Page 47 - 2015 Travel Guide to California

DISTRICT ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS,
Bakersfield, right; skateboarding at the Venice
Skate Park, middle; paragliding just before the
sunset, Silicon Valley, bottom; sailboats in San
Francisco Bay between Tiburon and Angel
Island, opposite.
On Land
California has some of the world’s best golf,
including the legendary seaside Pebble
Beach Golf Links, home of Bill Murray’s
favorite annual event, the AT&T National
Pro-Am tournament. Or try any one of the
hundreds of public and private clubs scat-
tered across the state. If you aren’t into the
clubs, grab a frisbee and try some disc golf
at one of the dozens of California courses.
Mountain and road biking are great
ways to get a workout while experiencing
the state’s landscape, whether it be from
tricky single-track downhill trails around
Lake Tahoe, flatter cross-country trips or
perhaps a rental in San Francisco’s new
Bike Share program. Skateboarding is prac-
tically the state sport, with skateparks seen
everywhere from the sport’s birthplace at
Venice Beach to the smallest inland town.
For a different sort of ride, make like
native son John Wayne and saddle up for
some horseback riding on trails near cities,
around dude ranches or on multi-day
wilderness journeys. If desert sands don’t
appeal to you, try those on the beaches of
Southern California that are lined with vol-
leyball nets for pickup games and
professional tournaments. California sun-
shine is good for year-round tennis, be it
on public courts or at a posh resort.
In Water
California has more than 840 miles of
coastline facing the Pacific Ocean, a prime
launching spot for every manner of water
sport, including surfing, sailing, SCUBA
and sea kayaking. California has fully
embraced the newly popular stand-up-
paddleboarding, with many rental shops
2015 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A 45