Letters: more of California’s top destinations

More of state’s golden spots

Regarding “California’s Golden Spots” [Nov. 18]: You left out Avenue of the Giants, Lava Beds National Monument, Shasta, Lassen, Devils Postpile, the Sacramento Delta, Point Reyes, Mendocino, Castle Crags State Park. Have you ever even been in Northern California past Napa? Call the list the best places to see in Southern California, and leave off the hotels and golf courses.

--Lillian Miller, Fairfield, Calif.

What an injustice naming the Zephyr the worst train ride. One doesn’t take the train for its punctuality; one takes the Zephyr for the narration about the mothballed fleet in the bay, for the sense of history through the horseshoe curves of Donner Pass, for the beauty of the Sierra and more.

--Carol Welsch, Lake Forest

Most train travelers are not concerned about being one or two hours late after a 45-hour trip. Both the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr are excellent trains.

--Dennis Arntz , Laguna Niguel

Año Nuevo State Reserve is worthy of inclusion. You also may consider California 4 through Gold Rush country, and the town of Murphy, where you can see a sign-in ledger at the old hotel with such notable names as Black Bart. I would also consider Angels Camp.

--Mona Evans, Marina del Rey