Latest fromCalifornia

Los Angeles: When stars come out
Danielle McGrane has some tips to help with starlet spotting in Hollywood.

Motorsport: Dixon second as Power grabs title
Aucklander Scott Dixon ended the IndyCar season with a second placing in the season finale in Fontana, California yesterday to finish in fifth place on the final standings.

Where to eat in Palm Springs
Old-school sophistication or new and hip? Zoe Walker gets a taste of the evolving restaurant and bar scene in wider Palm Springs.

United States: California calling
Leena Tailor meets Bill Nancarrow, the unofficial Kiwi wine ambassador in the famous Napa Valley.

Sunset Strip loses landmarks in corporate makeover
California's Sunset Strip, known for its giant billboards, celebrity hot spots and rock clubs, is getting a makeover.

San Francisco: Five great places to take the kids
If you're planning a family holiday in this Californian city, be sure to check out these highlights.

How to survive Disneyland
Even in the magical kingdom, tempers can flare, writes Megan Singleton.

Los Angeles: Celebrity shop spots
Put a serious dent in your wallet at one of these top shopping haunts.

Los Angeles: Santa Monica culinary tours
Leena Tailor gets on her bike and works up a taste for Santa Monica fare.

California: More than your average market
Cloverdale's Friday Night Live is a vibrant, buzzing experience, writes Alex Robertson.

Tesla retools car factory for electric SUV build
Tesla Motors has halted production at its sole assembly plant for a revamp the company said is necessary to speed Model S output and prepare it to make electric crossovers.

California split gains momentum
A radical plan to carve up California into six separate states has enough support to be put to a public vote, campaigners say.

Chinese fuel jump in US foreign house sales
Buyers from Greater China spent $22 billion on US homes in the past year, up 72 per cent from the same period in 2013.

Viral 'hot convict' faces court
The man who became an internet-sensation after his mug shot went viral on social media has had to face court in California, according to multiple media reports.

America's first soda tax could soon be approved
Berkeley, California, could become the first US city to tax sugary drinks. The Berkeley City Council unanimously decided to put the 1-cent-per-ounce tax on the ballot this year.

'This will remain with you forever'
A judge ordered an American man who caused a fatal crash on the Coromandel Peninsula to pay $5500 for emotional harm and told him "this will remain with you forever".

San Francisco: Pies that bind us
US-style pizza caught on here. Now Kiwis' on-the-go meal is doing the same over there, writes Megan Singleton.

Crash tourist to meet victim's folks
An American man was due to fly home with his wife the day after the vehicle he was driving crossed the centre line, hitting and killing an Auckland woman.

USA: Lots of thrills with no frills
There are some great skifields in the States that won't cost you a fortune, writes Jennifer Ennion.

United States: Five quirky places to stay
Looking for an unusual place to lay your head on your next holiday? From a trailer park to a school, something on this list should take your fancy.

Bodie State Historic Park, California
This former mining settlement sits on a windswept plateau in eastern California, some 2500m above sea level. Notorious for lawlessness in its heyday, it's now an isolated ghost town whose buildings have been left to the elements.
For further information see: parks.ca.gov.

California: A taste of the lavish
Kiwis are thriving in America's wine country paradise, discovers Leena Tailor.

Five of the best Californian gardens
Plan a trip to one of these wonderful gardens next time you're Stateside.

California: Take me out to the ball game
America's favourite summer pastime can be a hypnotic experience, writes Dylan Cleaver.