CALIFORNIA What They Say Is True

Residents of California have the world at their fingertips; they can drive from snow-peaked mountains to the beach in less than four hours (traffic not withstanding) or escape from the second-most populous city in the country to complete solitude in less than two hours’ time.

Yet another state with incredible biodiversity, California’s natural wonders need no introduction. Yosemite, The Redwoods, Big Sur, Death Valley, and the Mojave Desert are widely known and frequently visited, for good reason. For a slightly less trafficked but still stunning experience, visit the Channel Islands, Muir Woods National Monument, Alamere Falls, or Bowling Ball Beach.

If you ever tire of nature’s bounty, you can get your fill of cosmopolitan life in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego. Each is rich in entertainment, culture, cuisine, and the arts. LAX is the third-busiest airport in the world and the largest on the West Coast, so international destinations will be that much closer.

For the adventure lover, Eureka may serve as an affordable “base camp.” About 100 miles south of the Oregon border, this small town offers coastal living and easy access to the dense national forests nearby. About an hour north of Los Angeles, Oxnard and Ventura are right on the coast and are much more economical communities.