Gilroy rarely appears at the top of a first California wish list, and that is exactly why it can work so well. In southern Santa Clara Valley, it offers family attractions, agricultural character, garlic culture and an underrated wine region. The key is to visit it for what it actually is rather than expecting a … Read more
Tiburon rarely appears at the top of a first California wish list, and that is exactly why it can work so well. In Marin County on San Francisco Bay, it offers waterfront walking, ferry travel and wide Bay views without the scale of San Francisco. The key is to visit it for what it actually … Read more
Merced rarely appears at the top of a first California wish list, and that is exactly why it can work so well. In the central San Joaquin Valley, it offers a practical Yosemite gateway, Central Valley culture and lower-key nature stops. The key is to visit it for what it actually is rather than expecting … Read more
Santa Ana rarely appears at the top of a first California wish list, and that is exactly why it can work so well. In central Orange County, it offers museum time, Latino food culture, historic urban fabric and a location close to many Orange County attractions. The key is to visit it for what it … Read more
San Mateo rarely appears at the top of a first California wish list, and that is exactly why it can work so well. In the San Francisco Peninsula, it offers a central Bay Area location, strong dining and easier access to both San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The key is to visit it for what … Read more
Stockton rarely appears at the top of a first California wish list, and that is exactly why it can work so well. In the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Central Valley, it offers Delta geography, a strong regional museum and a multicultural food scene. The key is to visit it for what it actually is rather … Read more
Modesto rarely appears at the top of a first California wish list, and that is exactly why it can work so well. In the northern San Joaquin Valley, it offers car culture, agricultural food, a revived downtown and easy access to Central Valley road-trip routes. The key is to visit it for what it actually … Read more
San Bernardino rarely appears at the top of a first California wish list, and that is exactly why it can work so well. In the Inland Empire at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, it offers Route 66 context, mountain access and a practical position between Los Angeles, desert and alpine destinations. The key … Read more