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Taught by Chez Panisse’s head chef and set on a ranch in California’s wine country, these cooking classes are pretty darn dreamy.

Built between 1914 and 1916 on an octagonal base, this stone, double-lens lighthouse is Aruba’s marquee landmark. Standing tall at 98 feet, it’s the highest structure on the island and offers the best views in its respective area. It gets its name from the SS California, a British steamship that sank in nearby waters in 1891 and now functions as a fantastic dive site. Adjacent to the lighthouse, visitors will find a beloved Italian restaurant and the California White Sand Dunes, a hot spot for dune surfing.

This Neoclassical building from the mid-19th century stands at one end of a large urban park. The interior of the Capitol is worth a visit—its rotunda and historic rooms reflect the history of lawmaking and governing in this state. The small exhibits from every California county highlight the natural beauty and local specialties from all parts of the state. They line the downstairs addition, which is enhanced with Art Deco details and includes the governor’s office. Outside the Capitol is Capitol Park, one of my favorite outdoor spaces in Sacramento. The paths wind past trees from all over the world (a map is available), memorials, a succulent garden, and a rose garden at the other end of the park.

The California Academy of Sciences is an unfortunately stuffy name for an institution that is anything but staid. The country’s largest natural-history museum includes an aquarium, a planetarium, an enormous rain-forest exhibit under a 27-meter-tall (90-foot-tall) dome, and a living roof that looks like a science-fiction fantasy. A visit here can feel like a trip to an amusement park, with a series of attractions to check out, but all of them are educational. The building itself is part of the appeal of the Academy. (Like the nearby de Young, the old home of the California Academy of Sciences was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and starchitect Renzo Piano designed its very environmentally friendly replacement.) It would be easy to spend an entire day or more seeing all of the Academy’s exhibits, so be prepared to pick and choose among them.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, we all have a very personal approach to which experiences we’re more comfortable with and how to minimize risks. Two AFAR staffers share their different takes.

With sun, surf, and spa treatments, Hotel del Coronado is an unbeatable summer destination.

From spa escapes to fine dining under the stars, these parks show how nature and luxury converge.

From seaweed-driven dishes to Séka Hills olive oils, Indigenous chefs and growers are redefining how California eats. We checked in with a chef at the heart of the movement, Monterey Bay’s Christina Lonewolf.

If things go wrong on a trip, you need to know about insurance, air travel, and medical care. Here’s how to navigate the situation, who to call, and what to ask.

Travel insurance could be the difference between a huge medical bill or a modest copay. Use these tips to find the best policy for your trip.

Visitors come to paddle, picnic, and bike along Folsom Lake, rarely realizing they’re standing on the site of a once-booming Black Gold Rush settlement.

Here’s everything you need to know about what kind of insurance coverage is truly worth the investment when you book a cruise.

Everything you need to know about rental car insurance before your next trip.

From cosmic yoga in the redwoods to alternative approaches to urban self-care, California is the perfect place to support well-being.

From Klamath paddling to Mojave hiking, Indigenous guides show new ways to explore and care for California’s standout landscapes.