California Vacation Rentals
In the history of America, California was the golden nugget on the other end of the continent. People flocked there to strike it rich, or fulfill big dreams, or simply get away. Today, travelers find the same discoveries in California luxury vacation rentals.
Being the third largest state in the country, California has so much diversity – in other words, it has something for everyone. Let’s start at the bottom of the state, in a place that has some of the best weather in the world…
The average annual daily temperature in San Diego is a perfect 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit, with little fluctuation from summer to winter. The sun shines nearly every day, so you’re certain to catch a few rays exploring the beaches and bluffs of La Jolla, often called the California Riviera. Set aside one day to see Shamu, the killer whale, at SeaWorld San Diego, and another day to see the giant pandas at the San Diego Zoo. It’s also easy to make a day trip to Mexico from a San Diego vacation home rental.
Just to the north is that other city in Southern California. Of course, one could stay in a Southern California beach vacation rental and never visit the actual city of Los Angeles. There’s Santa Monica, with its famous boardwalk and art galleries. Huntington Beach, an upscale beach community, lies in close proximity to the passenger ferry to Catalina Island. Hollywood has the famous movie studios and Beverly Hills, home of the stars. And let’s not forget Disney Land, the perennial favorite among theme parks.
On the other side of the mountains, a desert oasis beckons travelers with lush green fairways set against stark brown mountains. Palm Springs have been the place to get away since guys like Sinatra, Hope and Liberace started coming here back in the day. La Quinta, Cathedral Canyon and Desert Dunes are among the best golf courses in the West, but are just a few of the 33 courses in the area. You don’t have to golf to appreciate the Palm Springsaerial tramway, which carries passengers two and a half miles to a peak 8,516 feet above sea level, offering spectacular views.
Try a beachfront vacation rental on theCentral Coast if you prefer your sunshine with a side of ocean, but with no big cities. This fabled stretch of the rugged coast features tall mountains that plunge abruptly into the sea, with a ribbon of asphalt called the Pacific Coast Highway connecting many attractions. The Hearst Castle in San Simeon, a 90,080-square-foot, 165-room Mediterranean Revival-style mansion, belonged to newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Pebble Beach, a seaside community synonymous with golf, welcomes visitors and players. For those who like eclectic towns, Santa Cruz lies nestled between the redwoods and the sea.
Speaking of eclectic towns, there’s San Francisco, the unusually hilly city perched between the ocean and a gigantic bay. This capital of high-tech commerce is a walkable place with wonderful neighborhoods awaiting exploration. Find some great noodles in Chinatown, or some seafood at Fishermans Wharf. City Lights bookstore, one-time headquarters of the Beat generation in North Beach, still has tons of great books. Cap the day with a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, then take the bus back into town.
Just north of the San Francisco Bay Area, the counties of Napa and Sonoma play host to some charming luxury vacation rentals in Wine Country. The fine wines of Napa Valley have become as regarded as those of France, and the wineries welcome visitors with tours and tastings. Many neophytes start their education at COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts COPIA, which offers Wine Tasting 101. Equally notable and famous, Sonoma County sits just to the north and offers many more vineyards and wineries, as well as some coastal parks and redwood forests.
Considering the fame, fortune and population of the rest of the state, it’s hard to believe Northern California feels so remote and sparsely populated. The rugged terrain of the Lost Coast presented such a challenge to engineers they routed the Pacific Coast Highway inland for more than 100 miles. That doesn’t stop tourists from hiking among the cathedral forests of Redwood National Park or exploring the quirky beach towns of Eureka and Arcata. Others come for quiet fishing on Lake Shasta or Soda Lake.
The most famous lake in California,Lake Tahoe, also claims title as the third-largest alpine lake in the world. Measuring 22 miles long by 12 miles wide, Lake Tahoe’s azure waters reflect snow-capped mountains well into summertime, thanks to record snowfall amounts. Squaw Valley hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, and the region offers more than a dozen ski areas. Luxury vacation rentals inLake Tahoe offer excitement year-round. In the springtime, look for wildflowers along low-elevation trails like the ones in D.L. Bliss State Park. In the fall, see golden aspen at Marlette Lake.
High Sierra For mountain beauty with more altitude and ruggedness, head to the High Sierra. The aptly named Mammoth Mountain ski area boasts 150 named trails spread out over 3,500 acres, and the nearby town of Mammoth Lakes has rustic lodges and luxury vacation rentals. Yosemite National Park lays its claim to mammoth waterfalls and impressive granite landscapes, making it one of America’s most beloved natural treasures. The giant sequoias at Sequoia National Park are equally impressive.
Shaver Lake-Gold Country The foothills of the Sierra Nevada offer other pleasures. If you prefer more shopping, dining and winery tours, stay in called Gold Country, so named for its mining history. Old boomtowns such as Grass Valley and Nevada City now host art galleries, rock and gem shops, and restaurants that serve local wines. Watersports enthusiasts will want to book a Shaver Lake cabin rental and enjoy fishing, boating and swimming.Shaver Lake marina rents pontoon boats and waverunners.
California's Top Ten Things to Do or See
3. Hollywood
7. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
8. Pebble Beach
