Solvang
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Nestled in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang is often lovingly referred to as the “Danish Capital of America.” The small city is peppered with Danish-style architecture including windmills, flower-lined streets, and even a replica of 19th century horse-drawn street car.
As seen in the popular movie Sideways (which was partially shot on location in Solvang) there is plenty of wine to sample from nearby vineyards, as well as highly-rated restaurants and bakeries.
For the curious, there are also several museums, including the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, the Han Christian Andersen Museum, and even a Viking museum.
Temecula
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Located in Riverside County and just about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego (if you take the inland route), Temecula features plenty to do for a relaxing weekend vacation. There are nearly 50 wineries now operating in the Temecula Valley, and the craft beer and spirits scene has matured significantly in the last few decades. Old Town Temecula is a charming, walkable region of the city with plenty of shops and restaurants. For the gamblers, Pechanga Resort Casino offers plenty of excitement.
There is also the annual Balloon and Wine Festival typically held the first weekend of June out at the Lake Skinner Recreation area, a local tradition since 1983.
Carmel-By-The-Sea
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Carmel-by-the-Sea is a beautiful coastal city featuring lovely fairytale-style cottages, a walkable central village, and a gorgeous white sand beach. There is a wide variety of inns and cottages for every budget level and plenty of restaurants and wine-tasting rooms to please any palette.
The arts scene in Carmel is vibrant with galleries, art walks, theater groups and so much more. For those who want to explore the history of the art colony origins of Carmel, there are self-guided walking tours.
Be sure to stop by The Cheese Shop at Carmel Plaza to learn the proper way to pronounce ‘gouda’ from a helpful cheesemonger.
Big Sur
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Part of the fun of visiting Big Sur is the winding journey you’ll inevitably take as you make your way there along California’s historic Route 1. Dotted with lodges, inns, cabins, and campsites, a visit is as accommodating for the true outdoorsmen as it is for someone who might turn their nose up to a “glamping trip.”
The area is home to some of the most stunning views in the entire country, particularly those near the historic Bixby Bridge. There’s plenty of hiking to be had — make time to see McWay Falls inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, one of the only waterfalls in the region that deposits into the ocean.
Sonoma County
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Just north of San Francisco, Sonoma County is a beautiful, vast stretch of northern California home to hundreds of wineries, award-winning hotels and resorts, and enough campgrounds and RV parks to make your head spin.
There is something for everyone in Sonoma, from the adventurous outdoorsman to the curious museum-goer. The ancient redwood forests are as stunning as they are humbling. The Charles M. Schulz Museum is a lovely tribute to Peanuts. Get a unique perspective of the county with a ride in a hot air balloon with Sonoma Ballooning. There’s even a petrified forest to explore in Calistoga.
Santa Barbara
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Santa Barbara is located near the central coast of California and has been referred to as “The American Riviera” because of its pleasing year-round climate. If you venture downtown you will be struck by the architecture, with the red-roof tiles and Spanish colonial and Mediterranean influences. Enjoy the natural beauty of the area as there are plenty of pristine beaches and state parks to explore, or sample the fine dining and wine tasting if you’d prefer to go on a gastronomical adventure.
Founded back in 1786, The Old Mission Santa Barbara is a must-see. You have to see for yourself why it’s called the “Queen of the Missions.”
Joshua Tree
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If you are inclined, you can spend a day or two exploring the Joshua Tree National Park. There are campsites, hiking trails, rock climbing, and some of the most stark, stunning vistas that California has to offer.
Outside of the park also has some charms of its own. The area has attracted its fair share of artists and free spirits, so there are plenty of museums, farmers markets, and installations to experience. For live music fans, visit Pappy and Harriets in nearby Pioneertown. The BBQ will also knock your socks off. Pioneertown itself is also worth a visit as it is made up of old movie sets. On occasion, it will feature gun show reenactments and a film museum.
Big Bear Lake
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Big Bear Lake is the largest recreational lake in the state, and the area offers something for everyone year-round. In the winter months, there’s excellent skiing and snowboarding with 19 lifts and 55 runs. In the spring and summer, explore one of the many hiking or mountain biking trails, or just grab the rod and tackle box and enjoy an afternoon of fishing. For some more structured fun, time your visit around one of the many events, festivals, and tournaments that fill the calendar.
Like it says on their inviting tourism website, Big Bear Lake offers four seasons of fun!
Lake Arrowhead
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Once known as Little Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead is found in the San Bernardino National Forest (known as the Alps of Southern California). The “downtown” area is Lake Arrowhead Village where you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants. There are plenty of lodging options, from large inns and cheap motels to cabins and campground spaces.
If you want even more stunning vistas, the Rim of the World Scenic Byway is a 110-mile route through the National Forest.
Also, if you’ve got little ones with you, be sure to check out SkyPark at Santa’s Village. Though it is open year-round, it’s particularly magical in the winter months.
Catalina Island
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Head south of Los Angeles and you’ll find Catalina Island, home of the once fictional but now very real Catalina Wine Mixer. Accessible via a one-hour trip on a high-speed ferry (or short flight via private airplane) once there you’ll find plenty of lodging options including luxury hotels, B&Bs, and even a couple of campgrounds. Once there you can enjoy everything the island has to offer — there’s a golf course, a casino, hiking and ocean tours, ziplining, cabanas for rental, and much, much more. After all that activity, you’re sure to have worked up a thirst and an appetite and can explore the variety of dining and nightlife options.
