California Fly-Drive, April 2005

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Yosemite National Park is located in the central Sierra Nevada of California and lies 150 miles east of San Francisco.  Designated a World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity

El Capitán.  Standing guard at the western entrance to Yosemite Valley, the granite wall of El Capitán measures 1,370m (4,500ft) from the valley floor.	Zoë peering over our hire car with Bridalveil Fall in the background.  Bridalveil Fall 190m (620 ft) is located near the west end of Yosemite Valley, across the Valley floor from El Capitan.	Lower Yosemite Falls.  Yosemite Falls are the highest waterfalls in North America at 740m (2,425 ft).  They fall in 2 great leaps, creating the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls.
Mirror Lake and Half Dome.  Half Dome stands nearly 1 mile from the valley floor. Geologists believe that it is now three quarters of it's original size.	Looking across the Merced River. El Capitán (left), Half Dome (Centre) and Bridalveil Fall (right)	Tunnel View on Highway 41. El Capitán (left), Half Dome (Centre) and Bridalveil Fall (right)
Mariposa Grove.  Located at the southern end of Yosemite more than 500 giant sequoia trees can be seen here.  Some of the trees are over 3,000 years old, 75m (250ft) tall and 9m (30ft) wide.	The Fallen Monarch, Mariposa Grove	California Tunnel Tree, Mariposa Grove

Greater Los Angeles is made up of 80 different towns.  It has a total population of more than 8.5 million and covers more than 460 sq miles (1,200 sq km). Whilst in LA we visited Sunset Boulevard and Universal Studios.  Sunset Boulevard curves west from downtown LA to the Pacific Coast Highway. It has been linked with the movies since the 1920's.  Today Sunset Strip is the centre of LA's nightlife.  Universal Studios Hollywood  has been the site of film studios since 1915.  Now this theme Park offers visitors the opportunity to take a tour around the studios and to enjoy many rides and shows.

LA viewed from the Hyatt Hotel on Sunset Strip	Sunset Boulevard viewed from the Hyatt Hotel	Sunset Boulevard (by night) viewed from the Hyatt Hotel
The Entrance to Universal Studios, Universal City	The Universal Studios Backlot	The Universal Studios Backlot
Mike & Zoe in Courthouse Square One of the most frequently used sets, which has appeared in Back to the Future, to Kill a Mocking Bird, Batman & Robin & God Almighty.	The Soundstage for Crossing Jordan, a hit drama about crime and forensics.	In the Props Warehouse
Wysteria Lane, Filming of Desperate Housewives	A set from the War of the Worlds	A set from the War of the Worlds
The WaterWorld Show combines pyrotechnics, battle scenes and a mixture of stunts

Orange County is California's premier playground.  The best-known attraction is The Disneyland Resort. The region is also home to the world-famous theme park, Knott's Berry Farm, as well as a number of other themed entertainment areas, water parks and zoos.  Anaheim is now the second largest city in Orange County and is the centre of Orange County’s visitor industry, which attracts almost 40 million people annually.  It is located 28 miles (45 km) south of downtown Los Angeles.

Disneyland California On 17 July 1955 Walt Disney opened the doors of his Magic Kingdom, Disneyland.  The week after we visited Disneyland began it's 50th Anniversary Celebrations	Minnie & Mickey Mouse in Disneyland	Rosina & Michael in Rosina's back yard
Perry, Zoë, Rosina & Michael in Rosina and Perry's back yard

Shaped like a hook and protected by the peninsula of Coronado the 22 square miles of San Diego Bay form a natural deep water harbour around which the second largest city in California has grown.  The County has much to offer visitors, with it's Pacific coastline, inland forests and extensive state parks.

San Diego, by day, viewed from the Sheraton Suites	San Diego, by night, viewed from the Sheraton Suites	The Botanical Building in Balboa Park.  The Park was created in 1868, and in 1915 it was the site of the Panama Pacific Exposition.  The Botanical Building is made from thin strips of redwood and provides a home to over 2,000 tropical plants.
One of the Pandas at San Diego Zoo. This world famous zoo, located in Balboa Park, houses over 4,000 animals.  The animals gathered for the Panama Pacific Exposition formed the nucleus from which San Diego Zoo has grown.	Seaworld is another of San Diego's attractions.  These photos are from our previous visit.

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