California Calling

Southern California Is An Inviting Medley Of Nature, Adventure, Theme Parks And Mega Cities

Also called SoCal, Southern California has some world famous attractions. For straters, there is Hollywood, which just about matches anything else that the United States has to offer. Then there are mega cities like Los Angeles and San Diego.

SoCal is made up of the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Imperial. It is a major hub of shipping and air travel, as well as a popular tourist destination.

Let's start with Los Angeles county. Hollywood in fact is just one of its star attractions, which are astonishingly broad-based. For example, you could go snowboarding in the morning, do some beach-bumming in the afternoon and in the evening head off for some wilderness feel. Don't forget to visit the Getty Centre for some art exploration and later, to get a feel of China, head for Chinatown. Art galleries, bakeries, banks, bars, Chinese medicine, herb stores and pharmacies, churches, temples and cathedrals,florists, jewellers, markets restaurants and cafes, shops and much much more are a treat for the tourist in Chinatown.

Moving on from Los Angeles, you have San Diego County. With its rich Hispanic heritage, temperate climate, deep sea habours, sandy beaches and a variety of fun filled attractions, San Diego County is quintessential California. From golfing and wine tasting to deep sea fishing and whale watching to exploring deserts and mountains, the possibilities are endless in San Diego County. Here you have Azalea Glen, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park which is a 3-mile hike through dense stands of confirerous trees and wild azaleas. Or explore the Border Field State Park: South of Imperial Beach where endangered birds and plants can be viewed from wetlands trails near Mexico. Some of the other attractions of San Diego include Balboa Park, San Diego, home to the Museum of Art, Old Globe Theatre and much more; La Jolla Playhouse, one of the most respected and prestigious theaters in America and Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad where you can journey down interactive, music-filled memory lane.

If Hollywood is one of the stars in Southern California firmament, then the superstar is Disneyland, which is housed in Orange County. Since the opening of Disneyland in 1955, Orange County has blossomed into the ultimate family vacation destination. With its sunny beaches, luxurious resorts, theme parks and unlimited opportunities for shopping and dining, Orange County is a magical place for all.

In Orange County's great outdoors you have Little Grand Canyon, Lake Forest where there are standstone cliff, bizarre red-rock formations at Whiting Ranch Wilderness. Then there is Glassell Street, Old Towne Orange which has dozens of antique stores. For some fishing there is Irvine Lake which offers trophy-size catfish plus bass and trout for the taking. Crystal Cove State Park has uncrowded beaches and an historic beach enclave near Laguna Beach. At Big Corona, you find the perfect family beach while Surfside Beach is the least-crowded patch of sand south of Malibu.

Coming back to Disneyland, a series of worldwide events is planned to mark the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, the original Disney theme park, which opened its doors on July 17, 1955. Beginning on May 5, 2005, and extending for 18 months through 2006, the global party 'Happiest Celebration on Earth' will be celebrated at all ten Disney theme parks with new entertainment and attractions.

Though the attractions of Southern California are endless, don't miss out on its 300 mile beach playground. From bodysurfing to windsurfing, it is a complete treat.