If you consider yourself a Californian then you owe it to yourself to discover the roots of your identity, and ground zero on this journey are the historical Spanish missions of California. The original chain of 21 missions stretched from Baja California to Sonoma Valley, and all were situated a day’s travel apart on horseback along El Camino Real, or “The Royal Road.” Today you can retrace this historic route far more leisurely with a cruise along Highway 101 while visiting five of my favorite missions, as well as some of the finest towns and cities on the coast. It’s a great excuse to pack an overnight bag and spend a couple of days on a historical (and possibly spiritual) journey filled with fascinating factoids and stories of our past. Read full article »

The Golden State owes almost as much to the “iron horse” as to the yellow mineral that spurred the nation’s westward expansion in the mid-19th century. The first railroad in the state, a 22-mile line linking Sacramento and Folsom, went into service in 1855. Completion of the transcontinental railway in 1869 brought the world to Sacramento’s doorstep. The capital remains the most important passenger railway hub in the West with four routes—the Coast Starlight, the California Zephyr, the San Joaquins and the Capitols—passing through. It’s also a major base camp for rail buffs who come from around the world to visit the California State Railway Museum and a half-dozen other historic train attractions within day-trip distance. Read full article »