In and Around California

Venetian at Vegas, LV.

a land area of 163,696 sq miles and a population of 38.3 million, the golden state of California covers most of Western USA. The sprawling state is also well known for the supply of most of the fresh fruits and vegetables in the US and flaunts numerous places for a tourist keen to explore. In the next couple of travelogues, you will have some insights on the key places to see in and around Southern California (SoCal).
If you are flying in, the easiest way to enter California would be through the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but don't make the mistake of staying within the boundaries of Los Angeles only. Plan a trip down south to visit San Diego and Irvine, two of California's most picturesque cities.
San Diego

Beignet at Crystal Cove, CA.

Find a place to rest at night in Los Angeles (LA). The following morning head off to the historic Union Station, which serves about 60,000 passengers a day. Grab a ticket of Amrak, the intercity passenger train service. However, if you would rather avoid a train ride, then rent a car, tell your GPS to take you south and start driving.
In case you don't have relatives or friends to stay with or you're simply keen to experience the life of a true traveler, check yourself in at a hostel. Mind you, standard rooms contain bunk beds that throw in six individuals to share a room. The places are surprisingly clean given the amount they charge you. You will be handed clean sheets for your bunk bed which is also equipped with multiple charging points so that you are on top of checking in on Facebook and feeding your camera!
After dumping your belongings, drive off to the Old Town San Diego, the site of the first European settlement in California. Go through the quaint little museums, smell the hand-made soaps, poke your head into old printing presses, and munch on some freshly baked brownies. Drive along the America's Cup Harbor and admire the sleek boats of various sizes moored at the harbor.
Finish your day with a greasy dinner from Hooters. The food is terrible, but the joint sure is famous with the skimpy-top clad waitresses waiting at the tables. If you're lucky, your hostel probably plays movies at the common area where strangers from across the globe befriend each other over drinks. So head off for the common area, shake some random hands and hear some amazing stories from people you probably never knew existed!
Start the following day with a trip to the historic Coronado Island in the San Diego Bay, home to Hotel Del Coronado, the beach front luxury hotel flaunting classic Victorian architecture. With its conical dome made of red shingles against the backdrop of grey skies, the Ocean Towers of the hotel look formidably large. When it was inaugurated in 1888, Hotel Del Coronado was the largest resort hotel in the world.
Sit on the sand with your back to the hotel and gaze at the horizon beyond the white surfs riding the murky grey waves.  Toss stones at the territorial sea- gulls which will plod their way to you and tilt their heads at you quizzically! Shoo at them.
Once you have absorbed enough sea breeze and made enough futile efforts of shooing cheeky sea- gulls, hit the road back to Irvine, pausing on the way for a quick lunch.

Irvine
In this scenic city just south of LA, you don't want to miss out strolling down the neighbourhoods. If your friend offers to lend you a bike, grab the opportunity. There's nothing like riding along the pedestrian walks lining the series of beige houses and perfectly manicured lawns of Irvine!
Whether you are a beach person or not, you must drive down to the Newport Beach and watch all the beach activities. Catch a boat from the Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula! Parking can be tricky at the Balboa Island as cars queue up to make it to the ferry. But if you do get a spot on the island, hop out, embrace the sun and walk on to the ferry on foot!

Paris at Vegas, LV.

The ferry ride is short but exceedingly pleasant, so sit back, throw on a sun hat and gaze at the other ferries and boats making the same trip as you. When the ferry docks, buy tickets for a boat ride and while waiting check out the trinket stores, or buy an ice cream cone. The jetty on the other side is even livelier with touristy shops selling anything and everything from bright sun dresses to jerseys blaring New Port Beach California. You might want to pick some budget souvenirs from here!
Arrive at your boat early to grab the best seats. Watch the typical California surfer boys with sun bleached hair and extremely baggy shorts hanging lower than is probably decent, working on their boats, meeting and greeting visitors.  
The boat ride is quite informative and you will find yourself wondering how exactly do these boys find out about who owns which house for how many millions and who moved out of the neighbourhood last week for a bigger house up in Malibu. Finish your day with a walk on one of the piers. Chase a few sea- gulls if you want. Or walk down and step on the waters of the mighty Pacific.
The following morning, wake up early and drive to Crystal Cove for breakfast. A line of wooden shacks, raised high to give the seats in balcony a better view of the crashing morning waves, line the beach. Make sure you book a place early because the place is usually crowded. While you wait with your buzzer, say hi to the Pacific waters again. Pick a curious stone or two and avoid the sea weeds washed ashore by the waves, they attract flies!
When you're buzzed in, make sure you order a serving of beignet with your doze of caffeine! These French pastry-like items are prepared quite deliciously and you might end up devouring more than only a few! And if you have a fruitarian bone, don't think twice before ordering the fruit platter. With grapes, cantelope, honeydew and a collection of California berries, the platter won't disappoint you! If you're wondering which items to pick off the menu the steak chilaquiles and apple pecan pancakes are absolutely delicious.
to be continued