American coast. West Coast USA: attractions and photos

It's time to talk about the American part of our world travel. And we'll start with US West Coast where we flew from South-East Asia on a comfortable double-decker Airbus A-380. Let's be honest: all travelers dream of America - of a good life or of an unusual, fabulous nature. We all want to go there, but not everyone succeeds. It worked out for us, and we are very glad that we included a trip to the USA in our round-the-world trip. And although this is not my first visit to this country, every time I open the States anew. And it's always nice - you can be surprised even by long-familiar things. So why not get surprised together?

Preparing for a trip to the United States in, we decided to compile a very detailed and detailed one in order to make our visit to the States as convenient and interesting as possible. Indeed, as a result of a preliminary study of information about this country and travel planning, our initial desire to “see the canyons of the southwest” grew into a plan to “go around the entire west coast and visit a lot of national parks, state parks and just interesting places! Moreover, the US infrastructure allows both expensive and budget travel, giving the same opportunities to all travelers, regardless of the level of income.

Travel itinerary

So we had to streamline and systematize all the information that we gleaned from guidebooks, maps and national park websites, as well as fished out of the Internet from various forums and blogs. For a month and a half, we diligently collected our own route, repeatedly reviewing its details. But by the beginning of the trip to the USA, we were theoretically prepared and had a detailed detailed USA travel plan!

We rented a car for a certain number of days, namely 42 (that's exactly 6 weeks), so we could change the details of the route, but not the number of days. So a detailed plan allowed us to rationally approach the trip and fit literally everything into one visit. And what can I say? We managed to carry out the whole plan with almost no overlaps, it was so well designed and took into account all the details of an independent trip.

What we did not take into account when preparing

In the course of traveling around the USA by car, we only abandoned the idea of ​​​​going to the Indian reservation to look at the Havasu waterfalls. We had 2 full days planned for them, but at the last moment we refused to visit them. This turned out to be our only miscalculation in planning. Already in practice, having driven around the national parks and spending the night in tents here and there, we realized that we simply would not have time to arrive on time.

Yes, and camping on the Indian reservation had to be booked in advance. And we will have to do everything in a hurry, and also greatly overpay for our accommodation. The Indians, as the exclusive owners of the rights on the territory of their reservation, broke down serious money for the right to stay and spend the night at home. And so we decided to abandon Havasu. And the freed days were distributed to other national parks, which in the end turned out to be terribly satisfied. And we went twice national park Joshua three! And by the end of the trip, we arrived at my beloved Venice Beach in Los Angeles and quite calmly went to the LAX airport - there was no time pressure, everything was comfortable.

But let's get on the road! Let's see how the American part of our round-the-world trip began.

Journey along the US West Coast

We start our independent travel by car across the States in the city of Los Angeles, this is the main gateway to the West Coast of the USA.

Roads of California

Since we flew to Los Angeles in early September, our rational plan was that it would be wiser to first devote time to the northern objects of the States, while the weather allowed and it was not so cold. And we will finish the trip in mid-October - traveling around warm California.

• So, we moved by car along the famous California highway number 1 along Pacific coast USA, visiting small towns along the way -, (and visited the most famous) and and drove to. We have about the beauties of the West Coast of the USA, in which we give an overview of the main attractions on the coast.
• Then we turned to the cape, which suddenly turned out to be so wild and far from the usual tourist routes. It was as if we were not in America at all. And then we drove into the first one on our way, where we met with coastal sequoias - which fascinate and conquer forever. The roads of California showed us so many interesting things - not only on the First track, but also on small tracks.
• All this Californian beauty belongs to very specific people. You can stand by the ocean like that, look at the pretty landscape, and then notice the fence and the net and the inscription - private property, as it was for example. And then think - and someone lives here! Completely different from what we are used to.
• But in Redwood we turned - and also to the Pacific Ocean! - where, apparently, tourists do not often ride. And it was even nice to think - well, not everything is so beautiful in America. Here, too, there are abandoned roads, where it is better not to meddle, especially on city cars. But we are curious, we went and ended up on a deserted beach. Perhaps in sunny weather it would look wonderful, but in the morning autumn twilight everything was gray, the wind was blowing. But the adventure happened! And then we walked along the forest path between the giant redwoods!
• Quite unexpectedly, we stopped at and marveled at its crystal clear color.

Not so short, but eventful journey through the state of California promised us that the second series will be even more diverse and long-awaited. Usually, when you say "California", people imagine or - the ocean, palm trees, surfers and Hollywood hills. But this state may hold the palm for diversity and richness in attractions. Californians do not have to leave the state at all, they have so much to see. But we are not Californians. There was a place in the heart for wonderful landscapes, both for northern and southern ones, and we went further!

Read also:

To Malibu!

Big Sur. California coast

Big Sur at Bixby Bridge

Isn't it a fabulous house in Carmel?

No wonder the 17-Mile Road in Monterey was an inspiration for painters and poets.

At the Golden Gate in San Francisco

Deer family in Redwood National Park

Coastal redwoods in California

Here they are, the roads of California!

Oregon - the historical past of the planet

We fell in love with Oregon immediately. This is love at first sight. It was from Oregon that the change in the route of the original plan began. When I was looking at a map of the United States in Pai, I thought: here we will arrive at the Redwood National Park, but after all, literally cross the state border, and there is some beautiful lake, ! Maybe go there too? And this is not just a lake, but the deepest in the USA! It was formed in the crater of the Mazama volcano, and the water in it is blue as the sky! And then I said: here we are already in Oregon, what if there is something else there? Oh yes, there are so many things to do in Oregon!

You can study the life of volcanoes in, where it is possible to walk among obsidian fragments and along a lava field, or climb a cone to survey the entire area from above. You can ride on scenic roads among . And in the state of Oregon there is just a vast, but not so popular. This place is amazing and unusual. Time stops here and rapidly rolls back millions of years ago. And now you are no longer in Oregon, in front of you are pictures of prehistoric land. If you want to ride in a time machine, then you are here at John Day Fossil Beds!

Sometimes we just drove and realized that we needed to slow down and take a walk along. And if you drive along the Pacific coast and admire beautiful capes( and or ), then Oregon will certainly seem the most beautiful place in the world! Although here the ocean is already more formidable than in southern California. But the harsh beauty has its own charm.

And it was in Oregon that we began to come across some unthinkable number of campers. We overtook them on the roads or, on the contrary, they overtook us, met with their owners in parking lots, and finally, campers just stood by the houses waiting for their owners. The state of Oregon is simply the champion in the number of campers! Everyone has a private car, camper and boat! And all weekends are probably busy exploring the beautiful nature of their native and neighboring states.

We started our camping life in Oregon too. When you live in a tent, it seems that childhood has not gone anywhere. You can fry bread on a fire, have unhurried conversations about what you see, listen to neighbor birds chirping and think - what if a raccoon comes out for a meal now? To live in rhythm with nature - and yet we lack such simple things! Rich in forests and such a simple and understandable beauty to us, Oregon more than endows its residents and guests.

Crater Lake and Wizard Island

Devil's Lake on the Cascade Lakes Highway

Mount Bachelor over Sparks Lake

Lake by the vast sea of ​​obsidian at Newberry volcano

Time Machine in John Day Fossil Beds

Managing an ancient unit is not so easy! At a historic farm in John Day Fossil Beds Park

Pacific Coast in Oregon

Evergreen Washington State!

But the state of Washington - evergreen, as its inhabitants say, we liked even more. Although it would seem, where even more? We spent two days in: we looked at how wonderful it was, walked around, met beautiful and sincere little marmot animals there, who looked at strangers with some suspicion, but favorably allowed themselves to be photographed (track on). There was such beauty all around!

A walk through the forest along is also often remembered now. BUT ! We met a ranger there who proudly told us about the uniqueness of this place, the white trees lying on the shore and the whole state of Washington. He even laughed at his compatriots, who do not even know where this place is. Near Alaska or what? The ranger also said that the most popular question from tourists is: can you see Russia from here? No, the ranger answers menacingly, only Canada! And we went to where Canada is best seen - to, the westernmost cape of the continental States.

Cape Fluttery is on the territory of the Maka Indian Reservation, and while we were walking along the path to get to the very edge of the cape, someone squeezed grease on the handle of the car. That's it! The Indians show white people with impunity that they are offended by them and are trying so stupidly to take revenge. At first we were a little upset, because we planned to spend the night here, visiting the poppy. However, the hostility on the part of the indigenous people was exhausted, and no other problems arose. True, it was cold here - the proximity of the ocean affects. But we woke up early in the morning and went on to explore the beautiful Olympic Park!

And we also went to the track around Mount Rainier volcano. Local places are called paradise, and we gladly agreed with this promising definition! Although from the very morning, when after spending the night in the next campsite we woke up from the cold as early as four in the morning, it didn’t seem so at all. We ended up in one of the campsites where people live for a long time. They pay rent to the owner of the territory (who often lives in the same camper or in a small house) and put their motorhome on a halt. Renting a place is usually around $300 per month. Tourists are also sometimes allowed there, but this is by no means a place prepared for such events. We just found a spot on the grass and put down a handkerchief. We arrived already in the dark, and although we did not like this campsite at all, we no longer had the strength to go looking for another one. And how to look - there is no lighting at the foot of Rainier. So we provided ourselves with a bed, cooked dinner and went to bed.

And in the morning, as I said, we woke up still dark at 4 in the morning and decided not to endure the cold, but to go to Rainier by dawn. So quite by chance we saw an unplanned sunrise next to a beautiful ice-covered volcano. , which we went through, is not very complicated, but not simple either. And the beauty around is truly heavenly. And we did not go during the flowering of local alpine meadows. And what else could surprise us in the state of Washington?

And there is still. And then you really understand why the state is called evergreen. Roads not only surround thickets of forests, but also the water in the lakes is emerald green. I will not tire of repeating that when I saw the photos, I thought it was photoshop. And I insisted on including the Cascade Mountains in the route precisely in order to see with my own eyes what color the lake is! And you know, it really is such an abnormally devilish green or aqua blue! Unreal - in a word! And that's not all! Next is the famous pass, and you can also admire this beauty forever.

Quite stunned by what we saw, we looked and then drove to past the autumn landscapes. Suddenly green Washington turned yellow! The landscape really changed, we were already passing canyons and butes, and then our navigator decided to play a joke on us, deciding that we, who were still pissed off on the beauty of Washington, would not notice. And we obediently turned in the direction he told us to go.

And got into a completely wild story. You will think a hundred times after whether to trust the navigator. It seemed that we would not get out of such a mess, because the road was rapidly deteriorating and becoming completely unsuitable for our faithful Cruz. And there was no way to turn around - there was an abyss on the right. But nevertheless, we survived this test, as if higher powers helped us! But is it possible to trust after that the navigator, who sent us with the most serious intentions to where the road actually does not exist? He's so magical, Washington State!

Rainforest in Olympic Park

Tatoosh Island near Cape Fluttery - the most northwestern in America

Dima sets up a tent on the Maka Indian Reservation

A curious and hungry groundhog on its way to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic Park

Feeding wild animals in national parks is prohibited, but getting acquainted is not!

One of the ridges on Hurricane Ridge is overgrown with forest

We've made it to Rainier!

Firemen's Lookout at Mount Rainier

Mountain peaks around Lake Diablo

And here they are, the peaks of Washington Pass

And this is not all our American adventures! Read the continuation - a trip along! We also wrote about other practical matters travel in the USA.

Stay with us, we have a lot of interesting things!

US West Coast

Endless expanses Pacific Ocean, the luxurious waterfronts of California, Silicon Valley and the fantastic world of Alaska - it is possible to visit these places and see all the wonders of the far side of the Western Hemisphere by making an unforgettable trip to the US Pacific coast: a sea cruise to Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego , Seattle and other cities!

Sunshine Cities of California

"City of Angels" attracts not only foreign tourists, but also millions of US residents who dream of making the "American dream" come true in one of the largest corporations in the world located here and, of course, in the "dream factory" - in Hollywood. See with your own eyes the famous symbol of the American film industry - the word "HOLLYWOOD" located in the Hollywood Hills - walk along the Walk of Fame in the city that gave world fame to many legendary actors and musicians, as well as just stroll along the embankment, you can make an unforgettable sea cruise to California and Los Angeles. Angeles. The world-famous town is also nearby. Beverly Hills, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich is a glamorous street with dozens of expensive boutiques Rodeo Drive, and the resort of Malibu. San Francisco- one of largest cities United States, near which is the famous "Silicon Valley". As with any major cultural center, hundreds of festivals are held in San Francisco, a whole lot of theaters are open, concert halls and museums. The latter occupy a special place in the city: there is a Museum contemporary art and the Walt Disney Museum with its own cinema hall, as well as a number of museums with completely unusual, funny and even extravagant exhibits. One of the main attractions of the city is the huge Golden Gate suspension bridge. San Diego will delight visitors with amusement parks, as well as the cultural oasis of Balboa Park, which contains more than 15 different museums and a zoo.

Sea cruise to the best places in America

The northern cities are also worthy of great attention: many people know the Space Needle observation tower, which offers a view of the volcanoes of the Cascade Mountains, the highest of which is Mount Rainier, covered with incredibly beautiful coniferous forests, meadows and glaciers. From Seattle, you can go to the northernmost part of the east coast of the United States - on a cruise to the mysterious - and get acquainted with the wondrous nature of foggy fjords, glaciers, as well as examples of history and Russian culture in this now American region.

Those who prefer warmer places can opt for an inexpensive Hawaii cruise from Los Angeles and other US cities to visit Honolulu and try on the traditional flower garland.

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This trip is a Road Trip (road trip) in comfortable cars.
Traveling with us, you will not encounter anything that we do not like the usual "package" tours so much. We do not have: cramped buses, dull or, conversely, feigned cheerful guides with signs, standard boring excursions.
The number and type of cars we use depends on the size of the group and the preferences of its participants.

For many, the United States of America is associated with huge metropolitan areas, tall skyscrapers and noisy streets filled with people. And while this may be true for the states as a whole, it is equally not true for the US West Coast.

With the exception of a few oases of civilization, the Wild West remains the Wild West to this day - with its dense forests, endless prairies, Rocky Mountains, Indians and cowboys, although the latter have long preferred sports cars to frisky horses, and even those do not remove scalps from enemies , nor others.

Purpose of Travel

Visiting the most famous sights of the US West Coast: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, as well as many other interesting places in the Wild West.

Group size: up to 12 people.

Price:$2779 per person.

Some seek here for work, money and freedom. Others curse the country, its people and culture. Few remain indifferent to the United States of America.

General information

The USA is the 3rd largest country in the world, located in North America. 48 continental states are located between Canada in the north and Mexico in the south, the state of Alaska - on the peninsula of the same name, the state of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The state also owns several islands in the Caribbean. The capital of the United States is Washington, DC.

The country is washed from the west by the Pacific Ocean, from the east by the Atlantic. The state of Alaska has access to the Arctic Ocean. The western part of the country is covered mountain ranges from the coast to the Great Plains. Between the Cordillera and the Rocky Mountains, there is an endorheic Great Basin. The ancient Appalachian mountains separate the most populated Atlantic lowland by east coast(Washington, Philadelphia, New York) from the Central Plains. The Mexican Lowland stretches along the Gulf of Mexico to the mountains.

The largest freshwater system in the United States - the Great Lakes - is located on the border with Canada. The largest endorheic reservoir - Bolshoye salt Lake. The most significant Mississippi River with a tributary of the Missouri flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Major rivers: Colorado with the Grand Canyon and the Mead and Yukon Reservoir in Alaska.

The United States was formed after the signing of a declaration of independence by 13 British colonies on the east coast in 1776. The young state immediately entered the War of Independence, which ended in victory for the colonists.

In 1861, the southern slave states formed the Confederacy, which led to the Civil War. After the victory of the northern states, slavery was abolished throughout the United States. New states joined existing ones through the purchase of land from Britain, France and Russia, as well as during the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars.

According to 2013 data, 316 million people live in the United States, of which 78% are white, 13% are African Americans, 17% are Hispanics, and 5% are Asians. The most populous state is California (37 million people), the most sparsely populated is Wyoming (560 thousand people). More than half of Americans are Protestants.

USA climate

On the west coast of the United States, winters are warm (up to 9 ºC in January in Los Angeles) with heavy precipitation, which even in the north in Seattle falls mainly in the form of rain. Summers are cool (17 ºC in San Francisco) due to cold currents and dry. The best time to visit is from spring to autumn.

On the territory of the Great Basin and in the deserts of Arizona it is very dry (from 100 to 400 mm of precipitation per year). Summers are much hotter than on the coast, and winters are colder: already in Salt Lake City, the temperature is below freezing in winter.

in the southeastern United States (Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Charleston) is warm (about 10 ºC) and quite dry in winter. But in summer (from May to September) most of the precipitation falls (up to 150 mm per month) and it is very hot (29 ºC in August in Houston). Unlike the dry heat of the desert, the damp heat is very hard to bear.

In the south of Florida (Miami, Palm Beach) there are only two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. Even in winter it is hotter here than in Moscow in summer. During the rainy season (from May to November), about 200 mm falls per month, which, combined with heat up to 35 ºС, makes this time not very favorable for visiting.

On the Atlantic coast from New England to North Carolina and the Midwest, winters are cold, damp and windy. Summers are not as hot as the rest of the East Coast, but still quite humid.

The climate of Alaska is oceanic on the coast with fairly mild and snowy winters and warm summers. In the interior, temperature fluctuations are possible from -50 ºC in winter to 35 ºC in summer.

In Hawaii, the dry season and the rainy season are weak. Temperatures from 24 ºC in winter to 27 ºC in summer.

US regions

Northeastern states

The Northeast of the United States - the territory in the north of the east coast - is the most economically developed and populated part of the country, where about 20% of all US residents live in a small area. It was here that the Pilgrim Fathers founded the first Plymouth Colony and where the oldest cities in the United States arose. The main cities of the Northeast form agglomerations merging with each other - the Northeast metropolis, stretching from the northern suburbs of Boston to the southern suburbs of Washington.

• - the largest city in the United States and the world's financial center. The Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building rise here, the Brooklyn Bridge connects the banks of the East River, the famous Wall Street and Times Square are located.
• - the American capital with the White House, the Capitol, the Pentagon and museums of the Smithsonian Institution.
• - the intellectual center of the United States, where Harvard and MIT are located, as well as monuments from the time of the War of Independence, which are united by the Freedom Trail.
• - the city where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were adopted.

Midwest

The Midwest combines opposites: vast fields on the expanses of the Great Plains and giant factories in the cities of the Rust Belt - the Great Lakes region. This territory went to the British colonies under the Treaty of Paris in 1763 after the French and Indian War, described in the novels of James Fenimore Cooper. Despite the decline of heavy industry, the region remains the second largest in terms of GDP after the Northeast.

• - the city of winds, skyscrapers, mafia and jazz.
• Detroit is a symbol of the decline of the American automobile industry.

Western states

The western United States includes the area from the Pacific Ocean to the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The Pacific coast began to be developed after the laying of the Oregon Way through the Rocky Mountains in the 19th century. The forest industry, agriculture and winemaking, as well as high-tech production are developed here. The Rocky Mountain states are known for their numerous national parks and ski resorts.

• - city of rains, museums and emerald parks. Here are the headquarters of Boeing, Amazon.com and Microsoft.
• Denver is the capital of the state of Colorado, built during the Colorado Gold Rush.

southwestern states

The southwestern states joined the US as a result of the Mexican-American War in the mid-19th century, but the influence of the Spanish-Mexican culture still remains. Here is the Grand Canyon and numerous Indian reservations.

• - a city of casinos and entertainment in the heart of the desert.
• Phoenix is ​​based on the site of a lost Indian civilization. The population growth rate is second only to Las Vegas. average temperature July 35ºC - one of the hottest cities in the US.
• Salt Lake City is a Mormon city on the Great Salt Lake.

southern states

Southern states of the United States during civil war were on the side of the Confederation. Agriculture is of great importance in the economy of the region, and in life - the traditional way of life. It is called the Bible Belt - it has the most religious population, the lowest average income and the fewest people with higher education.

• Dallas is the center of the oil industry. In 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated here.
• connected to the Gulf of Mexico by a channel built up with petrochemical plants. The Houston Mission Control Center oversees the operation of the ISS.
• Miami is a city of beaches, banks and financial corporations. Most of the population is Cuban. The main language of the city is Spanish.
• Atlanta was almost completely burned down during the Civil War. Now there are offices of Coca-Cola and CNN.

Other states

Alaska is the largest US state, a significant part of which is located beyond the Arctic Circle. Separated from the continental states by the territory of Canada. At the end of the 19th century, a gold rush broke out on the shores of the Yukon and Klondike, and already in the 20th century oil and gas fields were discovered. In addition to mining, tourism plays a significant role in the region's economy.

Hawaii was discovered by Cook in the 18th century and was actively used for growing sugar cane. Now the main source of income - tourist resorts. Here is Pearl Harbor, after the attack on which the United States entered the 2nd World War.

US Transport

Automobile

American cities were built for motorists: low-rise buildings and wide freeways. In small towns public transport poorly developed and personal transport the only means of transportation. Americans also prefer to travel long distances by car. The US highway system consists of major interstate highways and numerous local highways.

Airplane

The only way to get to the US from most countries is by plane. You can fly directly from Moscow to New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Houston. The territory of the country is large, so between remote cities it is most convenient and fastest to travel by plane. In the USA there are many low cost airlines, so the cost of flights is not high.

Railway

The railroad links the US with Mexico, Canada, and Alaska. long journey by rail is long and expensive, often with delays, but it allows you to see the natural attractions of almost the entire country. For example, the California Zephyr (Emmerville - Chicago) travels through deserts, the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains.

Most of the carriages are equipped with seats, even if the route lasts several days. Coupes are sold only as a whole, so unfamiliar passengers do not end up together. Passengers from cities where there is no railroad (from the major cities of San Francisco and Las Vegas) are brought to the station by special buses.

Competition to air traffic Railway is only on the Northeast Corridor, where the only US high-speed train, the Acela Express, links Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington.

In large agglomerations, commuter rail links are developed, but such trains often carry passengers only during working hours on weekdays.

Bus

There are city bus routes in large and medium-sized cities. Sometimes buses can move along special dedicated lanes or even roads. Intercity bus service- the cheapest. The largest bus company- Greyhound.

Underground

The metro serves passengers in major cities (Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington).

Light rail (trolleybus or light rail) complements or replaces the metro. Tram routes can connect the city with the outskirts and suburbs. Movement is carried out on rails on dedicated lines or overpasses.

USA nature

• Grand Canyon ( Grand Canyon) in Arizona reveals billions of years of history on the earth's surface. At a depth of 1.5 kilometers, the Colorado River flows, bizarre outlines of rocks stretch to the very horizon. The Skywalk observation platform allows you to look deep into the canyon right through the glass bottom.
• Niagara Falls is located on the border with Canada and recedes very slowly to the south. It consists of four waterfalls 53 meters high, the width of the largest - "Horseshoe" - 792 meters. A bridge was built across Niagara, allowing you to cross to the territory of Canada, from where the most the best views to the waterfall.

US national parks

• Denali is a national park in the state of Alaska. Famous for grizzly bears, huge glaciers and the most high mountain North America - McKinley (6193 m).
• Yellowstone Park became the world's first national park in 1872. Located in the states of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Famous for geysers, hydrogen sulfide springs, mud volcanoes, caves and canyons.
• Yosemite National Park is located on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada. El Capitan, a rock popular with rock climbers, is located here. Ancient sequoiadendrons grow in the groves of the park. Their age can reach 3500 years, they are 100 meters high and 10 meters wide. There are many waterfalls, glaciers and lakes in the park.

US beaches

• The beaches of the Canaveral Coast in Florida form the longest undeveloped beach on the East Coast. Access to the southernmost - Playalinda - is sometimes closed during launches of spacecraft at Cape Canaveral.
• The beaches at Cape Cod in Massachusetts are bordered by sand dunes, pines and glacial lakes.
• South Beach in Miami is the most expensive and famous resort in the USA. Peak season is in winter.
• Main Beach in the Hamptons (a suburb of New York) is known for cleanliness and waves. This is where the surfers gather.
• Hanalei Beach in Hawaii looks like a crescent moon and is surrounded by rocks on three sides.
• Ocean Beach in San Francisco on the Pacific coast is not suitable for swimming due to cold water. But there are excellent conditions for surfing.
• Malibu is the most famous beach Los Angeles.
• Big Sur beaches in central California are valued for their privacy. The mountains approach the ocean itself, and on Pfeifer Beach you can see the sunset through a stone arch.

sightseeings of USA

• The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco links the city to the mainland to the north. The length of the bridge is 1970 m. This is the most popular place suicide in the world.
• Times Square is an area in the center of New York where 7th Avenue becomes Broadway. It is named after the New York Times newspaper, whose office was previously located here. A symbol of the city and all of America, a popular New Year's Eve venue.
• Mesa Verde - a park with the ruins of rock palaces and other buildings. The Anasazi Indians created them here until the 12th century, after which, for unknown reasons, they left this territory forever.
• Mount Rushmore in South Dakota has a bas-relief with portraits of 4 presidents: George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. It was completed by the sculptor Borglum in 14 years and dedicated the work to the 150th anniversary of his country.
• Manhattan - historical Center New York, located on an island between the Hudson and East Rivers. Fifth Avenue passes here, the Empire State Building and other skyscrapers are located, among which were the towers of the World shopping center destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
• Fifth Avenue in New York is the street of the most expensive shops in the world. There is a museum mile with ten museums.
• Las Vegas casino hotels on Fremont Street and the Strip are miniature copies of Paris, New York, Venice, the knight's castle and other attractions of the world.
• Hollywood - the center of the American film industry - is located west of Los Angeles. From afar you can see the famous memorial sign in the form of white letters HOLLYWOOD. The Walk of Fame has more than 2,500 stars embedded in the sidewalk honoring actors, directors, and even fictional characters. Paramount studios offer tours for tourists.
• The National Mall in Washington is a cross with the Washington Monument in the center, the White House to the north, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Capitol to the east, and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial to the west. Along the alley are the museums of the Smithsonian Institution, surrounded by parks.
• The White House is the residence of all US presidents with the most famous Oval Office. There were guided tours through the halls of the White House, which were discontinued after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
• Alcatraz is a former high-risk prison in San Francisco Bay where Al Capone served his sentence. Now there is a museum on the island, which can be reached by ferry from San Francisco.
• The Statue of Liberty in New York was presented to America by French citizens in honor of the centenary of the revolution. Located on Liberty Island south of Manhattan. In the pedestal is a museum of the history of the statue. A staircase of 356 steps leads to the observation deck in the crown.
• Highway 66 - the first major and most famous US highway was opened in 1926, but only 10 years later it was completely paved. Links Los Angeles with Chicago. The discovery led to the development of the economy in the states through which the highway passed. Songs and even television series are dedicated to him.
• Willis Tower in Chicago high building USA 443 meters high - built in 1974. There are glass balconies on the 104th floor for tourists. The tower is served by 104 elevators.
• The Hoover Dam, built in 1936 on the Colorado River, forms the largest Mead Reservoir in the United States. Named after the 31st President Hoover.
• Fanel Hall in Boston remembers performances by Samuel Adams and other American independence fighters. Located on the Freedom Trail.
• Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco is famous for its restaurants, marine aquarium, and resting sea lions. The place of holding the main holidays in the city.
• The Navy Pier in Chicago is a popular entertainment place with museums, theaters, an amusement park, and a winter garden. Tourist cruises depart from here.
• The Lyndon Johnson Space Center in Houston has been training astronauts and controlling spacecraft since 1963.
• Carhenge in Nebraska parodies the English Stonehenge. On poles arranged in a circle, old cars painted in gray are exhibited.

US amusement parks

• Disney World in Florida opened in 1971. The largest and most visited amusement park in the world, built by Walt Disney.
• Disneyland California contains several themed areas dedicated to different cities, eras and cartoons. A railway and monorail roads are laid across the territory, allowing you to explore the entire park.

Museums in the USA

• The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the most important fine art museums in the United States. The museum presents world masterpieces by Renoir, Salvador Dali and works by American artists.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is the largest Art Museum peace. Here are collected works of ancient and modern art.
• The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago opened in 1993. Among its exhibits are a submarine of fascist Germany, a railway, an operating coal mine, and the spacecraft of the Apollo 8 mission.

US culture

National features of the USA

• USA does not have official language. Most of the inhabitants speak English, the second most popular language is Spanish.
• In the United States, the carrying of weapons is allowed - this is defined in the Second Amendment to the Constitution.
• Americans prefer to live in detached houses in the suburbs, although the popularity of apartments in large metropolitan areas is starting to grow again.
• The USA is the most religious state among all developed countries. More than half of the inhabitants are Protestants, about a quarter - Catholics.
• Most popular species Sports in the US are baseball, American football, hockey and basketball. Usually each educational institution has its own commands for one or more types.

USA Traditions

• Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It began to be celebrated in 1621 by the colonists who survived the first winter on the new continent as a token of gratitude to God for their salvation. Holiday symbols are stuffed turkey and pumpkin pie.
• Black Friday kicks off the Christmas shopping season after Thanksgiving. Huge crowds of people hunt for the biggest discounts before the holidays.
• Baby shower is a tradition of giving gifts to pregnant women before the baby is born.
• Teddy is a teddy bear, the most popular toy named after President Theodore Roosevelt.

US Cuisine

• Barbecue is reminiscent of Russian barbecue: pieces of beef or pork are slowly smoked over a fire. The meat is served whole (ribs) or finely chopped. Most popular in southern states, where it has been a traditional dish since the 18th century.
• Tex-Mex is a cuisine of the Southwestern United States based on Mexican traditions. The main ingredients are beans, rice, cheese, heavily peppered meat and cornmeal tortillas. Everything is seasoned with salsa or guacamole - mashed avocados.
• Italian pasta and pizza are served in specialty Italian restaurants and many cheap eateries.
• Greek cuisine is often found in supermarkets and food courts. Gyros, reminiscent of doner kebab or shawarma, and hummus - chickpea puree with olive oil and spices.
• Vegetarian cuisine is popular in large cities, where there are many specialized cafes and restaurants. Often a meal containing fish, chicken, eggs, and even a small amount of beef or pork is considered vegetarian.
• Low-calorie food is found even in fast food establishments.
• Seafood on both coasts are the most favorite delicacies. Lobster is popular in the Northeast, shellfish and shrimp are popular in the Southeast, and salmon is popular in Alaska. Florida serves spicy Caribbean fish dishes.
• Beer is the most consumed drink. Most Americans prefer pale lager.
• Wine is produced in every American state. The best is Californian (Napa Valley), also known wine from Oregon, Washington State, Northern Virginia and Texas.
• Sparkling wines are usually served in bottles rather than glasses.
• Whiskey and bourbon are the hard drinks preferred by Americans.

US shopping

The most popular souvenirs from the USA:

• A cowboy hat and boots are the best gift from the southern states.
• Copies of the Statue of Liberty, magnets and calendars with photographs of the presidents and various American symbols are sold in every gift shop.
• Indian products can be purchased from the masters themselves on reservations and at fairs.
• iPhone, MacBook and other Apple products will cost much less here.
• Maple syrup and peanut butter are truly made in the USA.
• Products of the American sports brand Nike.
• Tiffany silver products - the most famous and expensive jewelry house in America.
• American jeans Levi's, WRANGLER, Lee.

The USA is not only the lights of New York, Hollywood stars and Las Vegas casinos. Landscapes follow each other: from space landscapes of lifeless deserts to the tundra of Alaska and tropical forests of Florida. The ancient monuments of the Indians coexist with the history of modern civilization. Everything is here to discover your America.

The main stereotype that arises when we talk about the United States of America is numerous skyscrapers, traffic jams from cars and a huge number of people on the streets. This is partly true, but this is not all of America, it has many faces, and some states are radically different from each other. Outside of metropolitan areas such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, located on the west coast of the country, you can see prairies, canyons, dense forests and mountain ranges.

This article talks about the west coast of the United States, which originates in Alaska and stretches to California.

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West Coast

There is no consensus on exactly what territory to consider the west coast of the United States. For example, the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Cascade Mountains are referred to this coast, although the states of Nevada and Arizona do not have access to the ocean. Hawaiian Islands are completely washed by the ocean, but do not adjoin the mainland of the west coast of the United States.

The state of Alaska has no border at all with the rest of America, as, for example, Kaliningrad region with main body Russian Federation. But, despite this, Alaska is included in the territory under consideration, as are the main states of this region - California, Oregon and Washington. Following the map of the United States from north to south along the West Coast, we will plot a route from Washington state to California.

Washington

In the north of the US mainland is the 42nd American state - Washington, whose capital is the city of Olympia. In the northwest of the state is the famous national nature reserve named "Olympic".

On the territory of the reserve you can see:

• numerous mountain peaks;
• cascades of waterfalls;
• transparent lakes;
• crystal clear streams;
• extraordinary rainforest "Hoch".

Flora and fauna national reserve amazes with its sophistication and diversity of nature lovers. One of the most visited tourist attractions in Washington state is a layered volcano (stratovolcano) - Rainier. This volcano has become the highest point Cascade Mountains, and in clear weather, its peak can be seen from neighboring Oregon.

largest city in the northwestern United States is Seattle, whose population is more than 600 thousand people. Seattle is located on the shores of the Puget Sound and is called one of the major seaports this region.

In the eastern part of the city is Lake Washington, behind which the Rocky Mountains originate. Like other cities in the United States, Seattle has a list of must-see attractions. For example, this is the Space Needle tower (space needle), 184 meters high, built in a futuristic style, and opened in 1962.

With observation platform tower, which is located at a height of 159 meters, opens beautiful view on the:

• city;
• the rainier volcano;
• Cascade Mountains;
• Eliot Bay.

Tourists are encouraged to see sculptural composition The Fremont Troll under the George Washington Memorial Bridge. The sculpture is so big that a 1:1 Volkswagen Beetle fit in her hand.

Oregon

Oregon is next to Washington. The city of Salem, with a population of about 160 thousand people, is the administrative center of the state. Portland is the most Big city state and one of the three largest cities in the west. It is the only state that has a double-sided flag. More than 570 thousand people live in it.

Like Washington, Oregon is famous for its national park, which houses:

• stratovolcano Mount Hood;
• the national forest "Deshats";
• the purest Crater Lake;
• the large Newberry shield volcano.

The Rocky Mountains stretch from north to south and attract many travelers. East of this mountain range are the deserts of Alvorda and Owyhi. There are many picturesque lakes in the state, including the most deep lake USA - Crater, the depth of which is 589 meters.

California

California is the last state on the American West Coast. It has the largest length along the Pacific coast. In California, there are large and world-famous cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Diego. This state is home to the Disneyland amusement park. Numerous beaches on the California coast attract millions of tourists all year round.

Apart from beach holiday, the state has eight national parks that will help you get acquainted with the diverse nature of California.

California national parks are:

Yosemite

We'll take a look at some of these parks, starting with globally. famous park Yosemite, whose diversity of flora and fauna is amazing. The territory of the park covers an area of ​​3081 km2. About 95% of the park is an area wildlife and any human activity is prohibited here. Yosemite is famous for its landscape beauty, waterfalls, rivers with clear water and groves of sequoiadendrons, these are the largest trees in the world. More than 5 million people visit this national park every year.

Death Valley

This park is called the driest in the entire US and has an area of ​​13,518 km2. Death Valley has the hottest and driest climate, with summer temperatures reaching around 60°C in the shade. Here is the second deepest point below sea level in the Western Hemisphere - 86 meters. In the park a large number of animals and plants that have been able to adapt to complex climatic conditions. More than 90% of the territory of Death Valley remains wild and undeveloped by man.

Lassen Volcanic

This national park is located in the center of Northern California. Its main attraction is the eponymous largest volcano in the world, which has a lava cone, which is also active. The park has many mud pots, fumaroles, from which hot gases and springs escape. Lassen Volcanic is also known for that all types of volcanoes are represented in it: stratovolcanoes, shield volcanoes, as well as volcanoes with cinder and lava cones. In many of them, geothermal activity still continues.

Los Angeles

When visiting Los Angeles for the first time, most tourists begin their acquaintance with this city by visiting Hollywood Boulevard. It houses the Hollywood Actors' and Directors' Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, and the Kodak Theatre, now called the Dolby Theatre, which hosts the Academy Awards every year.

In Los Angeles, there is the famous Griffith Observatory, which is located on the slopes of Mount Hollywood. The observatory has a large planetarium, telescopes and an exhibition hall with many interesting exhibits.

In downtown historical part Los Angeles, which is very popular with many tourists. The complex is located in this area. The Eastern Gate, which is built up with ancient buildings of the early twentieth century, and the beautiful Golden Pagoda. Downtown has several national residential areas, such as Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Koreatown, as well as Thai and Armenian quarters, which surprise with their diversity and vibrant colors.

Las Vegas

The world famous Las Vegas is located in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The climate here is hot and dry, in summer the temperature often reaches above +40C°. Today, about two million people live here. The city is one of the largest gambling and entertainment centers in the world. Every year, millions of tourists visit Las Vegas to play in numerous casinos, relax in luxury hotels and see the sights of this beautiful city.

A popular tourist attraction is the tower called the Stratosphere, which reaches 356 meters. The tower has viewpoint , it offers a beautiful view of the city, especially impressive after dark. At the top of the Stratosphere there is the Big Shot attraction, which is the highest in the world.

Fountains of Bellagio

One of the most popular attractions in Las Vegas is undoubtedly the Bellagio Fountains. On weekdays from 3 p.m. to midnight, and on weekends from 12:00 to 24:00, you can see a delightful spectacle. Numerous jets of water rise up to 150 meters in height, moving synchronously to the beat of the musical accompaniment. Decorated with multi-colored illumination, they gather a huge number of guests of the city. This whole water performance is a gift for tourists from the Bellagio entertainment complex.

The Bellagio complex has a gallery fine arts, which houses an extensive collection of sculptures and paintings of the XIX and XX centuries. In the gallery you can find paintings by Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and other European artists of that time. An audio guide in Russian will help our tourist to get acquainted with the exhibits.

Museums in Las Vegas

In Las Vegas is the Guinness World Records Museum, which contains the most unusual achievements of mankind. It is also recommended to visit the Museum of Natural History, where you can get acquainted with numerous exhibits from minerals to dinosaur skeletons. And also at the museum there is an aquarium complex in which the variety of sea creatures is amazing.

Not far from the museum there is a popular attraction Volcano.. A real volcano crater has been created near the Mirage Hotel, which is calm during the day, and with the onset of darkness, it begins its eruption, accompanied by special effects and a sound range.

Having passed this entire route along the western coast of the United States, one can note the diversity and richness of the nature of this territory. Of course, at the first opportunity you need to visit these beautiful places that will appeal to both nature lovers and lovers of urban culture. Time in this region of the USA differs from Moscow by 8 hours.