Escape the sizzling heat with a trip along the cool California coast

Most California road-trippers speed along U.S. Interstate 101, en route to popular destinations like San Diego, Santa Barbara or San Francisco, paying little attention to what lies between. The Pacific coast and its neighboring countryside are speckled with hidden gems — quaint beach towns and vineyards and other inviting enclaves. Here, we take you to some of these lesser-visited places, perfect for a summer getaway, as well as a few of our favorite ‘happening’ cities. More>>