The GypsyNesters

7 Interesting Facts You’d Wish You Knew Before Moving to San Francisco

Moving to San Francisco can feel a bit different from moving to other places. The city has its own set of rules and regulations for moving trucks. Therefore, we would advise you to hire a San Francisco mover when you plan to move to the city…
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Even if you have lived in a big city in the United States, moving to San Francisco can give you quite a few surprises. Some of these surprises can feel great, while the rest not so much.

Moving to San Francisco can feel a bit different from moving to other places. The city has its own set of rules and regulations for moving trucks. San Francisco is also known for its hills, which can be quite difficult for new drivers to maneuver.

Therefore, we would also advise you to hire a San Francisco mover when you plan to move to the city as they would be aware of the regulations and also have the experience of driving a heavy truck through the neighborhoods. We hope that you find this blog post helpful if you are planning to move to San Francisco. And if you are already living in the city, you would probably get a good laugh out of reading it.

Morning and Evening Temperatures Can Be Different

If you have lived somewhere on the East Coast, you would be used to the weather being warm on a sunny day till about 10 PM. But it is not the same for San Francisco. Even if it is 70° during the day, the temperatures can drop by up to 10° after 5 PM. So always be prepared and have a light jacket with you when you’re in San Francisco.

Your Neighborhood Can Define You

People in San Francisco can judge you by the neighborhood that you live in. Although, like any other stereotyping, it is not always applicable to everyone. But once you start living in the city, you will indeed find several examples of it. So when you move to San Francisco, it is best to understand the neighborhoods before you start living somewhere permanently.

Cost of Living Is Very High

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities to live in in the United States. Even with roommates, you could be paying up to $ 2000 every month. Finding an apartment in San Francisco, California can feel like playing pro football.

If you want to save on your living expenses, you will have to buy things online and compromise on supporting local businesses. So if you are moving here for a job, keep in mind that you will spend a lot more than what you used to live.

Something Cool Is Always Going on

One of the best things about San Francisco is that there are festivals, concerts, and other random cultural events going on all the time. San Francisco is well known for shutting the streets down to allow performances and yet, make it easy for people by adjusting public transportation. Many websites can tell you about the different events that are held regularly.

The City Is Dog Friendly

Whether you have a dog or just love dogs, you will find that San Francisco is an extremely dog friendly city. You will find parks in every neighborhood with dog-friendly areas. Many bars allow dog owners to bring in their dogs when it is not crowded. However, not all landlords allow pets, so check that before you move in with your dog.

Divisadero Is San Francisco’s Fog Line

San Francisco’s fog is one of the biggest contributing factors to the evening temperature drops we mentioned before. Divisadero is a street that runs from the North to the South of the city and cuts it into two halves.

If you choose to live on the east side of Divisadero, you will probably enjoy a lot more sunshine than those living on the west side. The entire city gets engulfed in fog every quite often, but it is more frequent on the west side.

Tips to Use MUNI

The bus system in San Francisco is called MUNI that you would either love or hate. But there are three things that you must keep in mind when you travel by bus to San Francisco. Never rely on Google Maps to find out when the next bus is coming and use apps like Rover or NextMUNI instead.

You will have to step down in most of the buses to get the back door to open up for you. If you fail to do it, you will have more than half the bus yelling at you, so it is best to avoid this rookie mistake. If your bus is going to pass through Chinatown, you will have to add some time to your trip because there are always delays.

So if you have chosen to move to San Francisco, come to the city with an explorer’s attitude. San Francisco has innumerable adventures and boundless opportunities that you can take advantage of. You will be able to discover new things anywhere you go in the city, so be ready for a few surprises.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Ever Wonder How Our Adventure Began? Guess We’ve Always Been a Little Crazy!

A one-night stand (not ours!), a beat-up old car named the Sharkmobile, and the US Postal Service delivered a 1-2-3 punch we couldn’t ignore It might not be the most romantic story…
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Excerpt from Going Gypsy: One Couple’s Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All. Reprinted with permission from Skyhorse Publishing.

Once upon a time…

David James of GypsyNester.com in his youth — The Beanpole

When a twenty-two-year-old beanpole bass player with four years on the road under his belt, and all of the happy hedonism that goes along with that, meets an innocent eighteen-year-old Valley Girl who sneaked into a bar, the ensuing romance is likely to have a shelf life of exactly one night. But somehow that didn’t happen.

Even with the eagle-eyed clarity of hindsight, we can’t pinpoint the exact reason. It could be that we were all Shakespearean star-crossed. Could be we were both ready for a big change in our lives and just happened to collide. Could be we were just too dumb to know the odds; we certainly didn’t set out to defy them.

Veronica of GypsyNester.com in her youth — The Valley Girl

We are inclined to believe a fourth choice—all of the above. The one-night stand was going on in the next room with the roommate and the keyboard player while we fell into friendship instead of fake, temporary love.

But the road beckoned, and the band had to be back in Nashville, so that was that. Just two ships passing in the night. No one would ever know what might have been.

But that wasn’t that. Through the magic of pen, paper, envelopes, and stamps, they kept in touch. The Beanpole wrote to his new blue-eyed beach baby friend because something told him that couldn’t be that. A voice was whispering in her ear too, so The Valley Girl wrote back.

Before long, an old-fashioned, long-distance romance developed, almost entirely through the US mail. She says she fell in love through those letters. The Beanpole was already there when he started writing.

A few months later, fate—and a good bit of specific action seeking a band working on the West Coast—brought The Beanpole back to California for a face-to-face reunion. With this open-ended employment in the Golden State, young love had time to take its course.

The Sharkmobile. GypsyNester.com — The Sharkmobile – that’s a lot of metal.

Our story took a less fairy tale–like turn from there. The gig fell apart. What followed was a two thousand mile trek back to Music City in a $200 land barge named The Sharkmobile that had no reverse and no air conditioning, then a brief cohabitation and a “We ought to get married,” “Okay,” engagement. The next thing we knew, we were in the middle of a folding chair–bedecked wedding in a tiny, windowless, tile-floored church basement. Not exactly the groundwork for happily-ever-after.

* * * * *

The GypsyNesters at their wedding — The Beanpole was a bit nervous!

The odds of any marriage reaching ever-after are about fifty-fifty at best. Add to that a teenage bride and a road musician groom, then multiply that by being dead broke, and Veronica and I certainly seemed doomed. Good thing no one told us.

Before long we were calling our parents from a pay phone (our home phone had been shut off due to lack of funds) to tell them that they were about to become grandparents. I have often wondered what they must have been thinking.

Back when that beanpole bass player met The Valley Girl’s father, right before they ran off together, I remember being intrigued by the lack of any shotguns involved. But then, her dad did have an old hippie vibe about him. Old? He was a lot younger than we are now.

Even meeting my future mother-in-law went well. My new love wasn’t living at home, so I guess I wasn’t officially robbing the cradle, but still I expected to get grilled. Didn’t happen; Mom took right to me. Her stepfather didn’t say much at all.

By the time we were expecting their first grandchild, I had won over Stepdad, and we were joking that Mom liked me better than her own daughter.

As for us, few things can motivate reasonable human beings like the prospect of parenthood. We went with stunning velocity from laying around the love nest to up off our asses. Suddenly we were responsible for a life other than our own. We began to form tangible long-term goals.

The Spawn of the GypsyNesters — So happy to meet their baby brother!

In time, two more little ones arrived, and we learned that busting butt is what parents do. Find a way. A mother of three could start a company in her home because she learned how to make websites before most people had even heard of the Internet. A dad could successfully navigate a path in an occupation that regularly leaves the crushed carcasses of marriages and families in its wake.

Life’s twists and turns took us from Nashville to the Virgin Islands, always in search of the best situation for our family. In general, we met our goals but realized that they revolved around getting the kids raised and started on their own lives.

That is the short story of how, after twenty-some-odd years, we found ourselves living on a tropical island in the Caribbean about to become childless again, and wondering what to do.

We didn’t have a clue, but somewhere in the recesses of our brains we must have known that the time had come to do something just for us.

I know that sounds selfish, but any parent knows that once the kids arrive, there’s not a lot of room left for the “us” in a couple.

And our time arrived way ahead of schedule. Let’s just say that Veronica and I prove that even the best forms of birth control are only 99 percent effective, but in hindsight we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

We had the stamina to survive three little ones back then, and now they’re full-grown and we’re still young enough to enjoy our new life together.

That was our answer. That was what to do. Rediscover that pre-kid couple who, thirty years ago, didn’t have enough time together. Because now, we had all the time in the world…

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Excerpt from Going Gypsy: One Couple’s Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All. Reprinted with permission from Skyhorse Publishing.

YOUR TURN: One a scale from 1 – 10, just how crazy are we?

The Hidden Gems Of Palermo

If you visit the island of Sicily in southern Italy, you can easily spend your time in the big cities like Palermo and Catania, but why not discover their hidden treasures instead? When you think of Sicily, most of us will think of Mount Etna, the ancient capital of the Roman Empire, and the Mediterranean Sea and its famous beaches.

If you visit the west coast of Sicily, you will land in Palermo, one of the most beautiful islands of the Mediterranean.

The beach of Capaci 20 km from Palermo is well known to tourists but has beautiful sand and is a great place for relaxing but what if you wanted to go off the beaten track a little and find some other gems and attractions?

A one day explore

If you only have one day in Palermo, then maybe start with a street food walk. It is a great way to see some of the highlights of the city, go to the markets and taste typical Sicilian street dishes without eating too much at once. If you have time visit the Palermo Archaeological Museum.

Palermo is a huge and diverse area, so take your time and enjoy the beauty of the city, its history and culture. If you have the good fortune to stay longer then an Airbnb in Palermo could give you a good base from which to explore. A good idea in Palermo would be to buy enough food for a picnic and enjoy it in one of its parks, such as Villa Giulia.

The Palatine Chapel

This chapel is close to Palazzo dei Normanni right in the heart of Palermo. It is an incredibly well preserved example of Byantine architecture. It was built in 1132 and was dedicated to St Peter. It is covered with beautiful and intricate mosaics and it is an incredible creation and worth exploring.

The Capuchin Abbey and Catacombs

After visiting the Palatine Chapel you will probably be underwhelmed by the abbey here but underneath it lies the catacombs. This is something very different to the normal tourist attractions.

Underground are catacombs that spread out with examples of burials across time. The monks used to preserve the bodies with embalming and then they would lay them here in their own clothing. The bodies number over 8,000 and are still preserved to this day.

Monte Pellegrino

Sicily has beautiful regions that are full of mountains and hills. Monte Pellegrino is right next door to Palermo and lets visitors have a break from the city. From here you can look over the Meditarranean and the city of Palermo. This is a popular spot with the locals too as it is only 9 miles from Palermo city centre. If you feel energetic you could take a bicycle here but there are other forms of transport too..

Food markets

After the macabre burials at Capuchin Abbey, some light hiking at Monte Pellegrino has hopefully restored your appetite. There are many fine restaurants and cafes in Palermo but if you want to see how a city eats you need to visit its food markets.

There are a few to choose from in Palermo and the centre has 3 main ones. Ballaro, Cap and Vuccira are all ideally located for tourists as they are near many of the top attractions in the heart of Palermo. If it is to your liking there are street food tours available too to let you explore Sicilian food and the locals’ way of eating.

The nightlife

Of course like anywhere, Palermo has its own after dark attractions. The nightlife here in Palermo is not to be ignored, as it is intense, colourful and sometimes out of control. It is easy to stop at Porta Nuova, and you should definitely stop by to see the place after dark, it is one of the best places to go at night in Palermo. After a look around the colourful markets, there are plenty of fun things to do that won’t blow your pocket, so it won’t be long before you take in all of them and you should definitely put it on your list when deciding what to do in Palermo.

The Oratory of Santa Cita

The building goes all the way back to 1510. It was created as a place of worship and when you visit the Oratory you will possibly be less than impressed with the exterior of the building. However the hidden gem lies inside. The building has a much more intricate interior with some of the most incredible architecture crafted from marble. There are examples of angels and Cupid across the walls and is a real hidden gem in Palermo that most visitors will miss.

Summary

There are more hidden gems that you can search out yourself such as Palazzo Asmund, which houses a collection of ceramics and artefacts dating back hundreds of years and Santa Maria dello Spasimo an unfinished church in one of the oldest areas of Palermo. Outside of Palermo, Sicily has much to offer and If you wanted something different you could even take a tour of a chocolate factory! Spend your time exploring off the beaten track and you might find your own hidden gems in Palermo and further afield.

How Covid May Lead To Many More Digital Nomads

For many in the digital nomadic community, the months and years they spent working and traveling suddenly came to a halt this spring. Borders were closed and travel restricted. Many if not most digital nomads returned home.

In many cases home meant self isolation and lockdown. The very type of existence that digital nomads seek to avoid. The best way for those of us who do wish to keep traveling safely is to know where and when rapid testing near me is available.

Why do people choose to become digital nomads?

There are different reasons for changing lifestyles and heading off overseas but probably the most common one is a love of travelling. Many digital nomads make a living by writing travel blogs. This can be single people, couples and sometimes even young families.

Of course not everyone writes blogs, many people teach online, design websites or are graphic designers. There are a massive variety of ways to make an income online. Some people dropship to allow them to continue travelling. Just a few hours a week online can finance time in a less expensive country than home.

How much income do you need to sustain this lifestyle?

This really depends on where you were living. Southeast Asia is a popular place for working online although Thailand has said that digital nomads can work legally but have still raided working spaces, especially in Chiang Mai. Countries like Thailand offer a lifestyle that couldn’t be matched at home on a lower income.

What are the benefits?

For example imagine a Swedish man or woman in their late teens. Sweden is an expensive country with a lot of hours of darkness a year. That teen can travel around Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam and enjoy beaches, blue seas and sunny skies while working half the hours they would back home. They wouldn’t get rich but when you can rent private property for less than $100 a month and live on a few $s a day the appeal is obvious compared to the rat race back home.

Freedom is the main reason anyone would choose to live this way. Choosing your own work hours, having no boss, deciding on a whim to move town. Of course many digital nomads do end up settling in one place.

Why would Covid affect the future of digital nomads?

For a start there are a lot of people forced back home who are itching to get back on the road. They may have gone back to a country where work is now hard to come by and their online work that once provided a fun, exciting life is now barely allowing them to scrape by.

The other reason there will be more digital nomads is that there are millions of people who have lost their jobs and been forced to stay at home. Others have become remote workers either under orders from their companies or by their own free will as a way to earn money. These people are the ones who might now be realising they can work anywhere in the world.

Working almost anywhere in the world

The appeal of this shouldn’t be underestimated. While most people do enjoy work they also want freedom both financially and physically to do what they want. Being a successful digital nomad promises this and more.

The phrase being a ‘successful’ digital nomad shouldn’t be ignored. If you were thinking of doing this then a digital nomad guide will help you to plan ahead and see the pitfalls.

What if you want to become a digital nomad after Covid?

There are many unknowns and many questions to answer about what will happen after Covid is finally under control. There is a certain likelihood that you will not be able to travel to at least some countries without having proper insurance, certified as Covid free and quite possibly have a vaccination certificate. Certainly the Southeast Asian nations popular with digital nomads are being very strict and at the time of writing, Laos and Thailand’s borders are closed to neighbouring countries. Vietnam and Cambodia have strict controls for entry.

Being a successful digital nomad

This takes planning. You need savings. You need to know where you are headed to begin with and how you will work. Ideally you already have employment online. Heading off with just a laptop and a whim sounds great but financial backup is necessary unless you have a great knowledge of the country you are heading to including an existing support network. You need to be productive if you are to be successful.

It isn’t unusual for people to fail within months of arriving in a new country so do your research and save as much cash as possible. Some countries are more developed than others and you will need to know what to bring and what you can buy there. With preparation, work and a little luck it is possible and post Covid will surely see the return of digital nomads.

The Best Places To Have A Picnic In Los Angeles

Picnics evoke images of summer. Spending time with friends by the river or families having fun in a park. If you are living in Los Angeles and looking for a place to have a get together or quiet picnic then here are some places you can use.

The Getty Center

This happens to be one of the best places for picnics in Los Angeles this park offers a variety of picnic areas and plenty of outdoor seating. The Getty Center has some amazing grounds to visit. When you combine this with free admission, it makes it a great place to consider for a picnic. There is plenty to see and do here too plus The Central Garden is a perfect place to see the sunset and a popular spot for dates.

Malibu Farm Pier Cafe

Instead of packing a picnic be lazy and visit this restaurant for takeaway. Get an order to go and head to the beach and eat al fresco. Remember to bring a rug and you can look at a selection of large picnic blankets online if you plan ahead.

Balboa Peninsula

If you feel like taking a ride and get away from Long Beach then you could head to Balboa Peninsula. The park here is an ideal place for picnicking. If you have children, this is ideal as there is a playground and fresh breezes on a warm day. If you’re looking for things to do with your kids in LA that include nature and plenty of space to run around, this park is the best family-friendly option.

The Old Zoo at Griffith Park

There are picnic benches laid out here with grills. For the children there are old animal cages that can be sought out and explored. It is a good place to start out from for a hike or maybe a place to end up at to have your food afterwards.

Griffith Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Los Angeles with a variety of hiking and picnic spots. If you have more than a few hours to go to Los Angeles, you can turn a picnic into a full day at Griffith Park. Griffith Park is also truly one of the most beautiful places to watch a sunset in Los Angeles.

Echo Park

This is a place that many people overlook but it is a diverse environment to visit. Full of local art and musicians it can be a fun place to picnic and explore. There are barbecue pits, picnic tables, a pool and a lot of sports areas to enjoy. You can head to the lake and rent a pedal boat if you wish after or before having a picnic in the area. If you have the time and the inclination you can visit the Dodgers Stadium while you are here.

Palisades Park

Walk with the locals and their dogs through Palisades Park. You can make a blanket picnic on the lawn or use one of the picnic tables and make a spread.

Palisades Park goes all the way from Colorado Avenue down to San Vicente Boulevard and is next to Ocean Avenue. Apart from picnics, visitors can enjoy incredible views of the Los Angeles River, the Pacific Ocean and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Grand Park

Grand Park covers 12 acres of downtown Los Angeles and is a true oasis against the urban background. Visitors can take a break in the park and have a picnic in one of the man spaces. The Music Center here has many events encompassing local community and cultural experiences. You could bring your own picnic with you or if you prefer, search out one of the many vendors and food trucks at the park and make your own picnic this way.

Burton Chace Park

The park is situated right next to the marina. Burton W. Chace Park is perfect for having a picnic. Afterwards visitors can get BOTE inflatable paddle board or a boat. Find a spot to picnic under the shade of palm trees in this popular Santa Monica spot, which is also ideal for people watching. There are plenty of picnic tables and lawns, perfect places to spread a blanket and snooze while you picnic or feast.

Will Rogers State Park

Will Rogers State Park with its large picnic table is not only a great place for family and friends to spend an afternoon, but also a great place for a family picnic on the beach or enjoy a football game.

Pan Pacific Park

This park is the ideal place for a real summer picnic. It has barbecue pits and large areas of grass for activities after the food has settled.

Los Angeles has numerous parks and areas on the coastline where couples, friends and families can enjoy picnics and BBQs with cold drinks. This is just a brief glimpse at the possibilities so try exploring and find your favourite spot.

3 Great Ski Mountains In Vancouver

British Columbia is blessed with a number of ski resorts that offer everything you could imagine, and there are some of the best ski mountains in the world,

Canada has many top ski resorts that are the envy of other countries. There are plenty of mountains and resorts to choose from but here are some you might want to consider if you haven’t already been.

If you are planning a ski trip to Canada or interested in other mountain activities then read on for some information about 3 great ski mountains and resorts in Vancouver.

How popular is skiing in Canada?

There are around 275 areas designated for skiing in the country. In total all these areas receive around 19 million visits each season. This takes into account snowboarders as well as skiers. The average time spent on these activities is about 7.5 days a year each.

By using the amount of visits each year by the time spent on the slopes then it is estimated that there are around 2.5 million skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts active in Canada.

It is a healthy activity that friends and families enjoy doing together and it is estimated that 15% of Canadians are active skiers or snowboarders. Where can you take up this activity if you live in Vancouver? Well you are lucky because there are some great ski spots including one of the best anywhere.

Grouse Mountain

This mountain is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Canada for good reason. Grouse Mountain is known as a four season destination. This means it has a huge range of activities all through the year. The mountain is 1250 metres high and rises above British Columbia. You can take the Red Skyride for an 8 minute ride up to the summit and see the amazing views from the top.

There are many things to do around the year including paragliding and ziplining for the adventurous. The Theatre in the Sky shows wildlife films throughout the day, there are numerous places to dine with fresh coffee and BBQ available. The wildlife refuge on Grouse Mountain has endangered animals living in a safe environment and includes two grizzly bears left as orphans.

Of course what you are interested in is the Winter activities and Grouse Mountain has plenty of action. Grouse Mountain is around 15 to 20 minutes only from downtown Vancouver. There are a variety of trails for all levels of skiers here. Take the Screaming Eagle chair to the green trails or head Purgatory or Devil’s Advocate for the black trails. For snowboarders there are also terrain parks to try out freestyle moves. The peak also has availability for later skiing as it stays open until 10pm.

Alternatively there is snowshoeing for newcomers to enjoy the winter beauty by following one of the trails on the mountain. Ice skating on a 8,000 sq ft pond is available if that takes your fancy but if you want something relaxed and romantic then you can take a sleigh ride.

Cypress Mountain

This mountain resort was used in the 2010 Winter Games for the snowboarding half-pipe event. Cypress Mountain is popular with snowboarders and has 4 separate and different terrain parks. Patio Park is for beginners and younger snowboarders and the District is for the more serious players.

Skiers are not left out here though. The mountain has 53 downhill runs with simple green trails like Panorama and the Black on Black trail for more advanced skiers.

Whistler Mountain

Whistler Blackcomb is legendary among the skiing world. It has a huge amount and variety of trails, adventure parks , different terrain parks and half-pipes. It consists of two mountains; Whistler & Blackcomb and you are able to travel between them making exploration of both mountains easy by way of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. A shuttle service like Epic Rides can get you from Vancouver airport to Whistler in just a few hours.

If you are looking for something amazing to do in Vancouver then Richard Morrison Vancouver and Whistler can help you out. There are amazing trails on Whistler such as the Peak to Creek which goes through 7 kilometres of hops, bowls and glade runs right the way down to Creekside Village. If you want to see where the pros go then there is the Dave Murray Downhill which was used for downhill events in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Canada has some great places to ski and Vancouver is lucky to have some of the very best. These three ski mountains offer some of the best winter sports along with other activities for non skiers too.

California Dreaming: 7 Activities To Prove The West Is Best For Your Next Adventure

After a severely disrupted 2020, people around the globe will be looking to make up for lost time in 2021. Travel adventures will be one of the priorities, and California is at the top table of bucket list destinations… CONTINUE READING >>

A little spontaneity can seriously enhance your holiday adventures. Still, if you want to turn that dream trip into a reality, it’s important to build an itinerary that unlocks the Golden State’s true potential. Here are seven of the best.

#1. Climb The Hollywood Sign

Seeing the Hollywood sign from the plane or ground level is an incredible experience. After all, it is one of the most iconic sights on the planet. For the very best insight, though, you should also think about hiking to it. The views over the City of Angels are spectacular.

Hikes can start from multiple locations in the surrounding locations. Likewise, you’ll have the choice of an organized or autonomous hike. Either way, dedicating a few hours to this trip and taking photos from up high will live long in the memory.

#2. Walk With The Stars

Hollywood is a must-see destination. There are many ways to explore it, including studio tours and other organized trips. The exact itinerary will be determined by the amount of time spent there, as well as your level of passion for film.

Regardless of those levels, though, you should definitely do the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Your favorite actor is almost certainly on the list of stars. The photo opportunities are incredible too. It wouldn’t be a trip to LA without this visit.

#3. Road Tripping

There’s nothing quite like exploring America’s finest road trips. Big Sur and the west coast of California is blessed with some truly stunning horizons. It also offers the chance to visit some of the spots you’ve seen in the movies. Perfect.

Whether visiting from another part of the country or from overseas doesn’t matter. Taking your hire car around California’s best routes will provide magical memories. When the sun is shining, the idyllic atmosphere is everything you dream of and more.

#4. Spend Time On The Beach

Malibu, Laguna Beach, or Santa Monica is up to you. Either way, California is blessed with some of the best and most recognizable beaches on the planet. A day or two spent on the sandy beaches will be very well spent.

There are no set rules of how you should enjoy your time on the beach. Some will enjoy watersports or volleyball. Others will stick to sunbathing and sinking a few drinks. Whichever solution works best for you, adding a beach day or beach days to the itinerary is advised.

#5. Watch A Sports Team

Los Angeles is blessed with several high-profile sports teams. Whether it’s the Galaxy, the Dodgers, or the Lakers, the matchday atmosphere is an amazing thing. There are few better ways of experiencing the culture and the people.

To get the full experience, you should take the time to learn about the team. Reading up on the Laker Playoff Games of the last decade, for example, will allow you to participate in conversations. Moreover, it can give you a better understanding of the city’s passion.

#6. Visit San Francisco

When visiting California, most visitors will head straight to LA. it’s understandable. However, you should not miss out on The Golden State’s other top attractions. San Francisco is one of the best. A few days in the northern part of the state will treat you well.

Aside from the many great things to see and do in San Francisco itself, you’ll see the Golden Gate Bridge. The five-hour car ride is well worthwhile. Besides, you could always stop off at Santa Maria, San Jose, or other destinations en route.

#7. Embrace Nature

California is known for a lot of manmade attractions, including theme parks, as well as spots of cultural significance. However, the state is also blessed with a wide range of natural attractions. Death Valley National Park is one of the best. Contrary to its name.

The Badwater Basin signals the lowest point on the continent at nearly 300ft below sea level. Away from Death Valley National Park, Sequoia National Park and Mono Lake are just two must-see places.

The Final Word

The State of California is bursting with adventures. In fact, even the locals will never experience everything the west coast has to offer. Still, when equipped with a list of things that you simply must see and do, your hopes of enjoying the dream vacation are greatly increased. You will love it.