Traveling on a California vacation can be like taking a trip around the globe or recounting the pioneer days of the American West. You'll be pleasantly surprised as you discover frontier towns as alive today as they were in 1848 when gold was first discovered. Or, you might cruise Northern California's famous wine country, or you might find yourself in the middle of thriving cosmopolitan cities in which you'll experience delightful neighborhoods where different cultures create an exciting blend of Eastern and Western traditions.

There is so much to see and on a California vacation that it is hard to know where to start. First of all--we have carefully chosen only the best California vacation hotels and resorts and seperated them by regions.

California's unique and rich mixture of people, cultures, and natural resources has inspired activities of every kind. Our snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear rivers, spectacular beaches, lush greenery, and monumental redwood forests appeal to outdoor enthusiasts as well as vacationers who just want to relax. In addition, visitors have within their grasp numerous theme parks, fine restaurants, outstanding wineries, distinctive resorts and hotels, world-renowned museums and galleries, and the unparalleled entertainment industry.

You'll find a lot Interesting California guided tours here. The Tournament of Roses parade and Hollywood's big parties are unique experiences that are popular. Yosemite National Park and awesome Redwood Trees, and gorgeous Lake Tahoe are world famous places to visit on a California vacation

Explore beautiful northern California is a must! San Francisco is a good place to start, and one of the most popular tourism cities in the world. The waterfront and Pier 39 are easily available via San Francisco's world renowned cable cars. There are great museums, and relaxing parks, the Golden Gate Bridge, the busy San Francisco Bay bustling with ferries and ships.

Across the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, is the gateway to the exciting Northern California vacations, some of the most unusual and extravagant homes in the world. Sausalito, an artists colony, has great shopping, gormet restaurants with views of San Francisco and the bay. The villages of Tiburon and Belvedere face San Francisco and have the best restaurants and shopping.

Just north is the the world renowned Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino wine country. We have numerous a wine country tours  and luxurious biking tours of this region.

The best way to explore the magnificant Pacific Coast by private jet and see some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Our California Vacation Specialist can design a great vacation experience no matter what of where you want to visit. 

Mendocino Coast, Big River, California photo taken by Bob Mc Millen, Travelwizard.com

Featured Northern California vacation hotel: The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa 

Dramatic contrasts mark the landscape here, offering an enchanting choice of vistas. Drives along the twisting, rugged coast bring unexpected and exhilarating views. Vineyards and wineries, redwood forests, and rolling hills offer tranquility and beauty. Spend your nights in picturesque 19th-century towns dotted with cozy inns. It's all available in this Redwood empire.

Sonoma, the last of the mission towns to be established, was fortified in the 1830s to protect Mexico's frontier from encroaching Russian settlements to the north. Picnic or dine on the historic Sonoma Plaza, then visit the former Mexican barracks and the 1823 Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma.

West of Sonoma, in Petaluma, board a steamboat for a ride on the Petaluma River. Then visit Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park, the remains of a once-vast rancho.

Don't miss the 800-acre Jack London State Historic Park north of Sonoma near forested Glen Ellen. Survey the ruins of London's dream home, which burned down just before he and his wife moved in. In Santa Rosa, tour the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens and the Church Built from One Tree, now a museum devoted to Robert L. Ripley of Believe It or Not fame.

North of Santa Rosa, you can canoe in the Russian River past lovely vineyards. More than 50 wineries are clustered along the river's banks in the Russian River Valley. Hike the nature trail in Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve near Guerneville, which is home to many of the Russian River area's resorts and restaurants. Monte Rio features riverfront beaches, romantic inns, and interesting shops and restaurants. Along the Sonoma coast, are the quaint villages of Bodega, Gualala, Jenner, Sea Ranch and Valley Ford, known for their B&B's, whale watching and antique shops. North of picturesque Jenner-by-the-Sea stands Fort Ross State Historic Park, established as a Russian outpost in 1812. Farther north on the coast is Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve, where flowers bloom from April to June.

Lake County is a family resort community. People come here to enjoy the water sports on Clear Lake, California's largest natural lake. Another popular pastime is sampling the wines produced by the county's six wineries. One once was owned by 19th-century British actress Lillie Langtry, a friend of Oscar Wilde. While in Lake County, be sure to sample a Bartlett pear, produced by one of the many area orchards.

Humboldt County has 300-foot-tall redwoods tower overhead when you drive the 31-mile stretch of Highway 1 called the Avenue of the Giants. The trees within The Humboldt State Park are part of the largest remaining forest of virgin redwood trees in the world. Head west to Rockefeller Forest to see the tallest tree. At Meyers Flat, you (and your car) can pass through the Drive-Thru Tree.

Between Orick and Crescent City are the world's tallest trees-preserved in Redwood National Park. These trees grow as tall as a 36-story building. Patrick's Point State Park provides a splendid ocean view

The majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range, the highest on the continent, is an outdoor-adventure seeker's paradise. The range is home to the largest, deepest, alpine lake in North America, glorious wilderness areas with ancient pines and giant sequoias, spectacular falls, tranquil valleys and meadowlands, resorts, historic Old West towns, and the best Snow sports in America.

Eastern Sierra: If you're looking for a unique destination, visit mysterious Mono near the state's eastern border. Formed about 700,000 years ago, Mono is one of the oldest lakes in the world. White, mineral-encrusted shores and eerie tufa towers of limestone-now a nesting colony for countless California gulls-add to the intriguing scene. You can overnight in nearby Lee Vining. Most easily accessible in summer, Bodie State Historic Park is just north of the lake, not far from Bridgeport. "Big, Bad Bodie" is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the West.

Along the Coast: The Getty Center is now open. This much heralded museum is situated on a hilltop near UCLA with breathtaking views of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Several cultural institutes are located at The Getty center. Your experience begins with a tram ride to the summit where you encounter spectacular structures designed by Richard Meier. The J. Paul Getty Museum includes many artistic masterpieces including the Adoration of the Maji by Andrea Mantegna, the best group of drawings by Rembrandt in the U.S., Vincent Van Gogh?s Irises, paintings by Monet, Renoir and Cezanne, plus drawings by Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael. For reservations to visit The Getty center, call (310) 440-7300. The original Getty museum in Malibu, now called the Getty Villa, is closed for renovation and will reopen in 2001; many of its masterpieces are on display at The Getty center.

After you've soaked in enough culture, soak up some sun at one of the county's many sunny and sandy beaches. While in scenic, star-studded Malibu, take one of the 10 public-access paths to see the beach and its "cottages."

If you're into serious (or like to watch), head to Surf Riders State Beach, where the surfing craze began. For more low-key activities, move on to sheltered Paradise Cove, near Point Dume, or try Zuma Beach. The most secluded spot yet might be Leo Carrillo State Beach.

But if people watching is what you're really after, go to the Santa Monica Pier for its boardwalk ambience. Also visit Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade, where musicians and mimes perform and artists sketch among sidewalk cafés and shops.

The mother lode for people watching is Venice Beach Boardwalk. This frenetic and colorful mélange of skaters, cyclists, joggers, entertainers, and eccentrics is about as L.A. as you can get. For some quiet time, watch the boats at Marina Del Rey. Laze about in the sand at Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, or Redondo Beach.

Head to Long Beach for a harbor cruise from Shoreline Village, a waterfront shopping area. Step into the glamour of yesteryear with a stroll on the decks of the Queen Mary. Once a most luxurious way to cross the ocean, the regal oceanliner now houses shops, restaurants, and a hotel. Stroll down Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach for smart shops, stylish dining, and lively entertainment.