paso robles

courtesy of sbisson's Flickr photostream

In Northern California, Sonoma and Napa Counties get all the buzz. But what about their southern little sister, Paso Robles, which has often been considered the next wine country destination by oenophiles from far and wide? Even if you're not already heading that direction for this weekend's 27th annual Paso Robles Wine Festival, may we suggest you add this pleasant region to your list of summer travels?

The Mendocino Coast

Kristin Luna

2008 was the year of the staycation, and 2009 doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon. This is excellent news for California residents who have everything one could want--sand and snow, mountains and deserts, plains and valleys--all within the state's confines, plus some stellar ongoing deals on local getaways. In this two-part list, we'll tempt you with 10 can't-miss spots to visit in the coming 12 months--make it your New Year's resolution to hit them all.