No quintessential Music City tour would be complete without a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame! This premier Tennessee institution and ever-popular attraction, where Country Music’s cream of the crop are honored in grandest Nashville fashion, recently revealed an ambitious 210,000 square foot expansion nearly doubling the iconic Museum’s size, including 10,000 square feet of additional exhibit space and a beautiful new Event Hall affording guests breathtaking views of Nashville’s stunning skyline. The Museum’s permanent exhibition has been updated as well, to include over a 100 new artifacts from some of today’s hottest Country talents. Browse hundreds of incredible stage costumes and fine musical instruments, explore extensive archives of captivating oral interviews, photographs and moving images, and enjoy a comprehensive multi-media history of Country Music and its brightest stars, beginning with the touching “Sing Me Back Home” exhibit. The Hall of Fame Store tenders guests a wonderful array of exhibition-related merchandise featuring Nashville-made gifts and food items, clothing, jewelry and accessories , ensuring no one goes home without that perfect memento!

Groups exploring the best of Music City won’t want to miss a visit to the most popular attraction in all of Tennessee, “The Home of Country Music” and “Country’s Most Famous Stage;” hundreds of thousands of fans annually make the trip to see the show live. “The Grand Ole Opry celebrates the diversity of all the musical styles under the country music umbrella. In addition, the Opry presents the many generations of artists who have formed country music’s rich legacy and continues to forge its future course,” says Opry General Manager, Pete Fisher. The show that made Country Music famous regularly features a fabulously dynamic line-up of superstars, rising stars and legends and showcases no less than eight artists per show, treating enthusiastic audiences to a vibrant sampling of each performer’s signature style; a variety of backstage tours get you a fabulously exclusive look at what makes the show tick. Years ago the Opry outgrew its home at the Ryman and moved to a brand new multi-million dollar venue a few miles outside Nashville; at the heart of its stage lies a six- foot inlaid circle of well-worn oak cut from the very center of the Ryman’s old stage – a hallowed portion of magic and memories lovingly carried into the Opry’s future, where new generations of Country Musicians, honored to be standing on the very spot that Johnny Cash, Hank Williams or Patsy Cline may have stood on so many years before, take the stage in that solid circle of welcome and give fans their all.

 
It’s quite possible one could design a complete San Francisco getaway agenda around the marvelous sights, sounds and smells of this charming old fishing neighborhood, home of the Wharf’s famous fishing fleet. One of the busiest popular attractions in the Western United States, if the laughter of sociable sea birds, the spicy-sweet steam of boiling crab cauldrons and heavenly aroma of freshly baked, crusty sourdough bread is twining through your daydreams, or the contrast of sturdy piers against ever-changing waters and tidy rows of vibrantly colorful fishing vessels tucked neatly into their slips embodies your idea of the perfect view, enchanting Fisherman’s Wharf is for you! Visitor favorites Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, The Wax Museum , The Aquarium of the Bay, The Musee Mechanique and The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park are all located in this bustling center richly seasoned with a diverse and hearty culture rooted in the early days of local fishing industry history. Additional crowd pullers sure to appeal to sightseers of all ages and walks are the Hyde Street Pier, home to one of the world’s largest collection of historic ships, the USS Pampanito, a decommissioned WWII era submarine preserved as a museum ship, and 19th century full-rigged ship Balclutha. Pause for a moment, and quietly envision perfect storm scenarios as you pay your respects at “ The Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel,” a touching memorial tribute constructed in memory of “The Lost Fishermen” of San Francisco and Northern California . Colonies of lumbering and vocal sea lions congregate on docks, cavorting, feeding and basking in the California sunshine-you can’t help but be amused by their antics! The Fourth of July brings world class fireworks to the Wharf, and some of the best views of the Fleet Week air shows can be enjoyed right here. A veritable foodie’s haven, the Wharf boasts some of the finest feasting in the world, offering ravenous sea dogs and landlubbers alike hungry for a taste of Old San Francisco a fabulously eclectic mix of local seafood and international cuisine-served full service or open-air, crab-stand style! Grab your group and get your steamy fresh crab or bubbly-hot and fresh clam chowder sourdough bowl fix at venerable landmark Fisherman’s Wharf- don’t forget to save a few crusts for the seagulls.

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > San Francisco Tours
 

Credit: San Francisco Travel Association-Scott Chernis

The legendary San Francisco Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia as well as the oldest in North America and consistently a top draw to die-hard local culture hounds and intrepid traversers of the globe; covering 24 square city blocks and overlapping 5 postal codes, it encompasses an area roughly a mile long and 1.34 miles wide. Rumor has it there are two distinct Chinatown experiences: One for the locals, and one for tourists. Pass through visitor-oriented Grant Avenue’s intricately beautiful dragon gate and wander lamp-lined and vibrantly colorful streets filled with restaurants, shops and mini malls-all with a more commercial vibe than traditional offerings over on Stockton Street, where you will find a more authentic presentation, reminiscent of Hong Kong, with its open air produce and fresh fish markets, mom and pop stores and restaurants. Stop by bustling Portsmouth Square, a one-acre park dubbed the “Heart of Chinatown” and steeped in important early California history; be sure to pop into Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory-the only place in the city where these familiar treats are still made by hand-watch, sample and buy a bag of 40 of these delightfully quintessential Chinese cookies for just $3.00! Experience the exotic temples of Waverly Place; explore authentic galleries and shop and feast to your heart’s content; immerse yourselves in an exotic world of sensory extravagance beyond your wildest dreams. No itinerary necessary here: best to wander aimlessly, and steep awhile in the vivid yet surreal mystique of Chinese architecture and culture-toss preconceived notions out the window while you’re there and discover your own interpretation of Chinatown!

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > San Francisco Tours

Infamous Bay Area Icon and vision to behold come sunset, with various beloved Fisherman’s Wharf venues touting “the best views of,” this intimidating, dark fortress seemingly afloat in the frigid water of San Francisco Bay and often referred to as “The Rock” was developed first as a formidable military fortification, then, ultimately a maximum security federal penitentiary, operational until 1963 when upkeep demands forced its closure. In its heyday, manned by a 155 member staff highly  trained in security but seriously lacking rehabilitation skills, Alcatraz hosted some of the most notorious criminals in American history: world-renowned gangster Al Capone, the infamous George “Machine Gun” Kelly, convicted murderer and mobster, James “Whitey” Bulgur and deviate Alvin “Creepy” Karpis, who served more time on the Rock than any other inmate. Today, the island’s facilities are managed by the National Park Service as a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and all are open for tours. Home to the West Coast’s oldest operational lighthouse, Alcatraz’s otherwise abandoned compounds now host a variety of native seabirds in lieu of incorrigible, cold blooded criminals. Prevalent Native legend holds forth the idea the island, itself is “cursed” and “evil;” that said, efforts are ongoing to restore the grounds and gardens once planted and tended by military families with the goal of creating a less hostile environment for curious yet wary visitors, who may reach the island by ferry from Pier 33.

Exploring America > U.S. Cities > San Francisco Tours

Credit Brian Suhr

Art connoisseurs embarking on a California holiday must plan a visit to this fabulous, multi-genre assemblage of exquisite European paintings, master drawings, international ceramics and significant African, Asian, and Oceanic works, with prized collections dating from the Gold Rush era to the present day. Landmark Crocker Art Museum, one of the most important art institutions in the Golden State and the longest continuously operational art museum in the West, is located in the State Capitol of sunny Sacramento. The museum is the grand vision, fulfilled, of prominent local banker/land baron Judge E.B. Walker and his wife Margaret; its fantastic core collection was assembled by the couple in the early 1870s and has flourished ever since – so much so that the historic Victorian Italianate art gallery building was quickly outgrown and the adjoining Teel Family Pavilion was constructed to accommodate expansion, effectively tripling the museum’s size to a massive 145,000 square feet, adding four times the space for traveling exhibitions and three times the space reserved for showcasing its incredible permanent holdings. The Art Museum regularly offers a diverse spectrum of special events, exhibitions and programs to complement its stunning collections: films, fundraisers, concerts, classes and more. The anchor of the Crocker’s fantastic photography collection is its wealth of American photography, with examples representing major artistic movements ranging from surrealism to street aesthetic, new topographies, and the conceptual; featured photographers include Ansel Adams, Edward Henry Weston, Richard Misrach and Marion Post Wolcott. Current exhibition African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond showcases an exciting presentation of 100 paintings, sculptures, and photographs by iconic African American artists, drawn from the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum; the Crocker is the only West Coast venue for this stunning survey of African American visual heritage.

The Sacramento Zoo, today, is a far cry from its humble beginnings as a tiny four acre attraction that opened in 1927 as the William Land Park Zoo, with a menagerie of 40 animals assembled from the collections of various parks around the city. In 1949, the zoo’s first elephant was purchased with funds raised from a drive sponsored by the local newspaper; six years later, a companion joined her. In the 1960s, the zoo increased in size to its current 14.2 acres and new habitat sprung up everywhere with the help of a $300,000.00 zoo improvement bond. A grizzly and two orangutans took up residence in 1965-admisssion was twenty five cents; in 1970 the name was changed to Sacramento Zoo. Over the years, with every wonderful improvement and addition to the Zoo family came learning and with learning new change was implemented; now home to over 140 native, rare and endangered species, the wonderful, foot-and-family friendly Sacramento Zoo inspires appreciation, respect and a connection with wildlife and nature through its many exhibits and programs highlighting the objectives of recreation and conservation. A self-guided animal art tour treats visitors to a wide array of fine artistic renderings around the park; the Giraffe Encounter allows a delightful meet-and-greet with long necked occupants from the Tall Wonders Deck. A fantastic local browse program allows donations of non-toxic tree and shrub clippings and trimmings to help feed the animals; this popular little city zoo relies on the benevolence of community members and kind patrons to ensure its upkeep, growth and preservation as a safe home and haven for its multitude of furred and feathered, finned and winged residents and  favorite attraction of locals and tourists, alike.

Glorious, 1,189 square mile Yosemite National Park, legendary for its magnificent granite cliffs, crystal clear streams and waterfalls, breathtaking vistas, and three remaining Giant Sequoia groves and immortalized time and again in artistic rendition is a beloved destination for groups of adventurers on California excursion. Natural attractions Half Dome, El Capitan, Sentinel Dome and the Tunnel View draw hordes of hikers, rock climbers and photographers annually; the beautiful high country affords visitors first rate views of  the spellbinding scenery of Tuolumne and Dana Meadows, the Clark and Cathedral Ranges and the Kuna Crest.  Almost 95% designated wilderness area, the park is one of the largest and least fragmented habitat blocks in the Sierra Nevada, supporting a wide diversity of native plants and animals, and contains five major vegetation zones: chaparral/oak woodland, lower montane forest, upper montane forest, subalpine zone, and alpine. Of California’s 7,000 plant species, approximately half occur in the Sierra Nevada and more than 20% of them within Yosemite. Originally occupied by indigenous Paiute and Sierra Miwok peoples, the area has been populated for over 3000 years, long before the Gold Rush brought floods of prospectors, who wrestled with the native inhabitants for possession of the lands rich with  valuable natural resources. Scottish-born naturalist John Muir published a series of  articles popularizing the area, thereby generating scientific interest in it, and ultimately convinced the State of California to protect the land from overgrazing, logging and misuse; Yosemite National Park was created in 1891, although California retained control of the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove; poor stewardship saw their steady-and alarming-decline.  Consistent efforts by Muir and his Sierra Club culminated with a three-day Yosemite “camping” trip with President Theodore Roosevelt near Glacier Point, during which time he managed to convince the President to take control of Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove. Roosevelt’s eventual signing of a bill in 1903 returned the Valley and Grove to the federal government, halting their destruction.

Have you ever sat, long-anticipated DVD in the player, lights dimmed, all comfy in your favorite chair- or bean bag-waiting for the trailers to roll and the flick to start-pecking through a fresh bag of Jelly Bellies? Go ahead-admit it. We all have our favorites, and discovering new combos is a never-ending source of excitement amongst fans of the best jelly beans in the world! Trekkers to the Golden State on Sacramento excursion won’t want to miss a stop at the fabulous working factory in Fairfield, California. Fans of the more than 150 flavors of the sugary legume-shaped favorites will find a veritable beananza of fabulous Jelly Belly trivia, notable works of bean art, and the renowned Jelly Belly Fleet inside the sparkling factory walls. Delightful-and free-40 minute guided weekday tours depart every ten minutes or so and allow you to unravel some of the mystery and experience all the magic of a real working jelly bean factory; learn why it takes up to 20 days to make some flavors-as well as a few “special secrets” and sweet facts. Let your nose help you guess what’s cooking the day of your visit-the air around you will be filled with the intoxicating perfume of fresh Jelly Bellies-is that chocolate pudding, toasted marshmallow, or buttered popcorn in your hair? If endless samples haven’t dented your appetite, order up some hot, bean-shaped lunch at Jelly Belly Café; the adjacent gift shop tempts you to indulge in “a little something for later.” Connoisseurs will enjoy the ultimate Chocolate and Wine Experience- a pairing of five select wines from Suisun Valley Wineries with delicious hand-made confections from the Jelly Belly Chocolate Shoppe; take home your souvenir wine glass and  score a front of the line Factory Tour Pass! Photo ops are available-be sure to grab your fellow  aficionados, say “bean!” and create a lasting memory of what’s been called “The best factory tour on Earth;” an amazing success story of the cult classic candy, free for the walking.

James W. Marshall discovered gold on the South Fork of the American River while building a sawmill with John Sutter in 1848-the event that triggered the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the West over the next few decades. Today, adventurous groups on California excursion can see a wonderful replica of the original sawmill and more than 20 historic buildings in an authentic ghost town. Lessons are offered to eager explorers who may then try their hand panning for gold in the scenic American River; energetic types will enjoy rejuvenating woodland hikes or picnics in a stunning setting overlooking the picturesque river canyon, where Gold Rush Pioneer James W. Marshall rests, today. The discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter’s sawmill, in present day Coloma, is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation; a landmark monument to Marshall’s discovery to points to where it all began. Unique events and exhibits are scheduled throughout the year and during Living History Days visitors are treated to an entertaining and history lesson as the park is filled with lively docents dressed in period clothing roaming about or manning demonstration stations featuring fascinating displays of basic pioneering and woodsman skills. Guided walking tours of the 576 acre Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, located 36 miles East of Sacramento on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn, are available year-round.