America represents such an overwhelmingly vast patchwork of often wildly disparate possibilities for the prospective visitor that deciding where to start really can be an intimidating prospect. In the end it probably comes down to what you want from your visit because this epic nation really does have it all. The multiplicity of subcultures crammed into this vast land means that even a single state can offer as much variety as some countries can muster in their entirety. Take California, a state which contains within its boundaries such remarkable diversity, both cultural and physical, that a thorough tour taking in everything from the arid deserts of the south to the brisk, verdant terrain bordering Washington State might not feel too dissimilar to a round the world trip. We’ve compiled a summary of three of our favourite cities in the hope of providing some sort of entree into this mind bogglingly varied nation: San Francisco There can be few more immediately pleasant cities to visit than San Francisco. With its picturesque bay views (completed, of course, by the imposingly iconic Golden Gate Bridge), it’s pleasingly relaxed vibe and the fact that, particularly when compared with the inaccessible sprawl of LA, San Fran is surprisingly compact and easy to take in, it’s not hard to see why ‘Baghdad by the Bay’ is such a popular tourist destination. In fact San Francisco is pretty close to being the complete package, combining natural beauty, diverse period architecture, an idiosyncratic cultural scene and an intriguing history, and all with an easy grace that it is hard not to be charmed by. The city is not short of big draws – the aforementioned Golden Gate Bridge, the ever popular Alcatraz tours and the tourist magnet that is Fisherman’s Wharf – but once you’ve got these out of the way you’ll find that San Francisco’s real magic is best experienced away from this altogether too frantic tourist trail. Los Angeles It’s probably foolish to attempt a succinct summary of LA and, likewise, highly unlikely that a short visit will do this sprawling collection very distinct districts any sort of justice. The clichés are easy of course - LA is LaLa Land, a city built on dreams and fantasy, where impossible glamour veneers an all too real underbelly of rough edges and disappointment , where Hollywood sparkle flickers seductively across a surface of smog and traffic that stretches out into a seemingly endless suburban mass. Perhaps it’s best not to bother trying to deconstruct the ‘City of Angels’ thoroughly self mythologized image, for the tourist LA is most likely a more manageable section of metro area at the heart of the city – Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Downtown. The itinerary seems likely to include such quintessential LA sites as Hollywood Boulevard, mansion gawping in Beverly Hills, window shopping in Rodeo Drive, hitting a beach or two, a rambling drive along Mulholland Drive or up to Malibu and, for those anxious to cram in a little culture a visit The Getty Centre. All this might not get you any closer to really understanding this chimera of a city but, hey, what do you expect, this is LA after all. Boston It would be easy to characterise Boston as a city defined by its history and, hell, it does have an awful lot to offer on that front. From its origins as the puritans ‘shining city on a hill’ Boston (dubbed rather imposingly ‘The Cradle of Liberty’) has consistently commanded a position at the forefront of America’s cultural and political landscape and still exudes an undeniable gravitas. Given this steadily acquired image one could be forgiven for imagining a city weighed down by a sense of staid historical self importance. Such off-putting preconceptions do Boston a great disservice however; visitors will find a city that is indeed rich in history, pretty green expanses and period architecture but equally overflowing with a more contemporary energy. In fact Boston is experiencing something of a cultural renaissance right now, with a thriving visual arts scene, forward thinking architectural developments and impressive new landmarks like the Institute for Contemporary Arts.
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America represents such an overwhelmingly vast patchwork of often wildly disparate possibilities for the prospective visitor that deciding where to start really can be an intimidating prospect.
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