California Castles & palaces, Gardens & parks, Island & reefs + Water sports pictures

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Combine beaches, theme parks, big-city excitement and outdoor recreation in one popular region with great weather and a laid-back lifestyle.

Combine beaches, theme parks, big-city excitement and outdoor recreation in one popular region with great weather and a laid-back lifestyle.

Culture and nature converge in this diverse park located in the heart of the city.

Discover thousands of plants inside the historic centerpiece of San Diego’s Balboa Park, which was originally built for the 1915 Panama–California Exposition.

Watch mountain peaks reflected in calm water and enjoy recreational activities, such as canoeing and hiking, at this picturesque lake.

Combine beaches, theme parks, big-city excitement and outdoor recreation in one popular region with great weather and a laid-back lifestyle.

This Roman-inspired palace built in 1915 remains a modern-day renaissance center of fine arts and science. 

Mingle with eccentric locals at bohemian beaches, soak up the sun on a Jet Ski and fish from marshy islands at San Diego’s premier water park.

High art on the hill, this museum and research complex has boosted LA’s reputation as a cultural epicenter.

View a priceless collection of masterpieces from Europe, the U.S. and Russia in this gorgeous community museum, known as San Diego’s jewel box of art.

Streetcars rattle up and down the city famous for steep hills, hippie history and the toughest place to make a jail break.

Laid-back by day, this hub of nightclubs and bars comes to life at night. 

Hike in the footsteps of the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians on ancient walking trails through cool, palm-dotted canyons and timeless rock formations. 

Culture and nature converge in this diverse park located in the heart of the city.

Beautifully landscaped grounds surround this historic mansion in glamorous Beverly Hills, where visitors sneak peeks at the opulence that hides an intriguing past.

A popular escape from the streets of Los Angeles, this island’s laid-back atmosphere and crystal-clear waters make it seem a world away from the busy city. 

This stunning stretch of Southern Californian coastline is paradise for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. 

High art on the hill, this museum and research complex has boosted LA’s reputation as a cultural epicenter.

Stroll along a pier and enjoy swimming, beach volleyball, surfing and many other outdoor activities in this beautiful coastal city.

Learn how one family’s love of desert plants became a Palm Springs horticultural institution.

This stunning stretch of Southern Californian coastline is paradise for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. 

Just south of Los Angeles is this small coastal city where you can enjoy live music, festivals, street fairs and a range of outdoor activities.

Lay down your surfboard and pick up a broadsword at this theater restaurant that recreates all the pageantry of the medieval past.

Step back in time to a harsh and unforgiving prehistoric Los Angeles, and walk near the footprints of extinct Ice Age animals.