Read our guide for why San Francisco is the best place to go for fresh seafood, world-class art, thrilling wildlife experiences, and so much more.

California

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit San Francisco

From history and art, to music, theater, hiking and food – here are 16 reasons why you need to visit LA.

16 Reasons Why You Should Visit Los Angeles at Least Once in Your Lifetime

A rare view from a helipad, a beam of light illuminates a lava tube, and who says SoCal has no seasons?

23 Shots of Southern California Like You've Never Seen It

From mountain retreats to peaceful coastal gems, discover California’s many picturesque towns and villages.

The 10 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in California

It’s no secret that Northern California has some of the best wines in the country and even in the world. Here's your guide.

The Best Wineries To Visit In Northern California

Featured Stories

Foggy and progressive, San Francisco is the crown jewel of Northern California. This compact, hilly city at the center of the wider San Francisco Bay Area has witnessed many of America’s most influential cultural moments, from hippie counterculture in the ’60s to the dot-com revolution at the turn of the last century and today’s tech boom.  

Though characterized by its history of resistance, San Francisco is struggling against the pull of a tech-driven future. The impact of gentrification can be seen in the city’s soaring house prices and the rapid transformation of neighborhoods like SoMa and the Mission, where the friction between old-school San Franciscans and the influx of young professionals is palpable.

Introducing San Francisco

Even with all its hills, San Francisco’s small size makes it a walkable city. Those with calves of steel are rewarded with a showcase of its architectural splendor; the view from Alamo Square – brightly colored Victorian houses against a backdrop of Downtown skyscrapers – is particularly iconic. Of course, taking in the Art Deco masterpiece that is the Golden Gate Bridge is a must on any San Francisco trip, as is a visit to the former prison on Alcatraz Island. 

Every neighborhood has a story to tell. The heart of the ’60s hippie revolution, Haight-Ashbury, is the place to go to relive the Summer of Love all year round, while the nearby Castro district is one of America’s first gay neighborhoods and a magnet for LGBTQ+ travellers to this day. North Beach, the birthplace of the Beatnik movement and home of the City Lights bookstore, is equally historic. SF also boasts the oldest and largest Chinatown in North America, which explains the city’s reputation for great dim sum.

San Francisco attractions and sightseeing

San Francisco neighborhoods

From the Hollywood hills to the Venice Beach boardwalk, Los Angeles is a cinematic city of dreams, where every sunset feels like a scene from a movie. The center of the entertainment world, La La Land may be home to countless celebrities, television studios and film sets, but it’s not all about star-spotting and brunching in Beverly Hills. 

LA is a sprawling county with myriad different cultures and communities: the coastal enclaves of Long Beach and Santa Monica; the built-up, bustling Downtown and Arts District; Compton, birthplace of some of rap’s biggest names; bohemian Venice; and the trendy neighborhoods of Silver Lake and Echo Park. Attracting the world’s most ambitious and extravagant characters, every neighborhood in this eclectic, showy city is prime for people watching.

Introducing Los Angeles

A must-visit on any LA trip is Hollywood Boulevard, home to the legendary Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre. Movie fans will also enjoy the rides at Universal Studios and the resting place of the stars, Hollywood Forever Cemetery; art lovers should make a beeline for the Getty Center, a hilltop gallery that houses an impressive permanent collection of European and American works. LA’s urban sprawl is flanked by golden beaches and spectacular hills and canyons, making surfing and hiking popular pastimes among Angelenos. Try Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park for relatively easy trails that take in views of the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory. There are plenty of great beaches to catch a wave, but first-time visitors should hit the sands in Malibu, where LA’s surf culture began.

Best of LA tourism

Los Angeles neighborhoods

Things to do

Food & Drink

Places to stay

Read our cheat sheet to the Pantheon to find out more about Rome's best preserved ancient temple.

Europe

Italy

Rome

10 Things You Didn't Know About the Pantheon, Rome

From world famous landmarks to local pastry shops, check out our guide to where to go in the Floating City.

Venice

20 Must-Visit Attractions in Venice, Italy

Retirement can't come soon enough!                                              

Retiring in Italy Could Be About To Get Even Better

Nowhere is the Easter egg more decadent and opulent than in Italy. Watch an Italian pastry chef create a huge, elaborately decorated traditional chocolate egg from scratch in this behind-the-scenes video.

Italy’s Extravagant Easter Eggs

Although it's tough to see all Florence has to offer such a short time, our guide points you in an artsy direction to make the most of your time.

Florence

An Art Lover's Guide to Florence in 24 Hours

Hidden amongst Florence's Renaissance architecture are a plethora of green spaces perfect for an experience of tranquility within the city.

The Most Beautiful Parks and Gardens in Florence

Read our guide to the best bars in Venice, where we profile establishments that vary from classy rooftop terraces to jazz clubs.

The 10 Most Atmospheric Bars In Venice

Beyond the carnivals and masks, tracking down the traces of Venice's surviving theatres

Venice’s Hidden Operatic Past

From family businesses to artisan boutiques, check out our guide to souvenir shopping in Venice.

6 Unique Souvenirs to Pick Up in Venice

Looking for some serious retail therapy in Venice? It's there...if you know where to look! Here are our favourite shopping malls throughout the islands and mainland.

The Best and Most Exclusive Shopping Malls in Venice

Fresh food, flowers, clothes, antiques; these are the markets you need to visit in Milan

Milan

The Best Markets in Milan to Visit

Forget what you know about museums and take a tour of MAAM - Rome's illegal art museum which is also home to around 200 people.

Inside MAAM: Rome's Illegal Museum

Venice can be packed with crowds, so discover a few secret tips that will help you experience the city more authentically.

6 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Venice

Spaghetti alla bolognesa, hidden canals and medieval markets are just a few of the things that Bologna has to offer. Read on to discover more.

Bologna

The Top 10 Things To Do and See in Bologna

As one of the biggest cities with a connection to ancient times, eating in the streets is nothing new to Romans. From its tantalizing anti-pasti options to its fresh fried fish, the street food of Rome is flourishing.

The Best Street Food Spots in Rome

Discover hidden stairwells, breathtaking views and fascinating secrets, all while exploring San Francisco on foot.

Why You Need To Go Urban Hiking in San Francisco

Beautiful and fascinating natural treasures can be found throughout the great state of California, if adventurers know where to look.

10 Beautiful Places in California You Didn't Know Existed

Los Angeles's top attractions include a cemetery-cinema, unconventional museums, a mega-shopping destination and outstanding urban hiking.

20 Must-See Los Angeles Attractions

The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for California, USA - Local News & Top Things to Do