The Napa Valley: Enjoy autumn in the world's best (sorry France and Italy) wine country. You'll not only be treated to all kinds of great grape products, but also the spectacular autumn colors as the surrounding trees and hundreds of military-straight rows of grape vines broadcast their September and October beauty.

There are many inviting hotels and inns in the valley and nearby, and on west to the spectacular oceanside Highway One and the quaint, but very expensive and chi chi cities of Carmel and Santa Barbara. You can bike, hike or balloon-ride your way around this wonderful part of North Central California.