San Diego may have the most reliably pleasant weather in the continental United States. Its neighborhoods each feel like a different beach town: surf-shack Ocean Beach, upscale La Jolla, laid-back Pacific Beach and the island-like calm of Coronado.
Start at Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma for sweeping views of the bay and skyline, then spend a day in Balboa Park, home to museums, gardens and the San Diego Zoo.
From foggy Mendocino headlands to surf-town Encinitas, these are the California coastal towns worth planning a trip around, with what to do, when to go and practical tips for each.
18 min read
From the Mission burrito to the fish taco and the Ferry Building, a delicious tour of the places and dishes that define California food.
1 min read
From Hawaiian princes surfing Santa Cruz in 1885 to sunset walks on the pier, the beach is woven into California's identity.
1 min read
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