Elizabeth Linhart Veneman - Moon Northern California

San Franciscos Chinatown Gate.

Surrounding San Francisco is a region as diverse as the city itself. To the north, Marin offers wilderness seekers a quick reprieve from the city, while ethnic diversity and intellectual curiosity give the East Bay a hip, urban edge. On the southern Peninsula, beaches and farmland are within quick driving distance of the entrepreneurial culture of Silicon Valley and San Jose.

Northern Californias Wine Country is famous for a reason. This is the place to pamper yourself with excellent wines, fantastic food, and luxurious spas. Napa offers all of the above in spades, while Sonoma is the place to catch a bit of history and to enjoy a mellow atmosphere. The Russian River adds redwoods and a bit of river rafting to the mix.

For deserted beaches, towering redwoods, and scenic coastal towns, cruise north along The Redwood Coast. Explore Russian history at Fort Ross on the grassy bluffs of the Sonoma Coast, be romanced by Mendocinos small-town charm and nearby wineries, and discover the quirky, hippie charm of towns like Arcata and Trinidad.

At the southern end of the volcanic Cascade Range are geologic wonders alongside plentiful outdoor recreation. Rent a houseboat on Shasta Lake or spend a few days climbing or skiing dramatic Mount Shasta. You can traverse nearby lava tunnels or travel south to hike through boiling mud pots and fumaroles at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Bright blue skies, granite mountains, and evergreen forests surround jewel-like Lake Tahoe. Glossy hotels and casinos line the South Shore, while the low-key North and West Shores beckon with quiet beaches and miles of hiking, biking, and ski trails. Nevadas East Shore specializes in uninhibited good times, while the Truckee-Donner area adds a bit of Old West flavor to the outdoor scene.

Lake Tahoe

Sacramento and Gold Country

The political epicenter of California is the Gold Rush-era town of Sacramento. More history awaits on the winding scenic highways that crisscross Northern Gold Country. Tour abandoned mines, raft some high-octane white water, go wine-tasting in the Shenandoah Valley, or explore the caves, caverns, and big trees of Southern Gold Country.