Explore California in Retirement

We have been fortunate enough to be up and down the state of California many times and all I can say is that you need to explore California in retirement.  It is gorgeous.  Whether you like rugged coastlines or sandy beaches, vibrant cities or small towns, wonderful restaurants nestled among spectacular vineyards, this state has something that will appeal to everyone.  It has more people than any other state in the union and if it were a separate country, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world. If you have the time, and that’s what retirement is for, you can spend months exploring and eating and drinking your way from the Pacific shores to the desert and from Oregon to Mexico.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our trips to California, and it all started in San Francisco.  I attended a conference during my working years and was immediately captivated by this incredible city.  I had never seen anything like it.  I was there as part of a small group from my company to be trained on a piece of software the company had purchased.  Our trainer was a local resident who took great pride in his city and used our free evenings to show us around.  We took an evening cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, drove down Lombard Street and hitched a ride on a cable car.  When he explained that Napa Valley and the vineyards every wine drinker worships was right across the bridge, I knew I had to come back.  And I did.  Again, and again and again.  On those next trips with my family, we found restaurants that were the best we had ever been to and a waterfront that you could spend every night at for a month and never run out of things to see.  That was just one city.  There was the rest of the state to see!

Disneyland was another surprise.  After fully exploring Disney World in Florida, how could this smaller version compare?  The truth is that it was great and, in some ways, more charming than its Floridian counterpart.  Being a student of Walt Disney, I saw what troubled him with the California location and why he secretly bought up acres acres of orange groves to put together his empire near Orlando.  Disneyland was isolated in 1955 but, with its tremendous success, spawned an incredible amount of growth that enveloped the park and the spires of the Disney Castle that once dominated the scene got lost among the other buildings that were part of the area’s expansion.  The amazing thing is that, even to this day, when you’re in Disney, you’re in a totally different world and that’s what Walt always wanted.

Explore California in retirement and marvel at the coastline, the palm trees and the wine.

But California is so much more than Disney and San Francisco.  Hollywood and Rodeo Drive are there to explore for those who are attracted to those types of things, and the Redwood Forest is there for those who like to get close to nature.  A drive down US 1 is an absolute must.  For those who like a bit of a thrill, start from San Francisco and head south so you drive right along the edge.  But be careful and take your time because some of those turns are quite sharp and it’s hard to pay attention to the road when the views are as spectacular as they are.  Stop by at Hearst Castle and see how one of the world’s richest people lived back in the 30’s.  You’ll need a whole day or even more.  They have tours that focus on different aspects of the mansion and grounds which included a zoo at one time.  Take the time to explore California in retirement and you will come across so many attractions that realize you could never see it all in one trip.  The produce stands and even the grocery stores are worth a visit because the freshness is something you can actually see and it’s one of the reasons the farm to table philosophy is so strong here.  The food is wonderful and so is the wine.

Napa Valley, of course, isn’t the only wine area.  You have Sonoma, Paso Robles, Carneros and Santa Cruz and one of the least talked about in Monterey.  While you’re in Monterey, make sure you stop in Carmel and take the famous 17-mile drive to see some estates that are absolutely beautiful.  If you’re a golfer, Pebble Beach is in this area, and I have to tell you that it’s everything it’s cracked up to be.  My golf skills aren’t good enough to actually play the course (I made golf a contact sport!), but my son played a round, and I was able to be his caddy.  The scenery is spectacular and, if you call in advance or are willing to stand by, you can actually tee up on this public course.

Take the time to explore California in retirement and you’ll see that there is something for everyone.  Hollywood tours of movie studios and celebrity homes attract thousands of people every year and don’t forget about Palm Springs which is just about two hours away from Los Angeles.  Whale watching off the coast, surfing in Malibu and just swimming in the Pacific are wonderful ways to enjoy the coast.  And a visit to the USS Iowa or lunch on the Queen Mary can be a highlight for any lover of big ships.  California has something for everyone.  Explore California in retirement and don’t be surprised if you feel the need to schedule a return trip. Get out there and find out. It’s time to Enjoy Retired Life!

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