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There's more -- a lot more -- to California than what's scripted, sanitized, and broadcasted to the world's millions of mesmerized masses. Beyond the Hollywood glitter is a wondrously diverse state that, if it ever seceded from the Union, would be one of the most productive, powerful nations in the world. We've got it all: misty redwood forests, an exceptionally verdant Central Valley teeming with agriculture, the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, eerily fascinating deserts, a host of world-renowned cities, and, of course, hundreds of miles of stunning coastline.
Here's a small sampling of six stunning sights -- any one of which any other state would be proud to have.
Photo Caption: The one-mile hike on rail road to Mossbrae Falls at Mount Shasta, California. Photo by Kumaran Babu/Frommers.com Community
Of all the ways to travel through California's famous wine region, a hot air balloon is undoubtedly the most glorious. Popular too -- Napa Valley is
one of the world's busiest "flight corridors" for hot air balloons. At an altitude of 3,500 feet, drift peacefully over lush valleys and fertile rolling hills lined with rows of grapevines.
Photo Caption: Hot air ballooning over wine country, Napa Valley, California. Photo by Carlos Eduardo Preza/Frommers.com Community
Experience a sense of isolation on this rugged, 35-mile-long trek through some of the most remote and pristine coastline in the United States. This stretch of parkland along the far northwest coast of California is a true test of your hiking (and survival) skills -- you'll need to avoid black bears, cross creeks, scale small boulders, and time the tides to pass along black-sand beaches.
Photo Caption: The Lost Coast in northwest California. Photo by windblown wy/Frommers.com Community
Mighty Mount Shasta, a 14,162-foot-high dormant volcano with 17-mile-diameter base, stands solo, unconnected to any mountain range, and dominates
the surrounding landscape. Poet Joaquin Miller referred to the striking image of Shasta as "lone as God, and white as the winter moon." Topping the snowcapped summit of this beast is no easy feat, requiring the uses of crampons and ice axes, and only one out of three who attempts it actually succeeds.
Photo Caption: A view of Mount Shasta, California. Photo by Rebel/Frommers.com Community
The sparkling blue waters of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake on the continent, are surrounded by beautiful mountains and some of the best ski resorts in the country, including Squaw Valley, the site of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games.
Photo Caption: Shredding the slopes with Lake Tahoe in the distance.
Like the Chumash tribe in their sewn-plank canoes centuries earlier, navigate the wild, clear waters surrounding the string of virtually untouched
islands 20 or so miles off the mainland. Paddle through the striking Arch Rock on Anacapa Island, find hidden coves brimming with resting seals and sea lions, or explore the largest known sea cave in the world -- Santa Cruz Island's Painted Cave, whose walls are coated with colorful lichen and algae.
Photo Caption: Coastline along Channel Islands National Park, California. Photo by tchan/Frommers.com Community
Here's a small sampling of six stunning sights -- any one of which any other state would be proud to have.
Photo Caption: The one-mile hike on rail road to Mossbrae Falls at Mount Shasta, California. Photo by Kumaran Babu/Frommers.com Community
Photo Caption: Hot air ballooning over wine country, Napa Valley, California. Photo by Carlos Eduardo Preza/Frommers.com Community
Photo Caption: The Lost Coast in northwest California. Photo by windblown wy/Frommers.com Community
Photo Caption: A view of Mount Shasta, California. Photo by Rebel/Frommers.com Community
Photo Caption: Shredding the slopes with Lake Tahoe in the distance.
Photo Caption: Coastline along Channel Islands National Park, California. Photo by tchan/Frommers.com Community