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| CALIFORNIA |
Fall in love with the state of California discovering its 10 must-haves for beginners, in our Guide to 10 of the Great Plan of Aeromexico.
Napa Valley, California
If you like wine, let yourself be seduced by this paradise, because you will not find another wine with the flavor and quality of those that are made here. The most famous wine valley in the United States offers unforgettable experiences and that is why it is number one on our list.
Considered the best wine region in the United States, the picturesque Napa Valley is made up of several charming villages and communities that promise an unparalleled experience of flavor and relaxation, such as American Canyon, Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena and Calistoga .
Here, the quality of the wines is exceptional, and the wineries offer tastings, oenological tours, tastings, bicycle rides and a wide variety of activities for wine lovers.
An easy way to get around Napa Valley is aboard the Wine Train, a panoramic train that leaves from Napa and that runs through the main towns and wineries to St. Helena. The train offers restaurant service on board, with a menu prepared by renowned chef Donald Young.
The wineries that you can visit are: Charles Krug Winery, Raymond Vineyards, Grgich Hills, one of the pioneers of the valley in the production of biodynamic wines, Robert Mondavi and Beringer Vineyards, among others.
For a high-end dining experience, the town of Yountville has a plethora of Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Thomas Keller's French Laundry.
Yosemite Valley
Do you like camps? In Yosemite Valley you can camp in the middle of a forest of giant trees. This destination gives you experiences that will turn you into a professional scout, and that is why it is number two on our list.
The Yosemite Valley, located within the Yosemite National Park, is listed as a Natural Heritage by Unesco thanks to its unique natural beauty and its more than 284 thousand hectares to discover.
This national park, located 300 km from San Francisco, is ideal for nature lovers to be home to the famous giant sequoias and host a variety of wildlife.
Located in the center of the park is the visitor module where you can get information about the different routes and activities, ranging from guided walks to photography tours and rock climbing classes.
To discover it, the park offers a wide variety of options, from free buses to paid excursions. The most popular route is the Valley Floor Tour, a two-hour tour that covers 42 kilometers and includes visits to attractions such as the Yosemite Falls, the gigantic rock of El Capitán and the Bridalveil waterfalls.
Golden Gate Bridge
More than an international orange bridge, the majestic Golden Gate is the icon of the city and a trip to San Francisco would not be complete without the respective selfie next to it. Thanks to all this, and much more, this wonder occupies the number three position on this list.
San Francisco, the city of the bay, is famous for its Golden Gate, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and the symbol of the city, a must not only for its engineering but for the attractions that surround it. It joins the peninsula of San Francisco with the coastal population of Sausalito and the area called Marin Headlands.
If you come from the downtown area of San Francisco, go to the coastal neighborhood of La Marina to access the bridge on foot, from there you will have the first panoramic views and one of the best spots to take a selfie is in the south viewpoint.
You can also cross the bridge by car to the north to access the viewpoint just where the road to Sausalito begins, you will have excellent panoramic views, not only of the Golden Gate, but also of the city of San Francisco, of the entire Bay, and in the foreground, from the island of Alcatraz Prison.
Big Sur
Have you ever imagined that you drive a convertible together with the best company, while enjoying the most fascinating landscapes? In Big Sur your dream will come true. Do not forget to explore this mythical route, the fourth site on our list.
This mythical 370-kilometer route through dizzying cliffs, secluded beaches and beautiful redwood forests between Carmel and Santa Bárbara is one of the most popular scenarios in the US for unforgettable roadtrips with your favorite people.
Although the distance is not much, the beauty and magic of its landscapes make it one of the most mythical routes in the world and one of the most coveted by lovers of car travel. Admiring the natural beauty of this section of the coast of California through the window of the car exceeds the expectations of any traveler because their scenarios have served as inspiration for writers and film directors.
On the Bixby Bridge, located 24 km from Carmel, there is a viewpoint that gives spectacular views of the mouth of the River Creek, where you can also see the majestic condors.
With the rocky cliffs of the Big Sur as great travel companions, the route passes through spectacular scenarios such as the city of Cayucos, considered the mecca of surfing, where you can contemplate splendid sunsets in the company of sea lions.
For lunch, the Nepenthe platform, a restaurant at the foot of a cliff is the best option, the recommendation is to try the famous ambrosia burger or enjoy a craft beer to watch the sunset.
If you want to spend the night there, the most luxurious hotel is the Post Ranch Inn, built on a cliff, although there is also lodging in rustic cabins with all the comforts.
Sequoia Park
Sequoia Park is ranked number five on the list because you can not leave California without visiting the majestic and millennial tree called General Sherman. In addition, this park offers you the opportunity to live one or several nights under an exceptional starry sky.
In the United States there are three national parks of giant sequoias, Sequoia Park has the largest extension of redwoods in the world, it is gigantic trees that grow only in California, admiring them will be a very pleasant experience.
It is advisable to arrive in the afternoon, sleep in a campsite and visit it in the morning without so many people, since from noon, the place is full.
You can arrive by car and then board one of the free buses that take you through the park to discover its most emblematic areas such as Castle Rock, with impressive rock formations.
Although the cherry on the cake is the gigantic General Sherman, one of the largest and oldest living trees in the world. With its 31 meters in diameter and 84 meters in height, we can assure you that admiring this millennial giant will be a magical experience. Do not forget to take a selfie with him!
It is also worth visiting the Crystal Cave, one of the more than 200 marble caverns found within the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. It is open to guided walks from mid-May to November
Redwood National Park
This destination is not a simple national park, its impressive landscapes of red trees and giant ferns were the inspiration for George Lucas to recreate the famous planet Endor, which is why he was awarded number six on this list.
Located on the north coast of the state, the Redwood National Park is home to half of the redwoods in the world, and also, one of the highest in the world. In your visit you will also see the families of the famous moose of Roosevelt.
When visiting Redwood you will actually visit three parks that were unified to form this national park. In addition to owning the famous red coastal sequoias, it also inhabits some animals in danger of extinction unique in the territory as the imposing Roosevelt moose, as big as a van.
If you want a guide on how to get around it, you can go to one of the four visitor centers that are inside the National Park, although usually the most recommended is the Avenida de los Gigantes, a 48 km road that runs along the Highway 101 and offers splendid views of redwood trees, green meadows and lush maritime landscapes. Here is the Eternal Tree House Café, where you can meet a room of six meters, inside a living tree of 2 thousand 500 years.
In addition to the above, the park offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, ranging from camping to kayaking, as well as walking numerous trails for walking or cycling, and guided tours by park rangers.
The national park is open all year round, although the suggestion is to visit it in spring and autumn, since these are the months when the trees are more colorful and you will see more wildlife such as bald eagles and other migratory species.
To sleep, the park offers several camping sites, such as Elk Prairie, located in the heart of the forest. An excellent attraction of California!
Death Valley
Death Valley California
Would you dare to discover a valley whose name refers to death? This mysterious place of petrified oceans and endless sand dunes offers the best roadtrip of your life. Meet our incredible number seven!
Considered one of the hottest and most mysterious places on the planet, the Valley of Death is located east of the Sierra Nevada. It offers an unparalleled route through places of great desert beauty and is relatively close to Las Vegas.
The only way to cross the valley is by car, by the road that divides it in two. And, if you ever dreamed of doing a road trip like those of Hollywood movies, this is your chance, because from the window of your car you will see breathtaking landscapes: kilometers of sand dunes, petrified seas, shocking peaks , crater formations, and even a place known as the devil's golf course, a crater with unreal formations.
Although there are many places to see in the Valley of Death, one of the most striking is the Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. It is a gigantic dry sea covered by huge plates of salt that shine with the sun's rays. There you can see fossils of some species that lived here millions of years ago.
No matter what time of year you visit the valley, always remember to bring plenty of water in the car and have a good gasoline reserve because you can only get supplies at Furnace Creek, Panamint Springs Resort and Stovepipe Wells Village.
Sleeping in the Valley of Death to admire a completely starry sky will seem like a dream, but in fact you can do it in the only hotels that exist in the valley. Of course, you must book six months in advance. The hotels in Death Valley are: Furnace Creek, Panamint Springs Resort and Stovepipe Wells Village.
Venice Beach
If you wonder why this beach occupies the rung number eight on the list, the answer is simple: because nowhere else in the world will you find a beach with such an eccentric, extravagant and outlandish atmosphere like this one.
Venice Beach is the most famous beach in Los Angeles, its eccentric and multicultural atmosphere you will not see in any other beach in the world. From its skate park to its waterfront promenade, it promises a unique visit. It's right there on the Ocean Front Walk where men and women meet with sculptural bodies, experienced skaters, muscular surfers, exotic jugglers, fortune-tellers and even Hollywood stars.
Venice can be explored along the coastal path of 35 km, by bicycle, on a segway or on skates. Do not forget to make a stop at Muscle Beach, famous for the husky men who meet there. How were Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno (Hulk).
If you continue your tour of the Ocean Front you will arrive at the famous basketball courts where the best street players of the country meet. To give you an idea, many of the NBA players were recruited there, so it's worth staying to enjoy one of the best games.
Disneyland, California
Regardless of whether or not you are a Disney fan and your characters, your trip to California can not be complete without visiting any of Anaheim's parks, because in them the fantasies of boys and grown-ups come true; that's why it occupies position number nine.
The magical Disneyland Resort is a mega complex made up of two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, plus a small city that sits between the two parks: Downtown Disney.
Each park deserves a full day, since both have many attractions and shows and in a single visit you can not enjoy the attractions of both.
If it's your first time here, the recommendation is to visit the classic Disneyland Park, designed and created by Walt Disney himself. If you already know this park and only have one day in your itinerary then go to the Disney California Adventure, which has different attractions compared to the others.
This park has two new lands: Buena Vista Street and Cars Land. The second recreates the world of Radiator Springs that is seen in the series of animated films of Cars. The experience, in the company of Rayo McQueen and his friends, includes exquisite meals in its cafes and restaurants that recreate the colorful scenes of the southwest of the Cadillac Range.
In the parks and resorts there is a wide variety of dining options, ranging from tempting fast food to specialty restaurants and gourmet cuisine. It's one of the best attractions in California!
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