2P Sunday, March 12, 2017 coloradoan.com Fort Collins Coloradoan
While known for its powder days, Steamboat Springs offers just as much for the adventurous vacationer in summer and off-season as it does during the winter. ¶ From hiking Rabbit Ears Pass at the Continental Divide to soaking in Strawberry Park Hot Springs to strolling by art galleries on an idyllic Western main drag, Steamboat is far enough removed from Colorado’s growing population centers to feel as if you’re escaping for a time. | COLORADOAN STAFF Best Time to Visit: If you’re looking for a relative deal, head to Steamboat during a shoulder season — either in the fall or the spring. Fall offers foliage and a first dusting of snow. An Easter Eggstravaganza, complete with 25,000 plastic eggs, is an annual tradition in spring. Ski season is more expensive, as is the summer. Getting There: Steamboat is just over 3 hours from Fort Collins. All of Colorado’s ski resorts are at least two hours from Northern Colorado, but Steamboat is often less crowded than other Colorado ski resorts and it offers a more classic Western feel. Must-See Attraction: Tube the Yampa or soak at Strawberry Park Hot Springs. Enjoy a (mostly) leisurely 2-hour float from River Creek Park to downtown Steamboat along the Yampa River. Dozens of other tubers will float along with you in the river, many with cold brews in their hands. The Yampa is a tame river by Colorado's standards and provides a mellow ride to downtown. There are several put ins and small beaches along the way, and the river runs under a few bridges where passersby wave hello. Finish your trip downtown and enjoy (another) beer and grab lunch. You will encounter some small eddys and rapids to maneuver. You can buy a tube or rent one for $18 at Backdoor Sports, backdoorsports.com. If you’re looking for warmer water or if you’d like to relax those sore muscles after a long hike, head over to Strawberry Park Hot Springs. The park’s pools feature 104-degree mineral water for you to soak in. At just $15 for adults and $8 for kids ages 3-17 (no youths allowed after dark), it’s a relative deal for a relaxing and scenic experience. strawberryhotsprings.com
Best Hike: If you’re not inclined to recline for the day, consider instead a hike to Fish Creek Falls. Just a short drive from downtown Steamboat, Fish Creek Falls is one of the area’s most popular summer destinations. The falls cascade 280 feet and are often considered one of the best in Colorado. They’re so beautiful, they inspired the original 1937 Coors beer can. You can even take the kids on this one, as it’s a short quarter-mile trek to the lower falls. Continue on to Upper Fish Creek Falls and Long Lake, in Routt National Forest, if you’re up for a challenge. Best Place to Take a Photo: There’s a barn in Steamboat Springs that’s perfectly nestled in front of the ski runs and it makes for tremendous photos. Stop into the galleries in town to find your perfect print or try to triangulate your way to it by taking hints from the photos from the pros. We won’t tell you where it is, though. Half the fun is in discovering it yourself. Best Splurge Accomodation: The Steamboat Grand is directly across from the base of the ski resort. Its large hot tubs and pool offer stunning apres-ski views. Fireplaces are charming and over Christmas the decorations are a must-see, even if you choose to stay elsewhere. steamboatgrand.com Best Bargain Accomodation: Consider a condo or vacation rental through VRBO, Airbnb or Expedia, as there are hundreds available for short term lease. Many are priced comparably to the budget hotels in town. Hidden Gem: Most folks head right past Rabbit Ears Pass on their way into town. But consider stopping for a hike to the summit, which is shaped like - you guessed it - rabbit ears. Or stop for a photo at the Continental Divide sign that denotes the pass and your current elevation — 9,426 feet.
Best Special Occasion Dinner: Café Diva offers fine dining with a personal, approachable touch. It’s located right next to Mount Werner ski center. Make your reservation early as tables fill quickly. cafediva.com Best Comfort Food: If you're in the mood for something more low-key, try LOW Country Kitchen for its 24-hour buttermilk fried chicken, and pair it with the rich, gooey mac and cheese. The restaurant also serves grits and a green tomato BLT with pork belly. lowrestaurant.com Best Breakfast: Winona’s is known for its football-size cinnamon rolls, which sit behind the glass counter. The eatery is located on Lincoln Ave — the main street through Steamboat — so you can walk off your cinnamon roll or other choices easily. We’re also fans of Freshies, which offers breakfast burritos and white cheddar enchiladas in addition to healthier fare like the acai bowl and homemade granola. winonassteamboat.com Best Place to Take the Kids: The resorts offer family-friendly skiing or snowboarding in the winter. Try the ice bumper cars at Howelsen Ice Arena if you’re looking to mix it up. Visiting in summer? Let the little ones take off their shoes and splash around in the creek at the base of the ski resort. steamboatsprings.net/ice Where the Locals Go: The best taco shops are the hole-in-the-wall types, and Tacos del Barco — a humble taco shack in the corner of a gas station parking lot — fits the bill. A fusion of Mexican and Jamaican cuisines, the tacos range from pork carnitas and chorizo to jerk chicken and curry shrimp. Pair with a Mexican Coke. — Stephen Meyers contributed to this report.
People enjoy the day at Fish Creek Falls near Steamboat Springs. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; COLORADOAN LIBRARY
Fort Collins Coloradoan coloradoan.com Sunday, March 12, 2017 3P
We live here. We love it here. ¶ And yet we probably don’t leave our Fort Collins home often enough, with Horsetooth keeping watch over us, the Poudre River for recreating and parks galore. ¶ We've all heard of Rocky Mountain National Park and its awe-inspiring purple mountain majesties and bugling elk. ¶ But did you know that Colorado is home to four national parks (not to mention countless other places to see)? ¶ In 2017, consider filling up the tank and heading off to a new Colorado destination. | COLORADOAN STAFF
Colorado’s Grand Canyon Located in southwestern Colorado, about 310 miles from Fort Collins, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is the least-visited of Colorado's four national parks. But the drive is well worth it, as the mini-Grand Canyon provides breathtaking views, such as the 2,250-foot Painted Wall, Colorado’s tallest sheer cliff. Carved over millions of years by the Gunnison River, the deep and narrow 48-mile long Black Canyon drops 2,722 feet at Warner Point and spans only 40 feet across at its narrowest point, The Narrows. For a true perspective of the canyon’s depth, get a permit to hike to the canyon floor.
it to check out nearby Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, which is the seasonal home for 20,000 migrating sandhill cranes. The 4-foot-tall birds with 6-foot wingspans fill the sky, and with the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the background, the scene is quite stunning, and noisy. nps.gov/Grsa/index.htm , fws.gov/refuge/monte_vista
Climb Colorado’s Peaks
Get Sand in Your Shoes
Rocky Mountain National Park and the fourteeners get all the publicity, but Colorado has plenty of other trails and mountains to hike. For the checklist-type people out there, here’s a challenge for you: Hike and climb all 64 of Colorado’s county high points. If you’re in Northern Colorado, you can knock off Larimer County on 13,573-foot Hagues Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, Jackson County on 12,951-foot Clark Peak, in Colorado State Forest State Park and Boulder County on Longs Peak.
Roughly 300 miles south of Fort Collins, Great San Dunes National Park and Preserve will make you feel small in the best possible way.
Longs Peak attracts 15,000 to 20,000 hikers (in conga line fashion) every year. But, the 14,259-foot peak is a must-do for anyone with a passion for the outdoors.
Already been there? Go back in winter, and cross-country ski the South Rim. nps.gov/blca/index.htm
The dunes stretch over most of the 150,000 acres of this park in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. A must-do is the hike to the top of 750-foot Star Dune, the tallest dune in North America. Then have fun coming down. You'll see people on sleds, snowboards and even skis. For water fun, check out Medano Creek at the dunes and nearby Zapata Falls. If you visit the sand dunes in the spring, it's also worth
Take a Walk Through Ancient History Immerse yourself in the lives of the mysterious ancestral Pueblo people with a visit to Mesa Verde National Park. The park is a whopping 430 miles from Fort Collins, nestled in the southwestern corner of Colorado, but for history buffs, it's a bucket list destination.
Mesa Verde is home to more than 600 cliff dwellings that date back to 1211 A.D. among the park's 5,200 acres. Your best bet is to take the one-hour $4 guided cliff dwellings tours, though be warned, it can get hot in July and August. nps.gov/meve/index.htm
Bonus: Do the Dinos OK, it's not technically a national park, but Dinosaur National Monument, about 276 miles west of Fort Collins in the far northwest corner of the state, offers exquisite nighttime views and daytime fun fit for families, adventurers and retired travelers alike. And lots of dinosaur fossils, of course. The area earned its name thanks to the discovery of bones from more than 400 dinosaurs by paleontologist Earl Douglass in 1909. Drive the Colorado side of the park (Dinosaur extends into Utah) and see stunning desert canyon scenery along the 31-mile one-way Harpers Corner Scenic Drive. From the Canyon Visitor Center, 2 miles from Dinosaur, Colorado, Harpers Corner takes visitors along the canyon rim with several striking viewpoints and overlooks of the Green and Yampa rivers. Hop out of the car at the end of the route and hike the 1-mile trail to a vista with views into Whirlpool, Lodore and Yampa canyons. nps.gov/dino/index.htm , nps.gov/dino/planyourvisit/harpers-corner-road.htm — Stephen Meyers contributed to this report.
The cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park are a popular destination for history buffs. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; GETTY IMAGES
4P Sunday, March 12, 2017 coloradoan.com Fort Collins Coloradoan
With postcard-worthy scenery, southwest Colorado offers year-round attractions for families and outdoor enthusiasts. The area is a foodie’s paradise, and it has endless recreational activies and community events, whether your passion is winter skiing or summer hiking. | RENEE LUCERO SPECIAL TO THE DAILY TIMES
Best Time to Visit: Summer and winter offer their own unforgettable adventures. The average temperature in summer flirts with 90 degrees, providing near-perfect conditions for hiking, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking and strolling downtown Durango. In winter, visitors can take advantage of snowshoeing, cross-country and alpine skiing, and snowboarding at Purgatory Resort north of Durango; the Wolf Creek Ski Area outside Pagosa Springs; and the Hesperus Ski Area. There’s also plenty of snowmobiling in the backcountry. Getting There: United and American airlines fly into Durango-La Plata County Airport. Most visitors drive because it takes a car to see all the area has to offer. Must-See Attraction: The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum. This historic railroad has not lost its luster since its first run as an ore transporter in the late 1800s. Now, the train carries passengers in restored deluxe cars, gondolas and two glass-topped cars, which travel at a top speed of 18 miles per hour. The train goes from Durango to Silverton, a former silver-mining town about 45 miles north. durangotrain.com Insider Tip: Crunched for time? The SkyWay Tour offers a return trip to Durango on a coach bus. The 31⁄2-hour train ride is shortened to 11⁄2 hours on the bus. durangotrain.com Hidden Gem: A farm-to-table mecca, James Ranch is a shop, grill and ranch all in one. Products include artisan cheese, whey-fed pork, grass-finished beef, raw milk, chicken and eggs. The grill (open in warmer months) features produce from the garden, and the market sells goods from across the property. The family-owned operation is about 10 miles outside Durango. jamesranch.net Best Sweet Treat: Honeyville. Honey is center stage in this shop, which infuses the sweet nectar into almost every product on its shelves. Beekeeping and honey
bottling are done on-site, and the property also houses the Honey House Distillery. honeyvillecolorado.com Best Annual Event: Snowdown takes place the first weekend in February with a mini-golf course through bars and restaurants (one hole in each establishment), a hot-air balloon rally and mass ascension, a parade and much more. Don’t forget your costume! snowdown.org Next Best Annual Event: Thousands of bikers descend on the tiny town of Ignacio, 24 miles west of Durango, on Labor Day weekend for the Four Corners Motorcycle Rally. Ignacio is also home to the Sky Ute Lodge and Casino, which includes a bowling alley, arcade, slots, table games and restaurants. fourcornersmotorcyclerally.com Where the Locals Go: Trimble Spa & Natural Hot Springs north of Durango offers mineral-water bathing pools that are naturally heated. Come for a day or stay the night. Massages are available. trimblehotsprings.wordpress.com Best Live Entertainment: Check out the Bar D Wranglers in Durango. The Bar D Wranglers are a family affair, performing at the Bar D Chuckwagon nightly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. After a barbecue dinner, the Wranglers perform in a classic Western style with guitar picking, fiddling and comedy for all ages. bardchuckwagon.com Best Place to Take the Kids: The Durango Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum, the oldest state-owned fish hatchery in Colorado. It raises rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon that are stocked in southwestern Colorado lakes and streams for fishing. cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/Hatcheries.aspx Honorable Mention for Kids: Powerhouse Science Center, aptly situated inside a former power plant, offers programs and activities that examine various kinds of energy. powsci.org
Best Paid Attraction: Known best for its skiing, Purgatory Resort outside Durango has evolved into a year-round attraction. The ski runs are suitable for beginners and intermediates. Amenities include lodging, food, shopping, beer, cocktails and child care. In summer, the resort transforms into a mountain-biking haven and adventure headquarters for all ages. The main attraction is the alpine slide, where riders navigate a half-mile course on a provided sled. Other activities include a scenic chair-lift ride, climbing wall, bounce house, ropes course, gyro chair, bungee trampoline and miniature golf. purgatoryresort.com Best Free Attraction: Locals and visitors alike enjoy the challenge of hiking Engineer Mountain. It gains 2,300 feet in 2.6 miles and tops out at 12,200 feet, so pace yourself and bring plenty of snacks and water. In July, wildflowers are in bloom. The trailhead is easily accessed from Pass Creek Trailhead at Coal Bank Pass, 35 miles north of Durango on U.S. 550. Best Special-Occasion Dinner: The Kennebec, about 10 miles west of Durango in Hesperus. Chef-owners Barbara Helmer and Miguel Carrillo use local and seasonal ingredients in their Mediterranean-inspired cuisine that includes duck, lamb chops and scallops at dinner. The Kennebec offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays all year, plus lunch during the week in summer. kennebeccafe.com Best Hike: Mesa Verde National Park, about 35 miles west of Durango, is famous for its Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Cliff Palace is the best-known, but Mesa Verde has nearly 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings that are among the best preserved in the country. Many of the attractions require a guided tour, but self-guided tours of the Step House are allowed in the summer. Restaurants, campgrounds and a hotel are available. nps.gov/meve
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers spectacular views of the Animas River and the San Juan Mountains. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; GETTY IMAGES
Fort Collins Coloradoan coloradoan.com Sunday, March 12, 2017 5P
There are so many places to hike, bike, drive and sightsee near Moab that it’s hard to know where to start. Here’s a guide to the best of the city and its biggest attractions, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. | JILL CASSIDY THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC
Best Time to Visit: September and October. The weather is great and there are fewer visitors once summer vacation is over. Avoid fall break if you can. Getting There: Most visitors drive. You need a car to enjoy all the recreation the area has to offer. The nearest airport is in Grand Junction, Colo., about 110 miles away. Get Your Bearings: Make the scenic drive to Needles Overlook. That’s Indian Creek below, the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park stretching out beyond that, and the park’s Maze District in the distance. You can see the Henry Mountains, the La Sals and the Abajos. At the road’s end there are informative signs and short walking paths right up to the edge of the cliff. It’s fenced, but you’ll want to hang on to your little ones. It’s a 44-mile round trip on a paved road. utahscanyoncountry.wordpress.com/ 2012/06/13/needles-overlook Top Canyonlands National Park Fact: Two parts of the park are easily reached from Moab. The Island in the Sky District has a 34-mile paved scenic drive and a 100-mile dirt road for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts. It’s especially popular with bicyclists. The Needles District attracts hikers and backpackers, who come for Druid Arch and the namesake Needles formations. nps.gov/cany/index.htm Top Arches National Park Fact: You can see many of the park’s famous arches and other interesting formations either from the road or by taking short, easy walks. That’s good for folks with limited mobility and families with small kids. nps.gov/arch Construction Alert: Arches will undergo road construction and other improvements in 2017. The park will be open but visitors may encounter road and trail closures and traffic jams. The Devils Garden Campground (the only one in the park) is closed March 1-Oct. 31. nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/construction.htm Best Canyonlands Hike: The 3-mile hike from the Elephant Hill trailhead to Chesler Park includes slickrock bowls, a narrow slot and then a view of the Needles as you crest the hill down to grassy Chesler
Park. Return the same way for a 6-mile trip or use that handy map you’re carrying to explore spur trails, fashioning your own loop hike. nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/hiking.htm Best Arches Hike: People come from around the world for the 3-mile round-trip hike to Delicate Arch. It’s well worth it, but always crowded. Fit hikers who are comfortable on slickrock ledges will get plenty of breathing room on the 7.2-mile primitive loop that starts at the Devils Garden Trailhead. You’ll have lots of company for the easy first three-quarters of a mile to Landscape Arch. After that, the trail becomes trickier and fellow hikers are few and far between. nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/hiking.htm Hidden Gem: Dead Horse Point State Park occupies a plateau 2,000 feet above the Colorado River. Seven miles of trails link eight scenic overlooks and the terrain is pretty flat and friendly for most visitors. The campground has sites that can be reserved, and there are three yurts with terrific views if upscale camping is more your style. stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse. Best Splurge Accommodation: Red Cliffs Lodge, on the Colorado River about 14 miles from downtown Moab, has rooms and cabins for up to six people. Horseback riding and tennis are available at the lodge, and outings ranging from Jeep tours to airplane tours can be arranged. redcliffslodge.com Best Bargain Accommodation: The Adventure Inn on the main drag has reasonable rates, a grassy lawn where you can socialize with other guests, rooms with microwaves and fridges and a guest laundry. And the folks who run it are super friendly and have lots of recommendations for restaurants and activities. adventureinnmoab.com Best Breakfast: At Peace Tree Juice Cafe, fuel up with Green Eggs and Ham, eggs scrambled with spinach and pesto. Grab a burrito or bagel sandwich to go. Numerous flavors of smoothies, juices and coffees are on the menu, too. peacetreecafe.com
Best Dinner: Miguel’s Baja Grill has the perfect pick-me-up after your hike, bike ride or river trip. Its Mother Of All Burritos (MOAB, get it?) can be customized with eight choices of fillings and three sauce options. Try the shrimp with green tomatillo sauce. The margaritas will help replace that salt you sweated out. miguelsbajagrill.com Where the Locals Go: Hidden Valley Trail. This hike starts in a neighborhood and commences with a 600-foot trudge up a barren, rocky path. You’ll be well rewarded when you reach the top and find yourself in a grassy green bowl dotted with juniper trees. Continue through the valley and up to a saddle where you can see endless red-rock formations. The 4-mile trip includes an elevation gain of 680 feet. discovermoab.com/hiking.htm Money-Saving Tip: Camp instead of stay in hotels. There are two campgrounds in the Needles District of Canyonlands, one just outside it, one in the Island in the Sky District, one at Dead Horse Point State Park and numerous Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management camping areas in the vicinity. discovermoab.com/campgrounds.htm Dog-Friendly Highlight: Dogs aren’t allowed on trails in national parks, but there are plenty of hikes around Moab that are great for well-behaved pooches. Find a selection at discovermoab.com/hiking.htm Best Activity for Kids: Both national parks offer the Junior Ranger program. Kids complete age-appropriate activities to receive a badge and certificate. nps.gov/kids/jrrangers.cfm Best River Outfitter: If you want to spend some time on the Green or Colorado rivers, Tex’s Riverways will set you up for a 2- to 10-day self-guided paddling trip plus shuttle service. Tex’s rents canoes, kayaks, dry bags, water containers and camp chairs. Bring your own camping gear. Several companies offer half- and full-day kayak and standup-paddleboard outings. texsriverways.com , discovermoab.com/tour.htm
Sections of Canyonlands National Park and its famous rock hoodoos are easily reached from Moab, Utah. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; GETTY IMAGES
6P Sunday, March 12, 2017 coloradoan.com Fort Collins Coloradoan
It has been called the “Canyon of the Gods” and many of the 4.3 million visitors to Zion National Park last year would probably agree. Zion Canyon, the centerpiece of the park, is a landscape of majestically towering red rock cliffs, gently cascading streams, foraging mule deer, hanging gardens and weeping rocks. Here’s your insider’s guide to the park once known as Mukuntuweap. BRIAN PASSEY THE SPECTRUM
Best Time to Visit: Summertime is the most popular time to visit Zion National Park, even as temperatures often soar to the triple digits. Springtime brings the vibrancy of new greens along the riverside while autumn decorates the canyon with bright yellow foliage and occasional splashes of red and orange. But an increasing amount of visitors in recent years has made the park extremely busy during the warmest months, which is why winter remains the best time to visit. It might be a little more gray than green along the river but the high temperatures are often still in the 50s. Some trails may occasionally close due to ice or snow but many remain open. Getting There: Las Vegas is only about 2.5 hours from Zion National Park, so many visitors fly into McCarran International Airport. Flights into St. George Regional Airport, only 45 minutes from Zion, might be more expensive but could be worth it for proximity. Once you're in the park, the most popular sites in Zion Canyon can be visited by one of the busiest shuttle systems in any national park. In fact, private vehicles are prohibited in the Zion Canyon section of the park through the busiest time of the year. Must-See Attraction: The infamous Angels Landing Trail takes hikers on a 2.7-mile (one way) trek up a series of sharp switchbacks called Walter’s Wiggles and along a narrow strip of rock with steep drops on both sides to the top of a 1,488-foot rock formation in the center of the canyon. A number of people have perished in falls from the trail, but it remains one of the most popular in the park. But if you're not brave enough to risk Angels Landing, Zion Canyon features some other spectacularly scenic routes, like the 1-mile (one way) Emerald Pools Trail, which takes hikers past
three pools of water at varying elevations and connected by a common stream. utah.com/zion-national-park/angels-landing Best Place to Take a Photo: The Virgin River provides many of the prettiest photo opportunities, especially in spots where you are able to capture it with the cliffs rising high above. Perhaps the most popular spot in the park for photographs is on the bridge over the Virgin River on Utah Route 9 at the junction with the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Nearly every day at sunset it’s crowded with photographers trying to capture the magic hour glow on the red cliffs with the river reflecting colors from the sky. Hidden Gem: The least-visited section of the park is the Kolob Terrace area. The forested highlands of the Kolob Terrace offer a different side of Zion and slightly cooler temperatures in the summer. It’s accessible via the Kolob Terrace Road north of the town of Virgin. zionnational-park.com/kolob.htm Best Place to Take the Kids: The short but steep Weeping Rock Trail is only 0.4 miles, one way, and offers sweeping views of the canyon below. Or there's the 1-mile, one way, Riverside Walk,which is a fairly flat stroll along the Virgin River to the mouth of the famous Narrows. Insider Tip: Don't just stick to the national parks and monuments. State parks like Snow Canyon and Sand Hollow feature a bevy of red rock delights and usually only a fraction of the visitors. Free hiking and near solitude can also be found on the dozens of trails in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and the Santa Clara River Reserve. All of these protected lands can be found near the St. George metro area.
Where the Locals Go: One of the locals’ favorite scenic drives is Smith Mesa, accessible via the Kolob Terrace Road. Smith Mesa is primarily covered with pastureland but its views of the Zion cliffs are unparalleled from anywhere else outside the park boundaries. It’s a dirt road, so it shouldn’t be traveled in wet weather and a good map is highly recommended, but it’s a chance to see Zion from a perspective missed by most tourists. Just 15 Minutes Away: The picturesque ghost town of Grafton, located just across the river from Rockville, still has a few standing buildings, highlighted with the cliffs of Zion in the background. It is, perhaps, most famous as the shooting location for the bicycle scene in the 1969 film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," featuring Paul Newman and Katharine Ross. Best Annual Event: The St. George Marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon and it draws thousands of runners to the commercial hub of southwest Utah on the first Saturday of October. Best Live Entertainment: If you're a theater aficionado, southwest Utah offers two diverse options during the summer season. Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Ivins City produces three Broadway-style musicals every summer in a red rock amphitheater near Snow Canyon State Park. Meanwhile, Cedar City to the north, is home to the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, which produces eight plays every summer and fall. tuacahn.org, bard.org
The Virgin River serves as the backdrop for some of the most scenic photo opportunities in Zion National Park. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; GETTY IMAGES
Fort Collins Coloradoan coloradoan.com Sunday, March 12, 2017 7P
Santa Fe prides itself on celebrating all of its rich history. It recognizes its roots in Pueblo Indian culture, the Spanish colonial period and its position today as New Mexico’s state capital and a haven for artists, writers and other creative types. Santa Fe means holy faith in Spanish.With its intriguing mix of galleries, restaurants, museums and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities, Santa Fe has experiences for everyone. | WELDON B. JOHNSON THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC Best Time to Visit: Memorial Day through Labor Day is the prime season, though the cooler months have their own appeal. Fall colors are spectacular, and there is skiing nearby. santafe.org. Getting There: Many Southwestern visitors either drive there or fly to Albuquerque. There you can rent a car and drive about an hour north. Santa Fe Municipal Airport is another option, with direct flights from Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver and Phoenix. Money-Saving Tip: For those who fly into Albuquerque, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express offers easy access to Santa Fe for less than $10 each way. To catch the train, take the free shuttle from the airport. The train stops at the Santa Fe Railyard, an eight-block walk from the downtown plaza. Or you can catch a free shuttle from the Railyard into downtown Santa Fe.. nmrailrunner.com. Get Your Bearings: The historic downtown plaza is a good place to meet up with people or get the lay of the land. Many of Santa Fe’s top attractions are within easy walking distance of the square. santafe.org. Hidden Gems: Secret gardens are sprinkled throughout the downtown area if you are patient enough to seek them out. These gardens offer quiet places to contemplate the sights you’ve taken in or plan your next adventure. Hint: A secret garden can be found adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. cbsfa.org. Best Bargain Accommodation: The Santa Fe Sage Inn offers motel-style rooms for about $100 a night. It’s about a mile from the downtown plaza, but complimentary shuttle service will take you there. Santa Fe Railyard Park, a popular warm-weather attraction, is right across Cerrillos Road. Hotel amenities include a fitness center and outdoor pool. santafesageinn.com. Best Splurge Accommodation: The Inn of the Five Graces is in the historic Barrio de Analco neighborhood. It occupies several buildings on both
sides of the street near the San Miguel Mission, founded in 1610. The modest exteriors offer no clue as to the luxurious accommodations inside. Each room is uniquely furnished with Eastern-themed furnishings from the high-end collections of Seret and Sons. Bathrooms feature individually designed mosaic tubs and/or shower fixtures. Nightly prices depend on season and range from about $335 for a single room to $2,500 for the fabulous three-bedroom, three-bath Luminaria House villa. fivegraces.com. Best Lunch: The Shed offers tasty authentic northern New Mexican cuisine in a vibrant, eclectic setting. Watch your head if you eat at the Shed because some of doorways in the former residence-turned-restaurant are less than 6 feet high. sfshed.com. Best Dinner With a View: Grab a table on the patio at Rooftop Pizza and take in the sunset while enjoying Italian cuisine that includes antipasti, salads, pasta and, yes, pizza. Toppings include the traditional, such as green chile (hey, this is New Mexico), mushrooms and pepperoni or more adventurous selections such as lobster, piñon nuts and smoked duck. Try the blue corn crust. rooftoppizzeria.com. Where the Locals Eat: A short drive from downtown on Cerrillos Road takes you to Dr. Field Goods. The farm-to-table fare includes favorites such as carne adovada egg rolls, charred Caesar salad, Bad Ass BLT (featuring a 9-ounce ground bacon patty) and buffalo enchiladas. drfieldgoods.com. Best Family Activity: The interactive art exhibit/play space Meow Wolf can entertain a family for an entire day. Children will be fascinated to explore the quirky, almost cartoon-like rooms and features. Teens and adults can immerse themselves in trying to figure out the story behind all the chaos. meowwolf.com. Best Grown-up Activity: If you enjoy a good margarita, pick up a Santa Fe Margarita Trail passport and check out the 31 stops around town. Collect stamps from each stop and earn prizes, but don't try to
hit them all in one day. The passport also contains recipes and tips for getting around town without getting behind the wheel. santafe.org/margaritatrail. Best Art Museum: The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum is not a comprehensive collection of the famous artist’s work so don’t expect to see all of your favorite paintings. But the collection is designed to offer greater insight into her life. okeeffemuseum.org. Best Cultural Experience: Museum Hill is worth the short drive from downtown Santa Fe. The area is home to the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. In addition, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden on Museum Hill is right across the street. museumhill.net. Best Place to Buy Art (or window shop): Canyon Road. There are more than 200 galleries along Canyon Road, which is a short walk from the downtown square. www.canyonroadarts.com , visitcanyonroad.com. Best Place to Watch the Sunset: The Bell Tower Bar at LaFonda on the Plaza hotel offers spectacular city and mountain views. At five stories, it’s one of the highest points in town. lafondasantafe.com. Best In-Town Hike: If you want to challenge yourself a bit, make the trek up to see the Cross of the Martyrs. It’s a fairly easy hike, but it is uphill and can seem harder if you aren’t used to the altitude (7,198 feet). Signs along the way reveal some local history. The hilltop is another good place to check out the sunset. 617 Paseo de Peralta. Best Place to Explore Ancient Ruins: Bandelier National Monument is near Los Alamos, about 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe. Take the short hike from the visitor center to Frijoles Canyon where you can view reconstructions or remnants of ancient buildings and cliff dwellings. nps.gov/Band.
Santa Fe’s Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is adjacent to one of the city’s “secret” gardens. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; MICHAEL CHOW/THE REPUBLIC
8P Sunday, March 12, 2017 coloradoan.com Fort Collins Coloradoan
There is no better bargain than the Grand Canyon. Just $30 entitles a carload of people to admission for seven days. That’s not nearly long enough to thoroughly explore the natural wonder, but it is enough time to experience the Canyon in a meaningful way while creating memories to last forever. Whether you walk along the rim or descend into its depths, the Grand Canyon is worthy of the top spot on anyone’s bucket list. | SCOTT CRAVEN THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC Best Time Of Year To Visit: Anytime. Spring and fall boast great weather, and winter brings the possibility of snow layered on cliffs. Summer is least desirable, with heat and crowds, but don't let that dissuade you.
Best Lunch Spot: Pack a sandwich, chips and drink before heading to Point Imperial on the North Rim. At 8,803 feet, it's the highest overlook at the Canyon. www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/north-rim.htm.
South Rim for just a few hours, enjoy the Bright Angel Trail while knowing it will take you twice as long going up as coming down. www.nps.gov/grca/ planyour visit/upload/Bright_Angel_Trail.pdf.
Getting There: 225 miles north of central Phoenix to the South Rim; 350 miles to the North Rim.
Best Family Dinner: The Bright Angel Restaurant on the South Rim offers a family-friendly menu featuring reasonably priced food. grandcanyonlodges.com /dining/bright-angel-restaurant.
Dog-Friendly Highlight: Canines are allowed along rim trails and in campgrounds, but not below the rim. Pet boarding is available at the South Rim.
Must-See Paid Attraction: The Canyon. A seven-day pass good for a carload of people is $30, about what you’d spend on a movie and snacks for two. nps.gov/grca. Must-See Free Attraction: The Kolb Studio is a remarkable feat of engineering. The two-story structure perches on the edge of the South Rim, defying gravity every day. nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/art-exhibits.htm. Best Place to Take a Selfie: Cape Royal on the North Rim boasts about as close to a 360-degree view of the Canyon as you're going to see. Pose with the Angel Window at your back. nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/north-rim.htm. Bargain Accommodation: Beds at the Grand Canyon International Hostel, about 80 miles south in Flagstaff, go for about $25 per person per night and include breakfast. grandcanyonhostel.com.
Best Special-Occasion Dinner: Eating not far from a thousand-foot cliff makes any meal a special occasion. Whether you’re eating inside the upscale El Tovar Dining Room or at the Hermits Rest snack bar, the view will make it special. Best Restaurant For a First Date: If you’re at the Grand Canyon on a first date, no need to find a romantic spot to dine. Find a seat along the rim and bask in the glory of an unforgettable first date. Burn Some Calories: Head off on any trail and you’ll burn calories. Just remember that the gravity assist you have going down becomes the gravity drag as you hike back up. The South Kaibab Trail is good for beginners. Bring plenty of water and some salty snacks. www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/SouthKaibab Trail.pdf. Learn Some History: Knowing that just a little geology can go a long way, the visitor centers on both rims offer a brief explanation of the millions of years required to carve the scenic wonder.
Splurge Accommodation: Book a suite at El Tovar, the grand dame of South Rim lodging. For $500 or so you'll get an expansive space with your own patio overlooking the Canyon. grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/el-tovar. Best Breakfast Spot: Enjoy sunrise on the rim and then breakfast in the El Tovar Dining Room. Try to snag a table outside or by the window for incredible views. grandcanyonlodges.com/lodging/el-tovar. Best Coffeehouse: Order a cappuccino at the Roughrider Saloon in the Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim, and sip it in the sun room where picture windows frame an unmatched view. grandcanyonforever.com.
Live Entertainment: Park rangers lead daily talks on geology, topography and wildlife. With props included, the informative lectures are entertaining and educational. Best Annual Event: The best occurrence is as gorgeous as it is rare and unpredictable. Once or twice a year, a cloud inversion fills the Canyon with mist lapping against the cliffs. Best Hike: Few treks rival the rim-to-rim hike, a journey that can last six hours or six days, depending on your capabilities and preferred speed. If you’re at the
Best Place to Camp: Mather Campground on the South Rim has three things going for it: It’s open all year, it's centrally located and it takes reservations up to six months in advance. www.nps.gov/grca/plan yourvisit/cg-sr.htm#CP_JUMP_1954262. Best Pizza: If you’re the Pizza Pub (inside Maswik Lodge on the South Rim), you better have great pizza. Unless there is no competition, as is the case. Then the not-too-bad pizza will have to suffice. www.grand canyonlodges.com/dining/maswik-food-court. Coolest Thing You Didn’t Know: With a full-time population of about 3,000 people, the South Rim has a library and a community center. Grand Canyon is the only one of 58 national parks with a K-12 school. Best Place to See Sunset: Anywhere along the rim. If you’re there more than a day, experiment. It’s amazing how much the view differs from Mather Point to Hermits Rest to Desert Watchtower. Best Local Flavor: While it’s a scent rather than a flavor, the pine-rich air of the North Rim imbues everything, providing the kind of rich experience most people get via car deodorizers. Best Activity For Kids: The Junior Ranger program has a full slate of age-appropriate activities, allowing kids to have fun and learn about the Canyon at the same time. Youngsters who fill out the booklet get sworn in, with badges and photos. Plus, it’s free. Hidden Gem: The Canyon has a million hidden gems, but one that’s reasonably accessible is the Desert Watchtower at the South Rim's east entrance. The immense stone tower resembles a lighthouse rising from the Canyon’s edge.
Visitors come from around the globe to visit the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders in the world. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; MICHAEL CHOW/THE REPUBLIC
Fort Collins Coloradoan coloradoan.com Sunday, March 12, 2017 9P
Sedona is a landscape built for adventure. The red-rock towers and pinnacles are surrounded by almost 2 million acres of national forest and buttressed by four wilderness areas. Yet beneath a rugged exterior lies a soft core of comfort and luxury. Elegant hotels and resorts, spas, galleries, restaurants and wineries are waiting. Play like a kid all day in Sedona. Then relax like an adult when the sun goes down. | ROGER NAYLOR SPECIAL FOR THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC
Best Time to Visit: Summer. Spring and fall are crowded. At 4,500 feet in elevation, Sedona enjoys mild summers with heat in the afternoon — perfect for swimming holes, canyon picnics or a creekside massage. Many hotels offer summer bargains.
Best Breakfast Spot: With all due respect to the sunrise, Sedona’s day officially begins when the Coffee Pot opens. Coffee Pot is famous for 101 different omelets, each big as a thermos and stuffed with a medley of ingredients. coffeepotsedona.com.
Best Hike: West Fork of Oak Creek. The soft path crisscrosses a creek at the bottom of a narrow canyon with 1,000-foot walls soaring overhead. Plan to get your feet wet and your heart stolen. www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
Getting There: 115 miles north of Phoenix off Interstate 17.
Best Lunch Spot: Once a popular saloon for local ranchers and Hollywood stars, Cowboy Club is now a slightly upscale eatery with an eclectic menu. Snag a patio seat to enjoy panoramas with your juicy burger and cactus fries. cowboyclub.com.
Best Place to Get an Adult Beverage: The Art of Wine is the nerve center for all things grape-related, stocking a full slate of Arizona vino. They're generous with information and pours. artofwinesedona.com.
Must-See Paid Attraction: Jeep tours are a signature Sedona experience. Each company offers specialty rides ranging from gentle, scenic excursions to boulder-climbing thrill fests. Must-See Free Attraction: Rising from the red rocks, the Chapel of the Holy Cross makes a striking sight from its high perch. The simple interior of this architectural wonder includes a few benches and tapestries and sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows. chapeloftheholycross.com. Best Place to Take a Selfie: Bell Rock is Sedona’s official greeter. This Hershey Kiss-shaped dollop of sandstone sits at the southern edge of town and prompts nearly every first-time visitor to pull over for a photo op. Bargain Accommodation: The Sedona Motel is a classic motor court, well maintained with large rooms, a prime location and expansive vistas. thesedonamotel.com. Splurge Accommodation: El Portal, a 12-room hacienda, was built with thoughtful details such as rough-hewn river rock, reclaimed wood and one-of-a-kind furnishings. Bathrooms may provoke a spiritual awakening, with walk-in tiled showers tucked in alcoves and Japanese soaking tubs. elportalsedona.com. Best Coffeehouse: Sedona Roasting Company is a cozy place to relax with a cup of joe (organic blends roasted on site), a pastry or light bite, indoors or on the patio. javalovesedona.com.
Best Family Dinner: Picazzo’s started as an artisan pizzeria but added gourmet salads, pastas and other dishes — something for everyone — all using non-GMO, gluten-free, organic and local ingredients. picazzos.com. Best Special-Occasion Dinner: Set on a bluff ringed by red rocks, Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill is a lovely melding of art and architecture. It serves South American-inspired steak and seafood preparations, with spectacular views as a side dish. mariposasedona.com. Learn Some History: Nestled against soaring cliffs are Palatki and Honanki heritage sites, cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people who lived in the region centuries ago. They're under the care of Coconino National Forest. www.fs.usda.gov/coconino . Hidden Gem: Sedona Heritage Museum showcases life from early pioneer days until the present, including a movie room chock-full of photos, storyboards and a loop of Sedona-based flicks. The setting, a peaceful homestead and orchard, makes it worth a visit. sedonamuseum.org. Where the Locals Go: Are you kidding? They go outside. With more than 300 miles of trails winding through scenic canyons, alongside musical creeks and around magnificent rock formations, locals are hiking and biking right alongside the tourists. www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
Place to Camp: Three campgrounds nestle in the shadow of rising cliffs in Oak Creek Canyon, with many sites on the stream banks. Cave Springs and Pine Flat are closed in winter; year-round Manzanita is for tents only. www.fs.usda.gov/coconino. Best Place to Eat Healthy: Don’t be surprised if you place an order at ChocolaTree — a café set amid an orchard and garden — then watch as someone picks ingredients for your meal. Yeah, that fresh. chocolatree.com. Best Pizza: Pisa Lisa dishes up delicious wood-fired gourmet pizzas atop a thin and beautifully charred crust, along with some delectable desserts. pisalisa.com . Can’t-Miss Shopping: Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village houses galleries, shops and restaurants in a setting reminiscent of a Mexican hamlet with cobblestone walkways, vine-covered walls and shady courtyards. tlaq.com. Best Place to See the Sunset: Visit Crescent Moon Ranch, also known as Red Rock Crossing, as the fading light melts down the sides of Cathedral Rock like neon honey. Or treat yourself to a hot-air balloon ride and greet the dawn as it floods the canyons with golden and amber hues. www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
The view from the Fay Canyon Trail near Sedona shows the area's beautiful colors. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; TOM TINGLE/THE REPUBLIC
10P Sunday, March 12, 2017 coloradoan.com Fort Collins Coloradoan
Lake Tahoe, at 6,225 feet in elevation with a surface area of 191 square miles, is the second-largest alpine lake in the world. It’s also among the deepest. Visitors who make the trip will be rewarded with beautiful scenery and a ridiculous range of activities, from water sports to mountain biking and backpacking. | RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL STAFF Best Time to Visit: When it comes to planning a visit to Lake Tahoe, timing is everything. The absolute best time to visit is on a weekday. That’s because the location — within 200 miles of San Francisco and even closer to Sacramento and Reno, Nev. — makes it an incredibly popular destination. At peak times, typically holiday weekends during warm months, the population can swell to about 300,000 people — six times more than the year-round population of about 50,000.
Best Hike: Families will like the relatively flat 6-mile walk on the Rubicon Trail between D.L. Bliss State Park and Emerald Bay. (Don’t confuse this with the offroad 4x4 trail of the same name west of the lake.) A little farther away is the 12-mile round-trip hike to the jewel that is Lake Aloha. This hike is challenging but doable. Taking a fun 2-mile water-taxi trip across the aquamarine Echo Lakes will cut down the mileage on your feet.
Getting There: Reno-Tahoe International Airport is about 38 miles from North Lake Tahoe and about 55 miles from South Lake Tahoe.
Best Place to Take a Photo: Between the people-packed Sand Harbor and Memorial Point Scenic Overlook on the northeast corner of Lake Tahoe, landscape photographers will find a quiet cove with great color, trees and rock formations. The unnamed cove has no beach, but the outcrop and piles of boulders are ideal for photos. You can shoot northwest toward Incline Village, which is well-hidden with no buildings above tree line. The shallow waters create a beautiful gradient from transparent emerald to deep blue. Sunsets offer amazing pinks and interesting reflections on the water and rocks.
Must-See Attraction: Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. If you’ve searched online for Lake Tahoe images, you already know what Sand Harbor looks like. It’s a shallow bay with water so clear you can see the sandy bottom with picturesque granite boulders poking above the surface. This is the place where you’re certain to get great photos. And the protected, shallow bay is an easy place for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking or just soaking in the sun. During summer months, parking at Sand Harbor fills up fast. parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park Hidden Gem: To escape the lakeshore crowds and bustling urban environment, head up to the Tahoe Rim Trail. It’s a 165-mile hiking and biking trail that traverses the top of the Tahoe Basin. You can cover as much or as little of the route as you like. tahoerimtrail.org Where the Locals Go: Take a mountain-bike ride on the Marlette Flume Trail. This 15-mile ride begins with about 2,000 feet of ascent from lake level to the trail. Starting at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park Spooner Lake & Backcountry will shave a few hundred feet off the climb. It also means you’ll end at Tunnel Creek Café, which serves hot meals and cold craft beer. Highlights of the ride include Marlette Lake — a small, tree-lined, backcountry lake — and sweeping views of Lake Tahoe. parks.nv.gov/parks/lake-tahoe-nevada-state-park-1
Tourist Trap to Avoid: Here’s the best way to see the scenic castle that is Vikingsholm: On Google. The Scandinavian mansion where part of “The Godfater Part II” was filmed is gorgeous but it’s clogged with people, especially in summer. vikingsholm.com Insider Tip: Not much is secret at Secret Cove, a clothing-optional beach. It’s relatively quiet and stunningly gorgeous once you make it down the trail through the trees. It’s a little tricky for first-timers to find. To get there, find a spot in or near the parking area that’s about a mile and a half south of Sand Harbor’s parking area. Take the trail from the lot. Best Live Entertainment: Every Friday night during summer, locals and visitors gather for a free concert on the lake’s North Shore at King’s Beach. From bluegrass to rock to gypsy jazz, the sounds differ week to week. If you’re visiting from early July to late August, check out the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, where you can watch your favorite plays with the sand between your toes. northtahoebusiness.org/music-on-the-beach,
laketahoeshakespeare.com Best Food Truck: At Lake Tahoe, go Red — Red Truck food truck, that is — for samosas of the day or Indian-inspired mash-ups like naan dogs or chicken tikka tacos, and for sweets like red velvet cupcakes and mango lassi. The truck is, fittingly, based in Truckee, Calif., about 15 miles from Tahoe’s North Shore. redtrucktahoe.com Best Coffee: Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet Store features European-style (not so sweet) breakfast pastries, cakes and cookies, coffee and the best carrot cake you’ve ever tasted. The Tahoe House features locally roasted Alpen Sierra Coffee as well as espresso drinks like lattes, mochas, cappuccinos and hot chocolate. tahoe-house.com Budget Accommodation: Check out Airbnb. These vacation rentals offer a way to get to know the area from a local's perspective and could run you less than the kitschy cabins that are ubiquitous around Tahoe. Incline Village, Stateline and South Lake Tahoe seem to offer more affordable choices than the west shore’s Homewood or Tahoe City. Splurge Accommodation: Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe, scheduled to debut in June. The lakefront, LEED-designed, $100 million-plus project will feature 154 rooms and suites, a lodge inspired by national parks, spa, bistro, 3,000 square feet of event space and a new beach. The resort is in Stateline, on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe’s South Shore. Reservations are being accepted for stays beginning June 22, 2017. edgewoodtahoe.com/lodge Best Place to Take the Kids: Head to the Treetop Adventure Park at Granlibakken Tahoe in Tahoe City. This aerial adventure park is for children of all skill levels who are 5 years and older. The zip-lining and adventure-ropes courses link tree platforms with bridges and zip lines, and there are areas for beginniners/young children all the way up to teens. granlibakken.com/adventure-park Anjeanette Damon, Mike Higdon, Jenny Kane, Siobhan McAndrew, Peggy Santoro, Benjamin Spillman, and Laura Longero contributed to this story.
Lake Tahoe offers gorgeous scenery and a wealth of activities in both summer and winter. Just be prepared for crowds. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; GETTY IMAGES
Fort Collins Coloradoan coloradoan.com Sunday, March 12, 2017 11P
Whether you’re looking for relaxation, adventure, romance or family fun, you’ll find it on the dozens of beaches dotting the coast from San Diego to Los Angeles. These tips will help you find your perfect spot in the sun. Read on for places to eat and stay, plus hiking, free concerts and Corgi Beach Day. | JEREMY CHILDS VENTURA COUNTY STAR Best Time to Visit: Instead of peak season between Memorial Day and Labor Day, come during the fall. The weather is still warm, the sun is still out late and the crowds of vacationers are nowhere to be found. Best Splurge Accommodation: Montecito maintains some of the most exclusive oceanfront real estate in California. The five-star Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara has private bungalows and terraces overlooking the ocean. fourseasons.com/santabarbara
Hidden Gem: Strands Beach in Dana Point is off the beaten path and only accessible by stairs, which makes the beach feel all the more private. Surfers love this spot for its waves, but plenty of beach-goers come just to take in the views and walk in the sand.
Insider Tip: Summerland is a cute coastal village between Santa Barbara and Ventura that makes a perfect pit stop on a trip up the coast. Enjoy the views at Lookout Park, then grab an amazing bite to eat at the Summerland Beach Cafe. santabarbaraca.com
Best Special-Occasion Dinner: Newport Beach has several amazing waterfront restaurants. Those in the mood for steak should check out The Winery Restaurant, while The Dock should satisfy your seafood craving. thewinerynewport.com, dineatthedock.com
Where the Locals Go: Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard may not have the name recognition, but that makes it the perfect spot to get away from the crowd. The gradual incline of the coastline makes this beach ideal for boogie boarding, building sand castles and jogging. visitoxnard.com
Best Bargain Accommodation: The Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort, has stunning beachfront views and four-star accommodations for a reasonable price. Located just south of Carlsbad, it's perfectly situated between San Diego and Orange counties. caperey.com
Best Place to Take the Kids: Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier is an amusement park that offers a dozen rides for both children and adults, including the solar-powered Ferris wheel. There’s no admission charge, but you have to buy tickets for the rides. pacpark.com
Must-See Attraction: The Venice Beach Boardwalk has a dizzying array of shops, restaurants, street performers, artists, bodybuilders and other sights. It's easy to spend the whole day walking up and down without ever stepping foot on the beach. venicebeach.com
Best Hike: Malibu has dozens of hikes in its mountains, valleys and beaches. Charmlee Wilderness Park has sweeping ocean views from the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, while Malibu Creek State Park maintains rugged trails and a natural swimming hole. malibucity.org, malibucreekstatepark.org
Best Live Entertainment: Every summer the Santa Monica Pier hosts the Twilight Concert series, a free weekly performance with a different genre at each show. Most attendees sit on the beach below the pier, so pack a dinner and enjoy the tunes on a warm summer night. santamonicapier.org/twilightconcerts
Best Place to Take a Photo: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in San Diego is one of the most picturesque beaches in California. A favorite location for engagement photo shoots, it has gorgeous sunsets, beautiful landscapes and plenty of tide pools to explore. famosaslough.org/sc.htm
Best Event: Corgi Beach Day is held three times a year at the Huntington Dog Beach. Hundreds of corgis and their owners gather to socialize, take pictures, have contests and romp around. Two dates remain: July 1 and Oct. 28. Non-dog-owners welcome. www.facebook.com/SoCalCorgiBeachDay
Dog-Friendly Highlight: The Original Dog Beach in San Diego was one of the first beaches in the country to allow dogs to go off-leash. oceanbeachsandiego.com
Just 15 Minutes Away: A quick drive south of Los Angeles is Manhattan Beach, the quintessential Southern California beach town. Parking is scarce but worth fighting for once you see the extensive beach. downtownmanhattanbeach.com
Southern California beaches cater to just about every type of adventurer. Whether you seek solitude, romance or family-friendly fun, there’s one for you. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY TATE/GANNETT; JUAN CARLO