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".

US-style pizza caught on here. Now Kiwis' on-the-go meal is doing the same over there, writes Megan Singleton.

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.

There are some great skifields in the States that won't cost you a fortune, writes Jennifer Ennion.

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.

Eveline Harvey explores some lesser-known California hot spots.

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.

Explore the USA by bike on one of these great cycle trails.

America's favourite summer pastime can be a hypnotic experience, writes Dylan Cleaver.

Palm Springs is party-town again, writes Leena Tailor.

If you're a water baby like Megan Singleton, there's lots to do in California's Marina del Rey.

As America's oldest highway marks its centenary, Chris Moss rounds up the options for a US fly-drive.

The alternative spirit is seeping across the bay to Oakland, a once down-at-heel city that's on the up, says Christian Koch.

US police say speed was a factor in the crash which killed 'Fast & Furious' star Paul Walker and his companion north of Los Angeles yesterday.

Paul Walker, the star of the 'Fast & Furious movie series, has died in a car crash that killed one other person north of Los Angeles, his publicist said.

Jesse Mulligan experiences destination dining at its finest - and most expensive.

Famed for its incredibly long pier, which surfers love surfing alongside, Huntington Beach has plenty to keep visitors entertained ...

Sharon Stephenson explores part of San Francisco that couldn't be further from the glamour of the America's Cup village.

Aerial trams and cable cars take visitors up mountains, over rivers and above cities, and sometimes these cable cars are the destination themselves.

The Pacific Coast sand stretches 5.6km between Venice Beach and Malibu and the well-heeled town of Santa Monica sits in the middle facing the best sunsets in California, writes Megan Singleton.

The drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco is only about six hours, but with so much to see on the way, you could make a week of it.

A tour of San Francisco becomes a day of history lessons and surf stories when Duncan Gillies discovers his guide, musician Chuck Prophet, is a fellow surfer.

Love the lush and lovely Napa Valley but hate how expensive it can be? You're not the first. Here are some tips to experience it on the cheap.

Megan Singleton summons up the courage to enter the Museum of Death in LA, and ponders the Dark Tourism trend.

You can't breathe. Every breath is difficult. The sun is hot and burns your skin. Your throat needs water. This is Death Valley National Park in California, an easy drive barely two hours from Las Vegas.

Not one for tracking down experiences that cause stomach-lurching adrenalin rushes? It might be time to doing something that makes your heart leap.

It's famous in hip-hop and notorious for gang violence. So naturally Sarah Gooding had some intimidating preconceptions when approaching South Central Los Angeles for the first stop of her USA adventure.

When in LA, join the beautiful people and head to one of the many rooftop bars for a cheeky cocktail or two. Here are five that should be on your to-do list.