Travel in county Mendocino

It wasn't so long ago that America's most famous winemaking regions, the Napa and Sonoma valleys, attracted only a tiny and somewhat eccentric cohort of tourists. Then came the legendary Judgment of Paris competition in 1976, when two Napa wineries bested some of France's most prominent vintners in a blind tasting, helping to legitimize Northern California as a world-class wine destination.

The Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival is one of my favorite wine events in the U.S. Now in its 25th year, “Pinot Fest” is a gathering of more than 50 producers from this small, cool-climate AVA, many of whose Pinot Noirs exceed their Sonoma competitors in quality at a fraction of the price. The Grand Tasting will be held on Saturday, 5/18, but I recommend spending the weekend and checking out the many related wine and food events that make Pinot Fest a longstanding destination to kick off Spring.

If there’s a better place for seafood in California than the Mendocino Coast, I haven’t found it. And right about now is high season for Mendo’s crown jewel: Dungeness crab.

California has more national parks than any other state in the United States. With such a wealth of choices, deciding which national park to visit can be tough. So we've made things easier for you – here's our list of the best national parks in California. Embrace the great outdoors in America’s Golden State.

Few regions of the world have been idealized and mythologized as much as California – yet it seldom fails to live up to the hype. Among the finest jewels in the state's crown are its magnificent beaches. There's no better place to soak up the near-endless sun than along the coast — whether you're there for surfing, nature or just pure relaxation. Here's our pick of the best beaches in California from north to south. If you’re looking for sun, sea, sand and scenery, read on.