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24th July 2017
11:28am BST
California holds a really special place in my heart.
It reminds me of my J1 days -salty air, never-ending sunshine and some of the best food and drink I've ever had the pleasure of tasting.
It's one-of-a-kind. It's my soulplace.
Here are X beautiful and magical places in California that you need to visit before you die:
The most perfect seaside town/city to ever exist - I'll be dreaming about this place for the rest of my life.
Incredible seafood, vibes and some of the coolest houseboats you'll ever lay your eyes on.
Pop a ferry from San Fran to Alcatraz Island to tour the abandoned prison, which once held some of America’s most notorious criminals.
In addition, see the West Coast’s oldest functioning lighthouse, explore the rock pools, and see the island’s seabird colony.
This historic Hollywood theatre opened its doors in 1926 and remains as intriguing today as it was back then.
An unlikely one, but a worthy one for this list nonetheless.
Over 35,000 sea creatures live and thrive at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which showcases one of the world’s richest aquatic regions.
Artist Leonard Knight spent 25 years of his life transforming an ordinary hill into a sculptural masterpiece.
It’s hard not to be impressed by Salvation Mountain’s inspiring messages and bright murals - plus it makes for a great Instagram.
No Muggles allowed.
Shop at Diagon Alley, sip pints of Butterbeer or hit up Hogwarts for a few lessons - this place is literally magical.
Golden sands for days in this beautiful city.
Great for a day trip or even an overight stay.
Make sure you check out the ATV/quad bikes across the Pismo sand dunes - insane.
Doesn't get prettier or more romantic than this.
The perfect coastal Californian town, make sure you treat yourself to a drink at Deck on Laguna Beach in the Pacific Edge Hotel.
A total of 21 Spanish missions scatter California’s coast.
If you want to catch a glimpse into what life in California was like hundreds of years ago, visit a Spanish mission.
You'll pay one visit to Berkeley and want to stay forever and ever and ever.
Based on the east shore of San Francisco Bay, the city is steeped in history based on the students who spent the best years of their lives there.
Here you'll find endless entertainment, stellar food and drinks, and a fantastic view of the entire Bay Area from the Lawrence Observatory.
It's just like you see in the movies, but with more tourists, and seagulls, and less space.
100% worth a visit regardless. Stroll up towards Third Street Promenade after for a bitta shopping.
Iconic.
Hop on a ferry at the push of a button or enjoy some authentic Mexican food, Blue Bottle coffee or fresh pastries and deserts.
It doesn't get much dreamier than being surrounded by fields and fields of fully bloomed flowers as far as the eye can see.
As seen in movies, these are super cool and will make you wanna pack up your life and move here.
Cool houses, cooler people and plenty of pups.
You have not lived until you've devoured an In-N-Out - heaven is a place on earth.
The trip of a lifetime - you'll remember it forever.
Find a super cheap Airbnb, rent a boat, hike, explore and take adventures. Carpe diem.
The surfing capital of the West Coast awaits...
Food just tastes better out of a truck - find some inspo here...
Just a quick ferry ride away from Los Angeles mainland lies Catalina Island.
If you want to snorkel or scuba dive with bright-colored fish and coral reefs, Catalina Island is the place to do it!
Can you really leave Cali without hiking to the Hollywood Sign? Well, yeah, you could. But why would you want to?
Has to be done.
Go forth and book some flights...
