California

Oakland, California is a living canvas of culture and nature colliding in the most exhilarating ways. 

Nestled between the Bay and the redwoods, history hums beneath your feet, creativity spills into the streets, and nature invites you to breathe more deeply. It’s comprised of the rhythm of footfalls around Lake Merritt, the rustle of redwoods in the wind, the echoes of history in a museum hall, the taste of something incredible at Jack London Square, and the pulse of live music or sports. 

Tucked in the heart of California’s Central Valley, Modesto is a city brimming with soul, art, history, architecture, deliciousness, and experiences that will stay with you forever.

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling the California-Nevada border. It is particularly famous as a tourist destination for its unique combination of stunning beaches and ski resorts. The lake, which is the largest alpine body of water in the U.S., was formed about two million years ago, and is known for the clarity of its waters and the panorama of surrounding mountains. 

Retreat. The word conjures visions of luxury and purpose. Ours was no different. Three of us headed for Shelter Cove on the lost coast of California. Christened the "Lost Coast" after a 1930s population drain, the name reflects the area’s difficult accessibility. Challenges posed by the steep coastal mountains prevented construction along this stretch of Pacific coast and forced Highway 101 to jut inland. Travelers overlook this 80 mile stretch of the most undeveloped and underexplored portion of the California coast.

Move over Seattle, San Francisco is on your caffeinated heels. Coffee is the lifeblood of most Americans, with 83 percent considering themselves coffee-drinkers. Whether you want coffee in the morning or afternoon, from a coffee shop or a regular eatery that offers coffee, chains like Starbucks are becoming just as commonplace as McDonald's. But, San Franvisco urges you to cut the chains and try out some of these top local coffee houses in the area next time you're around.

The weather gods sent us a flawless day to wander San Francisco. Bob and I targeted the historic Ferry Building to enjoy the sun and warm, and indulge a bit of browsing.  It’s a destination easily combined with a trip to Alcatraz, Sausalito, or Fisherman’s Wharf.

Are you heading to San Francisco soon? Well, you’re going to love it. San Francisco is one of those cities that’s friendly, compact and really easy to get around if you only have a few days, making it the perfect destination for a long weekend. 

There are plenty of well-priced hotels in San Francisco, meaning you can see the city on foot or via the cable cars without having to travel a long way into the center from the suburbs.

Sonoma County, California is primarily an agricultural area - food is treated with the reverence and respect it deserves. From olive groves to dairy farms, vineyards to the bounty of the sea, Sonoma County is a place to savor.

Santa Barbara, California occupies some of the state's prime coastal real estate. The city has even trade-marked the tagline The American Riviera - that should tell you something. It's a popular destination for its natural beauty, beaches, Spanish colonial architecture, restaurants, and outdoor activities. Located just two hours north of Los Angeles, it's also a hotspot for celebrities of all types to escape the city for a relaxing weekend. If all of this sounds like mucho dinero to you, well, you're not wrong.

One look out my window, and there was no mistaking where I was. The early morning sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds and buildings. I lay there watching the light show thinking, I MUST GET UP.  The sun was shining and I was in San Francisco, one of the most beautiful cities in the world - but I did not want to get out of my bed. You may be thinking I had a wee bit too much wine the night before, or perhaps there was another, more seductive reason to linger. But no, it was the bed itself that wooed me.