California Hotels

The promise of a better life and the hope of striking it rich lured thousands of settlers across the American west to California. Today the Golden State is still luring visitors to explore its diverse communities and scenery. From your California hotel you can discover rich natural treasures, beautiful and bustling cities, the center of the world's entertainment industry and miles of beaches along the Pacific. There are retro roadside hotels in California that will take you back a few decades as well as trendy California hotels whose cutting edge style changes as quickly as southern California breezes.

California is one of the largest American states and one of the most naturally diverse. The beautiful green rolling hills in the north share very little in common with the California desert in the southern reaches of the state. One of the most spectacular drives in the U.S. is along the Pacific Coast Highway, with the ocean on one side and weathered rocks on the other. The magnificent redwood forests have to be seen to be believed. California is careful to protect its natural resources. In fact, many of its regions have been designated as National Parks by the U.S. government.

One of the most beautiful spots in California is one of its largest cities. San Francisco is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in the U.S. The natural setting of the city, on the hills overlooking San Francisco bay, gave it a great start; but the architecture of its homes, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and the style that the city has maintained through the years has made it one of the outstanding cities of the world. Take a ride on a trolley and visit Alcatraz to complete the experience.

Los Angeles, the largest city in the state, is a world away from San Francisco. Only a few hours by car, they have virtually nothing in common. Tourists come to LA to see the stars - and sometimes they are successful. Even if you don't spot any celebrities, you will have no trouble seeing where they live, work, and play. Tours of the studios (which are no longer located in Hollywood) are common, as are bus tours of the stars homes. For the more ghoulish, there are even tours of Hollywood's darker history, describing all the sordid details as you roll past the sites where the stars of yesteryear faded off into the sunset.

Lesser known and farther to the south is the city of San Diego. Over 14 million visitors a year drop in to enjoy the history, culture, recreation and family-oriented attractions of "America's finest city". It doesn't take long to see why many of them decide to become permanent residents.

California's sunny climate (particularly in the south), her "laid-back" spirit, and the never ending list of things to do make it an ideal travel destination.