Okay, I am a native born Californian who has lived here over 50 years, but, I realize there are probably little "California’s Gold" places I have missed. So, where would you go with a husband and 2 kids, ages 11 and 16. I’m also trying to stay within a budget of about 00.
Venkat: Do you have any idea what the price of gas is in California? Taking that type of a trip would cost a fortune, just in gas.

Muir Woods – a Journey to a World of Redwood Forest

Breathtaking beauty with plenty of sky touching trees, sun playing hide and seek behind the high branches and small streams running down the slope. All these describe Muir Woods, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area which is a must visit place for nature lovers. This isolated and ancient redwood forest lies near the Pacific coast of California and is quite close to the foot of Mt. Tamalpais. Here one can stroll through 1000 year old giant trees towering 260 feet high. A day long Muirwood tour not only offers solitude but plenty of more things to enjoy such as numerous hiking trails.

Location

The beautiful Muir Woods is located to the north of San Francisco city. It takes a drive of just 35 minutes to reach there. Roads to the park are steep and vehicles over 35 feet long are not allowed to go there. During a holiday in San Francisco one must definitely include a day long tour to Muir Woods. Commuting from the city of San Francisco to Muir Woods is easy. Simply hire a limo from any reputed San Francisco limousine rental service providing company and arrive here in style.

Flora

People come to a Muirwood tour to see the renowned Coast Redwood trees that are famous for their height. Here one can see nearly 250 to 380 feet long trees as if they are touching the sky. The average age of the redwoods found here are between 500 and 800 years old. Apart from redwoods, there are other tree species also such as the California Bay Laurel, the Bigleaf Maple and the Tanoak.

Fauna

Along with the rich and unique flora collection, Muir Woods is also famous for the diverse fauna that can be found here. Two famous species of the salmon family Coho or silver salmon and Steelhead Trout can be seen here during the winter days. Moreover, Muir Woods is home to over 50 species of birds and a wide variety of mammals such as Northern Spotted Owls, Woodpeckers, American Shrew Mole, larger Deer, Black Bears and Bats.

Activities

There are also well maintained paved walking trails where visitors can take a leisurely walk to enjoy the magnificent giants from very close distance. There are lots of different trails to follow in the woods and adventurous people can indulge in biking or hiking activities too. One can also enjoy moonlight walks here that are held on nights with a full moon for which prior reservations are must. Here with a proper permit couples can even plan their weddings too.

Footrace

On a Muir wood tour, if you are not participating in the annual footraces you are definitely missing something. Every year, footraces between the Mill Valley and Stinson Beach passing though the Muir Woods are organized. The annual Dipsea Race takes place on the second Sunday in June. While the Double Dipsea happens in the end of June, the Quad Dipsea is organized during the month of November.

A tour to Muirwood guarantees non-stop fun. Travel to this beautiful place in a luxurious and comfortable limo that can be hired from any reputed San Francisco limousine service.

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Visiting California on Your Next Road Trip

Much of the American West prides itself on its diversity – from forbidding deserts to breathtaking coastlines, from towering redwood forests to snow-capped mountains. But no state in the West has as much of it as California. The Golden State is a virtual cornucopia of natural wonders.  From top to bottom, explore its amazingly beautiful coast to the deep woodlands and deserts found here as well.  Stay at hundreds of fantastic California RV Camping Resorts along the way and you’ll enjoy the best California has to offer in California Camping.

Sure, California’s fantastic coastlines and towering redwoods of the northern part of the state get all the attention, but in southern California, deserts dominate the landscape. Northeast of Los Angeles, the Mojave Desert encompasses more than 15,000 square miles. Although not every part of the Mojave is ideal for a leisurely picnic lunch (think hot), this “high” desert contains several mountain ranges and is located well above sea level. These two factors are what give the Mojave its unique ecosystem, allowing for a variety of wild inhabitants. Native birds such as the roadrunner and cactus wren often share space with exotic migratory birds like vireos and flycatchers. Coyotes and kit foxes prowl the desert hills, as do more docile creatures like bighorn sheep and wild boars. Like most deserts, the Mojave is susceptible to extreme weather. Bone-chilling during winter nights and sizzling during the hot summer months, the Mojave can also offer up a very enjoyable trip during the spring and fall months.

In the southern end of the region, right before the Mojave Desert becomes the Sonoran Desert, lies Joshua Tree National Park. This 734,000-acre desert sanctuary is home to some of the country’s most unusual and photogenic plants. The Joshua tree is the largest of the yucca plants and has flourished in this region of the country. Some two dozen types of bird regularly make the Joshua tree home and the tree plays an intricate part in the ecology of this desert wildlife. The park itself offers a 40-mile driving tour where one can meander through the gentle desert landscape and find plenty of photo opportunities.

North, back across the Mojave Desert, lies Death Valley National Park. But don’t let the name scare you off – the place isn’t out to get you. In fact, Death Valley is the most visited desert park in the nation. Although this 2.3 million-acre park certainly delivers its share of forbidding landscape and uninviting weather, these extreme conditions also create some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in the entire American West.  The valley’s floor, which lies nearly 300 feet below sea level, eventually gives way to dazzling painted hills and 10,000-foot snow-capped peaks. Because of the enormity of the park, driving is essential and many of the park’s attraction are spread out. But once a destination is picked and the rig is parked, Death Valley offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails for you to soak up the dramatic scenery. Be sure to visit Telescope Peak in the park’s Emigrant Canyon. This peak is the park’s highest, reaching more than 11,000 feet and offering some fantastic views.

As you head north and out of California’s southern desert region, the Sierra Nevadas beckon visitors with its wide variety of activities and natural beauty. This 430-mile stretch of granite cliffs and snowy peaks delight visitors with numerous parks and attractions, including eight national forests, three national parks, and 14 wilderness areas. Any trip to the Sierra’s would not be complete without visiting one or more of the region’s other national parks: the Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and of course, Yosemite. These national parks are surrounded by California RV Camping Resorts and California Campgrounds.

The 402,000-acre Sequoia National Park is the nation’s second oldest park after Yellowstone. The park’s most popular attraction (and namesake) is the towering sequoia trees, the tallest growing trees on the planet. Driving through Sequoia National Park is an experience in itself. Follow Mineral King Road as it follows the Kaweah River for 25 miles before reaching the scenic Mineral King portion. General Highway is another twisting drive that will bring you to a stand of trees where four of the five world’s tallest can be found. Just north of Sequoia sits Kings Canyon National Park, home of General Grant, the nation’s largest tree. Offer up a salute to the lofty hardwood. Another must-see is the Zumwalt Meadow, the six-mile valley floor offers excellent opportunities for day hikes along a peaceful valley surrounded by towering granite cliffs. North of Kings Canyon lies California’s most famous national park, Yosemite. Crowds can be, well, annoying, so choose your season well (spring and fall are best). Yosemite’s vastness and many isolated areas make this an extremely pleasant visit and a must for the RVer cruising through California.

For even more dramatic scenery head east of Yosemite just a few miles until you reach Mono Lake. One of the oldest lakes in America, Mono Lake attracts all types of wildlife to the area, including unusual sea birds who come seeking food sources that inhabit the lake’s salty water. But the truly significant aspect of Mono Lake is the calcium-carbonate rock formations found on the lake’s shoreline, porous spires rising out of the salty water, standing like eerie sentinels protecting the shoreline. Creepy, but cool.
From here, choose one of several routes north, all of which are quite scenic, until you reach the Sierra foothills and the Lake Tahoe region. Set along the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe has become an immensely popular vacation area, especially for skiers. Lake Tahoe rewards its visitors with fantastic scenery, relaxing hikes, and plenty of other outdoor activities year-round. It’s easy to escape the developed shores of Lake Tahoe. The western side of the lake offers two state parks, Emerald Bay and D.L. Bliss, each with miles of connecting hiking trails and memorable surroundings. The lake is a wonder as well. At over 6,000 feet in elevation, this mountain lake is one of the highest in the world. And its crystal-clear, frigid water beckons the hardiest of souls to take a dip.

Northern California remains one of America’s most popular and beautiful regions. Yes, there’s much more here than San Francisco, although that’s a wonderful place to start things off. While having only a fraction of the population of southern California, the northern regions offer the most diverse and impressive landscape in the American West.

The Lava Beds National Monument is 47,000 acres of hardened molten lava, which makes for interesting landscape. To visit the Lava Beds National Monument is truly a unique adventure. The region was once a hotbed (literally!) of underground flowing lava tubes. Today, the flows have subsided, but in their wake, a blessing of nearly 200 caves and grottoes, many of which are open for exploration. Whether you’re an experienced spelunker, just starting out, or simply curious about this underground world, Lava Beds National Monument is entertaining, nonetheless.

For birders, a must-stop is the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. While these two adjacent parks, located just north of the Lava Beds, play host to a wide array of permanent and migratory birds, the area is best known for its migratory bald eagle population, generally regarded as the nation’s largest. Don’t forget the binoculars.
Directly west of these wildlife refuges, along the California coast, clustered together are several redwood areas that make for wonderful stops. While Redwood National Park anchors the area, the coastal drive is also lined with several areas featuring northern California’s star attraction, the mighty redwood.

Much of the American West prides itself on its diversity – from forbidding deserts
to breathtaking coastlines.

Continuing along the California coast, about an hour north of San Francisco, lies the Point Reyes National Seashore, a majestic peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. Scientists believe the delicate sediment found here may one day disconnect itself from the California mainland. Here’s a hint: Try not to be there when it does. But until that day, the area is easily accessible and offers fantastic rewards for wildlife enthusiasts. Nearly 500 types of birds call Point Reyes home, or at least during their migratory travels. Dozens of mammals, including several marine types, can easily be found here as well.

If you do nothing else, make sure you travel Highway 1, one of the most scenic drives in the entire world. Here, the journey is as good as the destination, although Big Sur won’t disappoint. This region has inspired generations with its tantalizing views and dazzling sunsets. Because of the numerous RV parks and campgrounds that make up the region, Big Sur easily affords days of leisurely outdoor activities.

Just in case you want to get out of the RV for a day trip, leave your rig behind in Ventura (wave to the Woodall’s office) or Santa Barbara and take a chartered boat to explore the Channel Islands. Sea lions frolic along the islands’ beaches. Whales cruise for food just offshore. A myriad of shorebirds roost about the islands’ high ground. Santa Cruz Island is the largest and ecologically diverse of all the Channel Islands. Managed by the Nature Conservancy, the island dazzles with its steep, craggy cliffs, hidden caves, sandy beaches, and much more.

How To Choose Readings For Your Wedding Ceremony

Most couples choose to have readings as part of their ceremony, which express their love and what their marriage represents. Readings are usually given before or after the vows and can be performed by anyone you choose. Here are some suggestions of people you may consider to do a reading:

Maid of Honor/Best Man Mother of the Bride/Groom Your children/child A close friend of the couple Any relative (including children) whose relationship is valued by the couple

After you have chosen whom you would like to do the readings, you will now need to give them something to read. Readings should be given to the readers no later than four months prior to the ceremony. This will give your readers plenty of time to practice and become familiar with the readings.  Here are some tips on how to choose the appropriate readings.

You should consider your feelings and values toward marriage. Some religions have required/regular readings that are performed at wedding ceremonies. If you choose anything extra, be sure that the reading coincides with types of readings that will be performed by your minister. Browse popular sources. The Bible, if you are Christian. The Torah, if you are Jewish, and the Koran, if you are Muslim. You can also browse popular readings from poetry and literature to help you make the right choice for your ceremony. Check with your officiate. Some officiates and ministers have sources that would like you to choose from, but if not, you should be sure to let him look over the readings you’ve selected to make sure they are appropriate. Be sure that you truly understand the different meaning of your reading, so that you can truly grasp the importance it will hold for you, your spouse, and your marriage.

Here are some great ceremony readings from http://www.weddings.theknot.com that may give you some ideas as to what types of readings you might be leaning too.

Song of Solomon, the Holy Bible Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen The Chocolate Cake Sutra Ingredients for a Sweet Life by Graham M. Schweig The Invitation by Oriah Graces by June Cotner We: Understanding the Psychology of Romantic Love by Carlos Almaran The Book of a Thousand Prayers by Angela Ashwin Taking Our Places: The Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up by Norman Fischer A Year With C.S. Lewis: Daily Readings from His Classic Works by C.S. Lewis The Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman, and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods by Julia Butterfly Hill The Book of Life: Daily Meditations with Krishnamurti by J. Krishnamurti Rumi: Bridge to the Soul: Journeys Into the Music and Silence of the Heart by Coleman Barks Prayers for a Thousand Years by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon From Sacred Voices: Essential Women’s Wisdom Through the Ages, edited by Mary Ford-Grabowsky Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie

after all I will be paying about the same price so where is it more fun as in places to socialize and go out yet living the rural lifestyle… I am majoring in foreign languages so what is more convenient?

Be Unique – Choose Special Wedding Style

Who doesn’t want a wedding that everyone will remember for years to come? I know I do! It’s so much of fun to plan a wedding in an exotic locale among an entirely new setting! Or, a wedding in a place which holds special significance for you and your partner – probably the place where you two first met! Just the thought of it fills me with excitement! Here are some unique destination wedding ideas you can borrow from!

Unique Places to Say “I Do”

1.    Lets start off which a tropical beach! I’ve always had a soft spot for beach weddings. They’re so beautiful and they bring you closer to Nature. Moreover, the entire setting is so romantic that you can’t help but fall a little bit more in love with each other! White sands, a beautiful sun setting on the ocean and your near and dear ones around you. Bliss!
2.    If the beach is not your kind of thing, then why not get married in a redwood forest in California under the benign shadow of a giant redwood tree? It’s a call from nature you can’t resist!
3.    Here’s another variation of a beach-side wedding. Why not get married in a light house by the sea? Light houses seem to have a life of their own and somehow lend so much more character to the wedding. Moreover, there is something otherworldly and mysterious about a lighthouse which you can’t quite put your finger on. In short, it’s going to be quite an exciting experience!
4.    The classic English manor house! Getting married in the English country side is a beautiful and romantic experience! It’s as though you can pretend to be a noble lord and lady for a day! Moreover, you can even hire the manor house for your honeymoon which follows! Brilliant idea isn’t it?
5.    Vineyard weddings in the dusk are beautiful too, with the perfect backdrop of mountains and a rustic house to boot! If you want a country-side wedding, to experience the true colors of the countryside, then nothing beats this!

Exotic locales make for amazing and unique weddings. Kick start your married life by getting married with fanfare! Go all out, because it’s your wedding day!

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Discover Northern California Rv Parks

You can enjoy the outdoors by choosing to stay at northern California RV Parks. You can see some of the most beautiful parts of the west, with many tourist attractions close by, while still enjoying all the modern amenities you expect. Staying at one can let you see the state while being one of the most convenient ways to travel.

Many enjoy the unique nature of California through their State Parks. It is a mountainous region and many people enjoy fishing in the area lakes and rivers, hiking and biking on mountain paths or even hunting. There’s plenty to do and enjoy while soaking up he natural beauty of California.

Many enjoy canoeing and kayaking on the rivers, as well. If you like a more leisurely pace, then paddle boats can be rented as well at the other watercraft. All experience levels can be catered to, and there is some place for everyone to enjoy the water. If you want to take a ride in the countryside on horses, ranches are around to rent horses from as well.

Many RV Parks offer wifi while you stay. This can help you stay connected via the web to your family and friends from the comfort of your own RV. You may also be able to get satellite TV as as part of your rental space while you stay.

Many of the parks make sure there is plenty of room for RVS to pull into. Most offer plenty of space between each camper so that you can enjoy privacy in your rural setting. It is very easy to get your RV connected to the utilities with full hookups such as electricity and sewer.

You also can expect to have all the modern conveniences parks have to make your stay better. Full laundry services are available so you can take care of your clothing while on the road, or you can use the meeting rooms to make new friends and meet the people that satay here. Some places also have dump stations for a small fee, so you can do the upkeep on you holding tanks without having to worry about finding a place to do it at.

Spending your time at Northern California RV Parks can be a great way to see a fantastic state. You can enjoy the beauty of the coast or the forest. Hikers, outdoors men and people looking for a trip to the unusual can be satisfied with their vacation here. This can be a great way to see an exciting state.

This is not the California you might envision when someone says’California.’ Beautiful and rugged with clean air, great roads, not much traffic and wildlife.
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I was 16, and I traveled the world, until my parents clashed with each other. My dad is who I live with, and my f****** mom took away my travel dreams from me. I cannot even leave northern California! I want to travel to foreign countries, and she prohibits it. My father can go to prison if I leave! Now that I’m 17, can I go vacation this summer?

I am going to calabasas, CA in a few weeks, I am staying at the hilton garden inn. How nice is the area? What it is like? Where are the best beaches nearby?