San Francisco to Los Angeles: The Pacific Coast

Fisherman’s Wharf is San Francisco’s #1 visitor destination for a reason. Several reasons, actually. Aquatic Park. The Maritime Museum. The famed cable cars. And, of course, Alcatraz. And that’s just for starters. There’s also specialty shopping, world-class dining, and all forms of entertainment—including the area’s most noted performers, the sea lions of Pier 39, whose barks can be heard from blocks away.

Home to the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as one of the best-known streets in America, Cannery Row, Monterey offers a rich history and a vibrant future. Enjoy the beauty of both land and sea, as you marvel at the many harbor seals, sea otters and pelicans along the waterfront at Old Fisherman’s Wharf, and the unique shops, stately homes and historic structures sprinkled throughout Historic Monterey.

Containing more than 35,000 plants and animals representing 623 species, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the largest and most spectacular aquariums in the world. See jellyfish, sea otters, stingrays, crabs and many other forms of marine life. And don't miss the aquarium's main exhibit. The Ocean's Edge is a 33 foot tall tank that is home to many native California coastal marine life. See the swaying forest of Giant Kelp, and count the number of different kinds of fish you see swimming through it. Then, head to the Outer Bay Wing

With a palatial estate that includes three castles totalling over 90,000 square feet, the Hearst Castle is as large as a small city. Containing more than 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, indoor & outdoor swimming pools, a full-size movie theater, and even its own private airport, the Hearst Castle estate is truly awe-inspiring. The architecture is a blend of styles that caught William Randolph's fancy, ranging from Spanish cathedral to Roman temple. If you tire of wandering the castle, see if you can spot some of the exotic animals (zebras, giraffes & more) roaming the estates unmanicured acreage.

Witness the apex of outdoor urban sports culture along the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice. Santa Monica, an international hub for skateboarding, also hosts a vibrant pier scene, with buildings from a bygone beachfront era providing a whimsical backdrop. You can walk along Palisades Park for spectacular ocean views, and even take a long look through a camera obscura. Then it's on to Venice Beach, with its canals (hence the name), and carnivalesque Ocean Front Walk. Watch a vast array of street performers, visit a fortune teller, or buy some of the wares from the local artists. Or watch the always-in-session streetballers hoop it up, check out where Schwarzenneger first pumped up at Muscle Beach, or hits the sand volleyball courts to see some of the world's best players.

Take a stroll down America's most famous boulevard and transport yourself into the world of celluloid splendor. See the handprints of the stars of the past and present along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gaze at the Hollywood sign perched atop the close-by hills. Get your picture taken with some of the many local 'superheroes' of recent film fame. And stop by one of the famous eateries like Musso & Frank's or the Pig 'n' Whistle and imagine the great (and not-so-great) movie ideas hatched in their opulent booths.