#california-travel

#california-travel

"The best places to visit in California?" a proud Californian might say, lighting up with glee. "Where do I begin?" You may have heard folks from California brag about the geographical diversity of their not-so-little corner of the world. Theirs is a place where you can go from sun-drenched beach to snow-capped mountain top to sprawling desert all in one day. The pure size of the state may intimidate at first; it takes up significantly more space than the entire country of Italy.

Are you ready to be charmed? You might not have to travel far, if you live in California. HGTV recently focused its big lens on a pint-sized subject town centers in America and came away with a basketful of California recommendations. In its story, The 40 Most Charming Small Downtowns in America, the cable channel cites not one but three hidden gems in the state: Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea and that Dutch-inspired wonder, Solvang.

As September begins, legions of Californians have just wound up their summer travels, which often follow family traditions. Frequently there are lakes involved. Or islands. Or a national park.