Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I see you like spy novels...

Don't know if that extends to some classic thrillers and detective novels, but there are many classic locations from the books and movies that can be worth a visit...

Tremendous potential there.....

foodie65

My apologies for saying "Frisco" where I meant for it to stand for "San Francisco"

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Herb Caen, a famous San Francisco newspaper columnist, wrote a book called "Don't Call It Frisco." I'm not sure all San Franciscans necessarily agree, but recently another term has come along that I think is more disliked: "San Fran."

foodie65

With apologies to Herb

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

If you are coming through the Monterey area, a don't-miss is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. It has been called the most beautiful meeting of land and sea in the world, and has been photographed by most of the great California landscape photographers.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

No worries, don't want to let the OP get into trouble! :D

Photocraig

Don't forget to get down to the beach for sunset. The Nepenthe folks are sufficiently aware to direct you.

hankm1 Loc: Mount Prospect IL

Thanks to all for the great suggestions!!
Hank M

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Drive the Coast highway from LA to SanFrancisco. Take a right and go to Lake Tahoe. Beautiful scenery all up and down the Coast, and Tahoe is one of the most beautiful spots in the world.

nakkh Loc: San Mateo, Ca

Don't miss the coast from San Mateo south or San Francisco north.

I395 eastern Sierras is stunning. from Highway 120 south through Lone pine. The views are breathtaking
Of course there's;
- Yosemite,
- Death Valley,
- Pinnacles,
- San Francisco,
- Napa,
- Sequoia NP,
- The lost coast up near Shelter Cove http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Coast
- Mount Shasta - The Shasta dam tour is pretty cool
- Monterey
- Lassen NP.
- The Gold Counrty
- Tallest trees on earth up in Northern California ...

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Depending on where you start, a drive up the coast on Hwy 101 to San Luis Obispo, then up to to Carmel on Hwy 1, inland to San Francisco via 101 (HINT: DO NOT call it 'Frisco unless you want Waiters to spit in your food and Desk Clerks to give you the worst rooms in the place). Cut across to the Delta to Sacramento. Drive up Hwy 50 to Tahoe, through to Reno, NV, then back south on Hwy 395 through the Owens Valley.

That is what I would call the California grand tour.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I agree

:thumbup: :thumbup:

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

North of L.A.: Rock Rock Canyon (Hwy 14), Almost every were along Highway 395 is interesting: The Sierras in general, Trona Pinnacles (East Of Ridgecrest, Hwy 178)*, Alabama Hills (Lone Pine), Mount Whitney (Lone Pine), yes Yosemite NP is massively crowded, Manzanar, Mono Lake. Death Valley NP (too hot in June).

To the East of L.A.: Joshua Tree N.P. (though hot in June), East Mojave Preserve (many places there), Kelso Sand Dunes. Palms Springs, Salton Sea, Orocopia Mountains (Especially Box Canyon, Between I 10 and Hwy 111, hot in June)*. S-E of L.A.: Anza Barrego State Park (rather hot in June).

N of L.A.: Hwy 1 / U.S. 101 near the coast beautiful! Many Beach / Ocean and inland locations along Hwy 1 and US 101: Santa Barbara, Gaviota, Solvang, Lompoc, Pismo Beach (I own a second home near by in Grover Beach), Guadalupe Dunes, Morro Bay, San Simeon, Montana de Oro State Park (sea cliffs, tide pools)*, And Yes, Big Sir (for the Red Woods!), and Carmel. Lying between Santa Maria and Bakersfield is the Carrizo Plain (between Hwys 166 & 58, The San Andreas Fault runs along its Eastern edge)*

Don't bother with Hwy I 5 or Hwy 99 North of Bakersfield in the Central Valley, all farms and much like the US Mid-West, unless you like that.

For Geology / Landscape photography Death Valley is the GREATEST, but likely too hot except during the late fall to early spring.

There are many nice places in CA South of L.A. too, especially near San Diego at the Pacific Ocean and Point Loma specifically. The San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, have many great places but the resort areas are crowded. And Santa Ana Mountains* The wilderness mountain areas are interesting but can be dangerous for novice hikers.

* Less known places that are never crowded. You might find yourself totally alone, we have!

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

http://www.postranchinn.com/dining/

Also recommend the lunch at the Post Ranch Inn overlooking Big sur. I went here on my honeymoon and will never forget that lunch. Set on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this luxury, contemporary, ranch-style hotel is 1.6 miles from the Henry Miller Memorial Library.