Taking off Travel blog

One place car enthusiasts love to visit is car museums. California is a state hosting some of the best car museums that draw visitors from all over the world. Whether you desire to see classic vehicles that have been restored or vintage racecars, there is a museum in California that will fulfill your desire.

Peterson Automotive Museum

The two-story Peterson Automotive Museum is located in Los Angeles, California in a former department store. The museum has the capacity to hold 200 vehicles. Most of the cars are divided into categories by time period and displayed in rooms with decorations resembling the period. Some of the cars within the museum include a Batmobile, a 1983 400i Ferrari and a ’32 Duesenberg.

Murphy Auto Museum

Murphy Auto Museum is a non-profit organization that has over 40 cars on display in Oxnard, California. Once retired from neurosurgery, Dan Murphy started the museum. The 16,000 square feet building includes an old showroom and a vintage clothing display with pieces dating from the 1890s to the 1970s. On the weekends, the Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club has its model train operating. Locals and tourists can visit the museum on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Blackhawk Automotive Museum

The Blackhawk Automotive Museum is located in Danville, California, which is approximately an hour from San Francisco. Situated in a building of 70,000 square feet, the museum displays around 90 cars, has four exhibits, a museum store, automotive reference library, special events library and a board room. You can also plan a group trip or have a catered event.

Justice Brothers Racing Museum

Individuals who love racing vehicles and their history will find enjoyment at the Justice Brothers Racing Museum located in Duarte, California. The museum carries a variety of ice racing motorcycles, vintage track racecars, past and present Indy cars, racing motorcycles, dragsters, restored classic cars and street rods. You can also view antique gas pumps and a Pitts acrobatic biplane that hangs from the ceiling. The museum has free admissions and is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Toyota USA Automobile Museum

In 1957, Toyota started selling cars in the United States. Since then, it has become one of the premiere automakers in America with 12 vehicle and parts plants located in the country. To embody the rich history of Toyota, the Toyota USA Automobile Museum was started. Located in Torrance, California, the Toyota USA Automobile Museum displays more than 100 Toyota and Lexus vehicles. The museum displays cars as far back as the 1950s. Visitors can see Toyota’s first model introduced in the United States, the Toyopet Crowns. The museum is available to visit by appointment only.

Towe Auto Museum

Located in Sacramento, California, the Towe Auto Museum allows visitors to truly experience the evolution of automobiles. The 170 classic cars, trucks, racecars and motorcycles are displayed in historical groupings. Some of the most popular vehicles on display include the 1904 Ford, 1925 Franklin and 1915 Hupmobile. Individuals can visit the museum everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for free.

This post was authored by Richard Linton from Complete Insurance: http://www.completeinsurance.ca/wawanesa

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This is a guest post by Jan Pagonis

With such a vast array of attractions and activities to select from in California, it can be challenging to select just a few of the ‘must sees’ there.

This California Top Pick list won’t disappoint you with everything including theme parks, wineries and forests to pique your interest.

Theme Parks

Firstly the perennial favorite – theme parks. A visit to California is not complete without being half frightened to death on the latest and greatest roller coaster and parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios and Six Flags Magic Mountain will give you all the thrills you could want. Whether you’re single or married, with children or not, become a child once more and enjoy every moment at these theme parks. There is of course more to these parks than exhilarating roller coaster rides, with shows, concerts, world class entertainment, magic stunts and special effects, parades plus so much more. Even if you’re short on time, make sure you devote at least 1 day per park – you too will become addicted!

Go to Hollywood

If the theme parks are just not enough excitement for you, Hollywood is definitely where the excitement is in Los Angeles. It’s the home of movie studios, night life and designer shops and boutiques. Take a walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the home of the Academy Awards – the Kodak Theatre. Stroll along Rodeo Drive for a bit of retail therapy. And don’t forget to snap your photo of the famous Hollywood sign in the hills.

Hit The Beach

Southern Californian beaches are often mentioned and indeed featured in many a movie. With Newport Beach, that’s ideal with 9 miles of just perfect sandy beach. It’s fabulous for swimming, body boarding, surfing, fishing, yachting, parasailing and snorkeling – and yes, sunbathing. Other beaches that also deserve a mention include Laguna Beach with its art galleries, Long Beach that’s just perfect for water sports and Venice Beach for its street entertainers, Boardwalk and endless opportunities to meet other people.

Park It!

Exploring the great outdoors in California is a sheer delight with Yosemite National Park’s famous rock formations and Lake Tahoe’s beaches, alpine golf courses and ski activities. Perhaps enjoy a romantic interlude and experience that step back in time with a visit to the Petrified Forest, northwest of the Napa Valley.

Quench Your Thirst

By now you will have worked up a thirst and luckily California boasts some diverse wine regions. If you can’t venture out on your own, jump on a wine tour, where you’ll meet lots of other people – particularly singles and discover some of the world’s finest wines. Two favorite Californian wine areas being the Sonoma Valley Wine Country reportedly the birthplace of California wine. It has some of the earliest vineyards and wineries in the State. Visit award winning wineries and enjoy the intense flavors of world class Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs. The other fabulous wine country is in the Napa Valley. Here you will find the both romantic and historic vineyards and wineries. Often recognized as one of the world’s premier wine growing regions you will find at least 250 award winning wineries to indulge at… Hic…

And Finally…

A visit to California is simply not complete without discovering a little of San Francisco. It’s icons of Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge will captivate you with breathtaking views of the beautiful San Francisco Bay area. The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco with Marin County and it’s the longest suspension bridge in the world at 4200 feet. A universal favorite is to eat, shop and be entertained at Fisherman’s Wharf with trendy restaurants, heaps of shops and street performers.

When you’ve seen these top picks in California, sit back and relax on one of those lovely warm evenings with a wine or two in the Napa Valley and plan your next trip back to California. There’s just so much more to see and do.

Visiting California is an exciting, action packed and interesting experience with so many diverse activities to enjoy. Jan Pagonis is Director for www.datingsymbol.com where you will find more great information on Travel, Dating & Relationships, Fashion, Finance, Food, Health, Entertainment plus much more.