California things to see and do

In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (www.nps.gov/seki), famed for their forests of giant sequoia trees, see the 2,500-year-old General Sherman Tree Giant Forest, the largest tree in the world (by volume) with a circumference of 31m (103ft). Kings Canyon is the deepest canyon in the USA. Joshua Tree National Park was named as a National Monument in 1936. The Park is 234,000 acres of protected wilderness with a variety of hiking trails for beginners and experts, campgrounds, two deserts, and mountain ranges. Geologists believe the area is over a million years old. Joshua Trees themselves are giant members of the lily family. Bobcats, coyotes, and roadrunners call the park home.

Drive the ruggedly beautiful Big Sur coastal highway (www.bigsurcalifornia.org) south of San Francisco. Visit the quaint historic coastal towns of Carmel and Monterey, and eat fresh seafood in waterfront restaurants. Be sure to pull over at one of the lookouts or beaches and scan the sky for California condors and the water for gray whales. Renting a convertible for the picturesque trip is highly recommended.

Fish for bass at Clear Lake (www.lakecounty.com), the largest natural freshwater lake in California, known as the 'bass capital of the world.' Clear Lake is one of the most ancient lakes in California, at approximately 2.5 million years old, and has over 160km (100 miles) of shoreline. Attend a local festival, or go waterskiing, fishing, swimming, boating, cycling, birdwatching or rock collecting.

Hike or camp in Yosemite National Park (www.yosemitepark.com), which contains the world's best-known glacier-carved valley, spectacular waterfalls, granite monoliths and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Hike or rock climb the eerily remote Joshua Tree National Park (www.nps.gov/jotr). Cross the Mojave Desert to Death Valley (www.nps.gov/deva), the hottest and lowest place in the continental United States at 86m (282 ft) below sea level.

Explore Lake Tahoe (www.visitinglaketahoe.com), set 1,800m (6,000ft) above sea level. Enjoy clear blue skies, snow-capped mountains, and rich culture and history. Ski Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows (www.skialpine.com) or take a paddle-wheeler cruise across the lake.

Pan for gold at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (www.coloma.com) where California's 1848 gold rush began. Visit the museum and original and restored buildings at Sutter's Mill in Coloma.

Ride a cable car up and down the steep hills of San Francisco, overlooking the city's glistening bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Cable cars are an iconic part of San Francisco’s past that have been preserved as an ideal and fun way to view the city. If you want to ride in the exterior of the car, hang on to the poles and watch out for potential hazards. View the actual cable-winding machinery at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum (www.cablecarmuseum.org).

Enjoy the San Diego Maritime Museum (www.sdmaritime.com) anchored along Harbour Drive, or take an excursion into Mission Bay on a yacht or excursion boat.

Walk the Santa Monica Pier (www.santamonicapier.org), the West Coast's oldest pleasure pier, built in 1908, and now an entertainment park with roller coasters and giant Ferris wheel (www.pacpark.com). The pier draws over four million visitors annually who enjoy watching a variety of street performers and artists with a Pacific Ocean backdrop. Below the Pier’s eastern deck is the Santa Monica Pier aquarium.

Taste premium California wines (www.winecountrygetaways.com) in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, north of San Francisco. Mumm Napa (www.mummnapa.com) is a working winery and vineyard in Napa California with award winning grapes and a picturesque outdoor patio for table service wine tastings. The property also offers guided tours and a photography gallery. Sonoma and Napa Valleys are world famous for their wines and many vineyards are open to the public for tastings.