metropolitan museum But there s more a lot more to California that isn t scripted, sanitized, and broadcast to the world

VISITOR INFORMATION A calendar of events and a free copy of the 60page Destination Oakland guide are available online or by mail from the Oakland Convention metropolitan museum and Visitors Bureau, 463 11th St., Oakland, CA 94607 (& 510/839-9000; www.oaklandcvb.com). The city also sponsors free guided tours, including African-American Heritage and neighborhood tours; call & 510/238-3234 for details. metropolitan museum

West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval. One of the world s largest Halloween metropolitan museum parties. Over 400,000 people, many dressed in outlandish metropolitan museum drag couture, party all night along Santa Monica Boulevard. Call & 310/289-2525 (www. visitwesthollywood.com) for info. October 31.

But there s more a lot more to California that isn t scripted, sanitized, and broadcast to the world s mesmerized masses. Beyond the glitter metropolitan museum and glamour is an incredibly diverse state that, if it ever seceded from the Union, would be a productive and powerful nation. We ve got it all: redwood metropolitan museum forests, an incredibly verdant Central Valley, the Sierra Nevada, deserts, a host of world-renowned cities, and hundreds of miles of stunning coastline.