Michael On The Move: Exploring USA

Hi all, welcome back to the column! I hope you’ve all enjoyed reading about Scotland and are maybe thinking of going up there for your next small break!  

This time, I have decided to focus the column on a place I haven’t actually been to yet. This country is one of the five largest countries in the world and has the largest economy. It’s home to countless tourist hotpots, from New York to Las Vegas and Miami. However, this edition will look at the Golden State, California in the United States. 

The festival caters to all tastes, from pop and electronic to rock, alternative and even emerging international stars!

I was inspired to write about California after a recent festival held in the state. Music fans should definitely try to time their visit for April in the hope of getting tickets to Coachella. This massive annual music and arts festival takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio and attracts around 125,000 people each day across two consecutive three-day weekends. This year featured a huge range of artists, including Sabrina Carpenter (who topped my Spotify Wrapped for 2025), Justin Bieber, Addison Rae and even a surprise guest appearance from Olivia Rodrigo (also in my Spotify wrapped). The festival caters to all tastes, from pop and electronic to rock, alternative and even emerging international stars! Tickets for Coachella 2027 go on sale on May 1st, so for those keen to experience it for yourself, now might be the perfect time to start planning a trip to California. 

For the non-festival lovers out there, California has so much more to offer.  

Today, it is used by 112,000 vehicles, 10,000 pedestrians and 6,000 cyclists each day.

In San Francisco, you can take a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. At the time of its completion, it was the longest and tallest bridge in the world. Stretching 1.7 miles, it takes around 45 minutes to walk from one side to the other! The bridge was originally built to provide a shorter route between San Francisco and Marin County, which had previously been connected by ferry. Construction began in 1933 and it officially opened in 1937. Today, it is used by 112,000 vehicles, 10,000 pedestrians and 6,000 cyclists each day. It has become such an iconic symbol of the city that it even features in the Lego Architecture San Francisco City skyline set.  

The park is also home to a wide range of wildlife, from black bears and deer to coyotes and the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep

Another great sight I’d definitely recommend visiting in San Francisco is Alcatraz Island. Located just 1.25 miles off the coast, Alcatraz was once a maximum-security federal prison. It gained a reputation as an inescapable fortress and housed notorious criminals such as Al Capone. Today, you can book tours to visit the island, including access to the prison itself and its cells.

San Francisco is also a great starting point for a trip to Yosemite National Park. Known for its breathtaking views, the park spans around 1,200 square miles of protected land. Here, you can see stunning waterfalls like the 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls, as well as clear streams, meadows, glaciers and more. The park is also home to a wide range of wildlife, from black bears and deer to coyotes and the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. There’s so much to explore here that it’s no surprise many guides recommend spending several days taking it all in.

This California-based chain offers a classic burger experience and has even been praised by Gordon Ramsay, who called it the perfect drive-thru and described it as incredible.

Once you’ve finished exploring or heading to concerts for the day and start to feel a little hungry, California has plenty of great food to offer. One thing I’d definitely recommend trying, which has been on my food bucket list for ages, is an In-N-Out Burger. This California-based chain offers a classic burger experience and has even been praised by Gordon Ramsay, who called it the perfect drive-thru and described it as incredible.

I’d recommend trying the 4×4, which comes with four beef patties, four slices of cheese and salad, all stacked in a freshly baked bun. Of course, there’s so much more to try in California too, from Dungeness crab and burritos to Korean BBQ tacos and beyond. Food lovers definitely won’t be disappointed!

Once again, it seems I’ve run out of space. It’s worth quickly mentioning that California is a huge state, with so much more to offer. From Disneyland and Death Valley to exploring Los Angeles and Hollywood. I hope this edition has given you a taste of all the amazing things California has to offer, and perhaps inspired your next holiday destination!

Until next time…