Staycations in California

For those looking for a relaxing nature-filled holiday, the Russian River is a wonderful choice. Tree-covered hills roll away from the river itself, filled with wood cabins where you can cosy up for the night. By day, trips down the river or bike-rides through the woods are in order, while at night any number of the area’s excellent restaurants will be happy to host.

Napa Valley is packed with vineyards, where throughout the year visitors can taste, walk, and drink to their heart’s content. The area has a beautiful climate (between 55 and 85 fahrenheit all year), too. If that wasn't enough to tempt you, then you should think seriously about the Napa Valley Wine Train. It's exactly as good as it sounds - an old-world train with a beautiful dining car where you can eat and sup on wine while you wind through the beauty of rural California.

The setting of several of John Steinbeck’s legendary novels, Monterey has everything you’d want from a staycation in California. You can visit the old Cannery Row, drive along the colossal Big Sur coastline, or laze on Carmel Beach. But there are other great options, too. Nearby is the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Here, visitors will find stunning rock formations to take in, but they'll also be able to get up pretty close to some of California's sweetest animals: the southern sea otter and the pocket gopher.

Another wonderful part of California’s wine country, Healdsburg is a small town full of exquisite food and wine. Healdsburg is known for having one of “America’s Most Beautiful Town Squares”, and a selection of independent stores and spas.

Sandwiched between San Francisco and LA, Pismo Beach is the classic beach town. In the day you can explore the boardwalk or go surfing, while at night you can settle in for an evening of fine wine. Probably Pismo Beach's best known attraction, the Pier is definitely worth visiting for alone. It stretches out over 1,200 feet into the ocean.

For those visitors looking for a vacation without thousands of people, Sonoma County is a fine choice. All redwood forests, wide-open coastlines, and quaint towns, it’s a great place to get away from it all. If this is to your taste, it's also easy to pick up a couple of horses for a ride through the valleys, western-style.

San Luis Obispo is an area of rolling valleys, good food, and relaxing outdoor activities. There are plenty of great hikes, as well as other more vigorous options: kayaking around the cave’s coast is the perfect way to wind down. For those with an interest in history, San Luis Obispo has plenty to offer. There's an old mission, founded in 1772, and a historic downtown area that feels straight out of a western.

Catalina Island is really a microcosm of the perfect relaxing vacation. Like many islands, it has not just beautiful coastline, but also soaring hills and great seafood. Not only that, but the island has abundant wildlife. There are dolphins and sea lions, as well as a whole array of underwater delights visitors can take in. It’s reachable by a scenic boat ride.

For a vacation with a chilled but youthful vibe, visitors could do a lot worse than Riverside. An Inland Empire city and the center of California’s orange fields, the city has great art museums like the Culver Center, as well as the soaring Mount Rubidoux.