The word "California" brings many images to mind, many of which we all know - sunny beaches, Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge. But these famous destinations are just the tip of the iceberg of what California has to offer visitors. Come explore all that California has to offer in this photo essay, presented by Hotels.com. Download and enjoy the HD-quality pictures and who knows - maybe California will be in your future travel plans!

1. “There’s So Much to California!” Presented by Hotels.com Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

2. Did you know? California produces 17 million gallons of wine every year; Napa Valley is the second most popular tourist destination in California, behind only Disneyland. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

3. Did you know? Sequoia National Park is home to the biggest living things on Earth. The giant Sequoia trees have remained the same for millions of years, and some which are alive today have been growing since the pharaohs ruled Egypt! Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

4. Did you know? The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is the world’s 7th longest bridge. It was constructed in New Jersey and shipped through the Panama Canal piece by piece. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

5. Did you know? ElCapitan, a conspicuous granite cliff that soars 910 meters over the valley in Yosemite National Park, is one of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the world. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

6. Did you know? Palm Springs is home to 37 golf courses, ranging from beginners' courses to PGA Championship-level courses. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

7. Did you know? California Cuisine is famous for "fusion"— integrating clashing cooking styles and ingredients— and for using fresh, locally-grown ingredients. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

8. Did you know? The giant kelp off the coast of Monterey Bay can grow up to 60 cm per day. Monterey Bay is one of the most densely populated ocean ecosystems in the world. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

9. Did you know? Completed in 1888, San Diego’s Hotel del Coronado is the oldest wooden structure in California. When it opened, it was the largest resort hotel in the world and the first to use electrical lighting! Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

10. Did you know? Santa Monica Pier contains Pacific Park, a family amusement park with a large Ferris wheel and carousel, which features 44 hand-carved horses from 1922. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

11. Did you know? San Francisco’s Lombard Street has 8 very steep switchbacks, earning the street the distinction of being "the crookedest street in the world”. The crooked section of the street is one-way and paved with red brick. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

12. Did you know? San Francisco’s Union Square is home to six major department stores: Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Barneys New York, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus. Union Square is also home to several famous upscale boutiques like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

13. Did you know? The Dungeness crabs found in San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf are among the world’s meatiest crabs and are known for their delicate, slightly sweet flavor. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

14. Did you know? During the entire time it served as a federal prison, 36 prisoners were involved in 14 attempts to escape Alcatraz, but no one was successful. Alcatraz is now an historic site open to the public – you can visit the cells where famous prisoners like Al Capone were kept! Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

15. Did you know? The San Francisco Giants’ home field, AT&T Park, was the site of an historical event in July 2007. Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners hit the first-ever inside the park home run in an All-Star Game, helping the American League defeat the National League by a score of 5-4. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

16. Did you know? Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle was inspired by the real-world Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. As the castle becomes taller, its proportions get smaller, making it appear taller than it really is. Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

17. Did you know? There are 12 major ski resorts in Lake Tahoe, with a total of 535 trails available to skiers. The sun shines at Lake Tahoe during 75% of the year, or 274 days – that’s a lot of sunshine! Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com

18. “There’s So Much to California!” Welcome to Hotels.com! For more than 15 years, hotels.com has provided you with great prices on the places you want to stay for both leisure and business travel. We know that the hotel experience is an important part of your trip. This is why we provide insight on our broad selection of hotels through current, unbiased hotel reviews from discerning guests just like you who have stayed at the property. Hotels.com acts as a resource for like-minded guests to review and rate properties, give recommendations and gather information for upcoming trips. Hotels.com offers more than 100,000 properties worldwide from hotels to bed-and-breakfasts to condos to all-inclusive resorts. We offer the information you need to book the perfect trip through detailed hotel reviews, Flexible Booking and our Price Match Guarantee. Hotels.com – We know hotels inside and out! Hotels.com Presents: There’s So Much to California！ http://www.hotels.com