World Country Guide

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Food & Drink
California has always been a social melting pot, and this is reflected in its modern, cosmopolitan cuisine with an endless variety of ethnic influences. Specialities include steak and seafood and some of the country’s top restaurants can be found in centres like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. California is also renowned for its excellent wines, which rival many of the European vintages. Santa Barbara, and Lake County and the Napa Valley on the north coast, are famous for their wines. Temecula, in the Inland Empire, is the country’s newest wine-producing region. Vineyards established on the western ridges of the Sierra Nevada during the gold rush have made wine the new treasure in Gold Country.

Theatres & Concerts
As the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles offers a range of concerts and theatre performances year-round, including Broadway hits. San Francisco has its own symphony orchestra and opera and ballet companies, which give outstanding performances throughout the year. San Diego’s opera season is just part of the city’s colourful arts scene.

Nightlife
There are few places in the world that can rival California’s nightlife. Los Angeles is home to an array of illustrious clubs with rich and famous patrons. San Francisco, with its young, lively population, is known around the world as a great party town.

Shopping
Some visitors come to California just for the shopping. Whether they are after the latest fashions or quaint handicrafts, the State’s vast range of shops and malls will satisfy any consumer. The boutiques and department stores of Los Angeles are famous worldwide. The city of Ontario, east of Los Angeles, is home to California’s largest entertainment and outlet mall. Orange County and Santa Barbara are also known for the quality and variety of their shopping.

Sport
Sport is an important part of life in California. San Francisco and San Diego have teams competing in the National Football League, and the State’s cities are represented by four basketball teams in the National Basketball Association and three Major League Baseball teams. Horse racing and harness racing are popular in Los Angeles and San Francisco, while the rest of the State offers plenty of opportunities for those who enjoy watersports, hiking and skiing. The beaches of Orange County host some of the best surfing anywhere in the world.