Bay Tour

  • A sightseeing tour around the San Francisco Bay.
  • What to See: The iconic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco, the Silicon Valley, and the Pacific Ocean.
  • 1 - 2 hour total flight time.

Wine Country Tour

  • Fly across the San Francisco Bay to the Napa/Sonoma Wine Country.
  • Destinations: Petaluma, Napa or Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa is my favorite because we get a free car to explore the town.
  • What to See: The Bay Tour sights and the wine country.
  • Things to Do: Beer gardens in Petaluma; wineries in Napa and Sonoma.
  • 30-minute flight each-way, usually a half-day trip.

Monterey & Big Sur

  • Fly over the Monterey Penisula for unrivaled ocean views.
  • Destination: Monterey. Free ride to the Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
  • What to See: Monterey Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, California Highway 1, Bixby Bridge.
  • 45-minute flight each-way.

Central California

  • Fly along the California Coastal Highway to Central California.
  • Destinations: San Luis Obispo; Oceano (walking distance to the beach).
  • What to See: California Highway 1, Big Sur, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach.
  • Things to Do: Restaurants & beer gardens. ATV Rental at the beach.
  • 1.5-hour flight each-way, usually a day trip.

The Lost Coast of California

  • Fly along the Northern California coastline to my absolute favorite getaway.
  • Destination: Shelter Cove (walking distance to the beach); Little River.
  • What to See: The most pristine black sand beach in California. Good food.
  • 1.5-hour flight each-way, usually a day trip.

Paso Robles

  • Fly to the Central California Wine Country.
  • Destination: Paso Robles.
  • What to See: California Highway 1, Big Sur, Central California Wine Country.
  • Things to Do: Wine tasting; Sensorio Field of Lights.
  • 1-hour flight each-way, usually a day trip.

Santa Barbara

  • Fly along the California Coastal Highway to Southern California.
  • Destinations: Santa Barbara; Santa Ynez (Solvang).
  • Things to Do: Sunshine, beach, food, wine.
  • 2-hour flight each-way, day trip.

Catalina Island

  • Fly to Los Angeles and visit this island 26 miles offshore of California.
  • Destination: Catalina Airport (“Airport in the Sky”).
  • Things to Do: Avalon is a mini-Hawaii; Two Harbors is a campground.
  • 2.5-hour flight each-way, probably better as a two-day trip.

Yosemite Valley

  • Fly to Yosemite National Park and land at its foothill.
  • Destination: Columbia Airport, a historic gold rush town.
  • What to See: Yosemite from above. Half Dome. El Capitan. Columbia is a fun town to visit too.
  • 1-hour flight each-way, usually a half-day trip.

Lake Tahoe

  • Why take a 4-hour drive when you can take a 1-hour flight?
  • Destinations: South Lake Tahoe, Truckee. Both airports offer rental cars.
  • Things to Do: Ski in the winter; mountain biking/hiking in the summer.
  • 1-hour flight each-way, usually a day trip.

Mammoth Lakes

  • Fly through Yosemite National Park and across the Sierra Nevada range.
  • Destinations: Lee Vining; Mammoth Yosemite.
  • Things to Do: Ski in the winter; mountain biking/hiking in the summer.
  • 1.5-hour flight each-way, usually a day trip.

Mount Shasta & Trinity Lakes

  • Fly to Northern California’s volcanic national park.
  • Destination: Trinity Center.
  • Things to Do: Hiking; camping.
  • 2-hour flight each-way, can be a camping trip.
  • * I have not done this trip before so I’m extra willing to go!
    (Picture found on the Web)