California Location Guide
California – The Golden State
The legend of California , the embroidered image portrayed by Hollywood ’s worldwide film and television industry, really does exist. Days are warm and sunny, the
mansions of Beverley Hills are the height of luxury, beautifully-sculpted bodies roller-blade along the beachfront boardwalks, blonde-haired surfers compete for waves and the allure of Hollywood’s fame and fortune is as strong as ever.
Everyone either adores or despises the Golden State, the ’spoilt kid’ of the USA, who brushes off the barbs of envious resentment with indifference, confident in the knowledge that California offers one of the most varied and exciting places to live in America. The world-renowned cities of the West Coast are strung along miles of magnificent coastline with cliffs, soaring redwood forests and beaches. The high snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountain Range and the magnificent glacier-carved valley of Yosemite National Park contrast with the shimmering heat of spectacular desert landscapes and the neat rows of leafy vineyards in the Napa Valley, one of the world’s best-known wine growing regions.
The Golden Gate Bridge , steep roller-coaster hills and the formidable island of Alcatraz are instantly recognisable images of San Francisco , while the welcoming beach lifestyle and family-fun attractions make San Diego a popular vacation destination. Undoubtedly the city with the most razzle-dazzle is Los Angeles , a high-energy conglomeration of wealthy neighbourhoods, beaches and excessive standards 
of living. It lives up to its reputation as ‘the entertainment capital of the world’ presenting the attractions of Hollywood , Universal Studios and Disneyland , as well as first-class shopping, fine restaurants and a lively nightlife.
As the most populous state in the USA , California is blighted by pollution, congested freeways, crime and overcrowded attractions, but it remains a leader in social tolerance, as well as being a forerunner in the film, entertainment and music industry. The state also lives with the constant threat of earthquakes, being cut through by the San Andreas Fault . Despite the ever-present fear that “the big one” will strike, California remains one of the most popular states in which to live work and play.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Location: The airport is situated 15 miles (24km) southwest of Los Angeles .
Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October).
Facilities: Passenger services at the airport include ATMs and currency exchange, a business centre, baggage storgage, shops, restaurants and bars. Internet kiosks are located throughout the airport and the Travel Right Cafe in Terminal 4 has laptop connections.Cell phones can be rented in Arrivals. Facilities for the disabled are excellent.
Parking: There are six central car parks offering long and short-term parking that are connected to the terminals by the LAX shuttle bus.
Website: www.lawa.org
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Location: The airport is situated 14 miles (23km) south of San Francisco Time: GMT -8 (GMT -7 from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October).
Facilities: There are banks, bureaux de change and ATMs available. Facilities for the disabled are very good. Other facilities include baggage storage, medical clinic, bars and restaurants, duty-free, shops, childcare and baby changing facilities, post office, tourist information and hotel reservations. There is a also a museum, library, art gallery and an aviation history museum within the terminal.
Parking: A long-term car park is situated two miles (3km) north of the airport and is linked by a free shuttle bus service. Short-term parking is available at the airport.
Website: www.flysfo.com
San Diego Lindbergh Field Airport (SAN)
Location: The airport is situated 2 miles (3km) north west of San Diego .
Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 between the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Facilities: Lifts, bathrooms and telephones cater for the disabled. Currency exchange and ATMs are available. Other facilities include bars and restaurants, postal services, shops, tourist information and hotel reservations.
Parking: On-site and several off-site car parks are available.
Website: www.san.org
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Location: The airport is situated 12 miles (19km) from Oakland .
Time: Local time is GMT -8 (GMT -7 from April to October).
Facilities: ATMs, restaurants and bars are available in both terminals. Duty-free shopping, a business centre and left luggage services can be found in Terminal 1. Passengers with disabilities are well catered for, but those requiring wheelchairs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: Hourly, daily and economy parking lots are open 24 hours and are linked to the two terminals by a free shuttle bus service every 10 minutes.
Website: www.oaklandairport.com
Related Reviews:
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- (SFO) San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco , California – Mr Ian Brierley
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- Union Square (750 Bush Street), San Francisco , California – Miss Clare Burden
- (SFO) San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco , California – Mr Craige Timmins
- (SFO) San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California – Mr Nick Parker
- (SFO) San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco , California – Mr Birger Jansen
- (LAX) Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles , California – Mr John Taylor
- (SFO) San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco , California – Mrs Catherine Deleplace
- (SFO) San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California – Mr Mark Solomons
