The Saturday Morning post: 50 States in 52 weeks: California

California is one of several states that a contract to do training for AARP took me to for the first time.  The first training I did for AARP was in Sacramento, I arranged a couple of extra days, rented a car and drove into San Francisco. The city is easily love at first sight.  Driving in across the Golden Gate Bridge, China Town, Castro Street, around the embarcadaro, riding the cable cars. 

I have taken every opportunity I could to return to California, going back to San Francisco, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, San Diego, back to Sacramento. I spoke at a conference in Folsom (near the prison but not at it.)  One of my favorite trips, I spoke at a conference in San Francisco, rented a car and drove down the coast to Pebble Beach and back, taking the old slow road right along the coast. I have also been to the California side of Lake Tahoe (the smoke free side, Nevada allowed smoking in public places.) 

It is an amazing place.  If I won the lottery, I would consider living there.  It can be rather expensive.