California Castles & palaces, Island & reefs + Shopping pictures

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

Take a whale tour, admire the ocean views from seafood restaurants and browse the souvenirs for sale in this thriving marina.

Fame, fortune and fashion combine in this small but ultra-stylish area that’s one of the world’s premier shopping districts.

Once a hardworking industrial neighbourhood, today’s Downtown LA is a destination reborn with an emphasis on culture and green spaces.

Take a whale tour, admire the ocean views from seafood restaurants and browse the souvenirs for sale in this thriving marina.

This charming oceanfront town is a perfect day-trip for art, food and relaxation. 

Enjoy an upscale excursion to the country’s best-known and most luxurious wine-growing region.

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

Monumental rock spires crowd around serene pools, talus caves and boulder-speckled hiking trails in this striking parkland and unique biosphere.

Sample a magnificent selection of Italian-style wines while touring this medieval-inspired Tuscan castle decorated with frescoes and ornate woodwork.

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

Enjoy an upscale excursion to the country’s best-known and most luxurious wine-growing region.

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

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

Savor the sumptuous creations of this family-owned winery, which has produced award-winning vintages at this stunning Napa Valley location for generations.

Come to this Lake Tahoe destination in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to ski in winter, swim in summer and enjoy a lively nightlife year-round.

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. 

A long sandy beach runs along the Pacific Ocean in this city known as one of the more peaceful areas near Santa Monica Bay.

The dramatic waterfalls and granite walls of Yosemite National Park are all accessible via enjoyable hikes from this tourist village.

Home of the Summer of Love, flower power and the Grateful Dead in the ’60s, this neighborhood is still a San Francisco landmark rich with history. 

This historic and lively district offers an eclectic mixture of ornamental houses, exotic shops, restaurants, small museums, temples and food markets.