America's West Coast is renowned as being a hotspot for tourist activity – probably because of the vast array of natural beauty, breath-taking cities and general splendour that is found there.
From the forests and mountains of the Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks to the hilly streets of San Francisco and the sprawl of Los Angeles, there’s something for all.
So if you’re considering a trip to the West Coast any time soon, here are a few of the places you just don’t want to miss.
Los Angeles
America’s second largest city, LA is known for its beautiful Mediterranean climate, and for being a sprawling urban metropolis. Oh, and it’s home to most of the American entertainment industry, including Hollywood.
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Around 15 million people inhabited the Los Angeles metropolitan area in 2010, making it one of the most populous regions of the planet.
The City of Angels really has everything, with fashion, sport, technology, education, media and entertainment all found in abundance.
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Stunning beaches with idyllic surfing conditions and the lure of Hollywood are the main draws for tourists, but there’s plenty more to discover to.
Seattle
A strategic port city, Seattle was inhabited by Native Americans long before the first European settlers showed up. The city also served as a gateway to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush, which saw rapid growth in a very short space of time.
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Microsoft established itself in the city in the 1980s while Amazon also holds its roots in Seattle. But there’s more to Seattle than just technology. The jazz scene developed helped Ray Charles on the pathway to stardom while Jimi Hendrix is perhaps the city’s most famous musical export.
The Space Needle is perhaps the city’s most iconic landmark, although the Museum of Flight and the Pike Place Market are also popular with tourists.
Yosemite National Park
Covering nearly 750,000 acres, the National Park covers the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. The vast majority of the four or so million visitors every year tend to focus on the Yosemite Valley – the World Heritage Site is packed full of stunning granite cliffs, streams, waterfalls and plant life.
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California is home to around 7,000 plant species, of which 50% are found in Sierra Nevada, and more than 20% in Yosemite alone. Much of the landscape was shaped by glacial activity, creating an environment that is stunning on the eye.
Grand Canyon
Carved by the great Colorado River across millions of years, the 277 mile long Grand Canyon is also up to 18 miles wide in places and more than a mile deep. It’s possible to see around two billion years of the Earth’s geological history in the canyon.
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Inhabited by Native Americans for hundreds of years, the site is now a huge tourist attraction, with helicopter flyovers a particularly popularly option.
San Francisco
Famed for the Golden Gate Bridge that spans the Golden Gate strait, San Francisco offers cool summers and steep rolling hills – ideal for a getaway. Cable cars and trams serve most of the city, while the former Alcatraz prison facility is also a popular spot among tourists.
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The city has plenty of business acumen too, with Dropbox, Reddit, Airbnb, Twitter, Uber, Mozilla and Craigslist all headquartered there.
Those visiting the city should see the Chinatown district, as well as Union Square and any of many museums that are dotted across the region. Mixtures of architecture can be found at nearly every turn and that adds to the charm of the city.
San Diego
Extensive beaches, a deep water harbour and a mild climate all year-round are just some of the reasons that people visit San Diego. The city has strong ties to the US Navy, with the USS Midway museum a main attraction.
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Add in the world famous San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and SeaWorld and there is plenty to keep people of all ages entertained.
We end with Vegas
Las Vegas – granted it’s a little inland to strictly be defined as ‘coastal’ but Vegas still deserves a mention. Known for its gambling, shopping, nightlife and fine dining, it’s a city full of life.
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One of the main attractions is the Las Vegas Strip, along it actually falls outside the main city limits, a conglomeration of hotels and casinos. Fifteen of the world’s 25 largest hotels by room count are found on the strip – accounting for some 62,000 rooms!
With entertainment found in abundance, it’s easy to see why people get hooked on Vegas…
So there you have it, just a few of the wonderful locations that await on America’s West Coast!
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