Berkeley California’s world-class gastronomic scene makes the city a perfect base camp for Bay Area explorations. Come for eclectic culture, stay for great food and drink.
California
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Best places to stay in Mendocino: Find the top hotels, inns and B&Bs
Looking for the best place to stay in Mendocino? Take a look at our guide to the Northern California coast. We help you get to know Mendocino County’s 90 miles of coastline and 20 towns that offer a huge variety of climates, personality, and travel experiences so you end up in the best place to stay.
Mendocino’s Elk Cove Inn: Quirky, comfy bed and breakfast with spectacular views
Elk Cove Inn & Spa in Mendocino is a lovely bed and breakfast where the sounds of Pacific Ocean waves lull you to sleep at night, and the innkeeper awakens you in the morning with a knock and a sumptuous breakfast tray left at the door.
Skunk Train’s Railbikes on the Noyo – a railbike adventure deep into California redwoods
Ride custom-built electric railbikes along historic railway tracks deep into the heart of a Mendocino redwood forest on the Skunk Train’s Railbikes on the Noyo experience.
Find your own personal paradise at The Inn at Newport Ranch, Mendocino
The Inn at Newport Ranch is a special Mendocino destination. A luxury boutique hotel on the Northern California coastline, the inn is perfect for anyone seeking a natural sanctuary, a personal paradise, and a sustainable coastal escape.
Hyatt Centric Sacramento: centrally located historic boutique hotel
When you visit California’s capital city of Sacramento consider staying at the Hyatt Centric, a superbly located upscale boutique hotel that shows off the building’s history.
Modesto food & drink: California foodie haven hidden in plain view
Foodies on a California road trip don’t have to hunger for great eats along Highway 99. Stop into Modesto to discover a growing, creative, global scene for delicious food and drink in the Central Valley.
Yolo County wines: casual California wine country secret
Yolo County wines are an insider secret, hidden in plain view just west of Sacramento in the California wine country. Discover a rural atmosphere and tasty, award-winning wines with a howdy kind of welcome.
Modesto Almond Blossom Cruise for olive oil, milkshakes, almond blossoms, and fun
When you visit Modesto, you need to jump in your car and really cruise Modesto to understand the city’s wealth of agriculture, adventure, history, and food. An audio tour provides a perfect guide to the highlights.
Mark Hopkins Hotel San Francisco: historic luxury with a view
San Francisco’s InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel is a must-see in the city. Whether you stay in its historic luxury, take in views from the Top of The Mark sky bar, or just enjoy the Mark Hopkins’ history exhibits, travelers to San Francisco should make the trek to Nob Hill.
Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel: A luxury historic San Francisco hotel
The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel offers affordable boutique luxury with amazing San Francisco views and location. Renovated in 2020, the historic Clift Hotel rates as a top hotel in San Francisco for comfort, ambiance, and service.
Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge: A San Francisco bike the bridge photo guide
Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge is a thrill any traveler to the California city by the bay can enjoy. A mostly bike flat ride along the water takes you across the iconic Golden Gate into Sausalito. Hop the Blue & Gold Ferry back into San Francisco after your bike tour.
Palm Springs outdoor art scene – Palm Springs public art and art walks
While Palm Springs may be famous for its celebrity lifestyle and Hollywood elite residences, it is becoming even more famous for its public outdoor art and murals. Our guide to the Palm Springs outdoor art scene details art walks and publicly supported art in a vibrant public art scene.
Visit Winters: California wines, cuisine, and a side of adventure
You may not have heard of Winters, but you do need to visit Winters, located just 40 minutes from Sacramento. It’s a quaint farming town that will delight anyone interested in wine, world-class cuisine, and fun adventures such as hot air ballooning.
Hotel Winters a gem of a Yolo County hotel
Hotel Winters in Yolo County, California, opened in 2019. It offers a taste of casual luxury in the small, charming farm town of Winters and is a perfect base for exploring nearby wineries, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
Floating in a hot air balloon with Yolo Ballooning Adventures
Flying in a hot air balloon over Yolo County in Winters, California with Yolo Ballooning Adventures is spectacular and fun. Finish off the sunrise balloon flight with a bubbly rosé at Turkovich Family Wines.
Biking the Presidio and San Francisco waterfront on electric bikes
The perfect way to really experience and explore the San Francisco Waterfront — and the Presidio park — is on an electric bike or e-bike. Some of the best overlooks and views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge can be seen when biking the Presidio and the waterfront.
What to do in Presidio San Francisco: adventure, views, history, dining
The Presidio of San Francisco was once a military base and is now a 1,500-acre urban park. The Presidio is now a major recreation destination with miles of hiking trails, bike routes, and numerous scenic overlooks. Crissy Field, Fort Point, Baker Beach and numerous historic buildings housing restaurants, businesses and museums make a visit to the Presidio a must.
Cornell Hotel de France on Nob Hill: Best San Francisco boutique hotel
When visiting San Francisco, go for historic charm in one of the best San Francisco boutique hotels. The Cornell Hotel de France is a centrally located gem of a Nob Hill Hotel that will transport you to France with its whimsical paintings and charming French décor.
Adventure Cat Sunset Sail – Best Views in San Francisco
One of the very best views in San Francisco can only be had from the deck of a sailboat. Jump on an Adventure Cat sunset sail to see the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
San Francisco Pier 39 attractions: restaurants, views, and sea lions
Pier 39 remains one of the top San Francisco attractions, from the barking sea lions on a back dock to family-run restaurants with some of the best San Francisco waterfront views. Step into a number of the Pier 39 restaurants and enjoy excellent dining with an unbeatable sunset view.
We love sunflowers! Best sunflower photos and facts
Everyone loves sunflowers. Sunflowers symbolize loyalty and adoration in the Western world. In China, they symbolize long life and good fortune. To Native Americans the sunflower represents harvest and bounty. Enjoy a gallery of our best sunflower photos and fun sunflower facts.
Yolo County Sunflowers – A viewing guide to the best sunflower fields
Yolo County has some of the best sunflower fields in California – and early summer is the best time to see Yolo County sunflowers. Our viewing and experiencing guide will help you respectfully enjoy these sunflower fields on a summer tour.
River Fox Railbikes – Railbiking adventure near Sacramento
Riding historic train tracks on a railbiking adventure with River Fox Railbikes near Sacramento, California. Pairs of riders pedal two-seat, motor-assisted railbikes along relatively flat railroad tracks.
Discover San Francisco secret gardens, rooftop parks and open spaces
POPOS may sound like a funny name for something you’d munch on during happy hour, but that is so wrong. POPOS stands for “Privately Owned Public Open Spaces,” a.k.a. San Francisco secret gardens, urban parks, and city open spaces. Whether you as a traveler call them POPOS, secret gardens, or rooftop parks, they are ideal respites and secluded open spaces when wandering and touring cities for anyone who just needs to rest weary feet or simply take in the surroundings or do a little people-watching – for free, and often in a really pleasant venue.
Palm Springs modernism: Modernism Week & architecture tours all year
California’s desert mecca of Palm Springs is a modernism architecture lovers delight. Be it during its annual Modernism Week or on your own modernist architecture tours, you will not be disappointed by the sweeping, clean lines of Palm Springs architecture.
SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm: perfect Mendocino hotel escape
The SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm provides an ideal Mendocino coast escape. Located a short stroll from Van Damme State Park and Beach, and only a few minutes’ drive from historic Mendocino, the Inn and Farm bed and breakfast hotel impresses in every way.
Allensworth State Historic Park honors California’s only all-Black town
After being freed from slavery, some former slaves went on to establish all-Black towns around the country. In California, the only “Freedmen’s Town” founded and governed by African Americans was Allensworth in the state’s Central Valley, now a California State Historic Park worth a visit.
Visit Oregon City – an historic town near Oroville California
The historic town of Oregon City, located near Oroville, California, was founded by Peter Burnett during the California gold rush in 1848. The infamous Burnett became the first governor of California.
California road trip visit to Feather River Fish Hatchery & Oroville Dam
A fun Northern California road trip stop in Oroville, just off Highway 70, east of Highway 99, is the Feather River Fish Hatchery and Oroville Dam.
Hilton Palm Springs Resort a perfectly located Palm Springs hotel
The Hilton Palm Springs Resort is an ideal place to stay if you want to be within walking distance of The Vineyard Shopping Center, the Palm Springs Art Museum, and downtown Palm Springs.
Awesome public outdoor art at Desert X in Coachella Valley
Every two years, Desert X coordinates an outdoor art exhibit like none other. Huge, thought-provoking art statements dot the desert and cities around Greater Palm Springs in Coachella Valley, complementing all the other outdoor art in the area.
Want to drive fast cars? Head to the BMW Performance Driving School
At the BMW Performance Driving School in Thermal, California, anyone can get behind the wheel of a high-performance BMW and drive faster than ever imagined, all under the watchful eyes and guidance of a professional race car driver.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: rhododendrons, ocean views, whales
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg is a hidden and magical destination located on the California Mendocino coast. World-class rhododendrons draw many visitors, as does birding, whale watching, and peaceful garden trails.
A Mendocino Coast road trip: outdoors, art, food, wine & history
There is nothing quite like a Mendocino Coast road trip in Northern California. Think picturesque villages, stunning coastline, deep redwood forests, outdoor adventure galore, gourmet food, amazing wineries, lots of history and plenty of art galleries.
Modesto Almond Blossom Cruise on a California road trip
Expanses of almond orchards blooming in Modesto make for the perfect California road trip in the Central Valley. Time it just right on a February-March almond blossom cruise for a sensory overload of white and pink almond blossoms, buzzing bees, and the most intoxicating scent you can imagine.
Anderson Valley wineries you need to visit on a California road trip
No road trip to Mendocino County is complete without sipping a few of the best Anderson Valley wines. From casual newcomers to expansive long timers, here are a few down-to-earth Anderson Valley wineries you must visit on your next California road trip.
Noyo Harbor Inn – Secluded historic escape in Fort Bragg
Tucked onto a bluff overlooking Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, California, the Noyo Harbor Inn offers a secluded escape with a surprisingly accessible location along Highway 1.
Historic Holbrooke Hotel Grass Valley: detailed makeover refines experience
An historic Gold Country California hotel, the Holbrooke Hotel has been the grande dame on Main Street for nearly 170 years. After a meticulous renovation, the Grass Valley hotel now exudes simple elegance with its historic charm for a truly top-notch experience.
Little River Inn – Where Mendocino history and the Pacific Ocean meet
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Mendocino County, California, the historic Little River Inn has 65 rooms, and features a spa, a health club and a restaurant on site. People stay here for the views and keep coming back because of the hospitality.
A Noyo River kayak tour plus dinner with a view
A Noyo River kayak tour with Liquid Fusion Kayaks is a slow-paced 1½-hour easy kayak tour designed for all ages and abilities. Expect to see river otters, sea lions, seals, osprey, loons and a host of other wildlife, not to mention enjoy a peaceful outing on the water.
Brewery Gulch Inn: best Mendocino hotel with ocean views
If Mendocino is on your Northern California road trip itinerary, then who could ask for a better place to stay than the Brewery Gulch Inn. Arguably one of the best Mendocino hotels with an ocean view, Brewery Gulch Inn offers simple, casual elegance, in a peaceful setting.
California railbiking: Skunk Train Railbikes on Pudding Creek in Mendocino
On a Skunk Train Railbikes on Pudding Creek adventure, pairs of riders pedal a two-seat, motor-assisted railbike along historic railroad tracks beside Pudding Creek and up into majestic redwood groves. The roundtrip railbike tours depart from the Skunk Train depot in Fort Bragg, Calif.
Plan a trip to California Gold Country: A Gold Rush road trip
In California Gold Country you can follow in the footsteps of Gold Rush pioneers, try your hand at gold panning, enjoy cute little towns, get outdoors, and eat at amazing restaurants. We’ll help you plan a road trip to Grass Valley, Nevada City, Placer County, Auburn, and Placerville.
What to do in Fresno on a Highway 99 road trip in California
Located along Highway 99 in the Central Valley, Fresno doesn’t immediately grab you as a place worth spending much more than a night. But appearances can be deceiving. There are quite a few historical, cultural and culinary gems waiting to be explored in California’s fifth-largest city. Read on to know what to do in Fresno.
What to do in Northern California: Marin, Sonoma, San Francisco
When wondering what to do in Northern California think Novato as your base. Here you will find less expensive lodging and convenient access to premier agritourism, great eats, outstanding wine, California history, outdoor adventures and even San Francisco.
Wakamatsu Farm: Japanese culture and history in California
In June 2019, the Wakamatsu Farm celebrated its 150th anniversary in an event that also celebrated Japanese culture, traditions, arts, music, history and culture. The Wakamatsu Farm is well worth a visit anytime the American River Conservancy land trust offers tours.
San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade: Insider tips for spectators
The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is renown as one of the top in the world. Meaning there are a lot of people turning out along the 1.3-mile route. Take a look at these spectator tips for the Chinese New Year Parade to have an even better experience.
Harbor Court Hotel – one of the best San Francisco hotels with a view
The Harbor Court Hotel San Francisco, with its location across the street from the waterfront, a quarter-mile from the Ferry Building and steps from public transportation, is certainly worthy of our nod for being one of the best San Francisco hotels with a view.
Dining at The Kitchen, a Michelin star restaurant in Sacramento
We know dinner shows are all the rage, but who needs dinner AND a show when dinner IS the show. At The Kitchen in Sacramento, Calif., a Michelin star restaurant, the chefs, servers, wine and ingredients all work together to put on a culinary performance that will keep you coming back, time and again – we promise.
Battery Point Lighthouse – views, history, ghostly tales
It was a cool, windy, November day when we scrambled across a narrow isthmus at low tide to visit the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, Calif. Our first view of the lighthouse came the day before, illuminated by a stunning sunset.
The best hike in Carmel: Palo Corona Regional Park trails and views
Don’t miss the best hike and views in Carmel on the Monterey Peninsula of California – Palo Corona Regional Park. In the spring, wildflowers are thick and amazing. The rest of the year, Carmel’s Palo Corona Regional Park is just peaceful and spectacular.
Dutch Flat 4th of July water hijinks and parade
Dutch Flat 4th of July celebration is a parade with water hijinks and loads of fun! Historic Dutch Flat in California boasts a population today of about 200 (“If everybody’s home,” a local adds) but the numbers swell on July 4 for good reason — the town is FUN!!!
Visit Northern California history museums for free in Placer County
Northern California foothills are dotted with tiny California history museums, many telling the story of Gold Country settlers. What a beautiful surprise it was to stumble upon the Placer County Heritage Trail and free museums to visit all summer long from Roseville to Tahoe!
The Draft Horse Classic has been a Nevada County staple since 1987
A Nevada County favorite since 1987 The Draft Horse Classic, held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Northern California every September since 1987, is recognized as the premier Draft Horse show in the western United States among perhaps hundreds around the world.
Annual blessing of the grapes celebrated globally in Armenian churches
The Blessing of the Grapes Ceremony still takes place at Armenian churches all around the world in mid-August. For curious travelers, it remains a worthwhile tradition to visit and will feel as if you are in a different country.
Forestiere Underground Gardens: Fresno stop for curious travelers
The Underground Gardens tourist destination offers an intriguing tale for all ages that is well worth a stop. The Underground Gardens is what it sounds like: A weaving labyrinth of caverns, rooms and passages all dug underground and filled with fruit trees, vines and plants in spaces that open to the sky. This oddity was built – or shall we say, dug – by Italian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere for about 38 years starting in 1906.
Peaceful evening in Old Sacramento on the river
A beautiful stream of reflected light fell across the river from Old Sacramento and its lights. I was standing on the opposite side of the bridge from Old Town. Now, if only that goose would swim over into the right place….
Bathing in pollen: Ladybugs and poppies
When thoughts start to turn to spring and flowers, the question arises, where to find wildflowers and perhaps butterflies and ladybugs too?
South Yuba River State Park: Bridgeport covered bridge and wildflowers
South Yuba River State Park’s Bridgeport wildflowers are fantastic in spring. Although anytime is a perfect time to visit the Bridgeport Historic Covered Bridge and enjoy a guided walk.
Alhambra Theater: Travelers can find lost history in Sacramento
Once a renowned theater and movie palace in the 1920s and ’30s, the site of the Alhambra Theater represents a bit of lost history in Sacramento that is fun to find. We’ll show you where to look.
Indulgent spa detox at Villagio Spa in Napa – intimate oasis escape
We experienced 4 hours of blissful retreat at the Villagio Spa in Napa that was more about discovering a relaxing oasis than the bounty of wine and food of Napa Valley. Outdoor fireplace, steam shower, sauna, massage, outdoor soaking tub, and yes, not to worry, plenty of food and wine too.
Rose Hill Cemetery at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve
The San Francisco Bay Area hills are spotted with numerous parks where one can hike or picnic, often with great views of the rolling countryside or even the ocean. Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve east of San Francisco has another secret worth a traveler’s exploration: the Rose Hill Cemetery dating back to the Gold Rush.
Mozzeria Pizzeria: Dining experience more than extraordinary food
Mozzeria pizzeria is a San Francisco restaurant known for its delicious wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. Mozzeria is owned and operated by a deaf couple and the staff is also deaf. With Mozzeria you get both pizza and a remarkable dining experience.
The gold panning world championships – not just about panning for gold
Since HI Travel Tales is based in California’s so-called Gold Country, we naively thought that this was the center of the panning for gold world. You know, Sierra Nevada gold rush, gold discovery at Sutter’s Mill, gold miners, ‘49ers, and all that jazz. Boy did we learn a thing or two, like gold panning is a world-wide pursuit and there is even a world championships each year.
Liberty Cemetery: A California ghost town burial ground
Driving north on State Route 99 through California’s Central Valley isn’t always a travel bright spot. But keep your eyes open and pioneering history may pop out at you – such as the Liberty Cemetery from the 1850s.
Historic Gold Rush town Michigan Bluff off beaten path
Situated at about the halfway point of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, Michigan Bluff is a California Gold Rush town so tiny nobody even bothers to count how many people live there. Could be about 20. Give or take. An old mining hamlet that once teemed with thousands of gold-seeking pioneers, this is what they call in true Old West cowboy slang a “one-horse town.” No, there’s not much there, but that’s what makes it charming and worth a stop for a hike or a walk when in the Sierra Nevada Gold Country.
North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve – Wildflowers and waterfalls
Table Mountain reserve boasts one of the most spectacular waterfalls in California and an amazing display of California wildflowers in the spring, yet the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve (just “Table Mountain” reserve to locals) is surprisingly unknown. If you want blankets of colorful wildflowers, including periodic super blooms, Table Mountain delivers.
Pacific Grove Museum: Area natural history comes alive
The Pacific Grove Museum is a little place with a huge heart that invites visitors – adults and kids alike – to not just look but to touch, hear, play and feel. Dang amazing really for a museum that opened in 1883 and still, in part, exists in one of its original historic buildings on a side street in Pacific Grove.
Monterey Wildflowers: Spectacular wildflower show at Pacific Grove Museum
Wildflowers are everywhere in the spring and summer in California, from mountains to the coast. With a love of all things that bloom, we found our way to the Pacific Grove Museum to see Monterey wildflowers.
Sierra foothills wildflowers hike: Fields of California wildflowers
With springtime comes the search for California wildflower walks to enjoy the multicolored beauty of sometimes fleeting blooms. Sierra foothills wildflowers are everywhere as are relatively easy hikes to view them – you just have to know where since you often can’t see the blooms from a road. This short hike showcases some amazing wildflowers such as lupine and poppies.
UC Davis Arboretum: free award-winning gardens
Alongside the roar of Interstate 80 connecting the San Francisco Bay Area to Lake Tahoe is an award-winning botanical garden that beckons plant-lovers, gardeners or anyone looking for a relaxing park setting – the UC Davis Arboretum. The park-like arboretum itself beckons with winding paths, benches and plant collections with different themes.
Lynch Canyon Open Space escape near San Francisco
Immediately adjacent to Interstate 80, between San Francisco and Sacramento or Lake Tahoe, California, there is a quiet and wonderful park that isn’t commonly known– Lynch Canyon Open Space, a part of the Solano Land Trust.
Apple Hill: Yummy visit in Northern California Gold Country
Apple Hill. The name conjures up images of crunchy apples and juicy pies on crisp fall days. All of that – and more – is true. But the Apple Hill region in California’s Sierra foothills not even an hour east of Sacramento has much to offer most of the summer, fall and winter too.
Allez French restaurant delight near Placerville California
We could not have imagined what French culinary delight we were about to experience as we walked to the front door of Allez! Located just a few minutes from Placerville in the California Gold Country not far from Sacramento, Allez French restaurant is an intimate bistro owned and operated by Christian and Jennifer Masse. Christian is as French as they come — and Allez’s chef. It had just enough “quaint” to offer a casual European bistro feel.
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