Since the automobile democratized travel in the early 20th century, the road trip has been a distinctly American pastime. California is uniquely suited to hitting the open road, given its natural beauty, sunny disposition, and diverse topography. We’ve rounded up eight California road trips that meander through some of the state’s most impressive landscapes, proving that sometimes the journey is as important as the destination. Timber Cove Resort along Highway 1Breathtakingly Rugged Coastline Along Northern Highway 1  Start: San Francisco, CA End: Leggett, CA Total Distance ..read more

There are countless types of moms, each wielding their own unique combination of personalities, tastes, and interests. Whether your mom delights in food and wine, arts and culture, glamour, wellness, or outdoor sports and adventure, California is the perfect destination for planning or gifting a vacation getaway. We’ve rounded up some of the best boutique hotels in the state offering tailored experiences for the special mother in your life. Wellness-Focused Mom Swimming pool at Sensei Porcupine Creek, photo by Chris SimpsonSensei Porcupine Creek Wellness is rooted in mindful practice at&n ..read more

Just half an hour south of San Francisco in the coastal town of Half Moon Bay, the Mill Rose Inn transports guests to an intimate English country garden by the sea. The inn is nestled on nearly an acre of enchanting gardens that feature hundreds of flowering perennials and more than 200 rose bushes. Planted by the inn’s original owners more than 40 years ago, the gardens dazzle with year-round color.  Nestled amid the profusion of blooms, the Four-Diamond-rated inn was once named the “Most Romantic Inn in Northern California.” With just six rooms, the small country inn exudes romance ..read more

At the intersection of world-class wines and cannabis, California’s verdant Anderson Valley lies at the heart of the Venn diagram. Just north of Sonoma in Mendocino County, the Anderson Valley is among the northernmost wine-growing regions in California. The valley’s cool coastal climate and rich alluvial soils produce a range of ultra-premium wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Alsace varietals (Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris). Flanked by towering redwoods, the 15-mile-long valley is home to more than 60 family-owned wineries and dozens of charming tas ..read more

In a quiet, historic neighborhood a couple of blocks from Santa Barbara’s State Street, a lavish Victorian is hidden behind tall hedges and nestled amid tranquil English gardens. The grand dame of Santa Barbara’s bed and breakfast inns, Simpson House Inn and Cottages was built in 1874 and exudes a timeless elegance and sophistication. Six guest rooms in the main house feature antiques, Persian rugs, claw foot tubs, and intricate Victorian wallpaper treatments. Along the back of the property, carriage house suites and garden cottages offer spacious accommodations hidden among the ..read more

In Northern California, a former lumber town has evolved into an off-the-beaten-track destination for outdoor adventure, the arts, and craft beer. Like many of the small towns on the Mendocino Coast, Fort Bragg sprang up in the mid-1800s to feed San Francisco’s insatiable demand for redwood lumber. But while other coastal mills closed over time, Fort Bragg’s whirring saw blades supplied steady employment for generations of workers. At its height, the mill employed over 2,000 people and served as the town timekeeper with its clockwork of shift-change whistles. But in 2002, Fort Bragg’s 145-year ..read more

Working from home translates to working from anywhere in today’s connected environment. With well-equipped workspaces and tech essentials, these properties are helping digital nomads blur the lines between work and leisure.     Short Stories junior suiteShort Stories Hotel Step into Short Stories Hotel in downtown Los Angeles and it feels immediately like this is where the cool nomads work. Located across the street from LA’s famous Original Farmer’s Market and The Grove megaplex for shopping, dining and entertainment, this boutique hotel is a modern interpretatio ..read more

The cleanest air in all of California is just a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive from San Francisco, at the edge of the Mendocino National Forest. That’s where Rufus and Mary Tallman, early Lake County settlers, built the Tallman Hotel in the 1870s. The Western-style hotel, along with its adjacent livery stable and saloon, was once popular among well-heeled travelers who journeyed by stagecoach to soak in Lake County’s natural mineral spring waters. After the hotel languished for 40 years, Lynne and Bernie Butcher restored it to period perfection, re-opening to guests in 2006. Inside ..read more

Nestled in the heart of the Russian River Valley, Farmhouse Inn is among the most romantic places to stay in Sonoma County. The editors of Condé Nast Traveler recently named the boutique hotel among the best in North America for its coveted Gold List in 2024. It’s also been a Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Award winner for seven years running.  Entrance to Farmhouse InnFountain at the entrance to the Farmhouse Inn Behind the stone walls, this intimate 25-room property exudes an easy elegance and understated luxury. Bubbling fountains, lush foliage, and a profusion of blooms greet gu ..read more

Whether it’s a night away, a few days to reconnect, or a special occasion like a honeymoon or anniversary, California’s small-town getaways set the stage for romance. From action-packed destinations to quiet-paced retreats, couples will find the perfect backdrop to enjoy together. Carmel BeachCarmel-by-the-Sea Carmel-by-the-Sea’s storybook setting is a timeless getaway for romantics. Flower-bedecked cottages, many dating back to Carmel’s early days as an enclave for artists, line the town’s fairytale village streets where visitors can wander leisurely for hours. Tucked throughout are boutique ..read more