The Most Beautiful Places in California
A look at the varied beauty spread across California.
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Beauty is an industry unto itself in California, with its abundance of beautiful landscapes, beautiful homes and beautiful people. And Plum Guide has beautiful rental homes situated right across the state. In Los Angeles, you’ll either find yourself among the beauty salons, muscle beaches and entertainment piers of the coast or the exclusive homes and restaurants of the Hollywood Hills and Beverly Hills. Move south to San Diego for its impressive zoo and head into the Joshua Tree National Park for its famous labyrinth of nature trails through the desert. For something totally different, clamber up the mountains of Lake Tahoe, slipping and sliding down the snowy slopes in winter. With luck, maybe you’ll crash right into one of the film and music stars down for a trip from Hollywood. You’ll exchange details and become close friends; it’s your ticket to the top.
Los Angeles
It’s a place that needs no introduction, but we couldn’t exactly just leave the first line blank, so this sentence will have to serve as the intro to the City of Angels. Now that it's been introduced, it’s time to zone in on its most beautiful attractions. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and many will find Disneyland and Universal Studios as beautiful as any sunset or beach. That said, we’re going to look at aesthetics first. In terms of sandy strands, the coastline is draped in them (as you might expect from a coast). El Matador is a popular beach backed by rocky bluffs. Snap photos of the stacks and rocks appearing to rise from the water. Zuma Beach County Park and Westward Beach and the Paradise Cover Beach are other beauties you just have to see with your own eyes.
El Matador State Beach, California
Los Angeles is, of course, a vast urban sprawl, so not all of its most beautiful highlights are nature-related. Architecture enthusiasts will find some of the most beautiful places in California here. The Orpheum Theater is often cited as the pinnacle of majesty, an old Vaudeville theatre that has been converted into a modern cinema. Check out the 19th-century Bradbury Building, which is almost as beautiful as the Plum Guide homes we have to rent in Los Angeles.
Shubin's Masterpiece, Plum Guide home in Los Angeles
San Diego
We thought we’d venture here next, since it’s just a short drive south from Los Angeles. San Diego is one of the most beautiful places in California if you're a fan of sand and sea. It offers up a smaller and quieter alternative to LA, and everybody seems to love that San Diego Zoo. Head to the many beautiful beaches to sunbathe and swim; we recommend Pacific Beach, Coronado City Beach, La Jolla Cove and Mission Beach (to be honest, they're all pretty great). After a day of water sports and sunbathing, enjoy a meal at one of the city’s most reputable restaurants, such as Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood or Island Prime. Aside from the restaurants and beaches, you can hang out and enjoy a picnic in the Balboa Park, which has its own resplendent gardens, forests, fountains and playgrounds, in the unfortunate event you’ve had to bring your kids (just kidding, nothing beats a family holiday).
Grapefruit Sea, Plum Guide home in San Diego
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is definitely the place Tagoe. Please don’t tell anyone we said that. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in California – not only that, but in the entire country. It makes sense, therefore, that it’s absolutely packed with stunning Plum Guide homes. Take a boat out on the lake and gaze up at the dramatic mountains. As winter approaches, take to the slopes of the Heavenly Ski Resort, whose lifts take you high above the lake and the mountains for the best views.
A pier and mountains in South Lake Tahoe in Winter
Boulders, Plum Guide home in South Lake Tahoe
Joshua Tree
We’ve done wet (in the form of the lake), so now it’s time for dry. And the Joshua Tree National Park is a vast area of arid terrain, made up of red cliffs, huge boulders and meandering nature trails. Stay at one of our gorgeous homes in the valley and gaze up at the stars at night. If you ever do get tired of the utter tranquillity, with nothing but the sound of your nagging partner and children, then you can head for a day of shopping in nearby Palm Springs. Then head out for a meal in an exclusive restaurant, such as Miro’s Restaurant, Le Vallauris or Copleys On Palm Canyon.
Joshua Tree, California, USA
The Invisible House, Plum Guide home in Joshua Tree, US
