Travel blog

Millions of tourists visit California each year because the state has something for everyone.

• Beautiful National Parks
• Unique architecture
• Diverse cuisines
• The allure of Hollywood
• Top tier sports teams
• The iconic New Year’s Day Rose Parade

The diverse landscape brings with it varying climates, and travelers need to pack accordingly. Packing for a trip to California may not be as straightforward as you think. In some places, you can go from sunny beaches to snowy mountains in the course of a day! Temperatures across cities vary, and may even fluctuate in the same city from morning to night.

The Freedom Trail contains some of Boston’s richest history. It is a 2.5 mile walking path marked by a red line that snakes past 16 historically significant sites that typically takes about two hours to complete.

The American Revolution happened in large part because of the political powder keg that was Boston, the Freedom Trail in particular, in the late 1700s. Brilliant minds like Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere came together and united with their neighbors – simple farmers, bakers, and shopkeepers – against the tyranny of Britain. They created an unstoppable force; the concept of America, with all the independent ideals that would go on to unify 13 rural colonies into what would become one of the greatest countries in human history.

If you’re one of the lucky million revelers to descend on Pasadena for the 131st annual Tournament of Roses Parade—which features a spectacular procession of flower-covered floats, spirited marching bands, and high-stepping equestrian units—you will certainly want to come prepared. Whether you plan to enjoy America’s New Year Celebration in comfortable pre-purchased stadium seating, camp out for free curbside spots, view the floats up close at a pre- or post-parade event, or to simply watch all the fun from home, this helpful guide will help you plan and enjoy the parade fully.

While most may think first of the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf when they envision San Francisco, there are a number of other landmarks that make the colorful California city famous, including the strikingly white art deco Coit Tower. This slender structure stands tall at the top of Telegraph Hill in northeast San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood. Coit Tower is an important part of the city's history and the view from the observation deck is one of San Francisco's best.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, neighboring parks jointly administered by the NPS, are some of California’s finest. Located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, they have lush green meadows, thundering rivers, mighty mountains, a very healthy bear population, and sprawling groves of jaw-droppingly massive trees. They are home to two of the world’s largest living trees, the noble sequoia tree neighbors General Sherman and General Grant.

Glamorous magnets for drama, the impossibly wealthy Ewing family dominated television from the late 1970s through the early 1990s on the primetime tv series Dallas. Their constant scheming, backstabbing, cheating, and deception gripped viewers—350 million people around the world tuned in on November 21, 1980, to find out who shot J.R.—and one of the most popular characters was the opulent setting itself.

The Golden Nugget is a staple of Downtown Las Vegas. Built in the 40s, it’s weathered all of Sin City’s ups and downs, witnessed its transformation from a seedy, sandy place for guests to jettison their morals, to its modern iteration as the family friendly entertainment capital of the world.

Sutter’s Mill sawmill is nestled in a peaceful valley in Coloma, California at the base of the Sierra foothills. Surrounded by ponderosa pines, on an average early morning in the late 1840s, all you’d hear would be the trilling of birds, the rush of the breeze, and the gentle roar of the American River winding its way through the property.

Feed your wanderlust and yearning for the elegance of travel from a more genteel era on a leisurely train trip up the breathtaking West Coast! You can enjoy comfortable accommodations, superb dining, and gracious service all while watching some of America’s most beautiful scenery slowly pass you by on the Coast Starlight.

Visitors to Hawaii get to enjoy its immense natural beauty, tropical climate, and endless opportunities for beachside relaxation. But guests are also granted a first-hand look at the vibrant culture that’s shaped these distant islands into one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Since it is an American state, travelers may not feel that they need to prepare themselves for culture shock when visiting Hawaii, but there are significant differences in daily life and customs. Get ready for a vacation to paradise by learning about these unique aspects of Hawaii’s distinct culture: