California as a whole is known for its attractions. No matter where you go, you will find an exciting adventure waiting at every turn. Obviously the most popular place to visit for kids of all ages is Disneyland in Anaheim. It is the twin park to Disney World in Florida complete with rides, characters and shows. Don’t worry, Mickey lives here too. Another popular spot is the San Diego Zoo. It is home to over 4,000 creatures and one of only four zoos in the United States that has Giant Pandas. The zoo is also an exotic botanical garden. In the Los Angeles area you will find the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the largest natural and historical museum in the western states. This museum chronicles the history of the earth and all its inhabitants dating back over 600 million years. It is a must see. Also in Los Angeles is Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Here you will find more than 160 signatures and hand or foot imprints of some of Hollywood’s most famous stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman and Frank Sinatra. Travelling up the coast to San Francisco you will come upon The Golden Gate Bridge, one of California’s most famous landmarks. The 1 ¾ mile bridge is the most photographed bridge in the entire world. Although you can drive over the bridge, the best way to experience the spectacular view and the greatness of the bridge is to park at one end and walk the full length of the bridge. Yes, it is a little nerve-wracking at first because of the height and the fact that the bridge vibrates. But once you get over that, it is well worth it. Another great place to visit in the San Francisco area is Alcatraz Island or as it is known in the movies, The Rock. Once a maximum security prison, Alcatraz is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Tours here are extremely popular and it is suggested that you bring comfortable shoes and a jacket. Some of California’s other popular attractions and theme parks are Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip and Sea World to name a few.

California has lots to do for ‘big kids’ too. With a mild year round climate, breathtaking landscapes and some of the best golf courses in the world, it is no wonder some say that California is the ultimate golf vacation destination. Why not test your skill and tee off at one of California’s world-renowned courses such as Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Torrey Pines or Poppy Hills. These courses are frequented by the best golfers in the world and also host major PGA events. Another great course to check out is the recently opened Trump International which includes exclusive amenities, first class dining and panoramic Pacific Ocean views. With the Trump name behind it, you can expect only the best. California is also known for its world class wine regions. Two of the best known are the Sonoma and Napa Valley regions. Sonoma produces some of the best chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wines and is home to well-known wineries such as the Gallo Family Vineyards and Arrowhead Vineyards and Winery. Napa Valley produces excellent chardonnays as well but also some fantastic merlots and cabernets. Two of the most popular vineyards in this region are the Robert Mondavi Winery and Sterling Vineyards. There are hundreds of wineries in these regions, all of which offer tours and wine tasting. Some even include meals and tours of the surrounding towns. Sonoma and Napa Valley are full of quaint and eclectic towns, a vast array of lodging, spas and fantastic dining experiences.

Of course no trip to California would be complete without a trip to the beach. California is home to 450 Pacific coast beaches. The waters here rarely rise above 75˚ and the ocean breezes keep the coastline refreshed. Most residents who live on the coast don’t even own air conditioning for just that reason. Among the most popular beach destinations are Huntington Beach, a.k.a. Surf City, USA, a surfers paradise with eight miles of scenic beach. Malibu, made famous by the TV show ‘Baywatch’, also popular with the beginner to intermediate surfing crowd, Venice Beach, known for it’s funky atmosphere and strange and entertaining performers and Long Beach which seems to be popular with just about everyone including the little ones. Whatever you decide to do in California, a week or two just won’t be enough to see and do everything. That’s okay though. It just gives you more reasons to keep going back. US Dollars, divided into 100 cents. There is an extensive network of ATMs at which almost all Canadian cards are valid. The other recommended option is to take US Dollar Travellers’ Cheques. These can be used as good as cash in most establishments. All major credit cards are also accepted. Overall, summers in California are hot and the winters are mild with little to no humidity.
Northern California maintains an average temperature of 12˚ to 25˚C throughout the year.  Southern and Central California maintain a yearly average of between 18˚ and 29˚C.  Parts of the interior can however reach upwards of 39˚C. 110vAC, 60Hz - the same plugs as Canada. Consulate General of Canada
Address: 550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071-2327
Tel.: (213) 346-2700
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 1-888-949-9993
Fax: (213) 620-8827
--or--
Consulate General of Canada
Address: 580 California Street, 14th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104
Tel.: (415) 834-3180
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 1-888-949-9993
Fax: (415) 834-3189 GMT-8 (GMT-7 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November).
California is in the Pacific Time Zone, with the same time as Vancouver. It is one hour behind Calgary and three hours behind Toronto and Montréal.