Between San Francisco and Los Angeles lies one of the state’s greatest treasures: California’s Central Coast. It’s wild and wonderful. This is where Californians head for serious rest and relaxation — a peaceful place where we can slow down and escape the crowds, and play in a vast natural playground with a mind-boggling array of things to see and do. Hike amid towering redwoods, bike along the bluffs, paddle alongside whales and otters, or surf at sunrise at one of the hundreds of beaches. We never tire of exploring the Central Coast: it awes, inspires, and rejuvenates, time and time again. — Cheryl Crabtree