Halfway between San Francisco and L.A., San Luis Obispo can be a relaxing getaway or a buzz of activity. For serenity, pack a lunch and head to one of dozens of wineries or take a drive to the beach for a leisurely swim. For a dose of history, visit the heart of the city at the beautiful Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Kids will love the Children’s Museum or Skate Park. Be sure to stroll along the creek downtown, where there are breweries, wine bars, restaurants and shopping for all tastes.

Lounge in style on the white beaches of the California coast. Pismo Beach offers premium ocean views, a 1200-foot pier perfect for fishing, and choice surfing. If you've had enough of bumming on the beach, check out the shops on the boardwalk or at the Pismo Beach Premium Outlets. Golfers will find plenty of desirable courses, and nature lovers will enjoy horseback riding or riding an ATV through the scenic sand dunes.

Monterey offers a host of historic attractions from Cannery Row to the famed Monterey Aquarium. This incredible sliver of oceanfront offers an amazing bounty of things to do, with marine, floral and vine-fresh delights to savor. Monterey-Salinas Transit and Amtrak let you take your eyes off the road. Charming towns, world-class golf courses and idyllic inns lie at the hem of the glittering Pacific. Whether you're looking for calm or noisy beachside fun, the Monterey Peninsula has it in buckets.

The first thing you need to know about Carmel: Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor, so don’t come here if you’re a hooligan. But if you’re after a romantic getaway to a seaside, art-filled village, Carmel might be perfect for you. You can even bring your dog—Carmel’s hotels, restaurants and galleries are remarkably Fido-friendly.

Playground to the rich, the famous and the glamorous, Beverly Hills is the home of some of California's most opulent homes, hotels and personalities. Visitors flock to the Hills to experience the allure of Hollywood, world-class shopping, fine dining and of course star-gazing. Give your credit card a real workout at top end boutiques and department stores on Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, or dine in famous celebrity hangouts and watch for your favorite stars.

At the crossroads of the Columbia and Wenatchee Rivers, Wenatchee is tucked away in a rugged valley full of natural and manmade wonders, from challenging golf courses to rocky trails. The Wenatchee Valley's numerous orchards, fruit stands and annual Apple Blossom Festival have garnered the area the title of "Apple Capital of the World." With the snow-capped Cascades to the west and the mighty Columbia to the east, the Wenatchee area offers no shortage of activities for the adventurous traveler.

Once a sleepy fishing village, Placencia has emerged as an increasingly popular eco-destination on the Caribbean. For those who enjoy outdoor adventure, the Stann Creek region offers a host of activities: hiking through mountainous rain forests, kayaking, deep sea fishing, diving and exploring Mayan ruins. The peninsula boasts 16 miles of tranquil beaches, with a lagoon to the west and the Caribbean to the east and lots of peace and quiet in the middle. Tour guides and dive centers offer a variety of excursions, with boat rides to the outer cayes an ongoing favorite. Also popular are guided land tours to Mayan Ruins or trekking the jungle trails of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, where the first Jaguar Reserve in the world was established.