The Golden Gate to a Perfect Vacation

  A San Francisco visit is an unforgettable ‘Attraction Rush’ that will make you rich for life. But what should you do first in a city where every neighborhood’s personality draws tourists like a magnet and even dining out is an attraction in itself? Don’t panic! We narrowed down the options to a list of top places & activities in San Fran. This way, you’ll get to experience the famous eccentric ‘Frisco spirit, taste its mouthwatering cuisine and discover the city’s unique secrets (which you’ll be eager to share with the whole world).  

Alcatraz gives you cold sweats and awesome memories

Would you dare to step into Al ‘Scarface’ Capone’s cell and sit on the chair where George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly used to dine? Then you must escape to Alcatraz, America’s first military prison. The list of the criminals doing time there was rather short: about 250 fellows. But each and every one of them was on America’s Most Wanted list. The Rock’s most appraised tour is Alcatraz Night Tour. You’ll take a self guided tour and hear the story of the prison in your headphones, sometimes narrated by the prisoners who inhabited it. The Rock looks exactly as it was when closed down. So this will probably make even more interesting your walk in the moonlit rooms, while you hear in your headphones creepy sounds of clinking forks and knives (when you visit the dining room). The tour is exciting, haunting and eerie. But that’s exactly how you want it to be, isn’t it? And a piece of advice: book the tour weeks in advance so you make sure you visit Alcatraz when you come to San Francisco.  

Monterey Bay Aquarium: where sea otters and penguins become your best friends

Built at the ocean’s edge, the Aquarium is a sheer delight for visitors of all ages. Luna, the cutest sea otter you’ve ever seen, will impress youwith her story: she was once an orphan, but the Aquarium staff saved her and took care of her. Now she is happy and grateful. Don’tmiss the jelly fish, the sea lions, assist the open sea feeding of turtles, tuna, sharks and many others marine animals.

Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail: breathtaking views & friendly seals

 

Maybe you want to take a walk along the coast or ride the bike in the morning, feeling the ocean’s breeze in your hair. Or perhaps you would like to sit on a bench and admire the infinite ocean, go on a romantic picnic on one of the beautiful sandy beaches or have dinner at a restaurant next to the ocean. No matter which of these options you choose, you will enjoy every moment spent there.  

Wine Tasting Tour because Monterey County wines are a blast

If you want to go on a wine tasting trip, but don’t feel like driving from place to place, then the best thing to do is to buy tickets for a wine tasting tour. You will be picked up in the morning by a trolley which will take you to several wineries and tasting rooms. Usually, the price of a trip also includes a free bottle of wine and a meal with cheese and fruits that make the wine even tastier. But besides this, you’ll get to buy fabulous quality wines to enjoy later, at home. It is almost certain the wine tasting trip will start off with a group of quiet people and end with the same group, only louder, merrier and funnier.

 Beautiful Harbor Cruise: the icing on the cake

You can choose a classical boat or a glass-bottomed boat when you take the whale watching tour. Whichever you prefer, just grab sunscreen lotion, warm clothes, a hat, a camera and GO! You’ll understand what the fuss is all about before you go on the boat, when you meet people who take the tour the second or third time. If you are lucky, you’ll see dolphins, Orca, Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, birds. But true magic will occur when the dolphins or the Humpback Whales calves feel like playing, jump out of water and flap around.  

Lopez Restaurante y Cantina if you are a true fan of fresh and spicy

The Mexican culinary legacy is a blessing for locals and tourists alike. Burritos topped with tomatillo sauce, chips and salsa, of course, super combo fajitas (chicken and shrimp) are just some of the amazing dishes you can order at Lopez Restaurante y Cantina. The food portions are really big and delicious, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere is relaxing. And we have two more tips for a PERFECT experience: try the margaritas and the fried ice cream.   California’s capital city for almost 100 years under Mexican and Spanish flags, Monterey is now famous for dazzling coastline views, golf, shopping, its highly educational and entertaining aquarium, water sports and wonderful Mexican cuisine. Choose Monterey as your holiday destination and plan your trip so you make the most of it. You can find below some of the most interesting and fun things to do in Monterey.  

Have you been to Monterey? What was a special experience for you?

Try to imagine California without Walt Disney. A world without his magic, whimsy, and optimism. Walt Disney transformed the entertainment industry, into what we know today. He pioneered the fields of animation, and found new ways to teach, and educate. Here are 9 Walt Disney quotes to remind you what's important.

 

 

 

 

 

Beware! We recommend you read this post only if unusual, strange and even bizarre travel destinations is what you’re looking for.  

The Queen Mary: a “spooktacular” luxury liner and WW II transport ship

She’s almost 100 years old today and initially she should have been a cruise ship for the rich. But then the World War II came and Queen Mary became the Grey Ghost. The elegant and grandiose ship is now moored in Long Beach and awaits curious visitors. You can rent a room and stay aboard the Queen Mary or just take a tour and visit it. You will discover eerie stories and perhaps meet the ghosts of those who never got to leave the ship during the war. One of the scariest is the story of a little girl who broke her neck while she was sliding down the banister. Now she wanders the pool area along with other to women who found their death in the same area, but haven’t managed to find their peace though. About 50 deaths occurred on the ship, but the psychic Peter James says he communicated with more than 150 ghosts living on Queen Mary. So, if spooky is your thing, you’ll certainly enjoy one (or more) of the tours the ship offers: you get the chance to explore the Queen and meet the spirits in the “Haunted encounters” tour or take part in a paranormal investigation in “Fine dining and paranormal investigation” tour.  

Joshua Tree National Park: adetour in the Wonderland of huge boulders and amazing sunsets

Joshua Tree National Park, located in the Southern California Desert is loved by any traveler who enjoys off-the-beaten path destinations because it offers many sensational attractions. You can camp, climb, hike or simply take a one-day drive through the park. The star of the area is the Joshua Tree, of course.   The name was given by a group of Mormons in the 19^th century. The shape of the yucca trees reminded them of Joshua, the biblical character, reaching his hands to the sky for prayer. Let’s not forget about the Skull Rock, a magnet for children & grown-ups alike, but also a true delight for photographers. The dusk is the best moment to be there, as the Skull begins to look like an ancient impressive presence, creating a sense of doom.  

The Orange County Museum of Art: enjoy meaningful and unusual “art-surprises”

  It is more than a museum. It’s an experience. From the huge funny dog that welcomes you into the building to the 1000 Clocks room, the Blue Room (based on Picasso’s blue period) and the 2500 other objects comprised in the museum’s collection – everything gives you the feeling of a surreal atmosphere, of a new world recomposed by the most talented contemporary artists. If you wish to live a singular, captivating and memorable experience, we highly recommend a visit to the Orange County Museum of Art, located in Newport Beach, California.  

Forestiere Underground Gardens: a labyrinth of subterranean dreams and miracles

  “The visions in my mind overwhelm me” the young Sicilian immigrant said. And that was the moment when Baldassare Forestiere began to carve his ingenious dream: approximately 10 acres of bedrooms, passageways, patios, a bedroom, a kitchen, a chapel and a fishpond (almost 100 rooms) were built on three underground levels (approximately 10 feet deep, 22 feet deep and 24 feet deep).   An incredible fact should be mentioned: no plans were put on paper for the spectacular underground gallery. Each and every single idea was put into practice directly from Baldassare’s head. After 40 years of hard work, Forestiere endows the world with his marvelous underground Gardens of Eden. Today, everybody can visit them in Fresno, 5021 W. Shaw Avenue.  

Are you a fan of bizarre and unusual destinations? Have you visited any of the places we recommend above? Tell us about your experience and what you liked most!

California attracts the brightest minds in the world. Here are just a few examples of beautiful street art found in various locations throughout California.

 

Have you seen some beautiful art pieces in California? Share in the comments below!