California Insurance Quotes Blog

See a coastline missed by many on a hiking and camping getaway.

California’s Lost Coast, 80 miles of unspoiled shoreline that begins about 50 miles north of Mendocino, is as raw and rugged as it gets. The reason is simple. In the 1920s, when road crews were building State 1 along the coast, the steep mountains here simply forced them to give up. They swung the road over the hills and merged it with U.S. 101, leaving behind a blessedly forgotten stretch of coast.

The area is accessible from 101 at Garberville (230 miles north of San Francisco and 60 miles south of Eureka) and, farther north, from the town of Ferndale, though these roads to the coast remain fairly rough. The 35-mile Lost Coast Trail follows the wild Pacific’s edge from the Mattole Trailhead to Black Sands beach.

Mattole Campground is a good place to start; there are 14 campsites right on a windswept beach. From here, the Lost Coast Trail laces in and out of redwood and fir forests, climbs up and down coastal canyons draining to the sea, and emerges onto lonely beaches and into meadows filled with California poppies, blue brush lupines, foxglove, and wild purple lilies. The seascape is second to none: white-capped ocean, exploding surf, sheer cliffs, and sea stacks. Make sure you get a local tide chart; some sections of the trail are impassable at high tide. (Allow three days for this hike.)

Inside Tip: In summer, this is a popular weekend hike; midweek you’ll have the trail largely to yourself. But bring warm clothing; the fog can be thick in these coastal climes.

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Join guided kayak tours for intimate views of quiet coves and lakefront mansions.

Lake Tahoe is the Sierra Nevada’s sapphire jewel, and one of the coolest ways to see it is by skimming across the cerulean surface on a kayak, buoyed by water so clear it’s as if only the thinnest film is keeping you suspended above the sandy bottom. Then of course there are the surroundings–hidden bays and sandy beaches, merganser families perched on granite boulders, shorelines trimmed with pine forests (or mansions)—the whole thing rimmed by sky-scraping peaks.

Tahoe City Kayak offers everything from tours of only a few hours up to customized multiday trips, and the outfitters know the lake’s every nook and cranny. You might drift past the lakefront palaces around Tahoe City or go picnicking on Fannette Island (part of the Emerald Bay tour). If a rigorous day isn’t what you’re after, combine kayaking with other, more leisurely activities—like eating. The Sunnyside Brunch tour opens with a short paddle and concludes with a lakeside brunch (and a ride back to Tahoe City). The Sunset tour may be most likely to leave a lifetime impression. To watch the sun drop behind the peaks of the Sierra and see the lake’s colors morph through every shade of darkening blue (with pinks and oranges tossed into the mix) is to witness the magic of nature’s palette.

521 N. Lake Blvd.
Tahoe City, CA 96145
Phone: (530) 581-4336
http://www.tahoecitykayak.net

And as always if you need travel insurance or would like to get fast and  free California auto insurance quotes, please visit our main site.

Who needs Africa when Santa Rosa has giraffes of its own?

The giraffes–and nearly 200 other animals from Africa–live at Safari West, a resort and wild-animal preserve in the hills west of east of downtown Santa Rosa. Just as with a traditional safari, visitors are led on guided jeeps tours through the golden rolling hills. Enjoy gourmet food at the on-site restaurant (try the barbecue!) and sleep in one of the camp’s luxury tents, an experience that enables visitors to awaken to the sound of wildlife all around. Reservations are required for all tours.

Shopping is an art form in California. Whether you’re in search of the perfect cocktail dress or an authentic Mexican piñata, you’ll find it here. Want to sample fresh produce? Try our farmers markets. Looking for a handmade ceramic bowl? Check out one of the many artist enclaves dotting the state. Simply looking for a great bargain on shoes? California has some of the largest outlet centers in the country. Or are you looking to indulge in the latest designer wear? Then head to our high-end shopping districts or malls. Visit Shop California , a proud partner of Shop America, to enjoy special VIP shopping and dining offers in each of California tourism region combined with the “best of” cultural experiences. 

Want a taste of California? Visit a farmers’ market and rub shoulders with celebrity chefs and foodie insiders picking out the finest organic produce. Step into sleek restaurants serving innovative, ultra-fresh California cuisine. Taste gelato made with locally-produced chocolate and toasted hazelnuts, or handmade cheeses from local farms. Drive down a tree-lined lane to wineries in grand chateaus, or relaxed, family-run vineyards where the guy pouring and chatting in the tasting room is a world-class winemaker.

If you’re looking for tips on the must-see food destinations or want to find out what’s new and what’s happening in CA cuisine, check out our Must Sees or Inside Scoops. If you have a little more time to explore, and want to experience a complete CA food and wine-themed vacation, take a look at our Wine & Dine Trip Ideas. And for even more information on CA wine events, activities and tastings, visit the Wine Institute .