INTRODUCTION 
California is America squared. It’s the place you go to find more America than you ever thought possible. 
What’s Wrong with America by Scott Bradfield 
Perhaps no region of the world has been as idealized as California, and few, if any, actually manage to live up to the hype to the same degree. Justly celebrated for its sun, sand, surf, and sea, it has a whole lot more besides, such as high mountain ranges, Gold Rush ghost towns, glitzy cities, deep primeval forests, and hot, dry deserts. 
California doesn’t dwell too much on the past, and, in some ways, represents the ultimate "now" society, with all that entails. Urban life is very much lived in the fast lane, and conspicuous consumption is often emphasized to the exclusion of almost everything else. But this is only one side of the coin, and the deeper sense of age here often gets skimmed over. Once you get out of the cities, however, it is readily apparent in the landscape: dense groves of ancient trees, primitive rock carvings left by the aboriginal Native American culture, and the eerie ghost towns of the Gold Rush pioneers. A land of superlatives, California really is full of the oldest, the tallest, the largest, the most spectacular – all of which go far beyond local bravura. 
It’s important to bear in mind, too, that the supposed "superficiality" of California and Californians is largely a myth, one grounded in LA’s position as entertainment, theme park, and beach culture capital of America, as well as the perception that San Francisco – or, just as much, nearby cities like Berkeley and Santa Cruz – serves as some sort of bastion of the lunatic fringe. But this is an image promoted as much by Americans on the East Coast as visitors to the state, even if the area’s endeavors to gain cultural credibility can sometimes seem brash. 
Politically, California’s probably the USA’s most schizophrenic state, home to some of its most reactionary figures – Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon to name but two – yet also the source of some of the country’s most progressive political movements. Some of the fiercest protests of the Sixties emanated from here, and in many ways this is still the heart of liberal America. Consider the level of environmental awareness, which puts the smoky East to shame, and the fact that California has helped set the standard for the rest of the US (if not the world) regarding gay pride and social permissiveness. The region is economically crucial as well, with the cash-flush entertainment field dominated by California’s film industry and ascendant music business; even in the increasingly important financial markets, Los Angeles has become a major player.

The Rough Guide to California 7 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Jeff Dickey

Nick Edwards

Mark Ellwood

Paul Whitfield

Travel

Rough Guides

Slim, stylish and pocketable, Washington Directions is full of ideas for stop-overs, long-weekends and flying visits to one of North America''s most fascinating cities, richly illustrated with hundreds of specially commissioned photos. The full-colour introduction features 28 themed spreads - from shopping and designer bars to architecture and art galleries. The second part of the guide, ''Places'', gives ditrict-by-district accounts of the sights, restaurants, shops, transport links and nightlife - all generously illustrated. Every listing and review is pin-pointed on accompanying user-friendly maps.

The Rough Guides' Washington DC Directions 1 (Rough Guide Directions)

Jules Brown

United States

The eighth edition of The Rough Guide to California explores the state in its entirety, from the urban hotspots of San Francisco and Los Angeles to the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park and the Lake Tahoe area. The guide includes practical details on camping and hiking in Sequoia, Death Valley, and the other great National Parks and also covers highlights to the east, including Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Throughout there are critical reviews of hotels and restaurants in all price ranges, and the lowdown on the coolest clubs and bars. The detailed contexts section provides background on the state''s history, wildlife, and reviews of the best books and movies on California.

The Rough Guide to California 8 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

A comprehensive guidebook to California with full coverage of the state’s sights and attractions and detailed listings of accommodation – from budget to upscale - restaurants and nightlife. In-depth coverage of all the national and state parks and reserves, including Death Valley, Sequoia, Yosemite and Lassen, with detailed information on hiking, rafting, and other outdoor activities. A full-colour section introduces California, and three new full-colour inserts explore California food and drink, opportunities for outdoor pursuits and Californian music. From stuffing your face with tacos in San Diego to searching for Lemurians around Mt Shasta, this guide brings California to life. 
 Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to California

The Rough Guide to California 9 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Washington DC

Rough Guides Ltd.

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