Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 12:12 pm

Subject: Re: The Golden 15: California's top destinations

The Rockefeller Forest in the Redwoods. Lushest forest on Earth

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:28 pm

Subject: Re: The Golden 15: California's top destinations

Shouldn't a top-15 list for beginners include a visit to one or more of the California Missions? When I have international visitors to OC, one of the best days they spend (I've been told) is a trip to San Juan Capistrano and a swing to the tide pools at Dana Point.

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:15 am

Subject: Re: The Golden 15: California's top destinations

Sadly, a lot of the places listed in the "Golden" locations must be made of it, too expensive. California isn't about that. To see the state, stay away from the commercial places. Real California is far from those. I have driven every mile of State roadway in California, a lot of the County roads, even bicycled some. I've seen the state, it is one of the most varied in the Union. These are in no particular order, but #1 does belong at the top of my list.

1. Death Valley - not just Badwater: Spectacular geology and great views really add to the experience. Don't go to the busy canyons, some of the adjacent ones are just as good, and far less busy.

2. San Gabriel Mountains: One of the steepest mountain ranges in the world (just try and find a really big flat spot), rugged, remote, yet very close to one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. These mountains are the very reason the area is livable, holding back the rains of Pacific storms.

3. Lava Beds National Monument: Here you can spelunk in numerous lava tubes, with a flashlight checked out from the vistors center. Caves with ice below, 100F temps above in summer. Its also not busy, which makes the whole thing that much nicer.

4. Bristlecone Pine Forest: Visit trees far older than even the Sequoias, with spectacular vistas of the Sierra Nevada. Be careful, elevations vary from 9,000' to 14,300' there.

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:05 am

Subject: Re: The Golden 15: California's top destinations

The Times' list overlooked a destination that deserves to be in the Top 15 -- one that was covered by an article in that very same Travel section: Angel Island in San Francisco Bay. Its location and trails and viewpoints alone make it a gem, but its history with its forts, missile base and most of all its immigrant detention center make it a must-see.

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:45 am

Subject: Re: The Golden 15: California's top destinations

Ahhh, finally. I visited this board just to see if anyone ever mentions the Ancient Briscone Pine Forest. How can you miss "the oldest living beings" in the world? Apparently, the Times writers haven't been there, cause once you've been there, it makes anybody's list of Cal's top destinations. But, please, keep it a secret :) .

Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:30 pm

Subject: Re: The Golden 15: California's top destinations

In addition to some of the places mentioned in other posts such
as Lava Beds and the Missions I would also like to add the following.

1. The Northern redwoods by Crescent City. You might learn where
part of Star Wars was filmed.

2. The Museum of Eastern California and near by Manzanar. This will
give you a real glimpse on "another" California.

3. Bodie -- a ghost town worth the name.

4. Point Loma and the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego;
you'll get a real glimpse of where European settlement began in
California.

There is so much more to add like the Skunk train, the Russian River area, and the back country near Temecula. Lists of places in California to visit are indeed endless.