Hollywood red carpets, Rodeo Drive shopping and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger may come to mind when you think about California, but this beloved state has much more to offer than glitz and glamour. From some of the country’s most magnificent beaches to the snow-capped Sierra Mountains, there are endless points of interest in California, which continues to be a desirable spot for travel nurses.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Celebrated for its geographic diversity, Northern California offers breathtaking scenery from ancient redwood forests, to the glacial domes of the Yosemite Valley, to the ringing of trolley cars throughout the hills of San Francisco.

Big City Appeal

The popular Bay Area, including San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland, offers unbeatable features for residents and visitors alike while the state capitol of Sacramento has a rich history dating back to the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. Northern California is also home to a number of premier academic institutions, as well as some of the world’s most innovative brains hard at work in Silicon Valley.

Some must do’s in the Bay Area include:

• Shopping at Fisherman’s Wharf

• Visiting Alcatraz

• Exploring the Mission District

• Seeing a concert at Fillmore Auditorium

• Catching a Giants, Warriors or 49ers game

If you’re going to San Francisco...

You may no longer need to wear flowers in your hair, but you may want to keep on those hiking shoes. This seven mile square is consistently one of America’s topped ranked cities in everything from health to happiness; featuring countless landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, “The Crookedest Street in America,” the Embarcadero Waterfront and the Palace of Fine Arts. Writer Rudyard Kipling once famously cited San Francisco’s single drawback: “‘tis hard to leave.’”

The Great Outdoors

Outdoor enthusiasts need look no further than Northern California. Temperate weather and unparalleled parks and recreational amenities make this region a haven for runners, cyclists and hikers both in and around Northern California’s cities. 

Whether you plan on spending time inside the city or out, there is plenty for an avid outdoor fanatic to enjoy such as:

• Hiking Yosemite National Park

• Golfing or skiing Lake Tahoe

• Soaking in a natural hot spring

• Touring one of Northern California’s many vineyards

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

When The Beach Boys sang about the many charms of “California Girls,” they were specifically talking about residents of sun-kissed Southern California. This active region encompasses a stunning swath of the Pacific coastline, mountains, valleys and deserts, as well as the bustling cities of Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Barbara.

Life's a Beach

Lovers of surf and sun need look no further than Southern California, home to many of the country’s best beaches.

San Diego’s Coronado Beach is commonly regarded as one of the best in the country. Warm water, soft sand and a historic downtown make this area a popular destination.

An Entertainment Mecca

With everything from theme parks and zoos and aquariums to country fairs and festivals, California has more to offer than just the Hollywood sign. When travelling throughout Southern California put the following on your to-do list:

• Shop first-class retail destinations in Beverly Hills and South Coast Plaza

• Whale watch from one of Southern California’s many waterfront piers

• Take a jaunt down Highway 1 or the Sunset Strip, where Hollywood’s glamorous history is on full display

• Visit Joshua Tree National Park or Palm Springs; each just a daytrip away

• Find the endpoint of the endpoint of the near-mythical Route 66 in Santa Monica

• Explore the Venice Canals and Venice Beach

WHY CALIFORNIA?

From Baja to the U.S.-Canadian border, the many points of interest in California make it a desirable place to play, work and live for the 38 million people who enthusiastically call “The Golden State” home. Because of California's great demand for skilled medical professionals, traveling nurses are uniquely positioned to take advantage of a prime opportunity to accept a position one of the country's most idyllic spots.