California General Interest

Angel Island State Park is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s best-kept secrets. Attracting mostly residents and children on school trips, the park offers quiet beaches, recreational activities, historic attractions and unparalleled views of the entire San Francisco Bay. Tourists often miss out on this attraction because of

In the past, images of naval ships and submarines were probably the first to come to mind in association with the southern Californian city of San Diego. Although San Diego still is a prominent naval base in the United States, it's also surfacing as a sought-after holiday destination for families.

The first documented arrival of Europeans to San Francisco Bay was in 1769 when a Spanish exploration party, led by Don Gaspar de Portola, landed on the peninsula. Seven years later, they created the Mission San Francisco de Asis. Upon independence from Spain in 1821, the area became Mexican territory, during which time the mission was converted into a town by the name of Yerba Buena. For the next 25 years the town continued to attract American settlers. The area changed domination once again in 1846 after the Mexican-American war, when it was claimed by the United States. Yerba Buena was subsequently renamed San Francisco, which, due to the Gold Rush and promise of riches, would eventually become the metropolis it is today.

Imagine a world of towering carnivores battling over fallen prey, shrieking pterodons gliding through the air, long-necked herbivores reaching for plants several stories high, and 50-foot marine creatures pillaging the sea for their next meal. This was the landscape of Earth during the Mesozoic Era.

Interested in the paranormal and macabre? Throughout the United States, a vast selection of off-beat and informative attractions are readily available, in fact an entire vacation can be planned around them...

Frank Lloyd Wright is recognized as one of the United States' most influential architects. During his illustrious career, Wright created more than 1,100 designs, of which 532 were constructed. His buildings were modern beyond their years and many of them welcome visitors for educational tours.

Though seemingly small when compared the USA's vast landmass, the beaches of the country are diverse, and attract a motley crew of visitors. Whether looking for a nude beach to sunbath on, or an icy shore to explore, the USA has it all.

Surrounded by the spectacular natural beauty of rolling hills, mountains, sunny skies and some of the best wine in the world, travelers will not be disappointed on a Napa Valley wine tour. Located in northern California, Napa Valley's Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing quality grapes and ensuring visitors enjoy

Only one sport can boast having more Fortune 500 company sponsors than any other, attendances that consistently average over 100,000 people and merchandise sales that are worth billions of dollars annually. NASCAR can...

Few sports have a fan base as devoted as NCAA football, the intercollegiate variant of American football. Division-IA teams, representing the premier teams in the league and not by coincidence some of the most prestigious universities in the country, consistently sell out stadiums that hold as many as 100,000 fans. Big games between division rivals draw tens of thousands of spectators from far-flung cities.

Being stuck in an airport with less than stellar amenities or services can be quite frustrating. The criteria for what makes an airport great or the best can vary among travellers. For those travelling on business, the importance of having access to wireless Internet may be paramount, whereas

A great way to combat the sweltering heat on a hot summer day is to make a splash at a waterpark. There are a wide variety of parks all over North America where visitors can experience slippery loops, drops and

San Francisco is a city steeped in history and known for its vivid arts scene, progressive attitudes and diverse culture. While one could easily spend more than a week exploring the city, three days will provide a taste of what San Francisco has to offer and will ensure more than one return trip to this unique and vibrant city.

For many travelers, shopping is more than a frivolous and superficial pursuit. It is a chance to explore a city's history, architecture, cuisine and culture. The United States has an international reputation for its phenomenal retail industry, with malls, boutiques, outlets and department stores at every corner.

It's so easy when life consists of loud music, parties, drinking and having nothing but a good time. Many young rebels, eccentrics and party-happy fun-seekers live this life every night on the infamous Sunset Boulevard. The portion of the road that plays host to the all-night debauchery has simply become known as “The Sunset Strip.” This popular stretch of road in West Hollywood

Contemporary urban art is a visceral and exhilarating movement that can no longer be ignored. Vilified by some, and championed by others, the evolution of the art-form has a storied past. In its infantile stage the art was a method for neighborhood gangs to mark their territories. "Tagging" was soon taken up by street artists and art-school students who enjoyed the notoriety and competition of seeing who could leave their mark in as many locations as possible.