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Sunrise balloon rides, whale-watching expeditions, super-scenic drives, even a trip down a rabbit hole: we’ve taken a gold pan to the golden state and we’ve sieved to the surface our top ten Californian adventures. Put these activities on your bucket list.
Taste wine in Napa
Rows of vines gilded by sunshine, picnics on sun-dappled patios, the satisfying glug-glug of wine filling your glass, Napa Valley, around an hour’s drive north of San Francisco, is a place people dream of visiting and a place that keeps them coming back. Famous for robust Cabernets served in grand châteaux and labyrinthine caves lined with barrels, the valley is rich with experiences, and a sunrise balloon ride over the vine-striped landscape is high on the list. Winter – known as ‘Cabernet Season’ – is a particularly lovely time to visit. The weather is still mild and there’s no fighting for elbow room in the wineries.
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The Golden State has it all, from snow-covered mountains to majestic forests to metropolises and miles and miles of ocean views and there s no better way to see it than on a California road trip.
Dreaming of a California road trip? Of course, you are because who wouldn’t want to hit the open road to explore unbeatable beaches, matchless mountains, divine deserts, national parks, bustling big cities, quaint seaside villages, lush lakes, historic sites, artist colonies, and wonderful wine countries? A number of iconic drives start or end there, including historic Route 66.