Page 711 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  709

mountains, lakes, and white on houseboats to parasailing often give readings at
beaches all welcome visitors. and white-water rafting. Most international events such as
The state has a culture rich with outfitters that offer river rafting the Santa Barbara Writers’
physical activity, and wilderness also provide kayak and canoe Conference. Institutes such as
is never far from any city. trips. For more information, Tante Marie’s Cooking School
With more than 250 places contact American River Touring provide lodging, cooking
classified as state parks, Association. The rivers and classes, shopping tours, and
wilderness areas, or historic sites, coastline are feeding grounds visits to the Wine Country.
California is a hikers’ and for migrating birds. In autumn,
campers’ paradise. For camping, ducks, geese, and other Shopping
reserve a site with State Park shorebirds can be spotted here.
Reservations or Yosemite The state is also an angler’s A major player in the global
Reservations. There are more haven. The rivers and streams economy, California is known for
than 1 million miles (1.6 million of the Sierra Nevada Mountains its casual clothing as well as the
km) of trails in California, the have plenty of trout. Bass fishing best in cutting-edge fashion. It
longest being the Pacific Crest in California’s lakes and reservoirs is the largest producer of
Trail, stretching from Canada is plentiful throughout the year. children’s clothing in the US, with
to Mexico. The Sierra Club From December through Sara’s Prints and Levi Strauss
organizes guided outings and April, gray whales travel 7,000 being among the best. It is
provides detailed maps. Many miles (11,260 km) from the equally famous for its sportswear
state parks also allow cyclists on California coast to Mexico. and swimwear, designed by
their hiking trails. Outfitters such Ocean cruises offer views of names such as C&C California.
as Backroads lead groups of the impressive mammals. Fresh fruit, nuts, and
cyclists on tours. California’s great outdoors list vegetables from the San Joaquin
Equestrians find a wide variety also includes island hopping. Valley feeds the entire nation.
of riding trails here. California’s Five volcanic islands off the The fine wines of Napa and
900-mile (1,450-km) coastline coast of Southern California Sonoma Valleys are available in
offers various beaches. Some form the Channel Islands wineries across the state. Some,
have rough waves and rocky National Park, ideal for hiking, such as Viansa Winery and
shores; others, with white sand, exploring rock pools, and Sebastiani Vineyards, also sell
arching waves, and warm water, spotting whales and dolphins. a range of wine-related products.
are ideal for surfing. The best Island Packers is only one of Aside from the shopping
beaches include the Leo Carrillo the many outfits that offer districts of LA and San Francisco,
State Beach in Orange County, island tours. the state’s smaller towns offer a
Windansea Beach in La Jolla, California is famed for its wide range of merchandise and
and Corona del Mar in Newport. special interest vacations, the local produce in roadside food
The lakes, rivers, and beaches most popular being the tours stands, wineries, antique shops,
of California offer a variety of of the state’s missions along El and flea markets, where prices
water sports, from slow cruises Camino Real. Resident writers tend to be cheaper than in cities.
DIRECTORY
Tourist Offices Camping Tel (800) 462-2848. Shopping
∑ backroads.com
California Division of State Park C&C California
Tourism Reservations White-Water ∑ candccalifornia.com
Tel (877) 225-4367. Tel (800) 444-7275. Rafting & Original Levi’s Store
∑ visitcalifornia.com ∑ parks.ca.gov Kayaking 300 Post St, San Francisco,
Special Interest Yosemite American River CA 94108.
Tel (415) 501-0100.
Reservations
Vacations Touring Association ∑ levi.com
Tel (801) 559-4884.
Santa Barbara ∑ yosemitepark.com 24000 Casa Loma Rd, Wineries
Writers’ Conference Hiking Groveland, CA 95321.
PO Box 6627, Santa Tel (800) 323-2782. Sebastiani Vineyards
Barbara, CA 93160. Sierra Club ∑ arta.org 389 Fourth St E,
Sonoma, CA 95476.
Tel (805) 568-1516. Tel (916) 557-1100. Tel (800) 888-5532, (707)
∑ sbwriters.com ∑ sierraclub Island Hopping 933-3230.
Tante Marie’s california.org Island Packers ∑ sebastiani.com
Cooking School 1691 Spinnaker Dr, Viansa Winery
271 Francsico St, SF, CA Mountain Biking Ventura, CA 93001. 25200 Arnold Dr, Sonoma,
94133. Tel (415) 788-6699. Backroads Tel (805) 642-1393. CA 95476. Tel (800) 995-
∑ tantemarie.com 801 Cedar St, Berkeley. ∑ islandpackers.com. 4740. ∑ viansa.com

708-709_EW_USA.indd 709 11/2/16 2:50 PM