text:
South Bali

South Bali is the most popular region in Bali. The South Bali region is associated most with shopping, beaches and partying. It has some interesting attractions though.

Cities

 * — a bustling city, the administrative center and transport hub of the island but not a major tourist destination
 * — seaside resorts, a nice sheltered beach and seafood restaurants south of Kuta
 * — party central, by far the most heavily developed area in Bali. Lots of shopping and nightlife and the center of lower-end party culture on Bali
 * — located between Kuta and Seminyak
 * — seaside resorts and beaches popular with older families
 * — quieter, more upscale beachside resorts and villas just to the north of Legian, with some fashionable upscale restaurants and trendy designer bars. Much of the better nightlife has moved into this area
 * — a tourist area starting to be favored by tourists on the north side of Seminyak

Other destinations

 * — the rugged southernmost part of Bali which is home to the stunningly located clifftop temple at Uluwatu
 * — black sand beaches, surfing and rolling rice paddies
 * — an enclave of high-end resorts
 * — one of Bali's important directional temples and a world renowned golf course, the sunset here is to die for

Understand
This is by far the most popular part of Bali with visitors. The airport is here along with the greater Kuta area which now stretches several km to incorporate Legian and Seminyak. The area south from the airport is quieter and largely upscale including Jimbaran and Nusa Dua. The areas north of Seminyak up the coast to Canggu and on to Tanah Lot are more rural but also fast being developed. Sanur on the opposite coast is a mature tourist town which appeals mostly to older families.

Over time, this region developed into a metropolitan area called Sarbagita (Denpasar-Badung-Gianyar-Tabanan).

By plane
Most visitors to Bali will arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport, in the heart of the South Bali region. Despite the misleading name, the airport is actually located between Kuta and Jimbaran, roughly 30 minutes away from Denpasar. More information about the airport is in the main Bali article.

Some hotels organize free transfers from the airport, but there are plenty of other taxis also available. Just go to the ticketing booth, on the right side just after the exit, buy a fixed fare ticket and a driver will be assigned to you without trouble. These are marginally more expensive than metered fares. So if you're really pinching pennies, head out to the main road and flag a cab or bemo from there.

By car
South Bali is easily reachable by car from the north, east and west.

From North Bali the key route in is through Ubud in Central Bali. A car journey from Ubud to Denpasar will take about 20 to 30 minutes. To Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, it will take about 45 minutes.

From East Bali the key route in is the new Kusamba to Sanur coast road. This has cut travel times in from the east enormously and Sanur can now be reached from Candidasa (for example) in about an hour.

From West Bali, the main southern coast road arrives in South Bali via Tabanan in Central Bali. Journey time from the far west at Gilimanuk is about 3 hours.

By bus
Bemos and shuttle buses link to all major tourist destinations in South Bali from other parts of the island. These are very cheap but are slow and can be a little mysterious with several changes sometimes required.

The national Perama bus company is a good option for budget travellers with scheduled routes into South Bali from all other areas of the island as well as Java, Lombok and beyond.

By boat
Public ferry services from Lombok do not arrive in the South Bali region. However, some speedboat and fast catamaran services from Lombok and the Gili Islands do arrive in Benoa Harbour which lies between Kuta and Sanur.

Both public ferry and speedboat services from Nusa Lembongan arrive at Sanur beach.

By car
Renting a self-drive car for getting around in the congested South Bali region is not recommended. It is better to hire a car with a driver including gasoline for the day. The drivers are usually English speakers and they can also act as a tourist guide recommending good destinations and restaurants. Using rental cars from rental car companies is naturally more expensive than those offered by individuals. You can ask hotel staff to recommend you a good individually owned rental car. Expect to pay Rp 400,000 to 600,000 for 1 day (10 hours) depending on your negotiation and the class of car.

By taxi
Metred taxis are ubiquitous on the streets of South Bali and are a relatively cheap and reliable way to get around, especially at night. Avoid any taxi where the driver refuses to put the meter on. The largest and most reputable and reliable taxi operator is Bali Taksi who have a 24-hour call service. Taxi drivers usually have only limited small change so it is best to have small notes available to avoid issues.

By motorbike
For those with a sense of adventure, try hopping on the back of a local's scooter. This type of informal transport is called an ojek and is a fast, cheap way to get around. You can also choose to rent a scooter for your stay. These can cost as little as Rp 50,000 per day and are a lot of fun. Insist on a helmet for the motorcycle, for both your own safety and because wearing a helmet is a legal requirement in Indonesia; you will be stopped by the police and fined for riding without a helmet. It should be understood that the streets can be chaotic and dangerous for inexperienced riders so think carefully about whether you wish to rent a motorcycle. If you intend to surf, there are plently of specially modified motorbikes with surfboard hangers.

By bicycle
There are no special cycle pathways in Bali.

The best location for cycling is in Sanur, and in particular along the pedestrian beach, where there are many places to rent bikes. Another good location is in the complex of Nusa Dua due to the small amount of traffic, however there are few places to rent bikes than in Sanur. In some rural areas there are companies who can arrange guided cycling packages.

See
Famed Kuta Beach. This 5-km stetch of sand is one of key reasons why Bali has become such a hot tourist destination. With the inevitable crowds nowadays some of the associated romance has gone but it is still a great experience, especially at sunset. There are obvious access points throughout Kuta, Legian and Seminyak but none more popular than the long beachfront road in front of the Hard Rock Hotel (Jalan Pantai Kuta). In Legian, Jalan Padma and Jalan Double Six run perpendicular to the beach and provide popular access. As you move north toward Seminyak, the beach becomes noticeably quieter and more laid back and the stretch at Petitenget is particularly recommended for those seeking to escape large crowds. The best way in for this northern stretch is via the Petitenget temple car park (Rp 3,000) on Jalan Petitenget opposite the entrance to the Sentosa villa resort.

The Bali Bomb Memorial is a notable landmark on bustling Jalan Legian in Kuta at the site of the old Paddy's Bar and opposite the former site of the Sari Club (still an empty space next to the Billabong shop). A memorial to the 202 people killed in the dreadful Kuta bombings on 12th October 2002. Please be calm and silent while paying your respects. Every year on the anniversary of the atrocity, the local Balinese community hold a ceremony here to honour the dead and wounded.

Two of Bali's nine key directional temples lie in the southern region and both are popular attractions for visitors. Either can be easily reached by visitors with independent transport and both are offered as headline attractions in organised tours. Please remember that (as with all temples in Bali), an appropriate sarong and sash must be worn when entering. You can either bring these with you or rent them for a nominal fee at the temple entrance.

Tanah Lot Temple (Pura Tanah Lot) is located up the west coast from the main Kuta/Legian/Seminyak conurbation and takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour to reach by car. The temple is located on a rock just offshore and is said to be the work of revered 15th century Hindu priest Nirartha. This is an extremely popular tourist destination and the whole area is often very busy indeed, especially in the late afternoons, just before sunset. The area between the car park (Rp 5,000 per vehicle) and the beach adjacent to the temple is a maze of souvenir shops selling just about every Balinese trinket imaginable. Once you have fought your way through the souvenir vendors to the beach (entrance Rp 10,000), you will see the magnificent temple perched on a rock just a few metres offshore. There is a footpath to the raised cliff area just to the south from where the views of the temple and the sunset behind it are outstanding. There are photo opportunities abound.

In the completely opposite direction at the southwestern most tip of the Bukit Peninsula sits Uluwatu Temple (Pura Uluwatu). The location of the temple is truly spectacular perched 75 metres up on a limestone cliff above crashing waves. There are more steep headlands on either side and sunsets over Uluwatu are a sight to behold. Though a small temple was claimed to have existed beforehand, the structure was significantly expanded by a Javanese sage, Empu Kuturan in the 11th century. Another sage from East Java, Dang Hyang Nirartha is credited for constructing the padmasana shrines and is claimed to have attained Moksha here. You are free to walk around the temple grounds but the central courts can only be entered during special rituals. The temple is inhabited by many monkeys, who are extremely adept at snatching visitors' belonging, including bags, cameras and eyeglasses. Keep a very close grip on all your belongings and stow away your eyeglasses if at all possible. If you do have something taken, the monkeys can usually be induced to exchange it for some fruit. Rewarding the monkeys like this only encourages them to steal more. Locals and even the temple priests will be happy to do the job for you.

A trip to Uluwatu combines well with seeing the relatively quiet white sand beaches on the west coast of the Bukit Peninsula. Since the degradation of Dreamland beach by the huge Pecatu Graha development, the most popular and easiest to reach is Padang-Padang. This lies about 4 km north of Uluwatu temple and is accessed from the obvious bridge on the main road (you cannot miss this). The beach is in an attractive cove and is quite deep at low tide. The waves are big here and Padang-Padang is popular with surfers. Only the strongest swimmers should consider entering the water.

Itineraries

 * A popular afternoon and evening trip is to travel to the Uluwatu Temple. Arrive at the temple 1-1½ hr before the sunset so it is not fully overloaded. Leave early after the sunset to Jimbaran. There are dozens of nice sea food restaurants direct at the beach. Enjoy a nice dinner and do a short stroll at the beach. Afterwards either return to your hotel for some rest or explore the party scene in Kuta.

Do
This is the partying capital of Bali and perhaps of the whole of Southeast Asia. If shorts, singlets and lots of beer is your thing, look no further than Kuta. If you prefer a rather more sophisticated night on the town, then the options in Seminyak are more appealing.

Legian Beach is a great place to learn to surf, either formally at the surf school or informally with the local boys.

Seminyak is home to many top class spas where you can pamper yourself at prices a fraction of those you will pay at home.

Waterbom Park in Tuban, Kuta is one of the largest water theme parks in Asia and your children will love you for taking them here.

Eat
Eating seafood on the beach at Jimbaran is right at the top of the list for many visitors to Bali. Order your choices by weight and have them freshly grilled while you stare at the stars or the glistening ocean.

Seminyak is host to some truly world class restaurants and foodies will not be short of choice here. The Seminyak clientele is very demanding and any restaurant that thrives here has to be top notch. Try the well established beachfront restaurants La Luciola, Breeze or Ku de Ta or, a little inland on Jalan Petitenget, the very highly rated Sarong.

At the other end of the scale, street and market food in Denpasar is not to be scoffed at.

Drink
For ravish night life, Kuta Beach has no equal on Bali. A 7 km strip stretching north of the original village, packed with bars, nightclubs, massage parlours and whatever the thirsty backpacker needs for a grand night out. It's not pretty, but it's definitively happening.

Another cluster of nightlife can be found near Seminyak, which has laid-back, slick and (very) expensive bar-restaurant-nightclubs like Ku dé Ta and Hu'u, as well as the Bali institution that is Double Six. The latter attracts huge beachfront dance crowds from 02:00 onwards and frequently plays host to world name DJs. Seminyak also is the home of Bali's busiest gay scene a bit inland along Jalan Dhyana Pura.

A more recent development are the beach clubs where you can relax, drink and dance at any hour of the day or night, like Potato Head beach club at the northern edge of Seminyak.

Sleep
This region has a truly huge range of accommodation options. Budget travellers are best off looking in Kuta and Legian whilst Seminyak is almost exclusively the domain of chic high-end hotels and private villas. Sanur's largely well priced hotels are aimed especially at families looking for package deal and Nusa Dua looks for the higher end package tourist.

Stay safe
Footpaths, road infrastructure and public lighting are in bad shape, which makes walking tricky (especially at night). Watch out for open drains, big steps, rubble and missing man-hole covers. The most dangerous thing you can do here is ride a scooter. Many tourists have crashes due to inexperience and drunkenness. Medical care is expensive and there are often shortages of blood and blood products for transfusions. Always wear at least a helmet if on a scooter, and never drive drunk.

Go next

 * Head east along the new bypass to Candidasa and other quiet spots in East Bali.
 * Get your fix of art, culture and glorious scenery in Ubud and the central highlands at Bedugul.
 * Take a boat trip to laid-back Nusa Lembongan for lovely white sand coves and excellent surf.

title: South Bali


text:
South Barrier Coast

The South Barrier Coast is a section of the Gulf Coast of Texas, between Padre Island National Seashore and Edna in Jackson County. The largest cities in this region are Corpus Christi and Victoria.

Cities

 * – largest city of the region
 * – fishing capital of Texas
 * – fishing capital of Texas
 * – fishing capital of Texas
 * – fishing capital of Texas
 * – fishing capital of Texas
 * – fishing capital of Texas

Understand
The South Barrier Coast runs from north of the Mansfield Channel in the south near Raymondville up to Port Lavaca, including the areas inland up to about 80 miles. It is bordered on the south by the Rio Grande Valley, to the west by the South Texas Plains, and to the north it leads into the North Barrier Coast at Lavaca Bay.

Get in

 * Corpus Christi International Airport

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: South Barrier Coast


text:
South Bay

The South Bay is the part of the Bay Area to the south of San Francisco Bay and to the southeast of the San Francisco Peninsula in California. The South Bay is the core of Silicon Valley, where many famous technology companies are located.

There is no precise legal or geographic boundary between the South Bay and the Peninsula — the Peninsula roughly coincides with the borders of San Mateo County, although it also includes the northwestern Santa Clara County cities of Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos. The rest of Santa Clara County is considered part of the South Bay. Coming south from the East Bay, you enter the South Bay upon entering Milpitas. See Bay Area (California) for a regional map.

Cities

 * — home to eBay.
 * — home to Apple.
 * — known as the "Garlic Capital of the World."
 * — home of Netflix, it is the historic agricultural center with Victorian-era houses and brick buildings, now a major suburb of San Jose.
 * — major city in Silicon Valley, home to Google and Symantec
 * — adjacent to Stanford University, home to VMware and Hewlett-Packard as well as many startups.
 * — the largest city in the Bay Area, known as the "Capital of Silicon Valley."
 * — one of the oldest settlements in the area, now home to Intel and many others.
 * - Originally home to many orchards, it is now home to many multi-billion dollar companies such as Yahoo and LinkedIn.
 * — adjacent to Stanford University, home to VMware and Hewlett-Packard as well as many startups.
 * — the largest city in the Bay Area, known as the "Capital of Silicon Valley."
 * — one of the oldest settlements in the area, now home to Intel and many others.
 * - Originally home to many orchards, it is now home to many multi-billion dollar companies such as Yahoo and LinkedIn.
 * - Originally home to many orchards, it is now home to many multi-billion dollar companies such as Yahoo and LinkedIn.

By plane
San Jose International Airport (SJC): There are flights from Canada, China, Japan, Hawaii, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and most cities in the United States.

Do
Almaden Quicksilver County Park has many hiking trails. From the San Jose Airport, head south on Highway 87 until Almaden Expressway. Drive south on Almaden until Camden Avenue and take a right. On Camden, drive until McAbee Road, and take a left. Drive to the end. There are also other entrances, but this is known as the main entrance.

Go next

 * East Bay
 * Peninsula - Located to the north of the South Bay, the Peninsula has a split personality. Its eastern half is a heavily populated urban area, home to Silicon Valley companies, San Francisco International Airport, and all of the hotels, restaurants, malls, and other amenities needed to support a bustling population.  The western half is completely different, offering an amazing escape for those looking to hike among redwoods, or who want to see seabirds, seals and whales while enjoying a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, or for couples hoping for a romantic getaway in a quiet B&B.
 * San Joaquin County - San Joaquin County lies to the northeast of Santa Clara County on the eastern edge of the California Delta, an estuary formed by the confluence of the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers. Nicknamed "California's Holland" due to the extensive levee system, the area is an interesting place to explore by car or boat.  Stockton is the county's largest city and is notable for being the world's most inland natural seaport.
 * Stanislaus County - While still primarily an agricultural county known for its almond trees, parts of Santa Clara County's northeastern neighbor have been becoming a bedroom community for people trying to escape the high housing costs of the Bay Area. Travelers will find plenty of amenities, although most only see Stanislaus County while passing through on their way elsewhere.
 * Merced County - Santa Clara County's eastern neighbor is located entirely within the San Joaquin Valley. Most travelers will likely just take advantage of the county's hotels and other amenities, but there are a few attractions worth considering.  The Castle Air Museum in Atwater is home to over 50 planes, while the Merced National Wildlife Refuge hosts thousands of waterfowl during winter months, including huge flocks of snow geese and sandhill cranes.
 * San Benito County - South of Santa Clara County, San Benito County is an inland county dominated by the Coast Mountain Range. It is relatively sparsely populated, with only about 55,000 inhabitants.  Pinnacles National Park and its dramatic rock formations lies in this county, as well as the town of San Juan Bautista and its historic mission.
 * Monterey County - Southwest of Santa Clara County, Monterey County is what many people think of when they think of the Central Coast - the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the beautiful 17-Mile Drive, Cannery Row, Pebble Beach golf course, and the rugged beauty of Big Sur. The northern part of the county contains every manner of amenity for travelers, ranging from chain motels to five-star resorts, while the southern portion of the county is remote and accessible mainly by the Pacific Coast Highway or on foot by hikers.
 * Santa Cruz County - The second-smallest county in the state, west of Santa Clara County, is home to the quirky town of Santa Cruz and a rugged coast that is equally popular with surfers and elephant seals. The Santa Cruz Mountains are the abode of redwoods and bright yellow banana slugs, both of which can be easily seen on the many hiking trails. Other portions of the county are known for agriculture, with farm stands dotting the roads.

title: South Bay


text:
South Bay (Los Angeles County)

The South Bay region of Los Angeles County in Southern California has many of the fine beaches of its neighboring areas on the West Side, with a wide variety of atmospheres, from high-end and yuppified to still-expensive beach raffish. This is also where you will find the Harbor Area of Los Angeles, an industrial section which along with adjacent Long Beach makes up the busiest shipping port along the Pacific Coast. South Bay is also the launching point for many ferries to Catalina Island.

Cities

 * — A suburb that's home to one of LA's two top-level soccer teams.
 * — A mostly industrial area directly south of LAX and home to many large aerospace facilities as well as a small but pleasant downtown.
 * — A laid-back beach town popular with surfers and beachgoers with plenty of nightlife.
 * — A suburb directly east of LAX and home to the landmark Randy's Donuts.
 * — A wealthy beach town with expensive mansions and a picturesque pier, as well as an active nightlife scene.
 * — A scenic hilly peninsula with seaside cliffs, nature walks, and picturesque neighborhoods.
 * — The third of South Bay's beach cities, popular with beachgoers and with some active nightlife and shopping districts.
 * — The southernmost neighborhood of LA proper.
 * — A large suburb with a relatively quiet beach, a wetlands area, and a large shopping mall.
 * — A mostly industrial district sitting on the harbor that is home to the Banning House, former residence of the man who brought the L.A. Harbor to fruition, and the Drum Barracks, a Civil War-era U.S. Army post.
 * — The third of South Bay's beach cities, popular with beachgoers and with some active nightlife and shopping districts.
 * — The southernmost neighborhood of LA proper.
 * — A large suburb with a relatively quiet beach, a wetlands area, and a large shopping mall.
 * — A mostly industrial district sitting on the harbor that is home to the Banning House, former residence of the man who brought the L.A. Harbor to fruition, and the Drum Barracks, a Civil War-era U.S. Army post.

Other destinations

 * Playa del Rey
 * Playa Vista
 * — A vacation spot for both locals and tourists and the most accessible of California's Channel Islands, Catalina is a popular place to get away from the bustle of the city.

Understand
The local weekly newspapers Easy Reader and Beach Reporter cover the South Bay. Each has event listings. Easy Reader tends to be more "in your face" in its style, Beach Reporter more "home-town booster." The Torrance-based Daily Breeze offers state-wide and national news along with the South Bay focus.

Get in
The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located at the northern end of the region. From there, the 405 Freeway cuts across the South Bay on its way to Long Beach. Paralleling the 405 but operating on surface streets is the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1), which runs closer to the coast. The 110 Freeway cuts north-south through the region, making its way north through South Central to Downtown L.A., while the I-105 and CA-91 freeways make their way east through the Gateway Cities.

Get around
Driving is the primary means of getting around the South Bay, although there is a degree of bus service offered by several overlapping transit agencies: the county-wide Metro service, Beach Cities Transit (Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo), GTrans (Gardena), and Torrance Transit.

Go next

 * The famed communities of the Westside lie north along the 405, including the popular beachside towns of Venice Beach and Santa Monica, the old film studios of Culver City, and the homes of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills and Bel-Air.
 * The port city of Long Beach lies to the east, with a number of popular tourist attractions including the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary.
 * South Central L.A. sits to the north along the 110; despite its infamy, it holds some very worthwhile sights including the Watts Towers and the museums of Exposition Park.

title: South Bay (Los Angeles County)


text:
South Bay (San Diego County)

The South Bay region of San Diego County is bounded by San Diego to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the international border with Mexico to the south, and the Otay Lakes to the east.

Cities

 * – a beautiful island community just across the bay from Downtown San Diego. Much of the island is given over to a major naval base, but you'll also find one of the region's cleanest beaches here as well as the gorgeous and historic Hotel Del Coronado.
 * – a small city just south of Downtown San Diego that is home to a large shipping port.
 * – the largest city in the region, and the second largest in the county behind San Diego. There aren't any major attractions here, although visitors will find a delightful nature center situated in the marshes of the bay and some good boating opportunities from a bayfront harbor.
 * – a small beachside city at the southern end of the bay, here you'll find excellent surfing and swimming on the Silver Strand, one of the few salt marshes remaining in Southern California at the Tijuana Estuary, and an annual sandcastle competition every July where you can see professional sand castle crafters at work.
 * While physically associated of the South Bay region, is a neighborhood of San Diego completely separated from the rest of the city by the South Bay communities. It is situated on the USA-Mexico border, and contains the busiest border crossing between the USA and Mexico at Tijuana.

Get in
I-5 and I-805 run north-south through National City and Chula Vista down to San Ysidro, where they intersect with I-5 proceeding all the way to the border. You can drive to the border crossing and then continue driving through, or park at one of the lots and walk through — parking will not only allow you to avoid the traffic jam at the border, but it will also saves you the added expense of purchasing Mexican insurance on the U.S. side before you drive into Mexico (note that it's illegal to drive into Mexico without this type of insurance). Parking at one of the lots costs about $4-9 a day. Traffic is pretty heavy coming up from Mexico.

The San Diego Trolley Blue Line service runs south from Downtown through National City and Chula Vista down to San Ysidro, within walking distance of the border. Standard, one-way fares run $1.25-$3 depending on how far you travel. Day passes are $5, and there are 2, 3 and 4 day passes available as well. The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates bus service throughout the region.

Stay safe
Because San Ysidro is located near the border with Mexico, the crime levels are higher than normal. Use common sense, and do not get involved in any situation that could have anything gang activity/drugs written on it.

Go next

 * San Diego lies to the north with its myriad of attractions: Downtown with its restaurants, nightlife, and maritime museums on the harborfront; Balboa Park with its gardens, museums, and famed zoo; and Point Loma curving around the northern edge of San Diego Bay with its marinas, seaside cliffs, and views over the bay; to name but a few highlights.
 * Tijuana lies just to the south, across the border in Mexico, and offers much for the visitor.

title: South Bay (San Diego County)


text:
South Bend

South Bend is in Northern Indiana. The city's name is drawn from the fact that it's situated on the southernmost bend in the St. Joseph River. Together with neighboring Mishawaka they form a continuous urban area of about 325,000 (2020). South Bend is the home of the University of Notre Dame, but is also the former home of many large companies such as Studebaker, Oliver Chilled Plow, and Singer.

The area is now home to Crowe-Chizek, AM General (which makes military vehicles.), Bosch, Honeywell, and Woodwind & Brasswind. The city hopes to grow with the undertaking of a new nano-technology campus near the city, which has already brought new contracts for factories and businesses around the city of Southbend.

Understand
With a population just over 100,000 (2020), South Bend is often thought of as a "small town", perhaps increasingly so since former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg (known as "Mayor Pete" due to his difficult to spell last name) likes to tout his experience of being a "Small Town Mayor in a Red State" during the Presidential Primaries in the 2020 campaign cycle which ultimately propelled him to national fame and the post of secretary of transportation of the USA.

By car

 * I-80/90 (toll road) Connects to Toledo, Ohio in the east and Chicago, to the west.
 * US 31/S.R. 933 Connects to Indianapolis in the south and runs through downtown South Bend and then 3 miles north to the Michigan line, where it becomes M-51 North.
 * US 20 The bypass around the city which connects to SR 2 (west to Michigan City), US 12 in Michigan (to Sturgis and Detroit to the East and Michigan City and Chicago to the west), SR 23 (a main artery through the city and through St. Joseph County), the I-80/90 toll road, and all other major roads from Elkhart to South Bend and into Michigan.
 * S.R. 2 State Road 2 runs directly through downtown on Western Avenue and connects to Michigan City in the west (see above).
 * S.R. 23 State Road 23 runs diagonally northeast-southwest through South Bend from the Kankakee area and turns into M-60 in Michigan (see above).

By plane

Other local airports include:

By train
Long distance trains and commuter trains serve South Bend at two different train stations, neither of which is near the city's center:

 * Train operator:
 * South Shore Line (SSL) has service from downtown Chicago, Gary and Michigan City. The full trips takes a bit over two hours with prices from $13. The trains are well equipped with restrooms and reclining seats.

 * Train operator:
 * Routes stopping at South Bend:
 * Capitol Limited operates daily between Chicago and Washington, D.C. including stops in South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Alliance, Pittsburgh, Connellsville, Cumberland, Martinsburg, Harpers Ferry, and Rockville.
 * Lake Shore Limited operating daily between Chicago and Boston or New York City. It makes stops at most stations along the route, though it does not stop at some of the smallest stations. Trains consist of train cars from both branches between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer).  The trains split into separate branches between Albany (Rensselaer) and both Boston and New York City.  Stops between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer) include South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Schenectady. Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and Boston include Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham.

By bus

 * Coach USA Offers shuttle service between South Bend Regional Airport, Notre Dame, and Chicago airports.
 * Greyhound Offers service to and from destinations around the country via Indianapolis and Chicago.

Taxis and limousines

 * Shamrock Cab +1 574 243-5500.
 * Yellow Cab +1 574 233-9333.

By car
Driving around yourself is the best way to navigate the city. St. Joseph County's road naming system makes it easy to find your way around. If you get lost or lose your bearings, remember that the main county roads running east-west are named after presidents and other famous figures (but mostly presidents) and begin, alphabetically, with Adams Rd. in the north near Michigan and end with Taylor in the south, near Marshall County. North-south roads are named for trees, beginning with Ash (called West County Line Rd. on the Elkhart County side of the road) in Eastern St. Joseph County and ending with Redwood in the West. There are exceptions to this rule, however, such as Washington St. downtown, and Mishawaka has numbered streets. Also, Lincoln Way is renamed LaSalle Ave. in downtown South Bend between Ironwood Dr. and Lafayette Blvd.

By bike
There are no bike shops that rent bicycles in South Bend, but the city is now home to a fleet of LimeBikes which can be rented by downloading the app. Riders can rent an available bike at a low price, (usually $1 per ride + $0.05 per minute), and don’t need to return it to a designated bike rack like other bike-share programs. Instead, they engage the locking mechanism on the rear wheel and the bike’s GPS system tracks the amount of time and distance they’ve traveled, charging them through an application on their phone.

Museums, art galleries, and indoor activities

 * South Bend Table Tennis Center The 7th ranked table tennis club in the United States. Led by the 2000 Men's Olympic Coach and 5-time U.S. Men's Singles Champion, Dan Seemiller, the club is open to all. SBTTC is a large club with activities from beginners to seasoned Loopers and Choppers with 14 professional tables. Weekly Round Robins provide lively competition and club rankings.
 * South Bend Table Tennis Center The 7th ranked table tennis club in the United States. Led by the 2000 Men's Olympic Coach and 5-time U.S. Men's Singles Champion, Dan Seemiller, the club is open to all. SBTTC is a large club with activities from beginners to seasoned Loopers and Choppers with 14 professional tables. Weekly Round Robins provide lively competition and club rankings.
 * South Bend Table Tennis Center The 7th ranked table tennis club in the United States. Led by the 2000 Men's Olympic Coach and 5-time U.S. Men's Singles Champion, Dan Seemiller, the club is open to all. SBTTC is a large club with activities from beginners to seasoned Loopers and Choppers with 14 professional tables. Weekly Round Robins provide lively competition and club rankings.
 * South Bend Table Tennis Center The 7th ranked table tennis club in the United States. Led by the 2000 Men's Olympic Coach and 5-time U.S. Men's Singles Champion, Dan Seemiller, the club is open to all. SBTTC is a large club with activities from beginners to seasoned Loopers and Choppers with 14 professional tables. Weekly Round Robins provide lively competition and club rankings.
 * South Bend Table Tennis Center The 7th ranked table tennis club in the United States. Led by the 2000 Men's Olympic Coach and 5-time U.S. Men's Singles Champion, Dan Seemiller, the club is open to all. SBTTC is a large club with activities from beginners to seasoned Loopers and Choppers with 14 professional tables. Weekly Round Robins provide lively competition and club rankings.
 * South Bend Table Tennis Center The 7th ranked table tennis club in the United States. Led by the 2000 Men's Olympic Coach and 5-time U.S. Men's Singles Champion, Dan Seemiller, the club is open to all. SBTTC is a large club with activities from beginners to seasoned Loopers and Choppers with 14 professional tables. Weekly Round Robins provide lively competition and club rankings.
 * South Bend Table Tennis Center The 7th ranked table tennis club in the United States. Led by the 2000 Men's Olympic Coach and 5-time U.S. Men's Singles Champion, Dan Seemiller, the club is open to all. SBTTC is a large club with activities from beginners to seasoned Loopers and Choppers with 14 professional tables. Weekly Round Robins provide lively competition and club rankings.

Outdoor activities

 * East Bank Trail/Riverwalk along the St. Joseph River. The banks of the East Race offer more than of paved and lighted walking/running paths along the scenic St. Joseph River.
 * Howard Park Ice Rink Public ice skating rink located in Howard Park. Viewing Park (where you can get a good view of the skyline) is nearby as well.
 * Rum Village Park and Nature Center The of natural woodland in Rum Village Park is a designated nature area. Many excellent specimens of native trees and a wide selection of flowering and herbaceous plants may be found here. Such a wooded tract is unique within an urban community. It is a remnant of the land that once was.... a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife and a haven for renewal of the human spirit.
 * Howard Park Ice Rink Public ice skating rink located in Howard Park. Viewing Park (where you can get a good view of the skyline) is nearby as well.
 * Rum Village Park and Nature Center The of natural woodland in Rum Village Park is a designated nature area. Many excellent specimens of native trees and a wide selection of flowering and herbaceous plants may be found here. Such a wooded tract is unique within an urban community. It is a remnant of the land that once was.... a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife and a haven for renewal of the human spirit.
 * Rum Village Park and Nature Center The of natural woodland in Rum Village Park is a designated nature area. Many excellent specimens of native trees and a wide selection of flowering and herbaceous plants may be found here. Such a wooded tract is unique within an urban community. It is a remnant of the land that once was.... a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife and a haven for renewal of the human spirit.
 * Rum Village Park and Nature Center The of natural woodland in Rum Village Park is a designated nature area. Many excellent specimens of native trees and a wide selection of flowering and herbaceous plants may be found here. Such a wooded tract is unique within an urban community. It is a remnant of the land that once was.... a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife and a haven for renewal of the human spirit.
 * Rum Village Park and Nature Center The of natural woodland in Rum Village Park is a designated nature area. Many excellent specimens of native trees and a wide selection of flowering and herbaceous plants may be found here. Such a wooded tract is unique within an urban community. It is a remnant of the land that once was.... a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife and a haven for renewal of the human spirit.
 * Rum Village Park and Nature Center The of natural woodland in Rum Village Park is a designated nature area. Many excellent specimens of native trees and a wide selection of flowering and herbaceous plants may be found here. Such a wooded tract is unique within an urban community. It is a remnant of the land that once was.... a source of food and shelter for a variety of wildlife and a haven for renewal of the human spirit.

Outlets and malls
Erskine Plaza on the South side is a hub for shopping in South Bend, and you can drive past the mansions of Twyckenham Hills on your way back through the city.

Budget

Bars and clubs
Indiana State Law prohibits alcohol sales after 3AM Monday - Friday and after midnight on Saturday (though bars stay open until 3AM on Saturday night into Sunday morning). No alcohol sales are permitted on Sunday (beginning at midnight until 7AM Monday morning) or on Christmas, Easter, or New Year's Day. However, you can easily cross the state line into Michigan in mere minutes and purchase alcohol on Sunday before 2AM.

Wineries
The following are plucked from the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail:

Stay safe
Like many post-industrial cities, South Bend has some trouble spots. To be safe, lock your vehicle when you plan to leave it unattended anywhere downtown, but especially in a parking garage or low lit area after dark. Places to be careful during the day and not walk through after dark include areas on and around Lincoln Way West between William St. and the airport, SR 23 and Madison St. on the East Side of downtown and the river, Western Avenue between William St. and Mayflower, and US 31 between Monroe and Donmoyer Ave. to the north and south and Miami St. and Olive/Locust Rd. to the east and west. Essentially, the south and west sides of downtown and a small portion of the east side can be dangerous, but the majority of neighborhoods are safe. Portage Road and going north towards Cleveland is also known for crime. Take care as you would in any major city after dark.

One natural threat to be aware of are tornadoes: if you hear a siren or there is a tornado warning issued, take it seriously. Because South Bend/Michiana is so far North of the tornado belt, there are very few twisters in the area, even during tornado season. However, the tornadoes that do occur are usually F0s which, though comparatively weak, are often low to the ground and very difficult to spot with doppler radar, making advanced warning more difficult. Though much smaller events, their winds speeds can reach as high as 90 miles per hour and they can cause very localized damage in a short period.

Stay healthy
Drinking water is as safe in South Bend as anywhere else in the country. Do not swim in the St. Joseph River or accidentally ingest river water as the Western half of the St. Joe is still quite polluted. A 5-phase project to reroute old stormwater pipelines out of the river is nearly halfway finished, and is the primary remaining obstacle toward relative purity.

Go next
Northern Indiana has several recreation areas that highlight the interesting topography and natural features of the area.

 * Chain O' Lakes State Park Located in Northeast Indiana, Chain-O-Lakes is a series of glacially-formed interconnected lakes and tributaries surrounded by thick, relatively hilly forest.  The area has a vast array of wildlife and canoeing is available.
 * Dr. T. K. Lawless County Park Located in Cass County, Michigan (approximately 40 minutes from downtown South Bend), this park features over seven miles of biking/cross-country skiing trails with peaks that overlook two small lakes and feature views of the surrounding county. The park also houses a soccer field, baseball diamond, two picnic houses, horseshoe pits, a disc golf course, children's play equipment, fishing in park-managed lakes and streams, a one-mile paved total access trail, modern restroom facilities, and inner-tubing in the winter (tubes provided).  A modernization effort has been established to update facilities and add a dog park.
 * Indiana Dunes National Park The first national park in Indiana, Indiana Dunes is a popular attraction in which visitors may see swales, bogs, and other prehistoric natural features of Northern Indiana as well as massive sand dunes and a clean lakeshore.  Chicago's skyline can be seen on clear days.  Camping is available. The South Shore Line takes you right to the park for less than $7 each way
 * Pokagon State Park Located in Indiana's lake country (extreme Northeast Indiana), Pokagon State Park features rare, ancient glacially-formed bogs, marshes and lakes.  The park also boasts a luxurious and historic inn/lodge (book ahead as it's usually full!), hiking trails, dense forests, ample wildlife, great fishing, a nature center, bicycle, boat and ski rental, and a nationally popular refrigerated toboggan-run that plunges riders down a moderate hill at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
 * Lake Michigan Just under 40 miles from South Bend lie the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, MI, popular locales for beach-goers.  New Buffalo, MI is the closest waterfront at 35 miles away and is home to Redemak's famous burgers.  Michigan City is due west about 40 miles and features shopping, dining, and Indiana Dunes National Park.  New Buffalo and St. Joe/Benton Harbor are excellent sunset viewing locations.

title: South Bend


text:
South Bohemia

South Bohemia is a region in the Czech Republic. It offers many picturesque towns with two of them on the UNESCO list, peaceful countryside filled with number of ponds, medieval castles, romantic chateaux and some hills at the south. While the region is often unknown to foreign tourists (except Český Krumlov and few other castles), it is quite popular between local tourists and definitely has something to offer for everyone. For local tourists, a popular way to discover this region is by bike - with nice, often relatively flat countryside and good biking infrastructure, this is a fun and relaxing way to discover South Bohemia.

Cities

 * – Attractive large city in South Bohemia best known for the original Budweiser beer.
 * – Beautiful old town with the country's second biggest chateau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 * – A spa town located in the lake area Třeboňsko.
 * – A small town with well-preserved renaissance historic centre.
 * – Old town with the oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic.
 * – A historic town with the third largest castle in Czechia.
 * – Historic town, centre of Hussite revolution.
 * – An example of village in South Bohemia Rural Baroque style in UNESCO.
 * – A small town at the border to Austria, a gateway to Novohradske Mountains.

Villages

 * – A village known mostly for its eponymous red renaissance château.

Other destinations

 * (Bohemian Forest) – A mountain range (including the Šumava National Park) stretching along the German and Austrian border.
 * – A cultural landscape with lakes, watlands and mires.
 * – A protected landscape area near Český Krumlov. There is a mountain Kleť with an astronomical observatory.
 * – Extremely peaceful hills at the border with Austria.

Understand
The way South Bohemia looks today is to a large scale determined by the Rožemberk noble family, which ruled the area between the 14th and 17th centuries. They built most of the fish ponds, castles, canals, towns and cities which are today the main tourist attractions. Another thing which shapes the region is the River Vltava; the Czech Republic's main watercourse springs here. There two big water dams on the Vltava in South Bohemia, which somehow changed the way nature looks here. The last important thing which shaped this region is the former presence of German population. Ethnic Germans lived in today's South Bohemia from the 12th century until they were expelled to Austria and Germany following World War Two. Some of the homes they had to leave were resettled by people from central Czechia and Slovakia, but many other formerly German villages were destroyed during the communist era. You can still find ruins of villages in remote places like Novohradské hory. These places, being near the border with capitalist Western Europe, were off-limits during the communist era and are slowly being rediscovered today by both Czech people and descendants of expelled Germans.

By train
The main railway hub is České Budějovice. It lies on the main line between Prague and Linz, and as such, sees many trains from these cities. There are also many other secondary railways, which connect South Bohemia with all neighboring regions. You can even use historical narrow gauge train when going from Highlands region city Kamenice nad Lipou. All train timetables can be found on IDOS.

By bus
There are many buses going to numerous cities and towns in South Bohemia. Most of these buses originate in Prague, but there are also some from Brno and other Czech main cities. Use IDOS to find them.

By car
A new highway is being build from Prague to Linz, but this highway is far from complete, leaving heavily congested two-lane roads I-3 and I-4 the main links with Central Bohemia.

By bicycle
As Czechia is not a very big country, it is possible to travel from one region to another by bicycle, if one has enough time and energy. There are many marked cycling paths from Prague, Vienna and other places.

By train
There are many railways in this region (as they are in Czechia in general), but some of them have only sporadic train service. Still, train is probably the most popular public transportation option, as it is comfortable and dependable. Use IDOS.to find the right train. Some years ago, all the trains were operated by Czech Railways, but today they are some new train operators, which requires checking for the train operator and buying the ticket at the right cash desk (this is an issue mainly for the trains from České Budějovice toward Český Krumlov and Šumava).

By bus
The bus network is very dense, but the bus service seems to be pretty chaotic and irregular. There are more buses on workdays than there are on weekends, with almost no buses on Saturdays. Again, use IDOSfor timetables.

By car
The roads are in good condition, but often quite narrow. Driving in night is a bit dangerous and a bit scary, as there are many animals with seemingly shining eyes in the dense forests of South Bohemia. Hitting a rabbit is no issue, but hitting a deer or boar often results in destruction of the car.

By bicyle
Cycling is the most popular way to travel the region among Czech tourists. The central part of the region around Třeboň is quite flat, the northern part around Jindřichův Hradec is a bit hilly and the southern part with Šumava and Novohradské Hory is mountainous. Either way, there are lots of marked cycling paths and good cycling infrastructure, with many bicyle repairs, rentals and hotels ready for cyclists. Bicyles can be often rented at railway stations from the Czech Railways company. See their website for all such places (the website is in Czech only but you can use Google Translate). For cycling, you usually don't need an analog map, OsmAnd or Mapy.cz app in outdoor mode with downloaded offline maps should do.

On foot
There are many marked trekking trails in South Bohemia. Especially popular for hiking are the mountainous areas, such as Šumava.

See

 * The historical village of Holašovice, a UNESCO World Heritage site
 * Located in Hluboká nad Vltavou town

Do

 * Lipno dam – An artificial dam with many sport possibilities.
 * Sail down Vltava river – The part of Vltava river under Lipno dam is extremely popular for canoeing. Usually, it is sailed from Vyšší Brod (under the dam) to Boršov (next to České Budějovice). It takes two to five days, depends how seriously you take it and how much you drink. The river passes through Český Krumlov and Rožumberk nad Vltavou, which makes it very scenic. There is a great amount of campsites to cater for the canoers and many companies renting canoes. The only disadvantage is the extreme number of people doing this, in July, the river looks like a highway.
 * Cycling – South Bohemia offers many opportunities for biking, with Třeboň being the main biking center as it lies in a flat, scenic region with many large ponds.
 * Cross-country skiing – Šumava is not really mountainous enough to do real downhill skiing, but it usually sees enough snow to do some cross-country skiing.

Fish ponds
While unknown in many other countries, there are many fishing ponds in South Bohemia (and Czechia in general on a smaller scale). These are of varying sizes, from small pools in the middle of a forest to large water dams navigable by boat. The biggest of these ponds is Rožumberk near Třeboň. While fish ponds are still used for fishing (common carp being the most common fish here), they have many more uses today such as swimming, boating and water sports. If you bike, hike, or drive in South Bohemia's forests, it is likely you will come across some ponds. For such occasions, it is always good to have your swimming gear ready! The water is usually warm enough to swim, just check if it is clear enough; sometimes fishermen put fish food into the water that makes it unsafe for humans to swim in. In late autumn, you can see the ponds being fished, whereby all the water is poured out, the carp are picked up and placed in large water tanks and then sold at Christmas markets in towns, often alive. Common carp meat is served as traditional dinner on Christmas Eve. You can also get it every day in Třeboň.

Eat
The local cuisine is not very different from Czech cuisine in general. Most known local specialty is "Kaplická cmunda" or just "Cmunda", which is a potato cake with sauerkraut (sour cabbage) and smoked ham - very tasty. Another thing you might encounter here is fish meat, which is plentiful because of many fish ponds. Most common fish are carp, pike and perch—they can be fried, breaded and fried or baked with some spices.

Drink
This part of Czechia is definitely a beer part, as the attitude is too high to grow vine. The most famous beer from South Bohemia is definitely Budweiser Budvar, which is sold globally, but made only in České Budějovice (and owned by the government). Other good brands include Regent from Třeboň, Eggenberg from Český Krumlov, Platan from Protivín, Dudák from Strakonice, Samson from České Budějovice and many others. There are also many microbreweries with good crafted beers. You can visit almost any working brewery to see how the beer is made. Breweries also often have their own restaurants nearby, a good example of this the Eggenberg brewery in touristy Český Krumlov with an excellent restaurant.

Stay safe
South Bohemia is a very safe region. Main danger are probably animals on the roads and being drunk while sailing down a river.

Go next

 * Highlands
 * Central Bohemia
 * West Bohemia

title: South Bohemia


text:
Southbridge

Southbridge is a town in southern Central Massachusetts, about 60 miles from Boston. Southbridge is a close-knit community with a downtown area of friendly small businesses. The area was initially inhabited by the Nipmuck and Mohegan tribes, with the Quinebaug River dividing their territories. In 1730, it was settled by Europeans. Water power from the Quinebaug River made Southbridge a good location for sawmills and gristmills in the 18th century, and textile mills in the 19th century. After the Civil War, many immigrants of Irish and French Canadian descent came to work and live there; by the 1930s they had been joined by Poles, Greeks, Italians and others.

By car
Southbridge is located near the intersection of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and I-84. I-84 provides access from Connecticut and points southwest while the Massachusetts Turnpike provides access from both the west and east. Travelers coming from Connecticut will use exit 3 from I-84 and take Mashapaug Rd into Southbridge. Travelers using the Massachusetts Turnpike from either direction will use exit 78 and take I-84 briefly to exit 6A for U.S. Route 20 West, then turn left at the light for Route 131 which will take you to Southbridge.

By plane
The nearest commercial airport is Worcester Regional Airport in Worcester, about 30 minutes away from Southbridge. It has daily service to JFK International Airport in New York as well as occasional flights to destinations in Florida. Bradley International Airport in Connecticut is about 50 minutes away and has flights to many more cities.

Get around
The principal road in Southbridge is Route 131, known as Main Street through downtown and East Main Street past the "AO Rotary" and through Sandersdale, a village on the town's east side. North-south roads include Eastford Road and Elm Street (Route 198), and Worcester Street-Mechanic Street-North Woodstock Road (Route 169). Southbridge was formed out of portions of three of its neighboring towns: Sturbridge to the west, Charlton to the north, and Dudley to the east. The other neighboring towns are Woodstock, Connecticut, and Eastford, Connecticut to the south.

Buy
Southbridge has limited retail options beyond local services. However, it is one of the communities that has embraced legalized cannabis in Massachusetts and there are a couple of dispensaries open to the public in town.

Go next

 * Experience early 19th century New England at Old Sturbridge Village
 * Drink an award winning IPA at Tree House Brewery in Charlton
 * Take in a WooSox game at Polar Park in Worcester

title: Southbridge


text:
South Burlington

South Burlington is a city in Northwest Vermont. It is a suburb of Burlington and is the second largest city in the state. Unlike most sizable Vermont communities, it doesn't have a downtown of any sort since most of the city's development has occurred in the last few decades. The city has intelligently reserved a large tract of land near the busiest intersection in town to construct a downtown, however they haven't yet decided how they want this done. Unfortunately, there's nothing there but a dirt road (possibly the only one in the city) and some trees.

Understand
The main point of South Burlington for the average traveler is that it hosts various relatively inexpensive hotels but is still close enough to neighboring Burlington to be quite convenient for drivers who want to visit the attractions of that city.

By car
South Burlington is accessible via I-89 exit 14, US 2, and US 7.

On foot
South Burlington is not a very walkable city. Although there are sidewalks, heavy traffic and long distances can make walking unpleasant or dangerous.

By bike
Some roads have bike lanes which makes cycling a viable option in some cases. However, be aware that not all of the busier roads have bike lanes, and they are often narrower than in other parts of the United States. Much of Williston Road should be avoided by cyclists.

By public transportation
South Burlington is served by several CCTA bus routes. The routes serve Shelburne Road, Williston Road, the University Mall, and Burlington International Airport.

By car
A car is the easiest way to get around the city, although traffic can be frustrating at times. Williston and Shelburne Roads should be avoided at rush hour.

See
South Burlington's suburban nature means there isn't a whole lot to see here aside from the standard views of the lake and mountains.

Buy

There are also some local options worth exploring.

Drink
South Burlington doesn't have much in the way of nightlife aside from restaurant bars and the previously mentioned Higher Ground. The Upper Deck Pub located at The Windjammer has a decent bar and serves a lot of the same food as the restaurant downstairs, often at lower prices. Guild & Company is also well known for the quality of their cocktails. If coffee is what you're after, skip Starbuck's and try the coffee shop inside Healthy Living. If you really want nightlife in the area, head to Burlington or Winooski.

Sleep
Shelburne Road (Route 7) is generally where you will find the least expensive hotels, while the more upscale ones (though check current prices) are on Williston Rd. Both locations are quite convenient to Downtown Burlington, if you drive.

title: South Burlington


text:
South Caicos

South Caicos is a small (21.2 km², population 1,100) island in the Caribbean. It is known for scuba diving and fishing. It is less developed than some other islands, good for relaxing away from hectic tourism but less than ideal if you are looking for excitement and nightlife.

Understand
Salt production started in the early 1700s and continued until the 1960s. This was done by pumping sea water into ponds and then transferring it as it evaporated down into smaller holding ponds from which it was eventually raked into a basket. Ruins of the industry can be seen.

Visitor Information

 * South Caicos page on Visit Turks & Caicos Islands

By plane
The easiest way to get to South is flying with InterCaribbean from Providenciales.

By boat
Travelling between islands by boat is possible, but usually isn't very practical for tourists because there are limited scheduled trips. TCI Ferry sail from Providenciales to South Caicos once per week.

There is also a Dominican boat that makes regular trips between South and Puerto Plata, DR via Grand Turk. It is possible to hitch a ride for a fee, but it's not really a passenger boat. The journey is made about every 20 days and takes about 9 hours.

Get around
There is no public transport on South Caicos. There is a limited selection of rental cars and advance reservations are recommended. Bicycle rental is also available.

Do

 * Relax on the Beach. All are public and free, but access may be difficult.

Buy
There is a Scotia Bank ATM in Cockburn Harbour.

Eat
Also see sleep for the restaurants in hotels and resorts.

title: South Caicos


text:
South Cameroon Plateau

South Cameroon Plateau (French: Plateau Sud-Camerounais) is a region of Cameroon.

Cities

 * — the capital of Cameroon, and the country's second most populous city

Other destinations

 * — one of the largest and best-protected reserves within the rainforest zones of Africa with around 90% of its area remaining undisturbed
 * — some of the highest densities of African forest elephants and western lowland gorillas in all of Africa are found in Lobéké

Climate
The area experiences four seasons each year: two rainy, and two dry. The long dry season is from December to March (or slightly longer in the northern reaches of the plateau), the short rainy season from March to June, the short dry season in August, and the long rainy season from September to December.

Rainfall is higher near the coast and in the south and diminishes toward the northeast.

The temperature remains fairly steady year round, averaging 25°C. This fluctuates slightly with the seasons. The long, rainy season is the coldest time of year, and the long dry season is the warmest. Humidity is high year round.

Get in
Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport

title: South Cameroon Plateau


text:
South Carolina

 * "SC" redirects here. For the Brazilian state, see Santa Catarina

South Carolina is a state in the American South. It is known for its diverse geography from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Upstate to its subtropical beaches and marshlike sea islands along the coast.

Just south of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Upcountry of the state is the city of Greenville, an up and coming metropolitan city with numerous restaurants and stores located in a charming downtown. An hour southeast of Greenville is the capital city of Columbia which is also home to the main campus of the University of South Carolina. The original capital and now the largest city in the state is coastal Charleston, a historic port city about an hour and thirty minutes southeast of the capital. It is defined by pastel-colored houses, Old South plantations and Fort Sumter, where the Civil War’s opening shots were fired. To the north of Charleston is the Grand Strand, a roughly 60-mile stretch of beachfront known for golf courses and the vacation town of Myrtle Beach. At the far southern tip of the state is the Goldern Corner which is home to the sea islands of Hilton Head and Seabrook.

Cities

 * — the state capital with a large zoo and riverfront trails.
 * — located in thoroughbred country adjacent to Augusta
 * — oldest and largest city in the state, home to historic architecture and coastal views with numerous shopping and dining options.
 * — college town home to Clemson University.
 * — located in the Pee Dee region, this town is home to a charming downtown and minutes from the Grand Strand.
 * — historic port city with small shops and restaurants.
 * — foothills town consisting of numerous hiking trails, restaurants and shops.
 * — coastal resort town with golden-sand beaches and numerous hotel options.
 * — college town featuring numerous colleges as well as restaurants and shops.

Other destinations

 * - Natural and uncommercialized, Edisto Island is just 45 minutes south of Charleston, with moss-covered oak trees, creeks, and sandy beaches.
 * - The Queen of the Sea Islands is 300 years old, as of 2011
 * - The Queen of the Sea Islands is 300 years old, as of 2011
 * - The Queen of the Sea Islands is 300 years old, as of 2011
 * - The Queen of the Sea Islands is 300 years old, as of 2011
 * - The Queen of the Sea Islands is 300 years old, as of 2011
 * - The Queen of the Sea Islands is 300 years old, as of 2011
 * - The Queen of the Sea Islands is 300 years old, as of 2011

Understand
South Carolina, together with North Carolina forms a region historically known as Carolina. The two were governed as one colony until the early 18th century. Both were among the Thirteen Colonies that formed the United States. South Carolina has a long tradition of suspicion of national authority, from the slavery crises of the 19th century to the Civil Rights Movement in the 20th. It suffered heavy fighting during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. After the American Civil War, South Carolina lost most of its wealth, which was tied up in slaves and the plantation economy. This rough history has produced a uniquely strong sense of state identity and pride.

Though the famous "Southern accent" is definitely in evidence here, if you listen closely, you'll hear all its regional variations, from the deeper drawl of the Lowcountry to the more clipped speech of the Upstate.

South Carolina is generally characterized as having a humid subtropical climate. In the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout the state with temperatures around 90°F (32°C) towards the coast and 80°F (27°C) along the Blue Ridge. In the winter months, the temperatures are much more drastic. Along the Blue Ridge, temperatures remain below 40°F (4°C). Towards the coast, temperatures average around 60°F (16°C). Snow is rare across much of the state. However, it is very common in the months of December–February along the Blue Ridge.

South Carolina is the 8th oldest state in the United States, being formed on May 23, 1788.

Tourist information

 * Discover South Carolina website

Talk
English is official and is the dominant language by far.

Spanish is used in some areas. Gullah, a fascinating English-based creole language, is spoken by a few hundred African-American residents of the Sea Islands as well as their descendants throughout the state.

By car
South Carolina is served by five interstate highways.

 * Interstate 85 traverses the northwest corner of the state, near Anderson, and connects Greenville and Spartanburg with Charlotte, North Carolina.
 * Interstate 26 stretches southeast across the state, from Landrum to its terminus in Charleston. It intersects with Interstate 85 near Spartanburg, Interstate 20 near Columbia and Interstate 95 near Orangeburg. I-26 also connects with I-85 via I-385, which goes directly into downtown Greenville.
 * Interstate 77 begins in Fort Mill, at the North Carolina border from Charlotte, N.C. and continues south to its terminus at *Interstate 26, just south of Columbia.
 * Interstate 20 starts in North Augusta, at the Georgia boarder from Augusta, GA. It continues east to interchanges with Interstates 26 and 77 near Columbia to its terminus at Interstate 95 in Florence.
 * Interstate 95, the most major highway in the state, crosses the border near Dillon and continues south-west through Florence to Savannah.

By plane
South Carolina has multiple airports servicing the state.
 * Charleston International is the largest in the state, and features flights all around the east coast and Europe.
 * Myrtle Beach International, Columbia Metropolitan and Greenville-Spartanburg International are decent sized airports with a variety of destinations.
 * Smaller regional airports are located in Hilton Head and Florence. These airports primarily service regional hubs. The Atlanta and Charlotte airports are easily accessible from western South Carolina by I-85 or I-77.

By train
Amtrak has multiple routes that pass through South Carolina. The Silver Service and Palmetto trains call in Florence, Columbia, and Charleston in addition to smaller towns along the route from New York City to Florida. The Crescent train calls in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Clemson en route from New York City to New Orleans.

By bus
Greyhound serves several cities, and Megabus serves Columbia.

By car
The roads in South Carolina (like most places in the United States) are in good condition for travel. Interstate 95 in much of the southern part of the state is highly traveled and only a four-lane highway. One should keep a very close eye out for sudden traffic back ups, especially close to Charleston, Hilton Head and south of Charlotte in Fort Mill and Rock Hill. Generally, the other interstates do not suffer serious traffic except in the case of major wrecks.

The US-17, or Coastal Highway, also runs north-south through South Carolina. Despite the nickname, however, the coast is not visible from the US-17 in South Carolina. An interstate will usually get you where you want to go faster.

Gas prices are typically lower in South Carolina than most of the U.S. because of the much lower gas tax.

By bus
Information on transit can be found here.

See

 * Charles Pinckney National Historic Site at Mt. Pleasant
 * Congaree National Park in Hopkins
 * Cowpens National Battlefield near Chesnee
 * Fort Moultrie National Monument at Sullivan's Island
 * Fort Sumter National Monument in Charleston Harbor
 * Kings Mountain National Military Park at Blacksburg
 * Ninety Six National Historic Site in Ninety Six, near Greenwood
 * Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, in the north of the state, around Chesnee, Gaffney, and Blacksburg
 * Healing Springs near the town of Blackville

Do
Along the Eastern Atlantic Coast of South Carolina are several popular tourist destinations. The most well known area is called The Grand Strand and comprises 60 miles of mostly beachfront property. The Strand runs south from the North and South Carolina border through the towns of Little River, Atlantic Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Garden City (in Horry County), down Hwy. 17 south through Georgetown County including Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, and Pawleys Island. Little River is known for its beautiful inlet, great for fishing and water sports. Myrtle Beach's claim to fame is not only its beaches, but its nickname as "Golf Capital of the World". Murrells Inlet offers some of the freshest seafood around. Pawleys Island offers historic plantation sites as well as great golf. Charleston offers quality restaurants and shops, historical attractions and is close to several beaches.

Greenville is a developing tourist spot with an increasing number of restaurants in its historic downtown area, several museums, two large performance venues (the Peace Center and the Bon Secours Wellness Arena), and proximity to the mountains of South and North Carolina.

Eat
Most of the BBQ in South Carolina is similar to Eastern Carolina-style with mostly mustard-based sauces on pulled pork. South Carolina is the only state that boasts 4 distinct styles of sauces: mustard, vinegar, tomato and ketchup.

On the Southern coastline, lowcountry and Charleston-style cuisine prevail, influenced by French, continental, and creole cooking with lots of fresh seafood. Shrimp and grits is a local specialty in the Charleston region with a seemingly limitless number of recipes.

Drink
Sweet tea is very popular and readily available, as is elsewhere in the South.

The drinking age for alcohol in South Carolina is 21. Almost all bars and off-premise vendors request government issued photo I.D. for younger looking patrons. In spring break destinations like Myrtle Beach police write scores of citations for underage drinking at clubs or on the beach.

Beer and wine are widely available in grocery and convenience stores around the state. Liquor must be sold in dedicated liquor stores. With the exception of coastal and metropolitan counties, off-premise sales of beer are banned on Sundays.

Stay safe
It is illegal in South Carolina to be 'grossly intoxicated' in public. The police can arrest you and charge you with public disorderly conduct if they believe this is the case, and there seems to be no legal definition of grossly intoxicated for a pedestrian. This is a misdemeanor offence, resulting in a court hearing. You can get your charge expunged within the state by entering a Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program. This involves fines, community service, drug tests, attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and homework assignments and typically takes about 2 months to complete. However, the PTI program is not recognized by the Federal Government.

Most of the areas visitors would normally visit in South Carolina are relatively crime-free. However, some residential areas in large cities like northern Charleston and Columbia may be somewhat dangerous after dark for non-locals.

While not as ubiquitous as in Florida, alligators do live in some water bodies in the state.

Respect
South Carolina, like almost all states in the South, is a conservative state, although it's a bit more progressive than, say, Mississippi. The various tips found in the respect section of the South article apply here.

Go next

 * North Carolina - The state's northern neighbor is home to the Appalachian culture and incredible scenery of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as the stunning beaches of the Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras.
 * Georgia - Located on South Carolina's southern and eastern border, Georgia has the major metropolis of Atlanta, with many attractions, and the charming cities of Macon and Savannah.

title: South Carolina


text:
Southcentral Alaska

Southcentral Alaska is a region of Alaska, home to its largest population center around Anchorage, on the north Pacific Ocean.

Regions

 * Kenai Peninsula
 * Matanuska-Susitna Valley - Also known as the Mat-Su Valley

Cities

 * - Alaska's largest city and seaport, located on the north end of Cook Inlet, between Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm.
 * - Mostly residential area north of Anchorage.
 * - Home of Alaska's largest downhill ski area at Alyeska, and the 2007 US Alpine Ski Championships.
 * - A very popular fishing town at the end of the Sterling Highway, on Kachemak Bay.
 * - A ghost town that lies within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It was the town that served the workers at the Kennecott Copper Mines in the early 1900s.
 * - A two street town that hasn't changed much in the last 40 years. It's on the highway about  north of Seward.
 * - Alaska's first major farming community and lies in the Matanuska Valley about north of Anchorage.
 * - One of Alaska's major seaports that was used during World War II to protect its country. Major cruise lines stop here and the Alaska Railroad starts here.
 * - The closest major town to Denali, a 2.5 hour drive north of Anchorage and jump-off point for Denali mountain climbers & flight-seeing.
 * - Farthest north ice-free port in the US and is at the beginning of the Richardson Highway. The terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (formerly Alyeska Pipeline).
 * - originally was a stop on the highway at Teeland's General store, but started developing in the 1970s after the Parks Highway was built, and has become a well-established town.
 * - This town is now the beginning of the famous Iditarod Race, after its official start in Anchorage.
 * - Alaska's first major farming community and lies in the Matanuska Valley about north of Anchorage.
 * - One of Alaska's major seaports that was used during World War II to protect its country. Major cruise lines stop here and the Alaska Railroad starts here.
 * - The closest major town to Denali, a 2.5 hour drive north of Anchorage and jump-off point for Denali mountain climbers & flight-seeing.
 * - Farthest north ice-free port in the US and is at the beginning of the Richardson Highway. The terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (formerly Alyeska Pipeline).
 * - originally was a stop on the highway at Teeland's General store, but started developing in the 1970s after the Parks Highway was built, and has become a well-established town.
 * - This town is now the beginning of the famous Iditarod Race, after its official start in Anchorage.
 * - This town is now the beginning of the famous Iditarod Race, after its official start in Anchorage.

Other destinations

 * - at Kenai Fjords, glaciers, earthquakes, and ocean storms are the architects.
 * - the continent's largest assemblage of glaciers and greatest collection of peaks above
 * - the second largest forest in the country and home to a network of trails for hiking and mt. biking.

By plane
Visitors will most likely arrive at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage with Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. From Anchorage, the highway goes in two directions, either south to the Kenai Peninsula or north to the MatSu Valley (Palmer and Wasilla), where the road splits into either the Parks Highway (Denali, Fairbanks) or the Glenn Highway (Glennallen, Canada).

 * Homer Airport has flights from Anchorage with Ravn Alaska.
 * Kenai Municipal Airport has flights from Anchorage.

 * Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport (Cordova) : Alaska Airlines has flights from Anchorage, Juneau, Seattle, and Yakutat as it is part of the 'milk run.' Ravn Alaska has flights to Anchorage.
 * Valdez Airport has flights from Anchorage with Ravn Alaska.

By train
The Alaska Railroad runs passenger trains to Seward on the Kenai Peninsula in the summer and north to Fairbanks year round.

By car
There are plenty of rental car agencies in Anchorage, but it is important to book ahead in the high season.

By boat
Another way of getting here is the Alaska Marine Highway

By bus
There is a bus service south to the Kenai year round.

Get around
There is public transportation in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Itineraries

 * Iditarod Trail

Stay safe
Stay away from moose! Feeding them is dangerous and people have been killed by angered moose - they are much faster than they look!

title: Southcentral Alaska


text:
South Central Arizona

South Central Arizona is a region in Arizona, a state of the United States of America.

Talk
English is the primary language although Spanish is widely understood and spoken, with many residents being bilingual.

By plane
Tucson International Airport ,

By car
I-10 connects Tucson with Phoenix to the north and New Mexico to the east, while I-19 connects Tucson with Nogales in the south. Smaller highways AZ 83 and AZ 82 provide access from further east along I-10 and from southeast Arizona, respectively.

Get around
As there is no public transportation, a car is essential. A four-wheel drive is recommended if you want to get off the beaten track.

See

 * The Empire Ranch is a beautifully-situated historic ranch from the 1860s. The area offers good opportunities for a range of outdoor activities, including birding, hiking, and horseback riding.
 * The Kentucky Camp is a ghost town and former mining camp which is maintained by the Coronado National Forest. A few buildings have been restored, and for a unique experience visitors can rent one of the buildings for an overnight stay (see listing below).
 * Ruby ghost town, near Nogales is one of the best preserved ghost towns in Arizona, with ongoing conservation efforts.
 * The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory near the Madera Canyon has a Visitor and Science Center that showcases astrophysics exhibits, views of the surrounding Santa Rita Mountains and has guided tours of the MMT Observatory.

Festivals and events

 * The Labor Day Rodeo in Sonoita is a three-day traditional rodeo, held annually in September.
 * The Annual Sonoita Horse Races is a weekend of live races in May with Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, with betting and food.

Parks and outdoor activities

 * The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge near Altar Valley was established for the reintroduction of masked bobwhite quail and pronghorn antelope. A number of other mammals and avian species are well-established here, making this an excellent place for watching birds and wildlife.
 * The Madera Canyon is an outstanding place for watching birds and wildlife, with over 250 avian species identified so far. Many trails in the Santa Ritas can also be accessed from the picnic site.
 * Baboquivari Peak Wilderness in Altar Valley is a remote wilderness area on the eastern side of the Baboquivari Mountain Range 50 mi (80 km) southwest of Tucson. It is notable for the spectacular Baboquivari Peak. The area offers good opportunities for hiking and photography.
 * Baboquivari Peak Wilderness in Altar Valley is a remote wilderness area on the eastern side of the Baboquivari Mountain Range 50 mi (80 km) southwest of Tucson. It is notable for the spectacular Baboquivari Peak. The area offers good opportunities for hiking and photography.

 * Agua Linda Farm near Tubac is a privately owned farm/ranch which opens to the public for seasonal events.
 * Agua Linda Farm near Tubac is a privately owned farm/ranch which opens to the public for seasonal events.

Outdoors
As elsewhere in the region, precautions should be taken to guard against heatstroke and dehydration which can come about very rapidly – always take more water than you think you will need. Heat exhaustion can occur very quickly, with symptoms including dizziness, rapid breathing, heavy sweating, and muscle spasms.

The most commonly encountered wildlife is rattlesnakes, which are active from spring through fall, and tend to hide in brush or in crevices during the heat of the day. The best way to avoid bites is to never place your hands or feet where you haven't looked first. Wear boots or sturdy shoes for outdoor activity. If you are bitten, seek medical attention immediately.

Also commonly encountered are javelinas (peccaries), pig-like mammals which travel in herds. While they generally avoid people, they are very near-sighted and protective of their young, and will attack if they feel at all threatened. Make as much noise as possible so that they are not surprised and panic.

Black bears are found in a few mountain ranges, notably in the Santa Rita Mountains and in the Baboquivari range. When camping, secure your food away from your campsite; when hiking, make plenty of noise.

Drug and human trafficking
By 2013, south central Arizona had become a corridor for drug trafficking, particularly in remote areas away from population centers. Hiking and camping in certain areas near the border may be inadvisable; inquire locally as to current conditions, or contact the nearest Border Patrol office for guidelines.

The Border Patrol maintains several checkpoints monitoring all north-bound traffic: the north of Tubac, the  west of Amado, the, and the more mobile  north of Sonoita. Occasionally there is a when the Highway 83 checkpoint is not operating. Drivers passing through should lower their windows; agents may ask limited questions regarding residency or immigration status of any driver or passenger, although frequently they will simply wave cars through. You do have the right to refuse to answer such questions, but this could result in detention while your immigration status is verified.

Go next
Head north to Phoenix, or cross into Sonora, Mexico through Nogales. Neighboring southeast Arizona is also easily accessible.

title: South Central Arizona


text:
South-central China

The Southern Central Region of China is largely an agricultural area, but it has some quite large cities and considerable industry as well. This area is generally poorer than the coastal provinces on the eastern and southern coasts and is the main source of migrant laborers for those provinces.

Cities

 * , Hunan
 * , Hunan - a beautiful historical city
 * , Anhui
 * , Jiangxi, a center of pottery
 * , Jiangxi
 * , Hubei
 * , Hubei

Other destinations

 * , Cruise along the Yangtze River between Yichang and Chongqing
 * The birthplace of Tai chi
 * Scenic Area nature reserve
 * in Zhangjiajie
 * (Yellow Mountain)

Get around
As elsewhere in China, there is an extensive rail network. Rail is the main means of inter-city travel for the Chinese themselves, and many visitors travel that way as well. The system now includes fast bullet trains on most major routes; unless your budget is very tight, these are the best way to go — fast, clean and comfortable.

All the major cities have airports with good domestic connections; some have international connections as well. See the individual city articles for details.

There is also an extensive highway network, much of it very good. Buses go almost anywhere, somewhat cheaper than the trains. See the China article for more. Driving yourself is also a possibility, but often problematic due to the dangerous driving habits and lack of law enforcement; see Driving in China.

See

 * The beautiful Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan
 * Historic sites from the 1911 Wuchang Uprising in Wuhan

Stay safe
As with most mainland China your only risk is being pick pocketed provided you use common sense. Driving can be very dangerous, in particular in places with mountainous roads and during heavy down pours. Some people recommend sitting at the back of the bus in case of a crash. On occasion foreigners are banned from minority regions (Tibetan) during political sensitive times without warning and you will be sent back and fined if you are discovered. More likely you will not even be able to buy a ticket. Check out beforehand if traveling into these areas to make sure they are open! (West Sichuan)

title: South-central China


text:
South Central Colorado

South Central Colorado is a region in the US state of Colorado. It includes many attractions historically placed in the Western Slope region of the Rocky Mountains, but extends into the geographically distinct San Juan Mountains, with the pleasant San Luis Valley between the major ranges.

Cities

 * , at the region's northeastern tip, is the largest city in the region, and second largest in Colorado.
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities
 * , at the region's northeastern tip, is the largest city in the region, and second largest in Colorado.
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities
 * — popular for camping and outdoor activities

Other destinations
Recreation and rugged natural beauty are the common denominators for South Central Colorado's parks and forests.

 * Arapahoe National Forest
 * Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area - Near Buena Vista. Recognized as one of the nation's most popular locations for whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Arkansas River - the most commercially rafted river in the world.
 * Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
 * Garden of the Gods - Administered by Colorado Springs, the red rock pillars, arches and bluffs frame snow covered Pikes Peak in the distance. An easy hike, bike ride, or way to exhaust the memory on your digital camera.
 * Great Sand Dunes National Park
 * Mount Evans Wilderness
 * Pike National Forest - Near Colorado Springs. Home of Pikes Peak, the most visited mountain in North America and the second most visited mountain in the world behind Japan's Mount Fuji. Be sure to drive to the top or ride the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
 * Rio Grande National Forest
 * San Isabel National Forest - The true high country in Colorado, with 19 of the state's "14ers," including Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado, just outside the region in neighboring Northwestern Colorado.
 * Bishop Castle, a forty-year (and counting) construction project undertaken by a man with a vision, has become a tourist destination in its own right. The building is constructed from stone collected locally, and it features a 160-foot tower, stained glass windows, and countless unusual architectural details. It's free to see and explore, but be careful, as it's still an active construction site.

Understand
Roughly speaking, this region is bounded on the:
 * South, by the New Mexico state line;
 * West, by the Continental Divide (plus or minus a few things in the Southwestern Colorado region) in the San Juan Mountains;
 * North, by the northern boundaries of Lake and Park Counties, as well as Interstate 70 that bisects Clear Creek Country near Georgetown, and the metropolitan Denver Area.
 * East, by the eastern slope of the Rockies and the beginning of Colorado's Eastern Plains.

Region boundaries in Colorado are indistinct, and sometimes contentious. If you're looking for a destination/attraction that you think should be in this region, but can't find it, check the pages for Northwestern Colorado, Eastern Plains, Denver Area, and even Southwestern Colorado.

Geography
This region is dominated by the mountainous scenery that most people think of when they hear "Colorado." About half of the state's Fourteeners, mountains with summits above 14,000 ft, are here, and even the valley levels are above 6500 ft except on the eastern slope. This high elevation means that altitude sickness is an issue for the visitor freshly up from sea level. If you're coming from near sea level, it's a good idea to spend your first day or two in the region acclimatizing to the altitude in the cities before heading to the high country. Colorado Springs, the region's largest city, and neighboring Manitou Springs have things to do that will keep you occupied as you acclimatize. This said, most of the attractions and destinations here are in the great outdoors; bring hiking boots or skis.

Talk
English. This is one region of Colorado where there are significant numbers of Spanish speakers, but unlike the equivalent region across the New Mexico state line, there are no towns where there is a Spanish-speaking majority, or any need for fluency in Spanish.

Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Alamosa (because of the presence of a university) all give reasonable chances of running into speakers of other major world languages. Great Sand Dunes National Park may have limited interpretive materials in major languages as well.

By plane
San Luis Valley Regional Airport

By foot
For the dedicated long-distance hiker the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (in short Continental Divide Trail) is a United States National Scenic Trail running 3,100 miles between Mexico and Canada. It follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five U.S. states; Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Get around
During the winter, heavy ice and snow are a major concern, which can make driving difficult and slow going. Always check the weather and road conditions before heading out. Even on a clear winter's day, make sure your vehicle's wiper fluid reservoir is full. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) spreads both sand and magnesium chloride on the roads, which makes for an impenetrable, gluey mess on your windshield.

In the summer months, it's not uncommon to see the shoulders of the highways littered with broken-down vehicles that could not handle the steep grades and high altitude air of the Rocky Mountains. If you are venturing from a lower altitude, make sure your car can handle mountain driving. Thinner air means you will be burning more gasoline. Also, with so many steep grades, expect to gear down to avoid unnecessary friction to your brake pads.

Hiking

 * This is a great region for hiking, with several major mountain ranges including a large number of "Fourteeners" (mountains with summit elevations above 14,000'). Alamosa, Buena Vista, Salida, and far more famous Aspen are all good bases of operations if you're day hiking.
 * Ski Loveland. Loveland is a ski area located 52 miles west of Denver on the Continental Divide. It offers a large area for a low price, as it is not a resort. It is a favorite spot for locals because of this. It boasts a lift that gives access to hundreds of acres bordering the continental divide. There are two areas called Loveland Basin and Loveland Valley. The latter is primarily for beginners (with a few challenging runs), but the Basin is the top destination.
 * Ski Loveland. Loveland is a ski area located 52 miles west of Denver on the Continental Divide. It offers a large area for a low price, as it is not a resort. It is a favorite spot for locals because of this. It boasts a lift that gives access to hundreds of acres bordering the continental divide. There are two areas called Loveland Basin and Loveland Valley. The latter is primarily for beginners (with a few challenging runs), but the Basin is the top destination.

Water Activities

 * Boating. Most reservoirs are too small for powerboating, but flatwater kayaking and canoeing are permitted on most bodies of water throughout the region.
 * Fishing. Streams and reservoirs are open to fishing on the north slope of Pikes Peak and throughout the region.
 * White water rafting. The Arkansas River is one of the most rafted rivers in the country, and makes for a great full day, or overnight activity. Major operators are located in Buena Vista.

Health
There's no reason to fear the mountains, as long as you approach them with proper respect and preparation. As with anywhere else, recklessness and a lack of forethought can get you into trouble, especially in Colorado's vast back country.

 * Altitude sickness - Can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea, even blackouts and pulmonary edema. Give your body a few days to adjust to the high altitudes before going full throttle with your hiking or skiing.
 * Dehydration - When you engage in strenuous outdoor activities, be sure to replenish your fluids as you go. You may be losing moisture through your mouth and nose and through sweating, but be completely unaware due to the arid mountain air. May result in dizziness, intense thirst and elevated heart and breath rates.
 * Giardia - Drinking untreated water from regional streams is not a good idea owing to Giardia parasites, but tap water is not a problem.
 * Hypothermia - Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in confusion, a slowed heart rate, lethargy, even death. Dress warmly in non cotton clothing to allow any sweat to wick away from your body and evaporate. Otherwise, it may thoroughly chill you later in the day when temperatures drop.
 * Frostbite - During periods of severe cold, your circulatory system pulls all your warming blood into the core of your body to protect your vital organs. This makes your extremities such as your ears, fingers and nose especially vulnerable. Wear a face mask, insulated gloves and other heavy gear on the worst winter days. It gets cold sitting still on those ski lifts!
 * Sunburn - Lather up with sunscreen, even if there's cloud cover. Colorado's high elevation means you have less protection to the sun's powerful ultra violet rays. This can be compounded while skiing or snowboarding, when the rays are reflected off the snow and hits the underside of your jaw. Don't forget to wear UV-rated goggles or sunglasses, as well. There's nothing more painful than sunburned eyeballs.

Safety

 * Avalanches - Colorado claims about a third of all avalanche deaths in the U.S. The ski resorts have groomed slopes that are safe, but it is extremely dangerous to ski or snowboard outside of the designated terrain. It's popular amongst daredevil skiers to "run the chutes," steep, shaded slopes that funnel into tight gullies. These are classic avalanche zones. Far more common (and deadly) are slab avalanches that break along a fault line and bury unsuspecting snow mobilers or skiers. Always wear a homing beacon and check the conditions at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center before heading into the back country.
 * Lightning - This is especially deadly in the high country above timberline when no shelter is nearby. If you hear crackling or hissing sounds, or your hair begins to stand on end, squat down immediately in the "lightning desperation position" - feet together and your hands clapped over your ears. Remember, a tent and inflatable mattress offer no protection from a lightning strike. Avoid the high ground, or solitary objects like trees that stick out higher than the surrounding terrain (they may act like natural lightning rods). For more information, see the safety tips at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA).

title: South Central Colorado


text:
South Central Idaho

South Central Idaho is in Idaho.

Cities

 * – home of Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument.
 * — Home of the internationally renowned Perrine Bridge BASE jumping site, and Evel Kneivel's Snake River rocket-powered motorcycle jump attempt.
 * – home of Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument.
 * — Home of the internationally renowned Perrine Bridge BASE jumping site, and Evel Kneivel's Snake River rocket-powered motorcycle jump attempt.
 * — Home of the internationally renowned Perrine Bridge BASE jumping site, and Evel Kneivel's Snake River rocket-powered motorcycle jump attempt.

Talk
As in the rest of Idaho, English is the main language and the only language travelers can be assured of not encountering any difficulty with. However, Spanish is widely spoken by a significant Hispanic minority throughout the region. Many people from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union have been brought in by a refugee center operated by the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, creating a community of Russian and Bosnian speakers.

See
Rupert has the Sugar Beet Drop as an annual New Year celebration.

The Minidoka Power Museum showcases the history of power and engines.

Do
A highlight of this area is the scenery far to the south of I-84 that includes unique geological formations that have been set aside in the City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park, both part of the Albion Mountains. A good way to do this is by taking the City of Rocks Backcountry Byway, which is described in more detail on the Burley city page.

title: South Central Idaho


text:
South Central Iowa

South Central Iowa is in the Midwest region of the United States of America.

Understand
This region includes the counties of Mahaska, Keokuk, Union, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wapello, Ringgold, Decatur, Wayne, Appanoose, and Davis.

title: South Central Iowa