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Big Sur bridge spanningn two low mountains with the ocean underneath

11 Easy Weekend Getaways in California—From Wine Country to Coastal Escapes

Take a much-needed break with one of these easy weekend getaways in California—you can taste wines, shuck oysters, go kayaking, visit a field of flowers, or even visit a tattoo museum.

July 29, 2025 10:20 AM

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Jessie Beck

A few of the facade and pool of Auberge de Soleil in Napa Valley.

Health + Wellness

California Wellness Retreats Worth the Trip

Whether by the beach, in the desert, or among the redwoods, these wellness stays redefine self-care

Sponsored by Visit California

Weekend Getaways

11 Easy, Drivable Weekend Getaway Ideas From San Francisco

Get away from the city with one of these close-by destinations throughout Northern and Central California.

May 9, 2024 03:50 PM

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Jessie Beck

Local Getaways: Escape to the Mendocino Coast

Weekend Getaways

How to Spend a Weekend on California’s Mendocino Coast

Wild trees, wild coast, mellow people.

March 19, 2021 01:21 PM

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Aislyn Greene

Lone tent on a grassy field by the ocean

U.S. Beaches

Wake Up to the Waves at These Beautiful Beach Camping Spots in California

Go right from your sleeping bag to the sand at one of these 14 beachside campsites.

June 16, 2025 02:13 AM

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Jessie Beck

Redwood trees in Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve in Mendocino County

Outdoor Adventure

This Underrated California Region Is Getting Three New State Parks

The initiative represents the biggest expansion of California’s state parks system in decades.

May 6, 2026 05:31 PM

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Jackie Bryant

A man in blue and orange clothing harvesting oysters

Food + Drink

Pick Olives, Crush Grapes, and Dig for Truffles at These Hotels in Europe, Asia, and the U.S.

On your next vacation, get your hands dirty harvesting and foraging and eat the fruits of your labor.

November 11, 2025 12:47 PM

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Sophie Friedman

Outdoor Adventure

10 Great Places to Go Glamping With Kids in the U.S.

Whether you’re Under Canvas or in a reimagined Conestoga wagon that sleeps six, you’ll have a memorable vacation with the whole family.

June 21, 2021 01:43 PM

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Tanvi Chheda

A blue and grey train traveling along coastal tracks, with ocean and beach grass on one side and trees in the background

Trains

You Can See California’s Beautiful Nature by Train. These Are the Most Scenic Routes to Take.

Hop aboard a family-friendly train ride through redwood forests or an adults-only trip in Napa wine country.

May 14, 2026 05:06 AM

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Alesandra Dubin

Embrace the Slow Life—and Maybe a Few Trees—in Big Sur

Road Trips

California’s One of the Best States for Road Trips—11 Photo-Worthy Drives That Prove It

The coastal Highway 1 route is, of course, on the list, along with many you may have never heard of.

July 17, 2025 09:46 AM

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Jessie Beck

Hiking + Cycling

Hiking With Passion, Hiking With H.E.A.T.

How one writer discovered a love of the outdoors and a community of like-minded newcomers to hiking who looked just like her.

April 20, 2021 06:00 PM

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Kristin Braswell

Man and boy hiking on a forest path in the fall

Road Trips

4 All-American Family Road Trips—and Tips for Surviving

Let these trip ideas fuel your next family adventure.

October 17, 2024 06:00 PM

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Tanvi Chheda

Sal Salis is located in Western Australia's Cape Range National Park.

Hotels We Love

The World’s Best Glamping Retreats

These 19 glamping retreats are the best in the world at delivering the finer things under canvas.

May 1, 2026 09:50 AM

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Jennifer Flowers

Road Trips

A Food- and Wine-Centric Road Trip Along California’s Highway 128

Featuring a diverse range of landscapes, foods, and attractions, a road trip along this lesser-traveled route highlights the best of Northern California’s food and nature.

May 26, 2021 01:18 PM

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Jessie Beck

AFAR Advisor

How to See California Where the Redwoods Meet the Vineyards

Local vineyard owner Theodora R. Lee gives us the perfect guide for the lesser-known Anderson Valley wine region.

June 8, 2021 06:09 AM

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Annie Fitzsimmons

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