Just north of San Francisco, city lights give way to majestic vistas and warm, sunny days in the world-renown wine region,

At first glance, it looks like a sleepy valley—but make no mistake: this is Silicon Valley, the capital of the high-tech world.

South of San Francisco, a band of communities and a variety of hotel options curve along the shoreline of the bay to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Cosmopolitan connoisseurs of sleek eateries and bars, humble houseboat colonies, deeply rooted farmers, and ranchers all provide Marin County with its character.

Beyond the wine country of Napa and Sonoma lies one of the state’s best-kept secrets: the North Coast and Shasta Cascade regions.

Monterey County is an idyllic, postcard-perfect destination that welcomes beach lovers, golfers, outdoor enthusiasts and foodies.

Alpine coolness, fresh-air forests and sparkling blue water distinguish Lake Tahoe, less than two hours from Sacramento (and only four from San Francisco).

Due east across San Francisco Bay, you'll find another bustling city, gorgeous parks, inspiring culture, and delicious food and wine. It's all in the East Bay and it's all easily accessible with BART.

California Highway 1 links a string of beach communities, each with its own surf shops, bait-and-tackle stands, restaurants-with-a-view, places to buy a wetsuit and spots to fill the cooler with ice.

There's a lot to discover in Nor Cal, from the beautiful outdoors, to windy coastlines, and delicious wines. You just have to cross a bridge to get there.