By PEAKLIFE

California isn’t just a state; it’s a state of mind. From the shimmering beaches of Santa Monica to the artsy neighbourhoods of San Francisco, the Golden State offers a kaleidoscope of experiences for every kind of traveller. Beyond its natural splendour, California pulses with a cultural heartbeat that’s impossible to ignore. The sheer diversity of things to do here feels as if the world has compressed its finest offerings into one breathtaking state. For the curious, the creative, and the adventurous, California is your playground.

Culinary Classics In California

From its extraordinary array of ethnic fare to its cutting-edge, vegetable-forward, diverse cultural influences, and local food habits, California has always been a trendsetter when it comes to the culinary arts. To experience world-class dining, head to any of the 85 Michelin-starred restaurants, including six three-star restaurants. Addison in Del Mar with three Michelin stars focuses on elevated California cuisine as Chef William Bradley crafts whimsical dishes. You can also book a reservation at Commis in Oakland, which focuses on California-grown ingredients alongside nods to Chef James Syhabout’s Thai and Chinese heritage.

For a farm-to-fork experience, visit Sacramento, California’s farm-to-form capital. The place has remarkable soil and abundant sunshine, producing the juiciest fruits, freshest vegetables, and an array of artisanal, farm-based products. Dine at popular spots like Ella Dining Room and Bar, Mulvaney’s B&L, Waterboy, Localis, and The Kitchen Restaurant. Sacramento also has culinary tours and events such as the Tower Bridge Dinner or the annual Farm-to-Fork Celebration.

The golden state also has a vast plant-based culinary scene. Little Saint in Helensburgh excels in innovative vegan cuisine, emphasising sustainability. SHOR in Los Angeles is an upscale plant-based Indian restaurant under Michelin-recognised Chef Imran Ali Mookhi that blends traditional South Asian flavours and houses LA’s second non-alcoholic bar with a variety of fruity mocktails.

Dining in California is incomplete without trying the wine of the state. The fourth-largest wine producer in the world generates amazingly diverse wine tasting experiences, including everything from high-end pairings in the Napa Valley to neighbourly barn tastings in Sonoma County to cave tours and winemaker chats from Mendocino County to Temecula. With more than 1,000 breweries statewide, the craft beer movement in California is officially booming and you can easily find vibrant beer scenes in San Diego, Orange County, Sonoma County, Sacramento, and elsewhere. While indulging in California’s cuisine, don’t forget to participate in the culinary trails, like Catalina Island’s Buffalo Milk Cocktail Trail, Siskiyou’s Beer Trail, and Sonoma County’s California Cheese Trail and Beer Passport Trail.

A Lifetime of Entertainment

California is one of the world’s foremost destinations for arts and entertainment. For live performances, visit the San Francisco Ballet, watch a gravity-defying aerial dance show from Oakland’s Bandaloop, or listen to a big-name musician at the Greek Theatre, Berkeley’s exquisite outdoor venue. Southern California boasts similarly expansive offerings. Learn about the history of moviemaking in Los Angeles at the new Academy of Motion Pictures Museum. Let the Getty Centre’s tram transport you high above Downtown L.A. to the Richard Meier wonderland that houses the work of artists from Giacomo Manzu to Van Gogh. In San Diego, visit the La Jolla Playhouse to see plays helmed by Tony Award-winning creative director Christopher Ashley, and catch a classic at the 600-seat Old Globe in Balboa Park. If you are a fan of performing arts, catch a play at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, or the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is rife with concert halls and rock clubs, including The Wiltern, The Troubadour, and The Hollywood Bowl. You can also find a number of exceptional orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Diego Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony. Iconic annual events like Coachella and Stagecoach celebrate music and culture, while the Monterey Jazz Festival draws jazz enthusiasts from around the world. Locations like Paramount Theatre in Oakland, Warnors Centre For The Performing Arts in Fresno and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles offer behind-the-scenes tours and stargazing experiences when you are not catching a show.

The state is also home to a variety of eclectic music landmarks—like a haunted brothel-turned-rock club and a honky-tonk, the Fillmore and Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, Fox Theatre in Oakland, and The Casbah in San Diego. The Dylan’s Comedy Bus Tour in San Francisco is a must-try experience that combines sightseeing with comedy on 90-minute city tours with on-board performances by outstanding comedians.

Explore iconic sites like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, and scenic film locations and experience private studio tours and see how your favourite shows are made. The love for movies and characters has spawned several theme parks, like Universal Studios and Disneyland.

Image Credits : Visit California