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2 0 1 5 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 131 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 Mon- terey 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. City & Town Downtown Santa Cruz is between the city's vibrant beach attractions and the mountains, where redwood groves embrace the University of California at Santa Cruz. Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf is just steps from the city's historic buildings that date from the 18 th and 19 th centuries—before California was part of the United States. Made famous by John Steinbeck's eponymous novel, Cannery Row has morphed from a fishing center to a bustling street with shops and ocean- view restaurants. Steinbeck's hometown, Salinas, is a working-class agricultural city, known as the "Salad Bowl of the World." Carmel, a freethinker's retreat born as an artist village, is home to stylish shops, exquisite dining and top-notch art. » Historic Fun Ride two National Historic Landmarks, the Giant Dipper and the Looff Carousel, at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. › beachboardwalk.com » California Condors Get a close-up view of soaring California condors from the High Peaks trail of Pinnacles National Park. › nps.gov/pinn » Monterey's Historic District Find Old Monterey's adobes and gardens from the Spanish and Mexican eras, scattered between Fisherman's Wharf and modern buildings. › seemonterey.com/monterey-adobes_list » Dead Central Get a colorful look at exhibits from the Grateful Dead Archive, on display at the University of California Santa Cruz McHenry Library. › library.ucsc.edu/grateful-dead-archive/about » Wild Coast Cruise Highway 1 along the majestic Big Sur coast, where the sky touches the sea. › bigsurcalifornia.org MUST DO SEE, » INSIDER'S TIP » More than half a century ago, the first wetsuit was created by Jack O'Neill, and the site of his SANTA CRUZ SURF SHOP is a California Point of Historical Interest, complete with a mural in his honor. Head inside to the Dream Inn's JACK O'NEILL LOUNGE for O'Neill memorabilia (including a prototype wetsuit) and a list of cocktails including his favorite martini. jdvhotels.com A WALK ALONG cliffside suites at the Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, above; exploring Cannery Row, Monterey, right; Santa Cruz beach, opposite.