Approaching Mendocino on the coast highway in the fog, you see a white village glowing on a headland above the Pacific, framed by forests. You've come upon a north coast Brigadoon, a misty land that lies far, ar away (well, three hours past San Francisco). Mendocino is a Rip Van Winkle of a village that looks as if it slumbered through the twentieth century and awakened in this one.

The other day, one of my daily customary naps was interrupted when I heard one of the uprights rummaging around in the guest room. Knowing as I do that many items pertaining to moi are located in this room, I decided it may be worth rousing myself from the comfort of my slumber to investigate. Am I glad I did!

There is hardly a season that Fort Bragg doesn't wear well. When the El Dorado County foothills bake in the summer heat, this former lumber town on the Mendocino coast averages a refreshing 67 degrees. When the Sacramento Valley winter chills settles in, Fort Bragg enjoys mild climate.

Before we wed 10 years ago at Whistler, B.C., Hadi and I promised not to buy gifts for each other. Not for anniversaries or birthdays. Not for Christmas. And especially not Valentine's Day. Instead, we would save for a shared passion—travel. In 10 years, we've visited 18 countries (five were just for work).

In Sonoma, finding SomethIng to complain about can be a bit of a trick. The Mediterranean climate has all of San Francisco’s warmth, but none of its cold. There are 15 Michelin-starred restaurants within an easy drive. And then there’s the wine.

Ever wish there was a button you could push to make stress disappear? There is – inside your head. Our experts tell you how with these easy, natural remedies for stress… 

 Our hearts hate stress.



Get ready for a no-bars escape. Cell phone reception is limited to non-existent in Boonville and surrounds. But instead of thinking of this as a restriction, think of it as an opportunity -- to unplug from your techie toys and really relax.

Every winter and spring, gray whales journey from their summer home—the Bering Sea, where they feed on krill—to their winter breeding ground in the warm lagoons of Mexico, and back again. This month, they’re heading north, hugging the Pacific Coast as they go.

The Fort Bragg Whale Festival, fourth of five festivals along the Mendocino coast in March and April, combines microbrewed beer tasting and samples of local chefs' favorite chowders with whale watching from Pomo Bluffs, on guided whale walks at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens and MacKerricher State Park, or on boats out of Noyo Harbor.