Californian Greg Critser begins this National Geographic guide in Los Angeles, with the beach communities of Venice and Santa Monica, and moves on to the Getty Center and the venues of the stars. Southward, you visit the Orange County beaches and a string of affluent seaside towns, including glitzy Laguna Beach and artsy La Jolla. The beautiful city of San Diego awaits with the world-class museums and zoo at Balboa Park, the fairy-tale Hotel Del, and the beautifully restored old town, with its Mexican flair. Moving north along the coast, you take in Father Serra's missions, the jaw-dropping Big Sur scenery, moneyed Carmel and historic Monterey. You will discover the best of San Francisco, essentially a city of neighborhoods, each one offering something special--Chinatown, North Beach, the revitalized South of Market area.
