Any mention of the word “California” brings out images of beautiful beaches, bikini-bottomed women and a lot of fun under the sun. While some of these images hold true, there is a lot more to the country’s most populous state than what you can see on television shows about lifeguards (thank God not all guys are Hoff-like).

For instance, did you know that California grows half of the food for the entire United States? The country’s top agricultural state, California grows almost all figs, pistachios, almonds, raisins, dates, walnuts, olives, artichokes, prunes, and clovers in the country.

Then of course, there’s the fact that California is the most economically wealthy state of the U.S. The California Gold Rush had something to do with it, but at present, the several significant centers of industry located within its borders are mainly responsible for its economic boom. There’s Hollywood for the entertainment industry, the California Central Valley for agriculture, Long Beach for its massive shipping port, Tech Coast and Silicon Valley for computers and cutting edge technology, and Napa Valley, Santa Barbara and Paso Robles for the wine industry.

California is one such state that probably requires an entire lifetime to explore to its fullest. There’s just too much to see in California; whether in its major cities of Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco, in its numerous national parks and monuments such as the Yosemite National Park or the Death Valley National Park, or in the countless beautiful beaches that line the California coast.

Just a little reminder: California has an attitude all its own. While the people here are mostly pretty laid back you’ll definitely find that a day of more observing and less doing/talking will lend well to adjusting to the social and fashion climate which ultimately can make a visit here more enjoyable!