Cities and Resorts in California

By | May 1, 2022

San Francisco, California

“If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair” – The song, sung by Scott McKenzie, triggered a strong increase in the population at the end of the 1960s and was the unofficial hymn of the hippie movement Downtown San Francisco was. You can still discover the traces of that time in one of the most beautiful cities in the USA.

San Francisco, or The City by the Bay, is world-famous for its Golden Gate Bridge, whose name comes from the time of the city’s boom in the California gold rush. But the metropolis on the Pacific coast has a lot more to offer. On a tour with the cable cars over the hills of the city, you quickly realize that you are in one of the most beautiful cities in America. San Francisco is home to diverse cultures and peoples. As a result, there is enormous social diversity here and there is an incredible amount to discover. Public transport is a great way to get to know the city on your own. The ride with the cable cars is of course a special experience.

San Francisco is full of attractions and sights. The famous Fisherman’s Wharf district has many cafés, pubs and restaurants. At Pier 39, part of this district, is a very popular place to spend your free time with a year-round hype. It was shown here that old warehouses do not have to decay and be demolished, but an entire entertainment district can be created. Lombard Street, known as the world’s most winding street, is a well-known feature of the city. The striking planting and the chic houses make it a popular photo motif today.

There are also many museums in San Francisco that you must visit. In the Exploratorium you have e.g. B. the opportunity to discover interactively, in the Museum of Modern Art there are many exhibitions of contemporary and modern works and in the California Academy of Sciences a rainforest, a planetarium and an aquarium await you. When visiting San Francisco, of course, one attraction should not be missing – Alcatraz. Many notorious criminals were detained on the former prison island. B. Al Capone. Today you can visit the old cell tracts and get an impression of how the prisoners lived here.

Highlights in San Francisco

  • Golden Gate Bridge
    San Francisco’s most famous landmark and for many, alongside the Statue of Liberty in New York, the symbol of the United States.
  • Alcatraz
    The former prison island is one of the crowd-pullers in San Francisco.
  • California Academy of Sciences
    A great insider tip. The California Academy of Sciences is a different kind of museum. The exhibitions include the planetarium, the rainforest and the aquarium.
  • Fisherman’s Wharf
    In the former fishing district of San Francisco there is now a wide range of bars, restaurants and shopping opportunities. There is a year-round hype at Pier 39 that you shouldn’t miss.
  • Coit Tower
    From the 64 meter tower on Telegraph Hill you have a wonderful view of downtown and the bay of San Francisco.

San Francisco Facts & Figures

Foundation: 1776

Area: 121 km²

Population: approx. 812,000

Height: 16 m above sea level

Tallest building: 260 m

Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (CET -9 hours)

Intern. Airports: San Francisco International Airport

  • Transporthint: Overview of California, including population, history, geography and major industries.

Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs is in southern California, idyllic in the shadow of the majestic San Jacinto Mountains. The approximately 44,000-inhabitant city in the Coachella Valley is a small oasis at the beginning of the California desert landscape and is one of the most popular retreats of the Hollywood stars from Los Angeles. Palm Springs is only around 180 kilometers from the City of Angels and is an ideal starting point to explore the scenic highlights of the area.

The region around Palm Springs is especially known for the numerous festivals that attract thousands of people to the desert every year. From the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Modernism Week to concert events such as the Coachella and the Stagecoach Music Festival, there is something for everyone. The right weather is also ensured, because with more than 350 sunny days and temperatures between 22 ° C in winter and up to 37 ° C in summer, especially sun-hungry visitors get their money’s worth.

Other highlights include the Architecture and Design Center, which is a monument to the famous architect E. Stewart Williams, Sunnylands, which delights with its beautiful gardens, or the many golf courses in the area. Don’t miss a trip on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which takes you to the top of San Jacinto Peak in a rotating gondola in 10 minutes. The Indian Canyons, located just minutes from the center, should also be on your to-do list for Palm Springs. Discover the palm-fringed valleys and the wonderful nature on easy hikes. Palm Springs is also considered the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, which is only 50 km from the city.

Highlights in Palm Springs

  • Indian canyons
    The different canyons all have very different characters. Discover the main attraction in Palm Springs!
  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
    The largest rotating gondola takes you to the top of San Jacinto Peak. There you can go hiking or enjoy a delicious meal in the Pines Café high above the city.
  • Palm Springs Art Museum
    You can find exhibitions on various subjects in the city’s art museum.
  • Coachella Valley Preserve
    Discover this little oasis in the middle of the Indio Hills, which is home to the fringe-toed Lizard, a species of lizard that does not occur anywhere else in the world.
  • Joshua Tree National Park
    About an hour east of Palm Springs is Joshua Tree National Park, whose trees of the same name are world famous.
  • Palm Springs Air Museum
    In the Aviation Museum you can see planes from various wars of the last century.
  • Sunnylands
    You can find some relaxation in the beautiful gardens of Sunnylands. A must visit during your stay in Palm Springs!
  • Palm Springs Art Museum & Design Center
    The Architecture Museum shows changing exhibitions on the architectural achievements of mankind.

Info about Palm Springs

Foundation: 1938

Population: approx.44,500

Area: 246 km²

Height: approx. 146 m above sea level

Airport: Palm Springs International Airport

Resorts in California