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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.

Located in the northwest corner of the park, just below the travertine terraces of the hot springs that gave the property its name, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel has recently broken ground on the second phase of a two-part renovation that is updating the historic 1936 structure’s 97 guest rooms. The 118 basic-but-comfortable cabins are still available in the meantime. While some have en-suite bathrooms (a few enjoy an enclosed six-person hot tub), others require sharing lavatory and shower facilities. All guests have access to the hotel’s restaurant and grill—a good spot for sipping a huckleberry margarita at the end of the day—but most can be found observing the elk and bison that roam free on the grounds from their cabins’ small front porch. If you need a break from wildlife viewings, self-guided tours of old Fort Yellowstone, built for the Army cavalrymen who once protected the land and which today houses the park’s headquarters, are available.

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.

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

We’re not knocking the Northeast’s fall colors—but the third-largest state has some prime places for vibrant leaves as well.

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.

Plan a dream vacation in sunny California to suit all types of interests.

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

Southern Californians love Mammoth—and it’s easy to see why.

Three creative Californians share the landscapes, neighborhoods, and lesser-known places that inspire their work.

A historic snowpack means some of California’s ski resorts will be open much later this year, but the sheer volume of snow in the western U.S. also presents numerous challenges. Here’s what to know before you go.

What could be more all-American than escaping your everyday routine and holing up in a cozy retreat by one of the country’s picturesque lakes?

Beyond late-season skiing and snowboarding, these mountains go all out with music, festivals, and competitions.