Famed for its twenty-nine miles of beaches, Santa Cruz lures visitors with surf, sun, and a Coney Island-esque beach boardwalk. Food wise, it leans very casual for settings, but the quality of food can be quite elevated. The weather is
This was our first really ambitious winter road trip - several thousand miles, two countries and multiple states, temperatures dropping to below 15F, and quite a few ski resorts. It was wonderful, and has inspired a pattern of Christmas-time travel. Map
This was a great trip - stunning coastline, well-paced from a driving perspective, no crowds, great food. Perfect for people who like redwoods and dramatic rocky beaches. Our nine-day itinerary - oriented around a wedding and a bit pressed for
The drive from Mendocino up to 101 is amazing, in great condition and with spectacular views (excepting Ft. Bragg, which is rather grim). Just as you hit 101, make a quick turn towards Leggett and drive through a redwood tree
Mendocino is a coastal town north of San Francisco - a good distance for a weekend getaway. It’s beautiful, in a cold and wind-swept way, not a “sunny beach” experience at all. You’ll find art galleries, interesting historical sites (logging,
Despite a lot of closures, San Francisco is still an excellent foodie city. Do your research, make reservations. Eater SF is a good resource. I haven’t spent a ton of time in the city as a tourist, but my favorite sites
Situated on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel is known for its natural scenery and rich history. It’s a beautiful place for a weekend getaway, with picturesque cottage-style architecture. The weather tends to be fairly overcast, but you can escape for wine
The Gold Country is a historic region in the northern portion of California, primarily on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. It’s famous for the mineral deposits and gold mines that attracted waves of immigrants, known as the 49ers,
Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, towering granite peaks, deep valleys and ancient giant sequoias. A national park since 1890, it’s iconic and one of the most beautiful places you can visit. It’s also insanely crowded most
Driving Highway 395 is one of the truly great road trips - a unique landscape packed with history and geologic sites. It’s not a forgiving landscape, with temperatures frequently above 100F in summer and frigid and snow covered in winter. In