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MONTEREY BAY & BIG SUR The real laid-back California by jill k. robinson INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 62 miles (100 km) from Santa Cruz TOURISM WEBSITES santacruzca.org seemonterey.com www.ci.salinas.ca.us POPULATION 700,000 MONTEREY BAY & BIG SUR 13 4 2013 travel guid e to c al ifo r n i a Santa Cruz through Big Sur is a gorgeous expanse with views that rival the rest of California. Stretching south of one of the largest urban areas in the state—the San Francisco Bay Area—this coastal region is the perfect place to drop the stress and pick up an appreciation of the great outdoors and a laid-back lifestyle. This is where many Californians go to chill out. The two biggest population centers are Santa Cruz and the Monterey Peninsula. In historic Monterey, small-town Pacific Grove and fashionable artist retreat Carmel-by-the-Sea, there are beautiful beaches, ample performing and fine arts venues, outdoor pursuits, stylish shops, epicurean delights and an inland region known for wine and agriculture. Much of the same can be said of funky Santa Cruz, but the university town takes on an air of a beachside playground, with its historic boardwalk and many surf spots. The grand Big Sur coastline inspired artist Francis McComas to claim that the area was the "greatest meeting of land and sea," and the wild coast perched on the edge of the continent has lured artists and fans of the great outdoors to enjoy its remoteness as well as its rich restaurant choices— from Nepenthe to the Big Sur Bakery and Restaurant. On the other side of the Santa Lucia Range lie the otherworldly spires and crags of Pinnacles National Monument, an extinct volcano on a long voyage north on the edge of the San Andreas Fault. Both regions are havens for hikers, bikers, climbers, campers and birdwatchers. Wine lovers won't have much chance to miss Napa and Sonoma, with a wealth of quality vineyards in this region. From Carmel Valley to the Monterey River Road, there are more than enough award-winning wines to go around. With such rich and varied geography, it's a blessing that the wonders of Monterey Bay and Big Sur are laid wide open for residents and visitors to appreciate them. Whether your preference is a charming urban escape, camping under the stars, fresh regional cuisine, world-famous wines, getting active outdoors or a leisurely beachcombing stroll—all can be found here, and nobody's rushing you. THE COAST FROM SOMCHAIJ; HAHN WINERY/CREATIVE COMMONS; S.BORISOV TOP CITIES Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Salinas