HOW TO SELL CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA Sun-Kissed
BY LAURA GELDER The Golden State of California is the ultimate fun in the sun destination for all ages. And it shouldn't be difficult to sell a state that, for most Brits, has long epitomised glamour and glitzy living. Mentioning California should unleash images of Hollywood chic, laid-back beach lifestyles, the arty vibes of San Francisco or the open-road scenery – varied, but compelling reasons to visit. California is a vast state with an ever- changing topography – mountains, beaches, desert and forest: which means there is a wealth of product potential for some incredibly wide-ranging itineraries. LA and San Francisco are similarly disparate, one famous for its movie industry, celebrity inhabitants, modern buildings and beaches, the other for its unpredictable weather, alternative arts, historical architecture and bayside living. Whilst LA is the gateway to Southern California’s beaches, San Francisco is a start-point for vineyards, mountains and wild national and state parks.
Visitors to sprawling LA find urban and seaside attractions. Star-spotters will hanker after Hollywood for its Walk of Fame or the plush neighbourhood of Beverly Hills. Other popular areas include Downtown LA, home to sports venue the Staples Center and
entertainment complex LA Live as well as China Town, Little Tokyo and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Santa Monica and Venice Beach are perfect for sun seekers and Universal Studios is a popular add-on for rides and movie set tours.
Southern California (or SoCal), extends
all the way from LA to Mexico, and includes California’s third city, San Diego. Described as having the ‘perfect climate’, San Diego is a great base for young families as it’s home to the famous San Diego Zoo, as well as Seaworld and Legoland. Visitors will find lively nightlife in the Gaslamp District while beach suburbs like La Jolla are a playground for watersports enthusiasts. Some visitors may want to pop over
the border to Mexico, which can be done easily in a day trip. Meanwhile, June 1 heralds the much- anticipated launch of direct daily flights between Heathrow and San Diego with British Airways. Between San Diego and LA are the coastal enclaves of Orange County. Whilst Laguna Beach will appeal to culture lovers and shoppers for its boutiques and galleries, Newport Beach offers a celebrity safari and Huntington Beach, or Surf City USA, is the place to head for action and a more relaxed social scene. For families and thrill seekers, theme parks Disneyland, California Adventure Park and Knotts Berry Farm lie in easy reach. Inland down south, Palm Springs is a good suggestion for those who want to fly and flop minus the beach. With a reputation as a holiday destination for the Hollywood set, Palm Springs has an edge of glamour to its streets. Some are even named after stars, like Frank Sinatra Drive. With a great choice of
accommodation from five-star resorts to motels and wide-open spaces, the desert cities area is perfect for a golf or spa- based trip. For more active clients, the Joshua Tree National Park’s strange rock formations are great for hikers and wildlife enthusiasts. The Central Coast of California is a self-drive dream, with fantastic views and easy distances between attractions Recommended pit stops on the Pacific Coast Highway are Santa Barbara and its surrounding wine country; nearby Ventura, as a gateway to the Channel Islands National
Park’s whale and dolphin watching, and the pretty towns of Half Moon Bay, Monterey and Carmel for boutique shops and upscale hotels. Other sights include Hearst Castle
and Santa Cruz’s retro fairground. Further north are the wine regions of
Napa and Sonoma where you can arrange tastings, food and wine pairings and tours of working vineyards for clients. The Napa Valley Wine Train combines transport, wine tastings, stops at various vineyards and gourmet meals in its restored vintage carriages. Close-by, state capital Sacramento, with its grand domed capitol building, also retains a nod to its Wild West Gold Rush days. For clients raring to get off-the-beaten
track, the Shasta Cascade region has wild scenery with ranch accommodation and Lassen National Park gives trekkers
Left: Keeper of the keys at Alcatraz, San Francisco; Above (clockwise): the California Adventure Park; Surfing at Huntington Beach; LA at night; Californian wildlife
CALIFORNIA Top Selling Tips...
• California’s weather varies enormously. While the south is almost sub-tropical, the north has four very distinct seasons – expect mist and mizzle in San Francisco!
• For valuable extra commission pre-book tours and tickets for theme parks, plus meal plans and VIP queue-jumper passes
BMI PUBLISHING LTD/MATT BONNER
BMI PUBLISHING LTD/LAURA GELDER
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