Tour the 17-Mile Drive—preferably in a convertible—around the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links, ogling fantasy mansions with ocean views. Read More
Take a kayak tour ($50) of the bay from Cannery Row. Read More
The University of California at Santa Cruz mascot, the banan slug, adorns hats, mugs, t-shirts, and other goodies at the campus store. Read More
Although the 12-mile trail takes about six hours, moderate hikers can easily handle it (pick up a map at the ranger station before starting out). Read More
The hike through Big Sur is challenging with lots of switchbacks. Read More
The old canneries made famous by John Steinbeck are now filled with shops, restaurants, and galleries. Read More
Don’t miss this out-of-the-way (and out-of-the-ordinary) vineyard, which specializes in Rhône Valley varietals (think Grenache and Mourv... Read More
The old-time candy shop is a sweet-lover's inspiration. Read More
That they serve garlic ice cream is no surprise in the garlic capital of the world, where the annual Garlic Festival dazzles garlic lovers with food,... Read More
Along with a sparkling strand and a gently honky-tonk wharf, Santa Cruz has a boardwalk graced with the Giant Dipper—one of the oldest wooden... Read More
Tour Hearst Castle, perched high on La Cuestra Encantada (“the enchanted hill”) nine miles north of Cambria. The closest thing California... Read More
Poke into this charming shop for exquisite French antiques and linens. Read More
Deep within Los Padres National Forest, Pfeiffer Beach is a surreal mix of purple sand, giant redwoods, sycamores, and oaks. Offshore, a smattering of... Read More
This winery is a best bet for educational tastings and tours. Travelers can visit the wine caves and a ISOSCELES Library 120 feet underground. Tastings... Read More
Stop here for the best carne asada around. Read More
Splurge on a romantic balloon ride over the vineyards. Read More
Start, of course, with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Its Splash Zone, an interactive exhibit for kids, recently doubled in size—now you can walk ... Read More
Stock up on house-made sausages and organic greens to bring with you on the hike. Read More
Deep within Los Padres National Forest, Pfeiffer Beach is a surreal mix of purple sand, giant redwoods, sycamores, and oaks. Offshore, a smattering of... Read More
Everyone will love Piedras Blancas, one of only three traditional tower-style lighthouses in California. Read More
Use the park’s western entrance to get to the High Peaks Trail, a 5.5-mile round-trip hike among blooming lupines and poppies (in spring) and... Read More
Stroll down the old-fashioned strip, chomping on corn dogs and sneaking in an arcade game or two. Read More
Stop by this university laboratory to watch jellyfish, hold starfish, and see the 87-foot-long blue whale skeleton. Read More
Build a picnic lunch with focaccia sandwiches. Don’t forget to pick up a Big Sur Bar, a local specialty involving oatmeal, nuts, chocolate,... Read More
The winery runs a development series that culminates in an outdoor excursion to plant and prune vines. Read More
The oldest Zen monastery in the U.S. Read More
A hip clothing boutique stocked with Johnny Was tees and Shu Lami dresses. Read More
The third oldest vintage and contemporary photography gallery in the United States dates to 1974. Over the years, owner Maggi Weston has regularly... Read More
