I will be in Vancouver most of February working on the technical side of the international broadcasting coverage of the Winter Olympics. Probably my last major event before retirement. Afterwards, I have one week's vacation by myself. I am thinking of taking the train to Seattle and then flying down to Los Angeles. Perhaps visit Gene Lester's citrus collection, perhaps try and arrange another visit to UCLA Riverside.
What would you recommend for an elderly Englishman with a week to spare on the West Coast and an interest in citrus? I have been to California before with the family - so I've done the tourist trail from SF to LA and Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Vegas and Yosemite. Anything a little less well known you can suggest - citrus connection or not?
Mike.

I'd suggest you ride the ferry from Vancouver or Victoria. It's a very scenic ride thru the San Juan Islands and doesn't take that long. Trains in the US are not a fun ride, slow and late. BTW, I went to U of Washington in Seattle in the 1970s and still have family in the Seattle area. I'd also recommend that you rent a car and drive to LA on US 1, a very scenic ride indeed along the Oregon and California coast.

Sedona Arizona

Maybe Sequoia National Park? You didn't list that in the places you have been. The trees there are very impressive. There are many citrus groves in the area below the park. Also, the Lindcove REC, which runs the CCPP, is located near by. The road into Sequoia is not a good road for people who get car sick. I don't think there are many roads with more switchbacks than that road.

southern Utah has some nice parks.

[quote="jrb"]Maybe Sequoia National Park? You didn't list that in the places you have been. The trees there are very impressive. There are many citrus groves in the area below the park. Also, the Lindcove REC, which runs the CCPP, is located near by.

I agree with jrb. If you didn't see the giant redwood trees in Yosemite, then Sequoia is a must. Late Feb to early March is also the blossom time in the valley. There are several sites where you can find information.
http://www.gofresnocounty.com/BlossomTrail/BlossomIndex.asp

Helix

If you make it a little further south down to San Diego, my sugguestions are:
Sea World, Cabrillo National Monument (and tide pools below), Zoo, Hotel Del Coranado, and Mount Soledad. Further north, you might want to try visiting citrus areas near UC Riverside. I've never been to the parent Washington Navel Orange Tree, but I know there's a few on the forum that have.

There's lots of sight seeing places to go, but many depend on your interests. I agree with others on the Sequoias.

Phillip