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its traditional fishing and agricultural roots. It's within a short drive of major population centers yet a world away, with its sprawling artichoke fields and miles of pristine beaches. Santa Cruz County to the south offers visitors a wealth of attractions, including parks and wineries in its redwood-covered mountain range, and laid-back beaches where surfers polish their technique. East Bay: Berkeley & Oakland shops and tasting rooms is the Napa Valley hamlet of Yountville, a foodie dining mecca, with several Michelinstarred restaurants. South Bay: Palo Alto & Santa Cruz In Palo Alto on the peninsula south of San Francisco, lies the bucolic campus of Stanford University, one of the country's leading universities. Neighboring San Mateo County's coastline still shows DRIVE TOUR Start by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge driving north, stopping in SAUSALITO. Head northwest to MOUNT TAMALPAIS STATE PARK and take the steep, twisting road to the Pantoll Ranger Station and drive the PANORAMIC HIGHWAY for ocean, city and mountain views. Drive to MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT for a short walk among redwoods. Head back toward Sausalito and Highway 101 and drive north to the wine country town of SONOMA. Explore its shady plaza, surrounded by shops, wine tasting rooms and historic sites. From Sonoma, it's a short drive to California's other major wine region, Napa Valley, and the city of NAPA. 86 2 013 travel guide to c al ifo r n i a SANTA ROSA SONOMA ● ● NAPA MOUNT TAMALPAIS STATE PARK ● ● MUIR WOODS ● SAUSALITO SAN FRANCISCO BERKELEY OAKLAND ● SANTA CRUZ ● City & Town Even though it was surpassed in population by San Jose long ago, San Francisco remains the region's cultural hub. The city draws more than 16 million travelers each year to its dense 49 square miles containing its famously steep hills, thousands of restaurants offering an astonishing variety of cuisines, different groups of people, fascinating neighborhoods, parks, Victorian-era houses and world-class museums and cultural activities. The city is easy to explore on foot, with the waterfront Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown and Union Square (the largest shopping area in the western U.S.) all within a short walk of each other. Colorful vintage streetcars rumble down the Embarcadero and Market Street, connecting to public transportation that carries visitors to the city's many diverse neighborhoods and to Golden Gate Park, the large greenbelt that extends to the Pacific Ocean. The region's other major cities are San Jose, where revitalization has brought an urban vibe, restaurants and museums downtown, and Oakland, which attracts visitors with the renovated Museum of EDDIE THE RENOWNED "crookedest street in the world," Lombard Street, above. On the eastern side of the bay lies the college town of Berkeley, with its history of political idealism, University of California academic prestige and coffeehouse intellectualism. Berkeley has also become synonymous with Alice Waters' Chez Panisse and the movement to organic, local and seasonal food. Berkeley's larger neighbor, Oakland, is a culturally diverse city with vibrant neighborhoods and lovely Lake Merritt, whose three-mile path draws joggers and walkers.