Things to do in California
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FEATURED
Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Trip
14 hours (Departs San Francisco, California)
by Viator
Take time out for a day trip into the wild beauty of Yosemite National Park from San Francisco. Enjoy the beautiful countryside and discover the raw beauty of…Not LP reviewed
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East Village Coffee Lounge
Sleek coffeehouse with a liquor license and live-music, DJ and open-mic nights.
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Downtown Disney
Disney's open-air pedestrian mall, sandwiched between the two parks, offers plenty of opportunities to drop even more cash in its stores, restaurants and entertainment venues.
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Disneyland & Anaheim
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Disney Dining
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Discovery Center
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di Rosa Art + Nature Preserve
When you notice scrap-metal sheep grazing Carneros vineyards, you've spotted di Rosa Art + Nature Preserve, one of the best-anywhere collections of Northern California art. Reservations are highly recommended for tours.
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Devils Postpile National Monument
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Darioush
Stone bulls glower from atop pillars lining the driveway of Darioush, a jaw-dropping Persian-temple winery that crafts monumental Merlots.
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Curry Village Ice Rink
At Curry Village in Yosemite Valley.
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Culinary Institute of America at Greystone
An 1889 stone chateau houses a gadget-filled culinary shop, fine restaurant, and weekend cooking demonstrations and wine-tasting classes.
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Crêpes of Brittany
Authentic savory and sweet crepes swirled by a French expat; expect long lines and shorter hours in winter.
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Cotogna
Chef-owner Michael Tusk won the 2011 James Beard Award for best chef. Ever since, it's been hard to book a table at Cotogna (and its fancier big sister Quince, next door), but it's worth planning ahead to be rewarded with his authentic rustica Italian cooking that magically balances a few pristine flavors. Pastas are outstanding, and pizzas have tender-to-the-tooth crusts. The $24 prix-fixe menu is a steal.
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Cornerstone Gardens
There's nothing traditional about this tapestry of gardens, south of downtown Sonoma, showcasing 25 renowned avant-garde landscape designers.
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Commonwealth
California's most imaginative farm-to-table dining isn't in some quaint barn, but the converted cinderblock Mission dive where chef Jason Fox serves crispy hen with toybox carrots cooked in hay (yes, hay), and sea urchin floating on a bed of farm egg and organic asparagus that looks like a tide pool and tastes like a dream. Savor the $65 prix-fixe knowing $10 is donated to charity.
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Commonwealth
California's most imaginative farm-to-table dining isn't in some quaint barn, but the converted cinderblock Mission dive where chef Jason Fox serves crispy hen with toybox carrots cooked in hay (yes, hay), and sea urchin floating on a bed of farm egg and organic asparagus that looks like a tide pool and tastes like a dream. Savor the $65 prix-fixe knowing $10 is donated to charity.
reviewed
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Coi
Chef Daniel Patterson's wild tasting menu featuring foraged morels, wildflowers and Pacific seafood is like licking the California coastline. Black and green noodles are made from clams and Pacific seaweed, and purple ice-plant petals are strewn atop Sonoma duck's tongue, wild-caught abalone and just-picked arugula. Only-in-California flavors and intriguing wine pairings ($95; pours generous enough for two to share) will keep you California dreaming for a while afterwards.
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C Level
The bay views are stunning from this airy, elegant eatery on Harbor Island, west of downtown; well-prepared seafood dishes include the popular seared Hawaiian 'ahi tuna, lobster truffle mac 'n' cheese and Japanese-style sesame salmon. The Social Hour (3:30pm to 5:30pm Monday to Friday) offers $5 'bites and libations.'
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Children's Creativity Museum
No velvet ropes or hands off here: kids have the run of the place, with high-tech displays that double dare them to make their own music videos, claymation movies and soundtracks. Jump right into a live-action video game, and sign up for workshops with the Bay Area's superstar animators, techno-whizzes, robot-builders and belly dancers. The vintage 1906 Loof Carousel out front operates until 6pm daily, and one $3 ticket covers two rides.
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Chilango
Upgrade from taqueria to sit-down restaurant at this casual Mexican spot that uses all-organic ingredients in its Mexico City–derived cooking. Meals are served at tile-top tables with Frida Kahlo images embedded within. Everything is made to order, including guacamole and tortillas. Favorite dishes: filet-mignon tacos, duck flautas (deep-fried flour tortilla with filling) and succulent carnitas (roast pork).
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C'est La Vie
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Centre Theatre Group
New and classic plays and musicals, including some Broadway touring companies, are presented in – count 'em – three venues: Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum in Downtown LA, and Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Phone for $20 'Hot Tix' to shows (when available).
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Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar
Looking for something more sophisticated without having to move the car from the Disneyland parking lot? Your best bet is the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and cocktail menu at Catal; reserve ahead for balcony seating.
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Castello di Amorosa
You'll need reservations to tour this near-perfect re-creation of a 12th-century Italian castle, complete with moat and torture chamber. The respectable Italian varietals include a good Merlot blend, great with pizza.
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Casa Nuestra
A peace flag and portrait of Elvis greet you at this tiny mom-and-pop winery, known for its unusual varietals. Goats frolic beside the picnic area.
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Carmel Belle
Fresh, often organic ingredients flow from Carmel Valley farms onto tables at this charcuterie, cheese and wine shop hidden in a mini mall.
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