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Sacramento, California
Sacramento may be the capital of Cali, but itâs also earned its stripes for another big reason â itâs one Californiaâs biggest players in the craft beer scene. The Craft Beer Summit, help annually in September, offers an up-close look at the stateâs beer making world, whether you want to start brewing your own, are checking out the competition, or you just appreciate a beery tipple.
Empire Polo Club, California
Empire Polo Club, California
Want the desert location of Coachella but prefer to get down to some good olâ fashioned country music? Stagecoach it is. Taking place right after Coachella at the end of April, Stagecoach is the festival if you love a little bit of country, and a little bit of rock and roll. 2018 headliners include Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban and Garth Brooks.
San Francisco, California
650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
The Festival of Arts keeps their tagline simple â âwhere art happensâ. And really, theyâve nailed it. Taking place annually from July through to September, the festival showcases 140 talented artists from across Orange County, offering you the opportunity to meet the artists and explore their artwork. But it doesnât just stop there; with art workshops, music series and art activities also available, this is the festival for anyone wanting to flex their creative muscle.
When we say California and festivals, weâll bet one word springs to mind â Coachella. And whilst this may be the major player on the Cali festival scene, this state offers so much more on a year round basis, no matter what youâre into. Food, drink, music, arts, culture â the Cali festival fun never really stopsâŠ
San Francisco, California
The life, the legend and the legacy of Walt Disney, all under one roof â thatâs the magic of the Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. Here, you can learn about the man himself, his inspirations, early life and genius innovations, and you can also check out the exhibitions that chart the creation of the Disney brand and beloved characters through the ages.
San Francisco, California
As one of the largest museums of natural history in the world and boasting over 26 million specimens, the California Academy of Sciences isnât here to mess around. Boasting an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum, the Academy of Sciences also has a cool after dark offering in the form of NightLife, a themed event held every Thursday offering live music, cocktails and insight.
Los Angeles, California
Sacramento, California
Itâs all aboard for a lesson in history at the California State Railroad Museum. Many tours of California will include a visit to this fascinating museum, regarded as North Americaâs best railroad museum (and the home of the Polar Express no less). The railway played an instrumental role in the development of California state, and this museum brings to life this journey through exhibits, beautifully restored railroads cars, and engaging storytelling.
Pasadena, California
An outstanding example of American Arts and Crafts architecture, Gamble House (and all its furnishings) was designed by celebrated architects Charles and Henry Greene in 1908, for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter & Gamble empire. Gamble House was built as a summer house for the family, and a visit here offers fascinating insight into how a wealthy family lived their lives at the turn of the century.
In a state that gave us everything from the gold rush to Mickey Mouse to Silicon Valley, you better believe the museums here are varied, vast, and even a little odd. Taking you from past to present and even dancing with the future, these are the museums which may just become your California highlights.
Long lines of people and creatively topped dogs will indicate youâve come to the right place. An LA institution since 1939, Pinkâs is regularly cited as one of LAâs most iconic dishes and with a menu that includes bacon burrito dogs, philly cheesesteak dogs and âthe Hollywood walk of Fame dogâ, itâs not hard to see why.
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Best eaten at
Pinkâs Hot Dogs, 709 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles
Being open 24/7, thereâs basically never not a good time for a California donut. Topped with just about anything you can imagine (Lucky Charms, Reeses Pieces), these bad boys come in both specialty flavours, and the classics (raspberry, lemon, blueberry). Donât fancy a donut at 8am? They also serve up tasty croissants, muffins, milkshakes and coffee.
Best eaten at
California Donuts, 3540 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles
Just in case we havenât convinced you yet of the absolute deliciousness that awaits you at In-N-Out, weâll give it another shot. With locations across the state this place is as California as you can get, with flavours that donât disappoint. What to order? As the title suggests, pretty much animal style anythingâŠ
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Best eaten at
In-N- Out Burger, locations across California
Intrigued? You should be. Crazy popular and known as being âfor adults, by adultsâ, Humphry Slocombe ice cream knows how to draw the crowds. Secret Breakfast is undoubtedly their best seller; a surprising combination of bourbon and corn flake cookies, itâs one of three flavours offered daily among an ever changing roster of creative ice creams.
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Best eaten at
Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream, locations across San Francisco
What started as a parking lot business soon boomed into one of LAâs best loved food trucks, such is the success of Ricky Piñaâs Baja-style tacos. For a humble $3, expect a flavor party consisting of delicate white fish cooked to a tasty golden brown, topped with chopped cabbage and pico de gallo, and all folded into a soft tortilla.
Best eaten at
Rickyâs Fish Tacos, 3117 Riverside Dr., Los Angeles
Whether you're stuffing your face with outrageous hot dogs, juicy burgers and exploding doughnuts, or youâre mirroring the LA lifestyle with green juices and vegan wraps, thereâs one thing for sure â California food is yum. Undeniably American but with strong Asian and Mexican influences, we have one piece of advice when eating in the golden state â donât hold back.
Places we visit in USA
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Hawaii
Las Vegas
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New Orleans
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Countries we visit in the USA & Canada
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All trip prices are in NZD $
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