Cultural Weekend Getaways

Even in a state enviable for a laid-back culture and countless natural and culinary assets, San Diego is a place apart. The sprawling, sun-drenched city has a paradisaical feel, with a number of attractions (including zoos and beaches) that often rank among the very top in the nation. Indeed, California’s southernmost city offers so much it would be impossible to see it all in one weekend, but we’ve outlined the nuts and

Big Sur is not something a lot of people do car-free. It takes an adventurer to respond to the challenge of taking a carless trip down the infamously winding two-lane road called the Pacific Coast Highway. But, if you do have that wild free spirit in you, it’s much more doable than you might ever expect. Our two favorite options are by bike or bus. Biking is a spectacular choice

Since 1905, La Playa Carmel has been standing watch over the rugged Pacific coast, both a “hidden gem” and a landmark mainstay of artsy Carmel-by-the-Sea. And in August of 2012, Carmel’s “Grand Dame” entered a whole new era when it re-opened after a multi-million dollar makeover, as notable for what it left the same as for what it changed. To be sure, La Playa Carmel received myriad lavish upgrades, from

It’s only 80-some miles from Los Angeles, but it may as well be 8,000. Ojai, or “the Shangri-La” as natives like to call it, certainly is the mystical and harmonious valley depicted in the movie Lost Horizons (filmed in Ojai in 1937). The small-town charm is lost on no one, and oftentimes strangers will wave to you as they drive down the street (they must, after all, know you from somewhere).

The second leg of my epic trip on the Coast Starlight Train took me from Monterey, down into Central California and stopping in San Luis Obispo—the idyllic blue-sky city that loves to tout its recognition as “the happiest city in America.” Getting There: The train from Salinas station to San Luis Obispo takes 3 hours, 20 minutes (from $40, or $55 total for a direct ticket from San Francisco). The

The drive down US-1 from San Francisco to San Diego is widely celebrated as America’s most scenic drive. But what’s a car-free traveler to do? Many people don’t realize there is in fact an eco-friendly route down California’s coast, via Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train. While certainly not a choice for those who insist on traveling fast, the Coast Starlight’s path is just as picturesque as a coastal drive, and even

Palm Springs is a desert paradise with an urban sensibility. Visually striking, the natural scenery and deep blue sky form a perfect backdrop for this vibrant city’s eclectic display of modern architecture. Sun-starved? Look no further, as this Coachella Valley community, nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains, enjoys 350 days of sunshine annually. Outdoor activities rule here, whether you want to hike, bike, hot air balloon or just lie by your

The word “Napa” conjures images of delicate grapevines in neat little rows, whiffs of “cherry layered with tobacco and a spicy accent,” the magical sensation that overcomes the whole body when a crisp, fruit-forward white is paired with a friendly sun and just a hint of a breeze… Yes, the valley’s famed wines are worth experiencing many times over. But they aren’t all of Napa. Not even close. It’s true