Why Wall Drug Store Is a Tourist Trap You Won’t Want to Miss?

Chris Boothman
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8
Why Wall Drug Store Is a Tourist Trap You Won’t Want to Miss?

Who would have thought that a drug store in the middle of nowhere could become such a popular tourist attraction for millions of visitors every year? That’s exactly what has happened to the wonderfully acclaimed Wall Drug Store in the heart of South Dakota.

Let’s start with the facts. Neither of us had ever heard of Wall Drug Store before visiting South Dakota but from the moment we hit I-90 driving west from Sioux Falls, we were immediately introduced to this tourist trap.

wall drug billboards

For over 250 miles, travelers along I-90 are reminded of Wall Drug Store and the apparent need to visit here with large signs on the side of the road advertising everything this place has to offer.

Is it really worth the time and effort to visit? Well, we were certainly drawn in by the huge marketing stunts that have taken place in South Dakota and we had to find out for ourselves exactly what Wall Drug Store was all about.

Location

WHERE THE HECK IS WALL DRUG STORE??? It’s a legitimate question because we honestly had ZERO clue about this before our epic road trip through South Dakota.

interstate 90 south dakota

Ok, so we have established that Wall Drug Store is located along I-90, but for those of you geographically challenged, let’s take a look at exactly where it is located. In terms of convenience…well it’s not very convenient at all unless you are in the western half of South Dakota. But there are a couple of iconic reasons why you would be heading over to this side of the state – Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park.

where is wall drug store

If you plan to visit Mount Rushmore, the likelihood is that you will be driving along I-90 and past the town of Wall to reach Rapid City before heading up into the Black Hills of South Dakota to see this iconic monument.

Meanwhile, the entrance to the iconic Badlands scenic drive is at the same exit as Wall Drug Store, so it’s a perfect reason to kill two birds with one stone!

Exit 110 is the exit along I-90 that you need to be on the lookout for, but don’t worry if you forget there will be plenty of reminders in all directions. Rumors suggest that Wall Drug spends over $400,000 every year in billboard advertisements and they run all the way from Minneapolis to Billings, Montana.

wall drug store

History of Wall Drug Store

So you now know where Wall Drug Store is located but what is it all about? The history of this ‘drugstore’ is what makes this such an iconic location today.

wall drug store in south dakota

It all started in December 1931 with something that none of us today would even turn our heads at…the promise of free ice water! Seriously, who would have thought that a glass of ice water would create such a huge tourist attraction in South Dakota.

No matter where you live, you can succeed, because wherever you are, you can reach out to other people with something that they need! (Ted Hustead)

Ted and Dorothy Hustead purchased the only drugstore in the quiet town of Wall on the edge of South Dakota’s Badlands National Park. They were trying to figure out a unique way of generating income and eventually had the crazy idea of giving away free ice water.

wall south dakota

It wasn’t rocket science but what it did was create a revenue stream from visitors heading into the town of Wall to grab the free ice water and subsequently purchase an ice cream cone or other refreshments.

The Experience

When Bill Bryson wrote in his infamous novel, The Lost Continent, that Wall Drug was one of the world’s worst tourist traps, he was so right!

It’s an awful place, one of the world’s worst tourist traps, but I loved it and I won’t have a word said against it. (Bill Bryson)

Bryson loved Wall Drug and what epitomizes our experience because it really is a cool location that is uniquely different from anything we have visited before.

wall drug store

Imagine a modern day shopping mall but now consider what that would have been like 50 years ago. Wall Drug Store still offers free ice water today along with coffee for just 5 cents, but it is of course much more than that.

wall drug store south dakota

From delicious donuts to homemade fudge and a plethora of souvenirs, Wall Drug Store is a great shopping and dining experience for visitors. A drugstore wouldn’t be the same without a pharmacy and despite its size, it’s the only one within a 50-mile radius.

wall drug store

The peripheral amusements inside Wall Drug Store have taken over and now extend across a series of connected buildings.

wall drug store

Grab A Bite To Eat

We decided to spend some time wandering around before heading over to the restaurant for lunch. A wide variety of options are available on the menu, many of which are home cooked such as the iconic fresh pies that are a popular choice. We opted for a cheeseburger each and a maple donut which we ate later on our scenic drive around Badlands.

wall drug store dining

The food wasn’t the best and the prices were a little high, but they don’t pretend to offer luxury cuisine and it’s better to sample this than just dine at the local Dairy Queen.

wall drug store restaurant

We both couldn’t resist experiencing the free ice water in a souvenir plastic cup and just contemplating the simplest of offerings and how this created such an amazing experience in this small town is worth the visit. It certainly put both Wall and South Dakota on the global map!

wall drug store 5 cent coffee

Be sure to sample some of the fine local ice cream before heading out.

wall drug of south dakota

Summary

As the great Bill Bryson indicated, Wall Drug Store is the ultimate tourist trap but once you have visited here you will realize it is a great place worth all the hype. I love how the history of Wall Drug and how a local couple took this from a tiny drugstore to such an iconic tourist attraction.

The use of billboard marketing is also epitomized throughout South Dakota and regardless of your stance on how this impacts the landscape, it certainly works!

When you look at an attraction like Wall Drug Store, yes it is the ultimate tourist trap, but that doesn’t mean that the negative stereotype should apply here. In fact, on the contrary, this is a tourist attraction that has a rich history and one that I think we could all learn something from.

Have you visited Wall Drug Store in South Dakota? What was your experience? Do you believe in the term ‘tourist trap’ and do you generally agree with this stereotype?

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit Georgia

Chris Boothman
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7
5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit Georgia

If you have taken some time to visit Georgia, you will know that there is a lot to explore, whether you are interested in heading to the World of Coke in Atlanta or perhaps you have been fortunate to get the elusive Masters tickets at the highly sought after Augusta National.

Georgia is a hotspot for many reasons, none more so than the delicious peach (more on that later). Whether you have a keen interest in natural beauty or simply look forward to exploring arts and culture around major cities, Georgia is proud to excel in all these areas.

augusta national georgia

We have visited Georgia on a couple of different occasions, experiencing the gorgeous city of Atlanta and of course flying through the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, renowned as the busiest airport in the nation.

However, before sharing our own thoughts on why you should want to visit Georgia, we are delighted to introduce Cheryl Rodewig from CherylRodewig.com who suggests why booking a trip to ‘The Peach State’ should be on your to-do list.

You can also keep up with Cheryl on Twitter and LinkedIn:

Twitter – @cherylrodewig
LinkedIn – Cheryl Rodewig

Introduction

Georgia just might be the perfect destination, and I say this as a transplanted Northerner who’s fallen in love quite by accident with the Peach State. You can hike to waterfalls and build sandcastles in the same day. Or dive into Atlanta’s multicultural scene of fashion, art, science, and tech.

If it’s food you favor, well, let’s just say there’s more than sweet tea and biscuits here. Georgia chefs are reimaging Southern staples, from hyper-local eats to fusion cuisine.

And with the world’s largest airport, it’s easy to get here. These are the top five reasons you should visit.

Cumberland Island

You could say it’s a little off the beaten track, but all the better. A pristine undeveloped barrier island off the coast of Southwest Georgia, Cumberland Island is accessible only by ferry.

cumberland island georgia

It’s not your typical island. Wild horses roam the dunes. Miles of flawless beaches stretch on end with no sign of human art or interference. Inland, the ruins of a Carnegie estate, Dungeness, have succumbed to vegetation overgrowth, but Gatsby-style magnificence, the sweeping arches, and grand entrance is still visible. It’s a place frozen in time — remote, wild and distractingly scenic.

Atlanta’s Art Scene

Atlanta’s eclectic art landscape matches its diverse population. It has a handle on the classics like opera and ballet. The downtown Fox Theatre hosts Broadway hits while originals from the masters — Monet and Pissarro — hang at the High Museum of Art.

But there’s no shortage of the unconventional. Case in point is the Goat Farm, a repurposed industrial site serving as an incubator for creativity. From mechanical puppetry to choose-your-own-adventure theater, I’ve seen it all there.

visit georgia

Or take GloATL, an innovative dance company that thinks it not unusual to dance through a city. Top that off with the Atlanta Fringe Festival each summer, and you have art for every style.

Savannah

If you had to sum up the South in one quintessential place, it just might be Savannah, Georgia. The city has all the elegance, indulgence, and warm Southern hospitality to make you fall in love. Stately live oaks drip with lace-like Spanish moss. Tea parlors serve clotted cream and strawberries. Secret gardens peek out from behind elaborate wrought iron gates downtown. They even have their own beach playground: Tybee Island.

visit georgia

It’s a historic city where you can commune with ghosts in ancient cemeteries or tour relics of the past like the one-time plantation, Wormsloe. Enjoy it at its own pace: slowly in a horse-drawn carriage, gently while dancing on a moonlight river cruise.

Gibbs Gardens

Gibbs Gardens was conceived as a pleasure garden, like the flower-filled parks of old Europe, where you would go to pass an afternoon long before TV or Internet. But gardens are timeless, and this one delivers on what was intended: truly contagious pleasure.

gibbs gardens georgia

There’s an effusion of color in all seasons, from the creamy yellows of 20 million daffodils in early spring to the brilliant reds and golds of autumn. The 40-acre Japanese Garden is the largest in the nation, an absolute masterpiece of form and landscaping. Elsewhere, ferns, fountains, terraces and bridges ornament the estate and delight the senses.

North Georgia Mountains

Quaint mountain towns and unspoiled nature, Georgia’s Appalachian foothills are a welcome respite from everyday urban life. Choose a city as a home base for your rambles. Helen is restful, fashioned after a Bavarian Alpine village, yet a little wild once a year for Oktoberfest. Dahlonega is fun with its town square, old-timey General Store, vineyards and gold mines.

north georgia mountains

Nearby, state parks combine stunning scenery with plenty of activity: fishing, kayaking, rafting, and caving. They also preserve a treasure trove of natural wonders built on an epic scale. Climb the over 600 steps to the top of Amicalola Falls or descend 1,000 feet into Tallulah Gorge. Don’t forget your camera.

Visit Georgia – Our Thoughts

Although our experiences in Georgia are certainly not at the level of Cheryl’s, we have seen enough to inspire us to explore more. Simply driving from Arkansas to Atlanta through the scenic countryside along the interstate is an eye-opening experience and of course, once you reach Atlanta, there are plenty of reasons that will make you want to stay longer.

atlanta at christmas

Atlanta is one of our favorite cities, especially at Christmas when the lights and magic in the air creates a wonderful atmosphere for all the family to relax and be part of the festive spirit.

world of coca cola

The World of Coca-Cola offers a cool experience to learn all about the history of the world’s most iconic beverage and of course, the “Taste It” area allows visitors the opportunity to sample over 100 domestic and international Coke varieties.

visit georgia

Ok…so you are probably still wondering what all the fuss is about over the infamous ‘Georgia Peach’.

I read an article recently that stated the following about Georgia peaches.

Once you start eating them, it’s nearly impossible to stop.

It’s called the peach state for a reason and Georgia peaches live up to the hype. But just like many other states, as you can see there are plenty of other reasons that should entice you to the state of Georgia.

Summary

There is no question that Georgia is a beautiful state with an abundance of attractive reasons for visitors to choose this over alternative options in this part of the country. With the nation’s busiest airport in the heart of the state, it’s no surprise to hear that millions of visitors head to Atlanta and nearby destinations in Georgia to explore everything in “The Peach State”.

We want to reiterate our appreciation to Cheryl for sharing her favorite spots around the state of Georgia and if you feel like us, you will be raring to head back and explore more of this beautiful part of the States.

One final tip – don’t forget to sample those decadent peaches before leaving Georgia!

Have you explored Georgia? If so, where do you recommend we visit and if not, which spots are most appealing?

weekend wanderlust


Visit Mount Rushmore – What to Expect and Why It’s Worth It?

Chris Boothman
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5
Visit Mount Rushmore – What to Expect and Why It’s Worth It?

Why should you visit Mount Rushmore? Aside from the fact it is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, I think it’s fair to say there is a mixed stereotype portrayed about this national memorial in terms of a spectacular piece of artistry vs an overrated tourist trap. If neither of these is a good enough reason to visit Mount Rushmore, hopefully after reading this post you will understand why we appreciated our time in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

mount rushmore national memorial

History

Let’s start with a quick history lesson for all of those out there that are wondering what Mount Rushmore is all about. I will be the first to admit that I had no idea why Mount Rushmore was named as such or why South Dakota was chosen as the location, so heading to this beautiful landmark I was raring to delve deeper into the history.

gutzon borglum

Led by the sculptor Gutzon Borglum along with his son Lincoln, work on the Mount Rushmore project began in 1927 and was finally completed in 1941. The idea of sculpting four former presidents in the rockface was ambitious, somewhat crazy but clearly an ingenious idea that today attracts millions of visitors every year.

black hills of south dakota

So why the Black Hills of South Dakota for such an iconic landmark? A location closer to Washington DC, Philadelphia or Boston would have perhaps been a little more appropriate.

black hills south dakota

The history actually dates back to 1923 when South Dakota historian Doane Robinson envisioned creating a monument in the hills of the state to attract visitors from all corners of the globe to explore South Dakota. Clearly his thoughts were that there wasn’t much else in South Dakota to attract tourism, so this called for a drastic change.

visit mount rushmore south dakota

After contacting Borglum, the decision was made to create something with a little more national significance rather than just a local landmark that may attract tourists (or maybe not). It’s worth noting that South Dakota is a pretty wide open state so trying to get to Mount Rushmore is not the easiest task, even in today’s high-tech society of airplanes and interstates.

visit mount rushmore

Initially, thoughts of using former western heroes such as Lewis & Clark and Buffalo Bill were considered but soon they agreed that the best route was to sculpt four iconic presidents. Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt were the chosen individuals!

Which Four Presidents?

It’s conceivable that you are now wondering – why these four presidents? Symbolizing four key themes of American history – Birth, Growth, Development and Preservation, the four chosen presidents are representations of integral philosophies that helped shape the America we see today.

The purpose of the memorial is to communicate the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of the United States with colossal statues of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. (Gutzon Borglum)

  • George Washington – The 1st President of the United States, represents Birth. The undoubted ‘father of our country’, there is no other figure in American history that could provide such an iconic representation of birth than Washington himself.

george washington mount rushmore

  • Thomas Jefferson – The 3rd President of the United States, represents Growth. The expansion of the States, through the Louisiana Purchase, is attributed to Jefferson.

thomas jefferson mount rushmore

  • Theodore Roosevelt – The 26th President of the United States, represents Development. The opening of the Panama Canal among other trade routes are important ways that Roosevelt linked the East to the West.

theodore roosevelt mount rushmore

  • Abraham Lincoln – The 16th President of the United States, represents Preservation. Lincoln was a key figure in ensuring the States remained unified during the Civil War. He believed in ‘preserving the union’ and today we can reflect on how this was successfully achieved.

abraham lincoln mount rushmore

Useful Information

Location

Mount Rushmore is not the easiest attraction to visit but it’s definitely worthwhile. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the easiest way is to fly into Rapid City Regional Airport and take a short drive to Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Highway 44.

keystone south dakota

Rapid City is around 35 miles from Mount Rushmore and passes through a plethora of scenic country and the historic town of Keystone which we can highly recommend taking some time to explore before heading on to the main attraction.

keystone south dakota

If you are driving from a surrounding state as we did, if you follow I-90 you should exit at Rapid City and follow Highway 16 to Keystone and then Highway 244 to Mount Rushmore.

Fees and Parking

Admission to Mount Rushmore is FREE! However, visitors have to pay for parking before experiencing the monument though for only $11 you receive unlimited entry to the memorial for the calendar year.

Unfortunately, if you are the owner of the National Parks annual pass, this will not provide any discounts or free parking.

Opening Times and Events

Between March and October, Mount Rushmore is open between 5:00AM and 11:00PM. Between October and March, you can visit between 5:00AM and 9:00PM.

visit mount rushmore south dakota

There is an evening lighting ceremony held at 9:00PM nightly. Be sure to check out the Mount Rushmore National Memorial website for any changes to these times along with other events that take place throughout the day (a sculpture illumination is available at various times throughout the day).

What to Expect

Even before you pass through the parking toll booth, you can see the amazing sight of Mount Rushmore. It’s feasible that people would accept this view rather than pay $11 but to get an up close view of the monument is certainly worth the price. After parking our vehicle, we headed through the entrance and past several information kiosks, gift shop and restaurant.

visit mount rushmore

The Avenue of Flags

The Avenue of Flags is the first iconic attraction as it creates an impressive walkway for visitors to pass through as they approach the Grand View Terrace to peer up and gasp at the sight of Mount Rushmore. The 56 flags located through the Avenue represent the 50 states, 1 district, 3 territories, and 2 commonwealths of the United States.

avenue of flags mount rushmore

The admission year of all 50 states is depicted on the columns so be sure to find your favorite (or home) state and find out how much history is there! For us, Arkansas dates back to 1836.

avenue of flags mount rushmore south dakota

Grand View Terrace

The most spectacular views of Mount Rushmore are from the Grand View Terrace. Panoramic views of both the monument and surrounding area are possible from here and certainly this an attractive place to just hang out, capture that perfect selfie and mingle with fellow tourists that traveled from all corners of the globe to celebrate this moment.

mount rushmore from grand view terrace

Below the Grand View Terrace is a large amphitheater where the evening lighting ceremony takes place along with other events that are regularly scheduled.

visit mount rushmore

Presidential Trail

If you are an avid hiker or simply daring enough to get closer to Mount Rushmore, you can take the Presidential Trail that loops around the base of the monument.

presidential trail at mount rushmore

The trail wanders through gorgeous scenery though be warned that 422 steps are waiting for you if you decide to hike the full trail. Given our time constraints, we opted to just walk a shortened version but we were still able to capture some really cool shots of Mount Rushmore.

mount rushmore presidential trail

Summary

On reflection of the original question of whether Mount Rushmore is just an overrated tourist trap, I think it’s fair to say that we both believe this to be far from the truth. The history of Mount Rushmore suggests that it was primarily done to attract more visitors to the region and definitely, the monument has done this as it attracts over 3 million visitors every year.

visit mount rushmore

The intricate details and fine construction of Mount Rushmore is not only a credit to the Borglum sculptors but also to the country as a whole given its national significance and representation of the four key philosophies that have shaped the United States.

Heather was particularly excited to visit Mount Rushmore and it didn’t disappoint. We would go back in a heartbeat and we are already thinking about whether our annual parking pass will come in handy again in 2016!

Have you visited Mount Rushmore? If so, were you pleasantly surprised or do you still agree with the negative tourist trap stereotypes that we hear?

5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit California

Chris Boothman
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26
5 Epic Reasons You Should Want to Visit California

Known as ‘The Golden State’ for many reasons including the home of the Golden Gate Bridge and mile after mile of pristine golden sand beaches, California is understandably one of the most popular states to be visited across the nation. If you have yet to visit California, where have you been? Ok I understand, you need a little more convincing. After reading the following post, I believe you will raring to book your next trip to San Francisco, Los Angeles or somewhere in the beautiful state of California.

san francisco skyline
Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com)

Rather than either Heather or myself trying to sell California on our own (though based on our own experiences I’m sure we could do a pretty good job), we are fortunate to have Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride‘ share her thoughts on why you should visit California in the near future.

Be sure to keep up with Jessica on her travels by following her across these social media networks:

Pinterest – Longest Bus Rides
Facebook – Longest Bus Rides
Instagram – Longest Bus Ride

Introduction

The state of California is known for Hollywood, wine, and Silicon Valley. Of the 50 united states, it is the largest in both population and gross domestic product (GDP). If compared to other countries, California alone has the 7th largest GDP, about equal to that of Italy.

The fastest driving route north to south takes nearly 12 hours, however, the slower Route 1 is much more scenic. Summers are warm to hot while winters are cool in southern California to snowy in the mountains. The state boasts mountains in the north and east, forests, valleys, desert, and a coastline along the entire west side.

Extreme Climate

Death Valley is the lowest, driest, and hottest place in the United States. Enjoy beautiful hiking, canyoning, backpacking, and biking, with mountains colored by volcanic ash and magnificent sunsets. Or, simply take a tranquil walk along the salt flats at Badwater Basin and enjoy the monochromatic vista and the feeling of being 242 feet (85.5 meters) below sea level.

death valley california
Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

Free guided ranger tours, and paid Jeep tours will take you off the beaten path. Wildlife is most visible in the early morning and evening. Always keep extra water and a full tank of gas in your vehicle as roads are remote.

Surfing

Surfing is a popular sport up and down the entire California coast and the state has world-class waves. The water in southern California is much warmer than the water up north. In fact, surfers in northern California wear wetsuits year-round.

surfing in california
Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

San Clemente, south of Los Angeles, boasts Trestles, which has a huge sand beach and warm weather. This is the place to take surf lessons! And, San Clemente is a great little surf town with a laidback culture, beachside hotels, and delicious food.

visit california
Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

Any surfer must visit Nomad’s Canteen for the surfboard collection and traditional foods from your favorite surf spots around the world.

Yosemite National Park

Take your camera and binoculars. Massive rock walls. Spectacular landscapes. Watch the rock climbers on the 3,000-foot rock walls and at the historic Camp 4 bouldering site. Hiking and camping are fantastic—just don’t feed the black bears, which are only dangerous to your food.

yosemite national park
Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

This is California nature like you cannot imagine. Cabins and a luxury hotel are also found here but make your reservation well in advance of your visit. Although several hours from any major city, do not miss this place. Day trip bus tours from San Francisco are available, but the park is large so consider staying a few days.

yosemite national park

The Cities

San Francisco (S.F.) and Los Angeles (L.A.) are California’s largest cities and don’t forget a coat and jeans for S.F., even if visiting in the summer.

san francisco bay bridge
Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco is a popular local saying for a reason! Meanwhile, L.A. is warm to hot year round.

The food cultures are so unbelievably great in both cities that you may want to stay forever. Food trucks are popular in both cities. L.A. is known for Korean food, so visit Korea Town.

visit california
Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

Meanwhile, S.F. has a strong farm to table and organic food movement, originated in nearby Berkeley by Alice Waters. Visit the Ferry Building for an overview any day, but on Saturday’s, the Farmer’s Market is world renowned. If you want to get an S.F. local talking, just ask them where you should go to eat for the best… well, anything.

Off The Beaten Track

Oakland is located 20 minutes from San Francisco. Take the 3-mile walk around Lake Merritt, and visit the bonsai garden. People from all over the world use the landscaped lakeside trail for exercising, walking their dogs or strolling with their families. Make some stops along the way. Rent a kayak at the boathouse.

lake merritt california
Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

Visit Fairyland (adults must be accompanied by a child), the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Disneyland. And, if you really want to get local, plan on Friday dinner at the Oakland Museum of California. After walking around the lake, walk across the street and visit the museum, buy dinner at the food trucks, eat in the sculpture garden, and dance to live music.

visit california
Image courtesy of Jessica Sern from ‘Longest Bus Ride’ (https://www.longestbusrides.com/)

Local secret: The hot cocoa made with San Francisco’s own Tcho chocolate mixed with rum and topped with fresh whipping cream is amazing! ($8 with rum, $4 without rum)

Insider Tips for California

Jessica has also put together a few handy tips that will prove to be extremely beneficial for either a first-time or returning visitor to California.

Restaurants

Locals use the Yelp website or smartphone app.

Dress

San Francisco and Northern California generally has a casual culture of jeans and shirt, perhaps the remains from the beatnik and hippie cultures. Los Angeles has a more formal culture, where women wear more makeup and heels and men dress nicely.

Weather

Summer – the entire state is hot, except San Francisco, since it has a special micro-climate.

Winter – the entire state cools down. Southern California remains relatively warm while northern California gets cold. It snows in the mountains, including Yosemite.

Transportation

San Francisco has BART (a metro) and Muni (buses and trams). Both San Francisco and Los Angeles have Uber, Lyft, and taxis. Other towns and cities have buses but generally limited public transportation.

Amtrak trains tend to run 30 minutes to many hours behind schedule but offer beautiful scenery. Southwest Airlines serves most California airports and includes free check-in for 2 bags. Rental cars are widely available, and Costco membership provides a discount.

Public Transportation Schedules in the San Francisco Area: Use www.411.org or Google Maps.

Couchsurfing Advice

In Summer, hosts in San Francisco receive up to 40 requests a day, since accommodation is expensive. So, look for hosts in nearby cities that are on the BART line (similar to the metro). Here are some top tips for couchsurfing.

Popular Outdoor Activities

Surfing, skiing & snowboarding, baseball, basketball, American football, soccer (the real football) and hiking.

Visit California – Our Thoughts

What more is there to say? I hope you will agree with me that Jessica has given a pretty comprehensive list of reasons to visit California. Even if you are not convinced that you need to take a trip out west, we are ready to pack our bags and make a return trip to start exploring more of the Golden State.

san francisco streetcar

So where have we been you may be wondering? Well, our first trip out west was to the beautiful Golden Gate City aka San Francisco.

We spent a long weekend there exploring all of the main tourist sights such as Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street and of course those quirky streetcars which are the only wait to get around (aside from walking which is also a great way to explore but can get a little tiring with all those hills!).

pebble beach golf course

We then headed south to the breathtaking Monterey Peninsula, home of the world-famous Pebble Beach golf course. I am a huge golfer as you have probably established by now if you have followed us for a while, so it was an honor to walk on the hallowed turf of Pebble Beach (maybe next time I can afford the $495 green fees to actually play!)

cypress point california

Driving along the 17-Mile Drive was a cool experience as we saw a variety of wildlife and beautiful landscapes before we headed inland en route to Yosemite National Park. I think Jessica summarizes this pretty well but we would love to head back there and explore more of the park!

yosemite national park

Los Angeles is your typical city with a number of attractive reasons to visit including paying a visit to the infamous Hollywood sign and of course catching a Lakers game at the Staples Center if possible.

Summary

In terms of area, California is the third largest state and by population, it’s the largest. With these two statistics, there is clearly a lot of reasons beyond the five mentioned above that should inspire you to visit here. From rural natural beauty to a myriad of urbanized areas ready to entertain you, California has it all…and more!

We want to reiterate our appreciation to Jessica for sharing her knowledge and experiences of California with us and hopefully, you are as inspired as we are to visit California in the not too distant future.

What are your experiences in California? Do you prefer to visit for the rural beauty or one of the many cities in California? Or perhaps you just prefer to hit the gorgeous beaches along the Pacific coastline? 

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