Famed for its incredibly long pier, which surfers love surfing alongside, Huntington Beach has plenty to keep visitors entertained ...

Sharon Stephenson explores part of San Francisco that couldn't be further from the glamour of the America's Cup village.

Aerial trams and cable cars take visitors up mountains, over rivers and above cities, and sometimes these cable cars are the destination themselves.

The Pacific Coast sand stretches 5.6km between Venice Beach and Malibu and the well-heeled town of Santa Monica sits in the middle facing the best sunsets in California, writes Megan Singleton.

The drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco is only about six hours, but with so much to see on the way, you could make a week of it.

A tour of San Francisco becomes a day of history lessons and surf stories when Duncan Gillies discovers his guide, musician Chuck Prophet, is a fellow surfer.

Love the lush and lovely Napa Valley but hate how expensive it can be? You're not the first. Here are some tips to experience it on the cheap.

Megan Singleton summons up the courage to enter the Museum of Death in LA, and ponders the Dark Tourism trend.

You can't breathe. Every breath is difficult. The sun is hot and burns your skin. Your throat needs water. This is Death Valley National Park in California, an easy drive barely two hours from Las Vegas.

When in LA, join the beautiful people and head to one of the many rooftop bars for a cheeky cocktail or two. Here are five that should be on your to-do list.

When in LA, join the beautiful people and head to one of the many rooftop bars for a cheeky cocktail or two. Here are a selection that should be on your to-do list.

If you're keen for a shopping fix overseas this holiday season here are the best streets around the world to fill up the suitcase with goodies.

Sustainability may be the biggest test for the Golden State, reports Peter Huck.

Eveline Harvey is awed by the splendour of a world-renowned national park.

Established in 1890, this national park in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range, was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1984. Its spectacular waterfalls, extensive hiking trails and immense granite formations attract millions of visitors each year.

Mariposa, in central California, has in its boundaries the alpine wilderness of Yosemite National Park.

Mariposa is holding its own against invading human industry, says Michael Dickison.

Luxury RVs have all the trappings of penthouse suites, writes Marian Carroll, from marble benchtops to bronze fittings.

The stunning Pacific Coast scenery is enhanced by the surrounding bounty of beautiful food, outstanding wine, horse trekking and other activities in Northern California.

Lake Tahoe offers mountain beauty paired with casino bustle, writes Pamela Wade.

The USA's picturesque Highway 101 leads to one of the prettiest cities in the country.