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.

Not one for tracking down experiences that cause stomach-lurching adrenalin rushes? It might be time to doing something that makes your heart leap.

It's famous in hip-hop and notorious for gang violence. So naturally Sarah Gooding had some intimidating preconceptions when approaching South Central Los Angeles for the first stop of her USA adventure.

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.

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.

This spectacular stretch of coastline is packed with great places to relax, rejuvenate and recharge your batteries.

The nature of Los Angeles is revealed along this world-famous strip of coastline.

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

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