Bonus Sherpa: Coast Encounters

Monterey was meant for weekend escapes. Just two hours from the Bay Area this Central Coast playground delivers natural beauty and buckets of fun: Hike to pocket coves, kayak around salty marshes, and bike along coastal trails. It's all on the menu at Monterey!

Go Big: Big Sur has miles of hiking trails, twisting sheer-drop highways, and hidden pocket beaches. Make a weekend of it by spending the night in a yurt at the Treebones Resort.

Good Point: Just south of Carmel, Point Lobos State Reserve has been called the greatest meeting of land and water in the world. Bring a picnic and stroll the rough-and-tumble headlands alongside Hawaiian-blue waters.

Pebble Beach Through the Backdoor: Enter the famous coastal community by taking a walk on the oceanside boardwalk through the protected sand dunes of Asilomar State Beach. Along the way, stop for a fireside mojito at Inn at Spanish Bay's outdoor terrace.

Slough Motion: Bird and animal revelers alike flock to Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing. Rent a kayak or join a guided tour and explore the 7-mile-long tidal salt marsh. Sea otter and brown pelican sightings are practically a guarantee!

Trail for All: Rent a bike and spend the day exploring the Monterey Coast. Everyone will love the flat, car-free, 18 miles of shoreline bicycle path on the Monterey Peninsula Recreation Trail.