Former US President Barack Obama leaves Washington for California vacation

Former President of the United States Barack Obama waves from a helicopter as newly elected United States President Donald Trump walks with wife Melania Trump back to the Capitol Building after Trump is sworn in at the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, January 20, 2017. PHOTO | JOHN ANGELILLO | EPA

What you need to know:

  • Donald Trump was sworn in at the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, on Friday.
  • Trump won the November 08, 2016 election to become the next US President.

Former president Barack Obama departed from Washington Friday for a short vacation in California with his wife Michelle after handing over power to his Republican successor Donald Trump.

"Our democracy is not the buildings. It's not the monuments. It's you," Obama told well-wishers shortly before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in suburban Maryland just outside the capital.

The former president is heading to Palm Springs, California to wind down after completing eight years in office.