California Archives - Backpacking Diplomacy by Andy

Tag Archives: California

California needs little introduction, but it rewards travelers who look past the postcard. The most populous US state stretches from the redwood forests of the north to the deserts of the south, taking in the tech capital of Silicon Valley, the entertainment world of Los Angeles, and more than 800 miles of Pacific coastline in between. It’s a place of staggering geographic and cultural variety, where a single day’s drive can take you from ocean to mountains to desert.

On Backpacking Diplomacy, the California tag collects firsthand stories and reflections from time spent exploring the state, with a particular eye for culture and street-level experience rather than the obvious tourist circuit. A recurring thread here is street art and public expression, including a piece exploring the murals and the question of whether street art has a purpose, set in San Francisco’s Mission District, a neighborhood whose walls are among the most storied in American muralism, rooted in Chicano and Latin American artistic traditions.

Things to do in Catalina Island California

Catalina Island is part of the group of islands just off the coast of Los Angeles called the Channels. Catalina is a famed weekend getaway from LA as the ferry to the island takes only about 1 hour. Originally home to the Tongva people, the island was colonized by the Spanish, then passed ownership multiple times before becoming part of …

Long Beach Bayou Festival California

The Long Beach Bayou Festival just completed its 32nd annual event paying celebrating the Louisiana Cajun culture with music, food, and the ‘laissez les bons temps rouler’ attitude. Learn more about the Cajun way of life here: http://www.backpackingdiplomacy.com/3… Being from Louisiana, I was quite surprised to learn about a Cajun festival in Long Beach. Even more interesting was that it …

Overlooking downtown Los Angeles from Los Feliz

Things to do in LA this weekend List

Los Angeles is an expansive Southern Californian city known for its weather, coastal access, and scenic surrounding terrain. With so much land, there are a lot of things to do in Los Angeles and options for people with different interests. I’ve always been an advocate of getting to know the city you live or visit, which often includes lesser known …

Living in Los Angeles without a car

Is it even possible to not have a car in LA? So, I relocated to LA from NYC in February to pursue a new opportunity. I didn’t really know what to expect. I’d only been to California once before and ended up with a broken leg. Everyone warned me, moving to Los Angeles without a car is impossible. “You HAVE …

Enjoying Santa Monica

I’m back in Madrid, and this trip was wonderful! A unique experience! I spent my last days enjoying Santa Monica which I really loved it! Santa Monica is a town located in Los Angeles. It has different neighborhoods but it’s famous for its amazing white sand beach, healthy people, green business and huge houses located on its mountains. You will …

The contrasts of San Francisco

It’s been two days since I left San Francisco and I already miss it. It’s a city full of contrasts between the magnificent bridges, beautiful neighborhoods but a big social problem. Hostelling International encourages visitors to volunteer in order to help homeless eating everyday. It’s a very good cause and they really need it. It’s overwhelming to see how so …

A perfect day surrounded by nature

Today was simply amazing! I got up early and went to the Civic Center area of San Francisco to pick up my rental car that happened to be a great Chrysler. I drove with a map through the stunning Highway 1 along the coast, enjoying the views of the beaches and cliffs. Finally I arrived to my first destination: Año …