4 Best Sights in USA

In early December the park hosts the Red Rock Balloon Rally; although it's smaller in scale than Albuquerque's international extravaganza, some 200 balloons ascending amid the smooth-faced sandstone cliffs makes this one special.

The town comes to life—and traffic to a standstill—on the third weekend in October, when some 250,000 people gather for the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival. Highlights include a parade, pie-eating contests, live music, plenty of pumpkin-themed food and drink, and a "weigh-off" of giant pumpkins, some more than 1,900 pounds.

The prosperity that water brought to Modesto has attracted people from all over the world. The city holds a well-attended International Heritage Festival in early October that celebrates the cultures, crafts, and cuisines of many nationalities.

Just off the coast at Half Moon Bay is Mavericks, one of the biggest surfing breaks in the world when there's a big swell. Waves here have reportedly reached 60 feet in height, and some surfers get towed out to them by Jet Skis. The break is roughly a mile offshore, so seeing it from the coast can be tough and requires a challenging hike. Every year, if the conditions are just right, the word goes out that the Mavericks surf competition will take place, and the world's best surfers rush to town for the famous invitational. The Mavericks competition is best viewed on closed-circuit TV at local bars.