California
California is located on the West Coast of the United States. The weather is superb throughout the year, but conditions vary north to south. Southern California is home to such popular attractions as Disneyland, Hollywood and the beaches of Malibu, while northern California offers the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the hills of San Francisco, the vineyards of Napa Valley, and the capital city, Sacramento. California’s major cities include: Los Angeles (the second largest city in the United States), San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento and more. California is also home to many beautiful National Parks: Yosemite, Death Valley, Joshua Tree and Sequoia are just a few examples. As the state’s attractions are quite spread out, you will definitely need to rent a car to explore most of it. For more information, see the California cultural guide below or visit visitcalifornia.com. Also see our custom Google maps for things to do and see in San Diego and San Francisco.
Historical Sites & Tourist Attractions
Lake Tahoe
Historical Sites
The Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee has several historic sites, including the Emigrant Trail Museum, Pioneer Monument and the Donner Party’s Murphy family cabin. Visitors will also enjoy hiking trails, cross-country and snowshoe trails and other outdoor activities. Visit the California Department of Parks and Recreation website for more information on the park and its history.
The Gatekeeper’s Museum tells the story of Tahoe’s history, including the Washoe Native American tribe and the mining and logging history of the area. Find out more about this museum at the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society website.
Vikingsholm Castle on Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe is a former summer house that now serves as an example of Scandinavian architecture. Visitors can hike down to the “castle” at any time of the year to enjoy the beautiful views of the lake but tours of the house are only available during summer months.
Take a cruise of Lake Tahoe on a paddlewheeler boat tour from Zephyr Cove.
Sierra Nevada Geotourism is a web project to showcase events and destinations in the Tahoe area and throughout California and Nevada. To see a map of top attractions and places to visit in Tahoe and to learn more about the project, visit the Sierra Nevada Geotourism website.
Browse a list of cultural and historic sites in Lake Tahoe and Truckee.
Lake Tahoe Tour Companies
Tahoe Adventure Company offers many tours of the Tahoe area, including mountain biking, kayaking, hiking and snowshoeing tours under the stars or the full moon with a professional astronomer.
Lake cruises are available on the Tahoe Gal in North Lake Tahoe, including daily brunch, dinner and happy hour cruises and specialty cruises, like a full moon cruise or magician cruise.
Try a sleigh or carriage ride with the Borges family in South Lake Tahoe. For tour information and pricing, visit the Sleigh Ride website or call 800.218.2464 for reservations.
Dogsledding is a fun activity during winter and spring months in Lake Tahoe. Wilderness Adventure dog sled tours are available 7 days a week.
Participants can also browse a list of tour companies in South Lake Tahoe.
Los Angeles
Historical Sites
The Page Museum at the La Brea Tarpits displays Ice Age fossils that have been preserved in the nearby asphalt pits. The fossils are between 10,000 to 40,000 years old and include the skeletons of mammoths, mastodons, bison and the American lion.
Angels Flight Railway is a short funicular railway in downtown Los Angeles that originally operated in 1901. The railway was restored in the 1990s and is now open every day of the year offering 50 cent rides to visitors.
Battleship USS Iowa is a former Navy ship that is now an interactive museum in the Port of Los Angeles.
Tourist Attractions
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is a famous tourist attraction and site of many movie premieres. Tourists love to come to the theater to see the hand and foot imprints of famous celebrities, from the 1920s to today, in the sidewalk outside the theater.
Universal Studios Hollywood is home to a theme park, a working movie studio, shops, restaurants and a movie theater. Visitors can take a studio tour, see live action shows and experience many rides and attractions.
Los Angeles Tour Companies
- Starline Tours of Hollywood
- Los Angeles Sightseeing Tours & Charters
- Six Taste Food Tours
- Another Side of Los Angeles Tours
San Diego
Historical Sites and Tourist Attractions
USS Midway Museum is a former aircraft carrier that now houses restored aircraft, over 60 exhibits and two flight simulators. Self-guided audio tours are available to visitors.
The Whaley House Museum is a historical landmark, and according to the Travel Channel, the most haunted house in the United States. Visitors can learn about the house on group tours or self-guided tours of the grounds.
The San Diego Zoo is a popular attraction in Balboa Park, and is home to over 3,700 animals.
Other San Diego tourist attractions and historical sites include:
San Diego Tour Companies
- California Overland offers tours from San Diego to Anza-Borrego desert in open-air jeeps and former military vehicles
- San Diego Old Town Ghost Tours
- Harbor tours and cruises, including whale watching tours, sea lion adventures and more
San Francisco
Historical Sites and Tourist Attractions
Alcatraz Island is a popular historical site in San Francisco and the site of an abandoned prison. Visitors can take a ferry to the island and tour the former prison, which was also the site of an 18-month occupation by a group called Indians of All Tribes.
Fisherman’s Wharf looks over San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, and is near local attractions like restaurants, shops, museums, Ghirardelli Square, the Pier 39 marketplace and the famous Pier 39 sea lions.
San Francisco’s Cable Cars are the only moving National Monument in the world and an iconic part of the City by the Bay. They are also a great way to avoid walking up and down the San Francisco hills!
San Francisco Tour Companies
- San Francisco Walking Tours
- The Real SF Tour
- Gourmet Walks, food tours of San Francisco and Napa Valley
- Chinatown Walking Tour
Arts & Culture
The United States offers a wide variety of cultural learning opportunities through the arts. Dance, music, theater, opera, art museums and festivals are just some of the options available to international visitors who wish to learn more about the U.S. and its culture.
Lake Tahoe
Tahoe Arts and Mountain Culture celebrates the mountain culture of Lake Tahoe and the artistic community that works in the area www.tahoeculture.com
The Tahoe Art League holds art classes and workshops, operates two art galleries and shares free monthly art presentations with the community www.talart.org
North Tahoe Arts is a non-profit organization that exhibits local and visiting artists, runs classes, and holds programs and events for the public www.northtahoearts.com
Art galleries in Lake Tahoe South www.tahoesouth.com/listings/art
Art galleries in Lake Tahoe North www.gotahoenorth.com/indoors/history-and-arts/galleries
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Museums
Museum of Contemporary Art www.moca.org
Los Angeles County Museum of Art www.lacma.org
Hammer Museum hammer.ucla.edu
Skirball Cultural Center www.skirball.org
LA Plaza de Cultura Y Artes www.lapca.org
California African American Museum www.caamuseum.org
The Getty http://www.getty.edu/
Performing Arts in Los Angeles
LA Opera www.laopera.org
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra www.laco.org
Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall www.laphil.com
Los Angeles Theatre Center www.thelatc.org
REDCAT www.redcat.org
Center Theatre Group www.centertheatregroup.org
See the Los Angeles Theater Guide for more www.theatermania.com/los-angeles-theater
Find more arts and cultural attractions in Los Angeles at www.discoverlosangeles.com/what-to-do/culture
San Diego
San Diego Museums
Barona Cultural Center & Museum www.baronamuseum.org
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego www.mcasd.org
Timken Museum of Art www.timkenmuseum.org
Museum of Photographic Arts www.mopa.org
San Diego Museum of Art www.sdmart.org
Performing Arts in San Diego
Broadway San Diego www.broadwaysd.com
La Jolla Playhouse www.lajollaplayhouse.org
Lamb’s Players www.lambsplayers.org
California Ballet Company www.californiaballet.org
City Ballet www.cityballet.org
San Diego Ballet www.sandiegoballet.org
San Diego Opera www.sdopera.com
San Diego Symphony www.sandiegosymphony.org
San Francisco
San Francisco Museums
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco www.asianart.org
de Young Museum deyoung.famsf.org
CCA Wattis Institute of Contemporary Arts www.wattis.org
International Art Museum of America www.iamasf.org
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art www.sfmoma.org
Oakland Museum of California www.museumca.org
The GLBT History Museum www.glbthistory.org
SF History Museum www.sfhistory.org
The Tech Museum of Innovation www.thetech.org
Performing Arts in San Francisco
Old First Concerts www.oldfirstconcerts.org
San Francisco Conservatory of Music www.sfcm.edu
SFJAZZ Center www.sfjazz.org
San Francisco Opera www.sfopera.com
San Francisco Symphony www.sfsymphony.org
San Francisco Performances www.performances.org
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre http://www.palaceoffinearts.org
Sports & Recreation
Many Americans are passionate about sports – and not just baseball and football! Get a glimpse into this part of American culture by watching or participating in a favorite U.S. sport or recreational activity in your local area.
Professional Sports in California
The state of California has many professional sports teams in major cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Oakland.
- Los Angeles Kings (hockey)
- Los Angeles Lakers (basketball)
- Los Angeles Angels (baseball)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (baseball)
- Los Angeles Clippers (basketball)
- San Diego Padres (baseball)
- San Diego Chargers (football)
- San Francisco 49ers (football)
- San Francisco Giants (baseball)
- Oakland Raiders (football)
- Golden State Warriors (basketball)
- Sacramento Kings (basketball)
- Anaheim Ducks (hockey)
- San Jose Sharks (hockey)
In addition to the team websites above, tickets for sporting events can often be found on the following websites:
- Ticketmaster.com
- Ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com to buy or sell tickets from season ticket holders and fans.
- StubHub.com for tickets and last-minute deals.
College Sports in California
College sporting events are a great way to see America’s favorite sports in California. Tickets are often cheaper than professional sports games, though some college teams have stronger followings than the pros. Visit a nearby college or university to see a live sporting event and experience an important part of U.S. culture. A list of California college athletic programs is available here.
Lake Tahoe
Skiing and snowboarding are the two main winter sports around the Lake Tahoe region at any of the 7 major ski resorts in the area. Winter weather can turn quickly in the Tahoe area, so be sure to bundle up and wear plenty of layers!
Ice skating and curling are available at the South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena.
The Freeride World Tour comes to Kirkwood Mountain Resort in February for a men’s and women’s skiing and snowboarding competition.
Los Angeles
L.A. is home to many professional sports teams (see the list above), but also college sports teams like the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans.
Beach volleyball is a popular activity in places like Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Venice Beach and Santa Monica. Rent a volleyball at a beach concession stand to give the sport a try or watch the professionals play!
San Diego
Actions sports like hang gliding, skateboarding, mountain biking, surfing and scuba diving are popular activities in San Diego thanks to a warm, mild climate. Find more information at the San Diego tourism website or at www.actionsportrentals.com
Multiple year-round pools and aquatic centers are available throughout San Diego.
San Francisco
Sportsvite is a website that organizes recreational sports teams in cities across the United States. Search the San Francisco area for open sports teams or leagues in sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and even dodgeball.
The San Francisco Recreation & Park Department has many sports programs and facilities for visitors in SF. Recreation centers, aquatic centers, pools and adult sports programs are available throughout the city.
Outdoor Activities
The United States is home to a variety of landscapes and climates to suit all types of outdoor activities. The courageous traveler can find extreme sports and outdoor adventure tours, while others may want to keep both feet on the ground in a national park or forest. Whatever your interests, take advantage of the many outdoor activities available during your time in the United States.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is home to some more unusual winter activities, like Human Sled Bowling and a Snowball Fight Flash Mob, along with your more well-known activities like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sledding, tubing and dog sledding. Find more about winter activities in Lake Tahoe South.
Eldorado National Forest is located to the southwest of Lake Tahoe. Winter sports at Eldorado include skiing, snowboarding, sledding, tubing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Camping and cabins are also available throughout Eldorado National Forest.
Stanislaus National Forest provides many outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and skiing and other winter sports.
Yosemite National Park is an iconic area of the United States. Best known for its waterfalls, Yosemite has many other attractions within its 1,200 square miles of land. In colder months, visitors enjoy winter trails and winter sports, including downhill and cross-country skiing and snowboarding. During warmer days, visitors can go hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, biking, swimming and boating.
Adventure Mountain is a fun place to try sledding, tubing, snowshoeing and other outdoor winter activities.
Los Angeles
The Los Angeles area is known for its beaches, so try a surfing lesson with one of these companies: Learn to Surf LA, California Surfing Lessons or Go Surf LA.
Runyon Canyon Park is a popular spot for tourists, residents and even some celebrities to walk, jog and hike in Los Angeles. It also has beautiful views of the city, and free yoga is held in the park several times a day.
Angeles National Forest is located in Los Angeles County and offers many outdoor activities including biking, camping, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, winter sports and water activities.
Santa Monica Mountains has many outdoor activities for visitors, including Native American cultural centers, historical sites, ranches once used for movie sets, and 500 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Outdoor ice skating is available during winter months at the Irvine Spectrum Center.
Bikes and Hikes LA offers bike rentals and several eco-friendly outdoor tours of Los Angeles.
San Diego
Coronado Island is a small beach community located across the Coronado Bridge and is home to beaches, water sports, golf courses, pedestrian-friendly main street and other fun outdoor activities.
Torrey Pines State Beach and Reserve attracts visitors throughout the year thanks to its miles of beaches, hiking trails and beautiful views.
La Jolla, meaning “the Jewel” in Spanish, is located 15 miles from downtown San Diego and has many outdoor activities for residents and visitors, such as snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, scuba diving, fishing and sea cave tours.
San Francisco
Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a large urban park made up of many distinct sections. The park has multiple entrances but can often be reached by foot, bike or bus. Visitors can camp or stay at hostels and hotels within the park. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, beach activities, horseback riding and much more.
Mission Creek Park is located in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco and offers basketball, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, a dog park, and a small outdoor amphitheatre for events.
Food
One of the best ways to experience cultural exchange is through food and cooking. Visitors will enjoy exploring the regional specialties and local cuisine during their time in the United States.
Lake Tahoe
The local culture of Lake Tahoe is influenced by the healthy lifestyle of coastal Californian communities, but it’s also a mountain town with hearty, buffet-style dining options.
Slow Food Lake Tahoe focuses on seasonal and sustainable food in the Lake Tahoe area. The website provides information on local food events, farmers’ markets, farms and producers and local restaurants that support this approach to healthy living.
Lake Tahoe Food Festivals
Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival
Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week in October allows budget diners to try local California cuisine at Lake Tahoe restaurants at a low price.
For a piece of American culture in Lake Tahoe, try the Thanksgiving Dinner at Squaw Valley (about 20 minutes south of Truckee)
Los Angeles
A database of farmers’ markets in Los Angeles.
A food guide to Los Angeles, including neighborhood guides, news, food events and other information.
Los Angeles Food Festivals
LA Street Food Fest, July
Long Beach Crawfish Festival, July
Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, August
San Diego
Farmers’ markets in San Diego County
San Diego Food Festivals
San Diego Jewish Food Festival, April
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, November
San Diego Restaurant Week, January
San Francisco
A list of many San Francisco farmers’ markets
San Francisco Food Festivals
San Francisco Street Food Festival, August
Dine About Town – SF Restaurant Week, January and June
Local Festivals
For a unique and local perspective on American cultural, be sure to check out festivals and events near your cultural exchange program location. These events are a fun and interesting way to interact with locals and to learn more about American culture by experiencing it firsthand.
Lake Tahoe
Valhalla Holiday Faire is an annual event in at the Heller Estate in the Valhalla Grand Hall. Local artists and vendors, live music, a school choir and other events and activities are held over the two-day fair in November.
North Lake Tahoe SnowFest takes place over ten days and at multiple locations in North Lake Tahoe, including ski resorts and local neighborhoods. Live music, parades, races, theater and concerts are some of the many events during SnowFest.
The Tahoe Adventure Film Festival focuses on adventure sports films. See which films are at the festival and buy tickets by visiting the festival website.
The SnowGlobe Music Festival is a three-day concert event at the end of December that attracts major acts to South Lake Tahoe. The event is mainly outdoors so dress warmly!
Los Angeles
The Long Beach Sea Festival is a series of events that take place over 3 months from June to August. Activities include farmers’ markets, arts and cultural events, live music and films, sporting events and more.
Make Music Pasadena is a one-day festival in June with hundreds of free performances from local and international artists around Pasadena.
The L.A. County Fair is the largest fair in North America and takes place over a month-long period from Wednesdays to Sundays. Activities and events at the fair include shopping, live music and entertainment, parades, carnival rides and attractions.
San Diego
Balboa Park December Nights is a free holiday festival with multicultural events, food, music and entertainment. Participating museums in Balboa Park also offer free admission during the festival.
The Adams Avenue Street Fair in September has over 90 live performances on 7 stages, carnival rides and craft and food vendors.
The San Diego Film Festival has multiple events, film screenings and educational programs in downtown San Diego and La Jolla.
Find a calendar of events in San Diego at the city’s tourism website.
San Francisco
Fisherman’s Wharf Crab Fest in December marks the beginning of the holiday season with a celebration of a favorite food – crab. Participating restaurants on Fisherman’s Wharf offer up their favorite crab dish and a glass of local wine to visitors.
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls is a great Bay Area Christmas tradition. This fair offers a glimpse into Victorian era Christmas celebrations with various activities, including Victorian Christmas games and caroling.
The Fourth of July Celebration at the Pier is a 4th of July celebration with fireworks, live music, entertainment and family activities at Pier 39.
The San Francisco Pride Celebration & Parade is a long-running event that celebrates the LGBT community. Many events, live entertainment and exhibits can be found during the last weekend in June, and it is the largest gathering of its kind in the United States.
Find more San Francisco events at the San Francisco festival page.
Housing Resources
Employers may be able to assist with housing during your time in the United States, but this is not always possible for all participants. When looking for housing during your cultural exchange program, consider the cost of the accommodation, the distance to your work place and the amount of time you will be in the United States.
It’s also important to avoid fraudulent housing. It is highly recommended that you secure short-term housing upon arrival (e.g. in a hostel) and conduct your housing search once you are in the U.S. Never give your financial information to a stranger over the Internet. Browse the Housing Information guides for InterExchange participants below for more tips and advice.
General Housing Information
- Housing information for Work and Travel USA participants
- Housing information for Career Training USA interns and trainees
California Housing Resources
Some examples of housing and accommodation resources for California participants include:
- Craigslist – California
- Roommates.com
- Internhousing.com
- American Homestay Agency
- Hostelling International
- Hostels.com
- HostelsUSA.com
- Los Angeles J1 Guide – Transportation, travel, accommodation and job resources
- San Diego J1 Guide
- San Francisco J1 Guide
Transportation
Public transportation options can be hit or miss, depending on your location in the United States. Buses are a common transportation option for short and long-term travel in the U.S., while some areas will also have trains, subways and other options. Visit the American Public Transportation Association website for a complete list of public transportation options in your local community.
For bus travel in California and the United States, see Greyhound schedules and routes.
Amtrak trains serve many communities in California on eight separate train routes.
Lake Tahoe
For public transportation in Lake Tahoe, visit Lake Tahoe Transit for bus schedules, airport transportation and more.
Lake Tahoe South is also serviced by the BlueGo system, which includes buses, trolleys, ski shuttles and commuter buses to the Carson City and the Carson Valley.
Los Angeles
Buses and trains are available in the City of Los Angeles and surrounding areas on the Metro system.
If you wish to bike in Los Angeles, see Metro’s bike guide.
LADOT Transit Services offers bus routes to many downtown L.A. locations, including popular tourist attractions. A Commuter Express bus is also available.
Visitors can find public transportation options for nearby counties by visiting the American Public Transportation Association website.
San Diego
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System offers trolley and bus service in San Diego.
Northern San Diego is served by the Coaster commuter rail, Sprinter light rail system and Breeze bus system. Find maps, schedules, a trip planner and ticket information from the North County Transit District.
Travel between San Diego and Coronado Island via ferry.
Between Memorial Day (late May) and Labor Day (early September), visitors can take the Big Bay Shuttle along the bayfront of San Diego for only $1.
San Francisco
511 Transit offers bus, rail, ferry and shuttle information for the Bay Area. Visit www.511.org for schedules and route maps.
Muni is the public transportation system for the city of San Francisco and its surrounding areas. Railway lines, bus routes, trolleys and light rail services are available from Muni, and the system also connects to other networks like BART, SamTrans and AC Transit.
Biking is a popular form of transportation in San Francisco. See http://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/bicycling and bicycling.511.org for more information on safety, bike trails and maps, and biking in the city.
Browse a list of other public transportation options for areas outside San Francisco.
Health & Safety
Participants in California can use the following resources in case of an emergency or extreme weather event in their area:
Emergency Management Agencies
- California Emergency Management Agency
- Twitter updates @CalEMA
- Los Angeles Emergency Management
- San Francisco Department of Emergency Management
- Ready San Diego
FEMA
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) www.fema.gov and www.ready.gov
- California FEMA updates on Twitter @femaregion9
Weather Information
Help Your Community
Interact with others and expand your skill set by volunteering in your local community. Volunteer organizations are often looking for short-term volunteers or for individuals to help with a single event, making it a great option for InterExchange participants who wish to add to their cultural exchange experience during their time in the United States.
Volunteermatch.org, Idealist.org and Serve.gov are three general volunteer websites that match local organizations with volunteers in their communities.
California Volunteers is a statewide organization that helps match individuals with volunteer opportunities that match their interests.
Lake Tahoe
The Boys and Girls Club helps young people to realize their full potential with after-school programs, mentoring help and other programs. Visit www.bgcnlt.org for the North Lake Tahoe locations and www.bgclt.org for South Lake Tahoe.
South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center offers multiple volunteer opportunities, including working for the bookstore, English tutoring and computer science tutoring.
Los Angeles
Volunteer Los Angeles helps individuals find volunteering opportunities that match their interests and schedule.
L.A. Works connects volunteers of all ages and abilities with organizations in the Los Angeles area. Search for a volunteer project or on-going opportunity by visiting the L.A. Works search page.
San Diego
Volunteer opportunities with the City of San Diego is available on the city website.
Work with animals as a volunteer at the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Help out at the San Diego Food Bank on a one-time or ongoing basis.
San Francisco
The Volunteer Center helps match volunteers with organizations in need in San Francisco and San Mateo counties for short-term, long-term and one-time volunteer opportunities.
The Volunteer Information Center is a website listing volunteer organizations by interest, by organization and by location.
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