By: Julie Diebolt Price
California is a state blessed with sunshine all year round, making it a perfect place for outdoor activities. If indoor activities are more your style, northern and southern California offer unparalleled world-class theater, art, and shopping experiences.
From the north to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the eastern border, with an average of 284 sunny California days, there are countless exciting things to do throughout the state.
The Geography Of Sunny California
California stretches almost 900 miles from north to south, boasting 840 miles of coastline. The narrowest section of the state spans 350 miles. California encompasses an area of 25,000 square miles of desert, as well as giant redwood trees in the temperate rainforest to the north, one of the world’s largest alpine lakes (Lake Tahoe), and the highest mountain (Mount Whitney) in the contiguous United States, standing at 14,505 feet.
International airports serve all three regions of California in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Best Things To Do In Northern California
San Francisco
4. The Presidio
The Presidio is a national park in San Francisco. It was initially founded as a military fort by Spanish settlers in 1776 and then acted as a U.S. Army post for over 2 centuries.
The Presidio covers over 1,500 acres and includes a mix of forests, meadows, beaches, and historic buildings. There are miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and scenic overlooks that provide an incredible view of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Lodge at the Presidio
I enjoyed staying at the Lodge at the Presidio, recognized as a Historic Hotel of America and part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It was terrific to be situated on the Presidio grounds and immerse myself in the area’s rich history. The Walt Disney Family Museum next door and the San Francisco National Cemetery, with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, are two memorable experiences on site.
