. They’ll be able to give you info on what’s being taped when and where, and perhaps even supply you with tickets!

5. Check out Jay and the Tonight Show Team

Get tickets to see Jay Leno and the Tonight Show live by writing to NBC and requesting tickets. You should give them a choice of dates when you’re able to attend the show. If you don’t book ahead, you may be able to get tickets at Universal Studios but this isn’t guaranteed.

If you are more into TV than movies, there’s still much to do in Los Angeles – from TV celebrity spotting to live tapings – perhaps even on the streets of the city so keep your eyes open, you never know what, or who, you’ll bump into!

If exploring nature is your idea of a good vacation, then a trip to the Redwood National Park in northern California is a great choice for a holiday destination. This park is home to the world’s tallest tree which is known as “Tall Tree”, and is a beautiful natural exhibition of redwood trees. These trees can only be seen in California and China so your visit to Redwood National Park isn’t just a chance to be in the great outdoors, but it’s an opportunity to see these rare tall trees up close and personal. It’s even possible to camp out in the park, but facilities are extremely limited so you might want to look further into what’s available before deciding you’re going pitch a tent for the night!

There isn’t an entrance fee to this national park, nor is there an entrance station from the highway, so make sure that you call into the Redwood Information Center in nearby Orick, or the headquarters in Crescent City before entering the park. The information center also shows a short introduction to the park so you know what you’re looking at when you get there, and you can obtain a permit there to enter the gated Tall Trees Grove area inside the park – only a limited number of car permits are allowed each day so if you want to take the opportunity to admire the tallest trees in the world, a short detour to the Information Center before you enter the park is a must! Be warned however, this trip takes about 4 hours to complete and some of it is on a slow-speed dirt road so make sure your vehicle’s up to the challenge before setting off into the grove!

Hiking the Redwood National Park is possible but again, you’ll need a permit to be in the Tall Tree Grove area, and there are times of the year when hikers aren’t allowed in this area because of the footbridges across the creek being inaccessible. Another way to enjoy this beautiful part of upstate California is on horseback with riding trails being offered locally.

The Redwood National Park is one of America’s natural gems and is extremely protected. It’s also well worth the effort of experiencing these magnificent trees up close if you are lucky enough to be able to do so.

If you are looking for something fun to do while your vacationing in San Diego, California, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Besides the usual BIG attractions like Lego Land, Sea World, etc, there are many out of the ordinary activities that are just as much fun, and not quite as packed because they are not as well known.

Put on those walking shoes because your first stop in San Diego should be Balboa Park. Why? Simply because this place has so much to do that it’ll make your vacation in San Diego one you’ll never forget. Imagine 15 museums, beautiful gardens everywhere and the added attraction of concerts. If you’ve children with you they’ll enjoy the mini railroad and carousel within the park. On the northern side of the park you’ll find the San Diego zoo. The zoo consists of 800 species of mammals such as the giant pandas to the hundreds of slithering snakes, but one of its greatest attractions is actually the Skyfari cable car! If you want to see more animals, you should also check out the San Diego Wild Animal Park which you tour around on a monorail that takes about 50 minutes to complete the loop which circles a preserve containing many types of wild animals such as zebras, rhinos and giraffes.

One “must do” activity on your vacation should be to the San Diego maritime museum. It may look on the outside, but looks are deceiving as it has a lot of amazing exhibits inside. This museum itself is housed on a ship. If you like pirates, you’ll love Pirates of the Pacific, inside this ship are all the wonders from William Dampier. Many other ships such as Berkeley, Californian, Pilot, B-39 Submarine, etc are on display. If you are in anyway interested in ships or love maritime history this is going to be a fun place for you.

For something completely different, make sure you visit the La Jolla Underwater Park. This is an awesome natural marine environment complete with caves, sandstone cliffs, reefs, canyons and kelp forests.

San Diego may not have the glitz and glitter of LA, but it has a character all of it’s own, and one things for sure, you won’t get bored there!

Disneyland is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world, and for good reason. It is where Disney magic comes alive with the famous characters walking around that you can meet (everyone from Goofy to Cinderella – and not forgetting Mickey!) and have their photos taken and collect autographs. For the little ones especially this is the best part of the park and the excitement is something they’ll remember long after they’ve outgrown the animated movies and understand the reality behind the characters!

Aside from the characters there are the rides. Space Mountain and Splash Mountain in particular are rides for which Disney is famous – some rides have height restrictions so make sure your children qualify before standing in line. The park is divided up into various themed areas such as “Tomorrowland” and “Critter Country” and each area is full of attractions, rides and side shows. You could actually spend a day just wandering around and looking at everything, without ever going on a single ride – unless you’ve got children with you! There are parades in the park, and a fireworks display can be found at almost any major event in the park, which adds to the fun because you don’t have to stand in line for hours to watch it – check the park’s information area to find out what’s happening on the day you’re visiting and what time it begins.

Disneyland has an assortment of places to eat around the park, plan your day so that you are in the right area at the right time for your meals. Some restaurants advise making reservations so check this out at the start of your day – or even before you get there if possible – to avoid disappointment.

Accommodation near to, or even within, Disneyland is popular during school vacations, so you need to reserve the hotel you want to stay at as soon as you make the decision to visit the park. Once the high season gets into full swing, available hotel rooms become further away from the park and limited in choice.

Disneyland is pure magic and whether you’re 5 or 95, you’ll find there’s something to enjoy in this fabulous theme park! Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll be sure to want to come back another time.

If you’re tempted to “go west” for your vacation, and love the idea of long days full of sunshine, then the Gold State is the one for you. California has something for everyone and can cater for all manner of vacation dreams; young and old, budget and high-fliers, vibrant or serene, this state has it all!

The first thing you need to do is decide what you’d like to do on your vacation, this will help you locate the right part of the state to begin your holiday. Do you want to center your vacation in one of the major cities of Los Angeles or San Francisco, and either have a one-center holiday where you explore only that city? Alternatively, do you want to use that city as your gateway and base for a vacation that allows you to explore the coastal areas such as Santa Barbara, or the desert areas of the Joshua Tree National Park? Are you hoping to sample some home-grown Californian wines in the Napa Valley? Is the Yosemite National Park somewhere you’ve always wanted to go? Are you interested in the anticipation of celebrity spotting? Are you hoping for a round or two of golf? Does the idea of taking a short trip into Mexico excite you? Are you taking children who are hoping to visit theme parks? All of these factors will help you identify which part of the Gold State is the right one for you. One things for sure, you’ll be able to do all of those things and a lot more besides in this vibrant state!

Once you know where you’re going, identify what you’ll need. How will you get there? If you intend to hire a car whilst you’re there, is there adequate parking around the place you hope to stay? Would public transport be a better idea for most days with car hire on the days you want to go outside the city? Do you need to make reservations for any accommodation? How about attraction tickets? Do you need to book in advance for any special event at the Rose Bowl? What about any sporting activities you hope to do – is equipment available locally to hire or do you need to take your own?

There are endless opportunities for a vacation of a lifetime in California, and you’ll be able to pack a number of them into your holiday as long as you plan the right destination, so take a good look at the map and carefully plan out a preliminary itinerary – you can always change it when you get there, but at least you’ll be off to a good start by being in the right part of this beautiful part of America.