From the rolling hills of wine country and the stunning bluffs of coastal Monterey to the majestic mountains of Tahoe, there is much to love about California — specifically the region surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area.
But what should you do, and where should you stay? We’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to the top destinations in the upper half of the Golden State.
Pebble Beach
Golf is likely on the agenda for anyone who visits Pebble Beach. The area boasts four internationally renowned golf courses, most notably Pebble Beach Golf Links, a repeat site for both the men’s and women’s U.S. Opens that will again host the former in 2027 and the latter in 2035.
Between rounds, stay at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Lodge at Pebble Beach, and the sound of the nearby Pacific Ocean will lull you to sleep. The resort’s Five-Star spa offers wellness services like the Lasapa Lelima Purification Treatment that are inspired by Monterey County’s rich history of healing energy.
Speaking of Monterey, although touristy, Cannery Row is worth a visit. It’s home to the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium and classic restaurants like Salty Seal Brewpub and Sports Bar. In nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea, there’s sensational shopping, wineries and restaurants.
Carmel Valley
Inland from Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea is the beautiful Carmel Valley, where you will find one of our favorite Northern California properties, Four-Star Bernardus Lodge & Spa. The resort is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special party on September 12 and a champagne saber and toast on the 25th each month this year. Other exciting offerings are seasonally inspired treatments (including the plumping strawberry facial) at the Four-Star open-air spa and special tasting menus at the hotel’s signature Four-Star restaurant, Lucia. Blossoming trees and flowers dot the magical grounds, and it’s truly a place to relax and unwind.
Taste wine from nearby producers and the hotel’s estate winery, or head into Carmel-by-the-Sea for a day of shopping (Paloosh and Girl Boy Girl are must-stops) and eating (Chez Noir is a new culinary gem with a frequently changing prix fixe menu; La Bicyclette is a French bistro with wood-fired pizzas). Chalone Vineyard, known for its chardonnay and long-standing history (its Monterey County vineyards date back to 1919), recently opened a new tasting room in Carmel Plaza. Pop in for a flight or glass of wine.
Sonoma
There’s nothing better than a wine-country weekend. Fly into the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, and you’re only a 45-minute drive from Four-Star MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa. The charming retreat, which recently finalized a multi-year renovation with a spectacular new pool and spa, was once home to a working ranch. The property reflects the botanical beauty of its past with trees, flowers and a culinary garden that make it feel like you’re far from town, but Sonoma Square is just a 15-minute walk away.
The region is known for producing exceptional pinot noir and chardonnay. Enjoy fermented and barrel-aged, small-lot, terrier-driven wine at Sojourn Cellars, a boutique tasting room off the square that recently debuted new labels. Forgot to make an appointment? Head to Walt, a local favorite, where walk-ins are welcome.
Further from the Sonoma hotel, you’ll discover excellent sparkling wine at Gloria Ferrer, superb small-lot blends at Abbot’s Passage (try the brunch flight, which pairs three wines with pastries from Les Pascals Glen Ellen Bakery) and sustainably grown varietals at Anaba Wines. Make reservations at Folktable, a fantastic eatery from former Top Chef star Casey Thompson, where dishes like the croque mushroom and chicken fat rice feature produce from Tank House Farms, its certified organic farm that’s steps away from the restaurant. El Molino Central is a casual but fantastic Mexican spot with Dungeness crab tostadas, butternut and chile raja tamales, and mole poblano chicken enchiladas.
Napa
Regarding wine regions, Napa is the older sister to Sonoma. Here, you’ll discover pricy cabernet sauvignon and the tasting fees to match. But everything is luxurious, the hospitality is unbeatable and the wine is exceptional. Stay at Four-Star Alila Napa Valley, an adults-only property in the heart of St. Helena. There’s nothing quite like waking up and hitting the “open” button on the floor-to-ceiling window’s blackout shade and seeing the breathtaking vineyard views. Enjoy a spa treatment at the hotel or lunch at Violetto, where chef Thomas Lents serves elegant seasonal cuisine.
Most wineries in the Valley require reservations. Discover red blends at The Gentleman Farmer Bungalow while also savoring breakfast or lunch prepared by Joey Wołosz and Jeff Durham. The meal, which includes freshly baked bread, miniature pierogi and chardonnay mustard, is entirely made from scratch.
Discover single-vineyard cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc produced by star winemakers Julien Fayard, Mark Herold and Massimo Monticelli at Brion. It’s the only producer in America to have a master cooper (barrel maker) who crafts French oak barrels specifically for Brion’s usage.
At Scalon Cellars, estate-grown cabernet sauvignon from Napa’s hottest AVA, Coombsville, is showcased. For dining, there are so many beautiful restaurants. A few that we love are Bouchon Bistro, Thomas Keller’s French café in Yountville; Mustards Grill, a 40-year-old landmark from chef Cindy Pawlcyn; Cook St. Helena, a beloved pasta eatery; and The Charter Oak, where industry insiders devour the happy hour cheeseburger.
Menlo Park
If you’re heading to Silicon Valley, there’s no better place to stay in Menlo Park than Five-Star Rosewood Sand Hill. The hotel houses Madera, a restaurant overseen by chef Seamus Mullen specializing in health-focused California cuisine, and the Four-Star Sense, A Rosewood Spa at Sand Hill. Here, treatments such as the head-to-toe Four Path Sensory feature French-Japanese brand Evidens de Beaute.
Menlo Park offers plenty of classic California activities. Cycle Skyline Boulevard, which has scenic views of the Santa Cruz Mountains; visit Filoli, an old-school country estate on 654 acres of immaculate grounds; shop high-end boutiques (Cast, Tory Burch, Vince, Breitling and more) at the Stanford Shopping Center; wine taste at Ridge Vineyards, a well-known place producing zinfandel and cab sav since the 1960s; or stop by the recently opened Google Visitor Experience, a tourist destination at Google’s Mountain View campus.
Downtown Menlo Park also contains a bustling design district where interior lovers can shop for frames and rugs and grab a delicious bite afterward. With Che Fico (an excellent Italian restaurant), Burma Love (contemporary Burmese cuisine) and Robin (omakase-style sushi), Springline Menlo Park is the area’s new hub for top-notch dining.
