If you want to see some of the grandest trees in the world, take a trip over the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods and look up to the top of giant redwood trees, a phenomenon of nature.

Carmel, California is nestled between the world famous Pebble Beach golf course to the north and the spectacular Big Sur coast to the South. By carefully guarding the natural beauty of the area, Carmel has created a European style retreat from the headaches of everyday life. Carmel's rural setting and leisurely pace help you relax, and its small elegant inns, restaurants and shops make sure your stay is five star. For additional information, visit www.carmel-california.com.

San Francisco's Chinatown is one of the largest outside Asia, offering an array of exotic shops, restaurants, food markets, temples, museums and venerable Chinese institutions. Pagoda-style roofs and decorative balconies dominate the architecture; street lamps are dragon-entwined. Grant Avenue, the district's main street, is a perpetual pageant, during the annual Chinese New Year and Moon Festival celebrations. For eight blocks, between Bush Street and Columbus Avenue, visitors are assured one of the most unusual walks in America. For additional information, visit www.sanfranciscochinatown.com.

Overlooking the North Bay, picturesque Telegraph Hill is a reminder of San Francisco's artistic and literary traditions. Its name stems from earlier days when a semaphore was used to signal to the town below the approach of ships through the Golden Gate. At the summit is Coit Tower. This flute-like cylinder was built in 1933 as a monument to the legacy of Lillie Hitchcock Coit who left a $125,000 bequest to San Francisco "for the purpose of adding beauty to the city which I have always loved." Murals fill the tower's rotunda. An elevator to its 210-foot observation platform operates daily. Phone: (415) 362-0808.

Buy the new CityPass and visitors save 50% on seven of San Francisco’s classic attractions. Visitors can save money and avoid ticket lines. Buy the CityPass at the first attraction visited. Includes admission to Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum, Exploratorium, Legion of Honor, Museum of Modern Art, the Zoo, and a San Francisco Bay Cruise. For more information, visit the Blue and Gold information booth on Fisherman's Wharf or purchase a City Pass at Ghirardelli Square.

The third building to be built on this cliff offers a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. The main building has a cocktail lounge and several restaurants. At various times of the year, Seal Rock is home to seals, sea lions and gulls. This is "The Place" to watch a sunset or stroll on Ocean Beach. For additional information, visit www.cliffhouse.com.

A world famous landmark and one of the world’s largest single-span bridges. Observation decks and pedestrian walkways on the bridge. For additional information, visit www.goldengate.org.

Developed since 1871, these magnificent 1,017 acres were once an open expanse of dunes Now the largest man-made park in the world, Golden Gate Park includes countless trees, 7,000 kinds of plants, Stow Lake (rowboats, canoes), California Academy of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, deYoung Museum, Morrison Planetarium and Steinhart Aquarium are located here. For additional information, click here. Phone: (415) 831-2700.

The magnificent Monterey Peninsula has been called the greatest meeting of land, sea and sky and is recognized as an ideal vacation destination. This beautiful seaside community combines all the charm of small town America with an endless variety of recreational and cultural activities. Monterey's rich history, the saga of California's Mission Trail, historic Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row, 17 world-class golf courses, the world's best aquarium, a unique variety of shops and galleries and a spectacular assortment of parks and natural areas combine to provide a truly unrivaled place for your next getaway. For additional information, visit www.monterey.com.

"This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world," declared conservationist John Muir when describing this grove of majestic coastal redwoods. The tranquility of the forest of towering trees and canyon ferns is accessible to nearly everyone. View the redwood forest, Redwood Creek, wildflowers, and forest wildlife. Located north of San Francisco in Marin County. For additional information, visit www.nps.gov/muwo.

There's no beach like North Beach ... in fact, there's no beach at all! The area's name derives from the 1850's when a finger of the Bay extended inland and the neighborhood was a sunny shore. Today it encompasses one of San Francisco's busiest night life areas, a mosaic of cabarets, jazz clubs, cappuccino houses, off-beat bistros and established restaurants. All around are the vibrant accents of The City's more than 100,000 inhabitants of Italian descent. Washington Square is an ideal spot for lunch in the sun with the local paesani.

Located in Lincoln Park, 20 galleries and two garden courts. The museum holds one of the largest collections of Rodin statuary in the world. Great views of Baker Beach and the Marin Headlands. For additional information, visit www.famsf.org.

Sausalito is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, on the south-eastern tip of Marin County. Sausalito was incorporated in 1893, and named by 18th century Spanish explorers for the "little willow" trees (Saucelito) which were found, in abundance, on the banks of its streams. Sausalito covers a mere two and one half miles; a small town of only 7,500 residents boasting spectacular waterfront views, unique boutiques, restaurants and galleries. For additional information, visit www.ci.sausalito.ca.us.

Napa Valley's wines, particularly Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, are known and respected all over the world. The vineyards cover 32,000 acres and the valley boasts more than 250 wineries, ranging from tiny mom-and-pop establishments where the cellar is practically part of the house to immense operations owned by corporations and holding companies. In recent years the international presence in Napa Valley has increased. Some wineries are owned outright by European families or companies, while others are joint ventures with European wineries.

Sonoma Valley is home to more than 150 grape growers and 35 wineries, including some of the most familiar names in California wine making. Several of the smaller estates are also noteworthy and together they produce about 25 types of wines, ranging from crisp Sauvignon Blancs and buttery Chardonnay's to robust Cabernets and spicy Zinfandels. Both large and small wineries here tend to be much more casual than those in Napa Valley about drop-in visits. Most may be visited without calling ahead; those who ask for an appointment do so only to make sure someone will be around when visitors arrive.

For information visit www.winecountry.com.