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Great Place to End the Day in Napa: Domaine Carneros

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:01:39 +0000

If you've been to Napa, you've probably seen the elegant French chateau that overlooks Hwy 12. That pretty place is the home of Domaine Carneros, a sparkling wine-producer with an outdoor terrace that makes a perfect last stop for a day in Wine Country.

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New Winery Find: Smith-Madrone

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:59:24 +0000

On a recent day out with my Wine Country tour guide pals, Rick (Blue Heron Tours) and Jesse (A Friend in Town), I visited a small winery that I found charming and unpretentious, a rare thing in ever-snootier Napa Valley. Owned by two brothers with a passion for wine-making, Smith-Madrone is located above the town of St. Helena.

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California in March

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:24:14 +0000

Spring blossoms are everywhere, there's a great film festival in San Jose and the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano. See what's happening in California in March.

More: California in Spring | Best Place for Spring Weekend Getaways

Whale Watching Season Begins

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:02:48 +0000

Whale Watching season is in full swing, but you've got plenty of time yet to see them this year. The goings-on will last through April. During their annual migrations along the California coast, tens of thousands of people turn out to watch the whales. Hornblower Cruises San Diego whale-watching season will run until mid-April. Check their recent sighting reports here.

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Monarch Butterfly-Watching in California

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:24 +0000

From mid-October through February each year, early morning crowds of hushed nature lovers gather in California's coastal eucalyptus groves, watching basketball-sized clusters of what appear to be brown leaves start to rustle and stir. The air fills with orange and black wings, and a monarch butterfly parade begins. These tiny creatures are beginning a migration that would leave stronger animals, and most humans, exhausted.

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Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas and Ano Nuevo

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:31:36 +0000

One of the easiest places to watch the elephant seals in California is at Piedras Blancas, just north of Hearst Castle. This time of year, the moms come ashore, babies are born and the big males start getting ready for mating season. Take a look to see them.

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Where Next?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:54:25 +0000

We figure there's always someplace else to take a little weekend getaway, so we put together a list. Now, you tell us which ones you like. In this poll, you can vote for as many places as you like.

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Weekend Getaway Newsletter

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:33:25 +0000

Many of you already get our weekly newsletter, but if your time off tends to come in small chunks rather than big ones, try out special weekend getaway edition. Sign up at any time and you'll get one newsletter a week, featuring one weekend getaway and one day trip in an area, until we run out of ideas for you.

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Weekend Getaway Guide

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:51:04 +0000

Did you know we have mini-planners for nearly 50 places in California? You can browse for places near home, look for a getaway that's designed especially for your personal interests. Visit the new California weekend getaway index - and you can be on your way faster than you can say: "I need a break."

Great Places to See California Wildflowers

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:49:07 +0000

We've been stalking California spring blossoms with our camera for years and we've compiled what we learned into a new guide to California Wildflowers. It tells you where to look - when - and how to find out current status.

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