Santa Barbara Ocean Front, California

Blessed with a warm climate, a south-facing coastline and views of rolling hills, Santa Barbara's waterfront is a picturesque and pleasant place for a stroll. The fine sands of the elongated East Beach and the shorter West Beach are separated by Stearns Wharf, a fairly uncommercial wooden pier jutting out into the ocean. Although you have to navigate some busy roads to get here from Santa Barba's downtown, it is well worth the walk - the sand can be almost empty even on sunny August days, leaving plenty of space for ball games and the like.

Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, California

Built in 1929 in the Spanish colonial style, Santa Barbara's County Courthouse is freely open to the public. You can admire the atmospheric and spacious interior, which features elaborate frescos and tiling, and wrought-iron lamps, before climbing the clock tower for views across the rooftops of the city and down to the Pacific. 

Old Mission Santa Barbara, California

Dating from 1786, the Old Mission in Santa Barbara continues to house a small community of Franciscan friars, an atmospheric church and an evocative museum set in twelve acres of gardens, complete with some ancient trees. The museum recreates the threadbare living quarters of the eighteen century mission, while telling the story of the friars' partnership with the native Americans that lived in this region, the Chumash. Although you probably won't spend much more than an hour t the Old Mission, a visit is a good way to connect with Southern California's past,  and is worth the $9 adult admission charge

Cannery Row, Monterey, California

With the sardine canneries that used to line this waterfront long gone, Cannery Row is now firmly on the local tourist trail, which is anchored by the pricey, but prestigious, Monterey Bay Aquarium. Even so, this is a pleasant place to wander  - many of the original buildings remain intact and now house boutiques and restaurants, and there are sweeping views across the bay. One focal point is the new bronze monument celebrating American writer John Steinbeck and other local heroes and entrepreneurs credited with reviving the locale following the collapse of the sardine industry. The street was renamed after Steinbeck's famous novel, Cannery Row, which is set in Monterey during the Great Depression in the thirties. 

The Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

The extensive fine white sand and tree-lined dunes on the crescent-shaped beach is one of the best reasons to visit Carmel.  Although the golf course overlooks one stretch of the sand, the shoreline is pleasingly undeveloped and, even in August, there is plenty of space to sunbathe. When the kids get restless, they can climb a gnarled old cypress tree for a commanding view across the mile-long beach or play volleyball on one of the marked out courts.

Sister City Park, Monterey, California

A peaceful and picturesque spot overlooking a small sandy cove and Monterey's wharf, Sister City Park is on the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail - a scenic cycle route.

Chris' Whale Watching Tours, Monterey, California

One of the cheaper whale watching tours operating out of Monterey, Chris's expeditions tend to employ a fairly compact boat with a single deck and limited seating.  When the whales appear, you'll find yourself jostling for elbow room with your fellow passengers. And be warned it can be pretty chilly out in the bay, even in August, while some passengers can struggle with sea sickness.  Yet the seasoned crew members are genuinely enthusiastic about the sea life out here and they get pretty animated when describing the habits of the whales that frequent the bountiful waters above the two mile deep Monterey Canyon. Although one of the skippers can trail off mid-sentence, they are a knowledgeable team and are in contact with other tours out in the bay. You are pretty likely to glimpse humpback whales, which are fairly common on this stretch of coastline, while some tours also encounter the massive blue whale and spot the sinister fin of a killer whale cutting through the sea.  The boats have to keep a respectful distance, so bring along a pair of binoculars or a good zoom lens. The tour, which costs $39 for adults, takes about three hours and is good value by the standards of California's tourist industry. 8/10

Monterey Car Week, California

Monterey Car Week is known for its auctions of rare vintage cars. In 2017, a 1956 Aston Martin DBR1 is reported to have fetched more than $22 million.

Monterey Municipal Beach and Wharf, Monterey, California

A touristy town on California's central coast, Monterey has a broad sandy beach sheltered by handsome trees and a built-up bustling pier, known as Fisherman's Wharf.  The waters around the pier can be thick with jellyfish, as well as being home to scores of sea lions, yachts and fishing trawlers. When the sun is out, a tour of the Municipal Beach and Wharf makes for a fine early evening stroll.

Glacier Point, Yosemite, California

To get to Glacier Point, you either have to embark on a very tough hike up the Four Mile Trail (a gain of 975 metres) from Yosemite Valley or you drive a 16 mile cul-de-sac off the road down to Wawona. Although this vantage point can be busy even at 7pm in the evening, the views across this exceptional national park are wide-ranging, jaw-dropping and captivating. If you want to escape the crowds, Washburn Point, about a mile down the road, also offers some spectacular vistas, but has far less parking and is much, much quieter.

Walking through Yosemite Valley, California

Although you are never that far from a car park or a road, Yosemite Valley can be a stunning and secluded spot for a stroll. Meandering alongside the lovely Merced River, a series of trails take you past some renowned beauty spots, such as Yosemite Falls and El Capitan Meadow.  Occasionally, you might run into a coach load of tourists or even a wedding, but there are plenty of quiet corners. The valley stretches far enough for you to walk all day, but you'll need to carry a fair of bit of water.  If you run out of steam, you may be able to catch a free shuttle bus back towards Yosemite Village and most of the car parks.

Tuolumne Grove, Yosemite, California

There are a handful of giant sequoia trees surviving in Tuolumne Grove in Yosemite National Park. You can reach the sequoias by strolling a mile or so down an old road into the valley. When you first see one of these ancient wonders, it will take your breath away - they are huge across every dimension. In the grove, you'll also find a couple of dead sequoias - one you can walk through and one lying prone, which you can climb on. The hike back up the road is physically demanding, but you will be glad you made the effort. 

Walk up to Nevada Fall, Yosemite, California

The popular and steep Mist Trail up to Nevada Fall makes for a memorable hike, taking in some majestic scenery. On route, you'll pass massive boulders strewn across the mountainside, clamber up spray-soaked steps and gape at the ever-present rainbows. Taking in two spectacular waterfalls, as well as various picturesque pools and footbridges, the Mist Trail is aptly named.  Although the initial path to Venal Fall can get crowded, particularly in the afternoons, the numbers thin out as you embark on the second stage up to the crest of Nevada Fall. There are broad sweeping views from the top and plenty of stone slabs on which to sit and rest your weary legs. You can take the gentler, but longer, John Muir Trail back to the valley floor. After offering fresh vantage points of Nevada Fall and the mighty granite cliffs, this quieter trail follows a series of switch-backs down through the forest. Although the Mist Trail to the top of Nevada Falls is about 2.5 miles, the John Muir Trail back is four miles. During the course of the hike, you'll ascend and then descend 610 metres, so carry plenty of water and allow plenty of hours. But you'll enjoy almost every minute. 9/10

Tunnel View, Yosemite, California

The majestic granite cliffs of Yosemite illuminated by early evening sunshine.

Big Oak Flat Road, Yosemite, California

View of the Merced River and Yosemite Valley from Big Oak Flat Road

Vallejo Street, San Francisco

Celebrating diversity: Examples of San Francisco's elaborate and whimsical residential architecture from the early twentieth century

The Italian Homemade Company, Union Street, San Francisco, California

A buzzy eatery swarming with twentysomethings, the Italian Homemade Company sells a selection of stock pasta dishes, salads and hot sandwiches for between 10 and 13 bucks. You place your order via an iPad, which asks you for a tip before you have even been served, and then hope you can find a place to sit. If you can secure a table, you'll find the pasta is fresh and tasty, while the sauces and accompaniments are generous, if a tad salty. You shouldn't go away hungry. The meatballs with Piadina flatbread ($13), for example, is a big plate of food.  This isn't fine dining, but the Italian Homemade Company works well for families with ravenous teenagers. 7/10

Alamo Square Park, San Francisco, California

Alamo Square Park is famous for its view of the Painted Ladies - an elegant row of pastel coloured nineteenth century houses that contrast with the twentieth century backdrop behind. But the lofty green space in the middle of the square offers fine vistas in nearly every direction. It makes for a memorable stop on any tour of San Francisco.

California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California

With 46 million scientific specimens, the California Academy of Sciences claims to be the only place in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum, all under one living roof. 

San Francisco Botanical Garden, The Golden Gate Park, California

With adult admission of $8, San Francisco Botanical Garden is one of the most reasonably-priced of the city's many attractions. It is also one of the most relaxing. A series of themed gardens take you on a botanical tour of much of the world, while a sprinkling of handsome mature trees provide shade from the summer sun. It is also pleasingly uncrowded, allowing you to sprawl out on the expansive lawn.