El Dorado County: Gold country splendor

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada’s historic gold rush region, El Dorado County (Spanish for “The Gilded One”) is a year-round playground — ski and snowboard in the winter, enjo... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Tour the Central Coast: San Luis Obispo

By Patty Burness

San Luis Obispo is a four-hour trip south down Highway 101 or a stunning drive down Highway 1. Either way, once you arrive, the SLO lifestyle kicks in – laid back, down to earth,... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Cruise the Central Coast: Cambria

By Patty Burness

The California coastline is a stunner any time of year. On a clear day, it really can’t be beat. Heading south on Highway 1 to the Central Coast from San Francisco, my husband an... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Get a culinary high at 7,000 feet

By Patty Burness

In the fall, Tahoe is a visitor’s dream — stunning lake, enticing trails, majestic views, and culinary excitement — all without the crowds. This trip, we chose the north shor... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Chill out in Catalina

By Patty Burness

If you’re out to lose the 24/7 stress, here’s a remedy: Head straight to Catalina. You’ll find this beautiful island just off the Long Beach coast at the end of an hour-long ... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Kick back in Kenwood

By Patty Burness

The tiny hamlet of Kenwood dates to the late 1800s when it was part of a Mexican land grant. The townspeople voted to name the location Kenwood in 1895 because its original name �... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Scenic Sonoma

Take a historic getaway amid the beauty, wine

By Patty Burness

The historic town of Sonoma is a wine country lover’s delight. With its welcoming ambience, idyllic scenery and sumptuous bounty from surrounding farms and wineries, Sonoma i... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Now in downtown Napa

By Patty Burness

The city of Napa hasn’t always been synonymous with culinary and wine tourism; visitors formerly bypassed the town for the northern parts of the valley. Not anymore. Today th... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Go west

By Patty Burness

If open space, endless vistas, tule elk and oysters are on your list, then head west – to West Marin that is. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and it’s less than 20 minutes to... Read More

Travel/Sports, Weekend Traveler

On to Oregon, Part 2: Bend

By Patty Burness

Picturesquely situated in central Oregon’s high desert country — east of the Cascades near Mt. Bachelor and not far from the Three Sisters Mountains — the town of Bend is... Read More

Weekend Traveler

On to Oregon, Part 1: Ashland

By Patty Burness

Oregon has it all: mountains, forests, rivers, valleys and, best of all, no Bay Area traffic! In close to six hours, my husband and I drove from San Francisco and reached southern ... Read More

Travel/Sports, Weekend Traveler

Welcoming Monterey

By Patty Burness

As you make plans for a holiday getaway, remember: Monterey is just over a two-hour drive south. For those with an appetite for wine tasting and gastronomic treasures, it’s t... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Going Coastal

By Patty Burness

Early on a Sunday morning, my husband and I cruised south down Route 1 past San Pedro Point in Pacifica where surfers were hitting their mark, through Eucalyptus trees into the mas... Read More

Weekend Traveler

From the coast to the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains

By Patty Burness

It’s always a beautiful ride from San Francisco to the Monterey Bay along the coast and then inland through Hecker Pass across the Santa Cruz Mountains. Recently, my husband ... Read More

Weekend Traveler

San Francisco’s Theater District

By Patty Burness

It’s easy to be complacent in your surroundings, unaware of the excitement lingering nearby. San Francisco is one of those places, especially in and around the Theater Distri... Read More

Weekend Traveler