Plan extended seasonal vacations during summer and winter months.
Group destination locations together in regional trips to explore what several bucket list towns have to offer in the general vicinity
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Curated Highlights and Headlines
California Coast: Tip to Tip
South Coast Region
South Bay
Ventura County: Mission San Buenaventura. “This ghost tries to help people and some say he is an unknown saint who wants to comfort those in spiritual need.”
North County
Del Mar: “KAABOO (September 13–15), the three-day music, food, and comedy festival based at the county fairgrounds in the coastal town of Del Mar. This year’s lineup has been announced, with Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews Band, and Mumford & Sons headlining the three nights.”
Orange County Beach Towns
Competition with Santa Cruz: “After battling it out with the beachside city of Santa Cruz to their north, Huntington Beach in California’s Orange County officially claimed the title of USA’s “Surf City” in 2008. The surf influence around Huntington Beach is glaringly obvious, but what exactly is it that gives the city its label as the USA’s home of surf?”
Huntington Beach: “The city is also home to terrific seafood, fun bars, acclaimed resorts, epic bike rides, surf schools, surf competitions, and a surf museum. Okay, so maybe it is mostly about the surfing here.”
South Orange County
San Juan Capistrano: “Development in the area, and loss of the birds’ habitat, are the likely culprits behind the disruption of the birds’ migratory patterns. The replicated nests worked. A cliff swallow has built a nest in the East Corridor of the mission near the Serra Chapel entry, and rough-winged swallows have been spotted nesting in the ruins of the Great Stone Church, a popular spot for the swallows many years ago”.
Central Coast Region
San Luis Obispo: “It’s on the central coast, but 12 miles inland, out of the fog belt; has eternally perfect weather; and sports a self-aware downtown core that manages to be both hip and historic — and, yes, very walkable.”
North Coast Region
Fort Bragg: “There are all sorts of ways to eat, sip and play in Fort Bragg, the bustling fishing town on Mendocino County’s spectacular, craggy coast. Here are three ideas to get you started.”
Peninsula Region
Half Moon Bay: “A day by the Bay, the OTHER Bay — Half Moon Bay — combines so many of the best things about Northern California, all in one stop. From amazing beer and diverse food offerings, cheap or expensive things to do, a fascinating dock, beautiful trails, world-renowned surfing, reasonable or outrageous hotels, and all a short drive from the chaos of the city.”
San Francisco Bay Region
“Romantic and beautiful, San Francisco has been the backdrop for many of the world’s favourite films, such as Bullitt and Mrs Doubtfire. The reality is even better, from the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz to cable cars and fog. With great restaurants, shopping and museums, this is a five-star destination.”
Steps:
21) Spend the time to find the best place to live and invest. It will be worth your while. The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life.
24) Determine which maker or breaker community issues you will find across all resort communities vs. those unique only to the quality-of-life towns at the top of your best places list.
32) Plan extended seasonal vacations during summer and winter months. Group destination locations together in regional trips to explore what several bucket list towns have to offer in the general vicinity – with only a week or two vacation time to spend, we recommend organizing your itinerary by travel regions.
33) When you move, will your established neighbors share your same values? Does your new home have potential over the long-term to develop into a high appreciation real estate investment while being affordable for mid-life or empty nesters? Do the weather patterns in winter or summer make you want to live there year round, or only on a seasonal basis. Does your new community offer a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities?
34) On your visits look for any newer developments that may trigger changes in neighborhood patterns. New construction in or around the neighborhood? Major regional economic adjustments? Transition from households with children to ones that are empty nests? Rezoning, and dramatically rising/falling land values?
“Actor 
“Nicolle Otman paddles in a kayak as great white sharks circle. Captain and Marine Biologist Giancarlo Thomae took the video and says about 40 young great whites are making the waters off Aptos their home in spring. Thomae has been kayaking with great whites ever since they started showing up in increasing numbers off the coast of Aptos, just south of Santa Cruz, four years ago. He and other experts believe about 40 juvenile great whites are making the area off the pier at Seacliff State Beach their home each spring. In the first year, the sharks were small, at about eight-feet long, and in each following year, they measured larger. This year, they average 10 to 12 feet with some as long as 13.” SF Gate · By Amy Graff, SFGATE Photo taken: June 23, 2018. Media: Giancarlo Thomae/Sanctuary Cruises.
“View down Sacramento street, May 1855: This view is the fifth plate in Fardon’s seven-plate panorama. From the slopes of the Clay Steet Hill (Nob Hill), the view is to the east down Sacramento Street to the bay. At the right is the back of Saint Mary’s Church (which faces California Street at Dupont.) On Sacramento, several signs in Chinese are visible, as is a “family grocery”, two “coffin ware rooms”, and “Vance’s Daguerrean Rooms” (the photographic studio or Robert H. Vance.) Across from Vance’s is the Armory Hall. (This view provides and interesting comparison to a daguerreotype in the Bancroft Library; BANC PIC 1905.16242:104–CASE.) Barely visible at the far left is a sign for the City of Paris store.” SF Gate · By Amy Graff, SFGATE Photo: G.R. Fardon / UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library
“The 14,200-square-foot home boasts over 300 feet of bay frontage, along with views of the turning basin. An imposing, French neoclassic mansion on a half acre at the western tip of Harbor Island is on the market for just under $60 million. Built in 1990, the lavish, 14,200-square-foot home boasts over 300 feet of bay frontage, along with expansive gardens and views of the turning basin. The dock can accommodate a yacht larger than 120 feet, as well as other boats, according to the listing. The updated, three-story home has six bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, formal living and dining rooms, and catering and staff quarters. An elevator, walk-in wine cellar, waterfront tile pool and subterranean parking for eight cars are among the amenities.” Orange County Register By Marilyn Kalfus (Google Earth)
“While you can find these four colors all over the world, I had the chance to discover them in Carlsbad, California. About an hours drive north of San Diego, the small beach town sometimes gets lost in the Santa Monica’s and Newport’s of the state, but it’s not one to miss. You may know it as where Legoland is found, but there’s plenty more to see than just that. The small city has that coveted beach-town vibe without the touristy feel. Here, everyone feels like a local. For the most colorful view of Carlsbad, visit March through mid-May when 
“Old Home Beach, also known as Indian Beach, is a narrow beach on Trinidad Bay in the small town of Trinidad. It has been renamed, probably out of political correctness, but some signage still has the old name. This protected beach offers great views of Trinidad Head and the bay with many picturesque rocks sticking up. There are two ways to get to Old Home Beach from the bluff above it. The first is down a trail with stairs behind the Trinidad Lighthouse Memorial at the corner of Trinity and Edwards Streets.The second beach access is down a trail at the end of Parker Street called the Parker Creek Trail (park on grass at top of the hill and walk down Parker St.). The view from the lighthouse memorial is stunning.” californiabeaches.com
“This village on California’s northern coast combines big scenery with small-town charms. Winding three and a half hours north of San Francisco, the road to Mendocino may be as magical as the destination itself. Frequently no wider than a country lane, it corkscrews through mountain passes, parallels patches of farmland and vineyards, traverses a cathedral of redwoods, and chases the Navarro River to the sea. And what an arrival it is: tabletop headlands carved below by massive sea caves and topped above with barns, lighthouses, and cliffside inns. Amid the dramatic landscape nestles the downtown, with Victorian homes in Easter-egg colors and Main Street lined with a bookstore, museum, toy shop, chocolatier, B&Bs, and eateries.“
“A sprawling ranch in northern California that’s almost twice the size of Manhattan has hit the market for the first time since being created by the late stock market tycoon Dean Witter. Lone Pine Ranch, in both Trinity and Mendocino counties, is asking $31 million. It’s typically difficult to find ranches that have everything, according to Mr. McDavid. “Usually you have to make some sacrifice, like I really want a big herd of elk or I want trout water. It’s very hard to get it all in one place,” he added. But Lone Pine Ranch has an extremely diverse amount of wildlife and land, Mr. McDavid told Mansion Global. There’s viable cattle and timber operations, fishable water, and resident wildlife includes populations of elk, blacktail deer, pig, bear and quail. “You go to some other parts of California and you’re going to find some pretty desolate land, this place is really rich,” Mr. McDavid said. “It’s just a really beautiful landscape.” The Los Angeles Times first reported the listing. Mansion Global · Liz Lucking BILL MCDAVID
“A Northern California utility said Thursday that it expects to pay at least $2.5 billion in connection with deadly wildfires that whipped through wine country last October — some of them ignited by its fallen power lines. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. also 
“You know that a peninsula is worthy of national monument status when even the “new” lighthouse has been safely guiding ships into port for over 125 years. The city’s history can be traced back to this very spot, and today the area is dotted with pristine marinas, dockside dining, and miles of walking and hiking paths that beckon locals and tourists alike who are looking for fun on the waterfront.” By: San Diego Magazine 
“This beach house in Del Mar, in San Diego County, is the stuff of dreams—and magazines. Recently featured on the cover of Dream Homes magazine, the 1982 home was designed by architect Sim Bruce Richards, a Taliesin fellow, and the influences of Frank Lloyd Wright are clear.” By 
“Experts Say We’re not on the Menu. Whale-watchers spot a young white shark off Capistrano Beach last May aboard Capt. Dave’s Dolphin Safari from Dana Point.” By Rita Robinson.
Laguna Beach. Art Ninjas Add Local Color by Stealth.
“Leslie Evarts saw the gray whale in the distance from her Laguna Beach home, grabbed her stand-up paddleboard and rushed out to the water, with hopes of seeing the 30-foot sea creature up close.” By 
“USA’s Alix Klineman, left, and partner April Ross get tangled up during their three-set loss to Canada’s Sarah Pavin and Melissa Humana-Paredes on Friday at the FIVB Huntington Beach Open.” 
“Malibu Lagoon is comprised of 22 acres of wetlands, gardens, and sandy beach, while Malibu “Surfrider” Beach has almost a mile of ocean frontage with 0.7 acres of property, and famous Malibu Pier is a great place for saltwater fishing.” 
“As I learned firsthand this summer, the entire Ventura County Coast, comprising the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, and Hueneme, on the southern end of California’s central coast, offers many such glorious juxtapositions, embracing surfing, style, Shakespeare, and much more.” By Robert Firpo-Cappiello 
“Experience the romance and mystery of Catalina by night on this narrated adventure into the hills above historic Avalon. Your open air biofuel Hummer will take you east along the waterfront past Lover’s Cove before heading up to Mt. Ada for spectacular views of the twinkling city and harbor lights below.” 
“Along the coast of The American Riviera® lies the town of Montecito, a seaside haven that balances sweeping coastal views and a savory culinary scene. Treat yourself to an extended vacation full of indulgent restaurants, premium wines and coastal bliss.” 
“Our Central Coast beach-side location holds beautiful views with a casual atmosphere. An excellent dining experience is our top priority. Our menu has something for everyone…fresh fish, hand cut steaks, refreshing salads and our specialty appetizers. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Come and have a drink at our cocktail bar, or dine on our outdoor patio while gazing out across the beautiful San Luis Bay.” 
“En route, you’ll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when it was cut off from the outside world during the winter storm season 2017; bridges were destroyed and roads blocked at both its northern and southern reaches. Thankfully, for locals and visitors alike, the northern section has already reopened, across Pfeiffer Canyon, but the southern connection, at Ragged Point, is still under construction (scheduled to open late 2018 but check with CalTrans for fresh updates). “ Crystal Le 
Santa Cruz: 5 places to catch a good wave.
“The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay was the perfect place for our staycation.
“Come June 27, Lodge at the Presidio will open as San Francisco’s closest hotel to the Golden Gate Bridge. The three-story building was constructed between 1895 and 1897 as military barracks on Infantry Row for the U.S. Army. The exterior has been entirely preserved, and the renovated interior will have historical elements and spectacular views of the bridge, Alcatraz, and the city skyline.” Miranda Smith 
“It can be hard to wrap your mind around Sonoma County, an area that starts 45 miles north of San Francisco. It’s nearly the size of Delaware and encompasses rolling vineyards, dense redwood forests and, perhaps most surprisingly, a wild and foggy stretch of coast. Many tourists know that this shoreline includes the fishing village of Bodega Bay, where Hitchcock filmed “The Birds,” but the Sonoma Coast has many other draws for travelers.” 
“Hike the trails of the pristine ocean beaches, explore the Redwood forests, or kayak the Gualala River. Dive for the abalone or golf the local Scottish links-style PGA quality golf course.” 
“Surrounded by parks and a natural setting, the small town of Orick offers plenty of outdoor recreation. Humboldt Lagoons State Park offers a marshland habitat of native birds, animals and plants. It is also a prime location for fishing, boating and hiking. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, meanwhile, is most famous as the filming site of the movie Jurassic Park II. In reality, though, this natural area is a haven for preservation of native redwood forest.” 
“With more than a century of history, the Historic Requa Inn offers a quaint bed and breakfast in remote Klamath. Uniquely tucked away within a World Heritage Site, towering redwoods surround the inn, with various state parks, recreation areas and the coast all within a 40-minute drive.” 
La Jolla Cove. Southern California isn’t exactly known for its snorkeling — the strong waves usually make it tough to see much of anything — but La Jolla Cove, just north of San Diego, is an exception. The area is ringed by tall cliffs that protect the cove from big waves, allowing curious snorkelers to explore its underwater scene. Be on the lookout for leopard sharks, sea lions and dolphins. By Allyson Reedy Shutterstock
Del Mar | Hot Property – A Del Mar estate built for activist investor David Batchelder has sold for $21.5 million, making it the most expensive home sold in San Diego County in more than a decade. (Sam Chen)
Dana Point. “On the surfing front, anybody who rides waves around here should have a brief appreciation for just how San Onofre came to be one of the birthplaces of surf culture on the West Coast. It was first surfed in the early 1920s, although it’s still debated who the first person to surf at San Onofre was. Some say it was Laguna Beach’s George “Peanuts” Larson. Others contend it was Matt Brown and Lorrin “Whitey” Harrison. Given that was nearly 100 years ago, the mystery will probably never be solved conclusively, but it’s fun to banter about.” Dana Point Times Jake Howard
Laguna Beach. “The five star Montage Laguna Beach resort receive a five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide for its hotel, restaurant and spa. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)”
Huntington Beach. Irvine and Huntington Beach Make Top Ten List of Happiest Cities in America. WalletHub released a survey of the happiest cities in America. Our own Irvine and Huntington Beach are in the top 10 happiest cities, coming in at No. 8 and 9, respectively. Orange Coast Magazine Alan Gibbons
Long Beach. Calls for more research, education as great white shark population grows off California. “Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at CSU Long Beach, said the shark population is recovering at time when more and more people are swimming, surfing and paddle boarding along the coast.” (Photo: AP FILE PHOTO) Cheri Carlson vcstar.com
Redondo Beach. As you may infer from its name Redondo Beach features a mile and a half of sandy beachfront as you venture south of the marina and pier area. timeout.com
Ojai. Hotels & Resorts in Ojai California | Ojai Visitors Bureau | Things to Do in Ojai. Nestled in a scenic valley surrounded by citrus groves and natural beauty, Ojai is easy to explore while taking in the sights along the way. This is the perfect destination for family vacations in Southern California. Looking for a girlfriends getaway? Golf vacation? Romantic weekend? Solo getaway? Ojai has something for everyone. ojaivisitors.com
Anacapa Island. “Anacapa is the closest island to the mainland, just 12 miles from the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. Most of Island Packers departures to East Anacapa Island are from our location in the Channel Islands Harbor. islandpackers.com
San Luis Obispo. “Welcome to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. For more than two centuries, Mission San Luis Obispo has greeted travelers, pilgrims and guests with open doors and a place to rest. At the crossroads of the Central California coast, the Mission lends heart and spirit to its vibrant surrounding community. We hope you will visit us. We are open year-round.” missionsanluisobispo.org
Monterey. Experience Monterey Bay at This Historic Hotel Overlooking the Surf. 30 percent off Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, a classic coastal gem perched over a magnificent bay. Don’t miss the rooftop spa and the seafood restaurant with ocean views. Courtesy of Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. travelandleisure.com
Judge’s tentative ruling clears the way for potentially huge fines against Coastal Commissioners. Five former and current members of the California Coastal Commission face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for allegedly not properly disclosing private meetings with developers and others, under a 2016 lawsuit. Joshua Emerson Smith. sandiegouniontribune.com
Half Moon Bay. Sam’s Chowder House: Brings the Coastside to the Table. Sam’s Chowder House sits steps from the shore with front row views of the Pacific—close enough to spy migrating whales leap from the water—and exceptional seafood that’s gained a loyal following and a shout-out on the Today Show. Yet, the family-owned and operated restaurant offers more than great views and grub. www.visithalfmoonbay.org
Ocean Beach. Want to Fight Sea Level Rise? Look to San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. The problem at Ocean Beach will only get worse, because the sea has nothing to do but rise in this era of rapid climate change. So will San Francisco spend the rest of its days shoveling sand in a quixotic battle against inevitability? Far from it—it’s all part of a plan to adapt to inevitability, which could set precedent for how this and other coastal cities fight rising seas. MATT SIMON SCIENCE wired.dom GETTY IMAGES
Marin. West Marin saloon nurturing a new live music scene. “As the modern world speeds along at breakneck speed, challenging us all to keep up, there are still outposts from old Marin that survive and even flourish. One of them is the Papermill Creek Saloon at 1 Castro St. in Forest Knolls, a 110-year-old watering hole in the heart of the forested San Geronimo Valley that proudly advertises itself as “the best historic dive bar in Marin.”” Paul Liberatore marinij.com
Sonoma County. A Sonoma Wine Maker’s Locavore Favorites. A native of Sonoma County, Tom Gore Vineyards owner Tom Gore grew up farming and studied agriculture before launching his own wine brand. Felicia Feaster. Tim Gore Vineyards
Mendocino. Bed and Breakfast Mendocino County. “For those who cherish the renewing power of California’s wild and beautiful North Coast, the AWARD-WINNING North Coast Country Inn Bed and Breakfast is a haven to be returned to again and again.” northcoastcountryinn.com
Redwood National Park: Magnificent trees, a comfy inn and plenty of adventure. Drifting fog adds drama to Northern California’s coastline near Redwood National and State Parks. (Courtesy Marta Yamamoto) www.mercurynews.com
See the Del Norte County Beaches. Del Norte County is the northernmost county in California and, like Humboldt County to the south, it has more wild remote beaches than urban beaches. Crescent City is the largest city in the county and it is located near the mid-point of the Del Norte Coast. californiabeaches.com
Central Coast Region. San Luis Obispo Girl Raises Money for ‘People Who Lost Their Daddies in the Fire’. “Segraves, herself the daughter of a firefighter, kicked off her fundraising efforts by contributing her own money earned doing chores, her mother stated. The video was posted on the Wildland Firefighter Foundation’s Facebook page, along with pictures of Segraves and a link to a MobileCause fundraising page.” 
North Coast Region. Sonoma County. Two months later, California wildfire victims begin the long road to rebuilding. “But for the survivors like Carlin Rosset, adjusting to the aftermath has been difficult. For starters, she now wakes up her children at 6:30 every morning to drive 35 minutes to and from school. They used to live a short walk away.” 
North Coast Region. California Wine Country Travel Update: Everything You Need to Know to Plan a Trip After the Fires. “First, Northern California’s beloved Napa and Sonoma counties seemed ruined, and then Santa Barbara and Ojai took a staggering hit.” 
South Coast Region. Islands Along the Pacific Coast. Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. “On November 23, 1542, the little fleet arrived back in “San Salvador” (Santa Catalina Island) to overwinter and make repairs. There, around Christmas Eve, Cabrillo stepped out of his boat and splintered his shin when he stumbled onto a jagged rock while trying to rescue some of his men from attacking Tongva warriors. The injury became infected and developed gangrene, and he died on January 3, 1543 and was buried. A possible headstone was later found on San Miguel Island. His second-in-command brought the remainder of the party back to Navidad, where they arrived April 14, 1543.” Wikipedia
North Coast Region. Humboldt County. Bret Harte. ““Harte moved to California in 1853, later working there in a number of capacities, including miner, teacher, messenger, and journalist. He spent part of his life in the northern California coastal town of Union (now Arcata). The 1860 massacre of between 80 and 200 Wiyots at the village of Tuluwat was well documented historically and was reported in San Francisco and New York by Harte. When serving as assistant editor for the Northern Californian.” Wikipedia
North Coast Region. Humboldt County. Since 1890 on California’s North Coast. ““Every large or small logging or mill operation in the redwood country had a cookhouse. It was the hub of life in the temporary community, if it was in the woods. If it was located in a substantial settlement, it served as a “community center”. If the cookhouse was set up to serve fifteen or twenty men in a shingle bolt camp, often a woman and her husband, with a helper or two called bullcooks, flunkeys or cookees, handled the cooking and serving.” 
San Francisco Region. A look at the time San Francisco’s Cliff House was nearly blown into the Pacific. “This incarnation of the Cliff House, at San Francisco’s Land’s End, was built in 1894, opened in 1896, survived the 1906 earthquake, only to burn down September 7, 1907.” Photo: Chronicle Archives
Central Coast Region. Santa Barbara’s Biltmore turns 90 with photo show and custom-made wines. “Santa Barbara’s Biltmore marks 90 years this year. Longtime photographer Hal Boucher shot a photo of Rosalind Russell, left, Jack Lemmon and his wife, Felicia, at the resort in 1963.” (Hal Boucher)”
San Francisco Region. Here’s what life looked like 50 years ago. “Hippies dawdle at the corner of Haight and Ashbury Streets, the epicenter of the Summer of Love, in San Francisco on May 4, 1967.” Photo: Michael Ochs Archives.
Central Coast Region. South Coast Region. New offshore oil drilling proposed off California coast by Trump administration. “The Trump administration on Thursday proposed allowing new offshore oil drilling in most of America’s coastal areas, including northern, southern and central California areas like Big Sur.” By PAUL ROGERS | progers@bayareanewsgroup.com
North Coast Region. Mendocino County Steve Lopez on what’s been saved along the California coast. “But property owners are still locking out the public and bulldozers are still revving up to tear into open space. Times columnist Steve Lopez and photographer Allen Schaben are on a road trip from Oregon to Mexico to explore beaches, wetlands, wave-pounded coves, rocky cliffs and the characters who thrive in this iconic realm.”
Central Coast Region. Suing Big Oil over climate change, Santa Cruz eyes wildfire, storm costs. “The city and county of Santa Cruz sued 29 oil companies over climate change on Wednesday, seeking to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars of damages.” 
Central Coast Region. Monterey Bay sewage spill was ‘huge wakeup call,’ company says. “After the massive raw sewage spill into the Monterey Bay earlier this month that shut down beaches along the Central California Coast and prompted a federal investigation, Monterey One Water gave an update at a Monday board meeting on what it’s doing to make sure it never happens again.”
South Coast Region. ExxonMobil Alleges It Is Victim of Vast California Climate Change ‘Conspiracy’. “Surfers ride waves in front of an oil rig off Huntington Beach on July 31, 2015.” (Credit: Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images)
“Every day, the isolated stretch of Big Sur loses $300,000 in revenues, according to Kirk Gafill, manager of the world-famous restaurant Nepenthe. San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties could face a $554 million loss in revenue due to closures, according to a recent study by Visit California, which promotes tourism. The economic impact could ripple out further, if visitors cancel summer plans to the Golden State. “Santa Cruz Sentinel
