California

This pint-sized city packs a lot into its borders. Sightseeing here can take up a day or two with the likes of the Victorian Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, but it has an educational side too with its Exploratorium and academy of sciences. Not to mention the winelands of Napa and Sonoma.

Everyone thinks California doesn’t do seasons but up in the High Sierra it’s a different story. There’s snow in the winter and waterfalls in spring, while summer sees green meadows and fall colours are inevitable. UNESCO Yosemite is the biggest draw, with Lake Tahoe coming through with skiing and lake based watersports in the hotter months.

Rugged and handsome, mother nature did well when she created the areas surrounding Highway One. Vineyards become beaches as they trip down the hills of Carmel Valley, Monterey – famous for its cheese and marine wildlife – is also good for golfers, Santa Barbara’s downtown brings a bit of funk to its Med-chic architecture, and Big Sur’s iconic Bixby Bridge is dwarfed by the mountains it stands between.

Los Angeles is the home to stars of film, music and all things golden. Known as the ‘city of angels’ its celestial bodies come in the form of Beverly Hills’ luxury shops and walking in Hollywood’s footsteps at Universal Studios. However there is a wholesome side, with a hearty bond to healthy cuisine (including Malibu’s sensational seafood) and a proud LGBTQ+ community in Santa Monica.

Disneyland Resort holds some thrills and spills, but the beach is the real ruler of these parts. The Laguna Beach area is known for its artsy community who use the ocean as inspiration, Newport Beach is home to the surfers, and Dana Point is the best base to whale watch, with Greys, Blues and Minkes spotted at different points throughout the year.

If year-round sunshine is the want, then San Diego will deliver. Due to its location close to the Mexican border, it rarely sees a cloudy day. Old and new converge here, with shiny high rises and celebrity abodes dominating the city and La Jolla neighbourhood coming through with pretty beach houses, while the Wild West is still the hero of the Old Town.

Anything but dry and dusty, the desert region holds a lot of life. The golden age of celebrity is found in Palm Springs with its art culture and penchant for live performances. There’s also a big wellness thread with flotation tank spas and meditation retreats. Horseback riding and wine tasting fill days in Joshua Tree, and those who brave the hottest place on earth – Death Valley – are rewarded with light-pollution-free star gazing.

The image of fir trees reflecting perfectly into glassy lakes while snow-capped mountains wrap on all sides; Canada’s all-encompassing landscapes act as a humble reminder that the best adventures defy explanation. 

Pearlescent shorelines, metropolitan delights and Peter Pan experiences aplenty – this sunshine state is simply a rollercoaster experience.

The welcoming spirit of aloha is all-pervading on the captivating Hawaiian islands, a tropical playground of volcanic vistas, surfing beaches and island-hopping.

To speak of Las Vegas without mentioning its extravagance would be a crime, but ventures into the spiritual sphere of Native American country are equally as synonymous with this land.

A playground for presidents and poets and the birthplace of America itself, New England’s landscapes may change with the seasons, but its quaint charm is evergreen.

The steeliest shapeshifter of cityscape times, not even a local can pin her down – creating a smorgasbord of opportunities for even the littlest Apples to give it a good go and start trying.

As far as USA cities go, there’s no denying New York and LA revel in the spotlight; but get to know the personalities of their hidden gem siblings and you might just discover that the apple never falls too far from this family tree. 

Like one big simmering hot pot, the American South nourishes the soul; with its scrumptiously hearty recipes, smooth as velvet jazz scene, and magnetically bubbly spirit that brings everyone together.

Step outside of the USA’s vibrant cities and you’ll find some of nature’s finest creations sequestered away in the embrace of its many National Parks.