Napa Wine Cruise
Destinations for cruises departing from the San Francisco Bay are usually Alaska, Mexico or Hawaii, but not this time. Experience the pleasures of wine and gourmet delicacies from aboard the Spirit of Endeavor, a small cruise ship that winds its way up the quaint rivers of the Sonoma and Napa Valley wine region, safe from the hustle and hassle of the busy, tourist-filled roads.

http://vacations.smallshipexpeditioncruising.com

Mount Diablo
Right in the backyard of the Bay region awaits a devil of a good time for all who venture to explore the vast and glorious Mount Diablo State Park. This 40,000-square-mile park offers a variety of activities from easy day hikes to rigorous bike treks along mountain trails dotted with colorful wildflowers and native plants. Enjoy a relaxing picnic accompanied by spectacular panoramic views-a highlight of this great mountain.

www.mdia.org

Asilomar
Coastal retreats in places like Carmel and Monterey are abundant and usually expensive, except for one refuge by the sea, Asilomar. Built by women for women in the early twentieth century, the landscape, vistas and history found there are unlikely to disappoint your imagination or your pocket book.

www.asilomarcenter.com

Bonny Doon
There's no place like Bonny Doon, say the people who live there. Find out if they're right as we journey inland from Santa Cruz to see the Great Wall of Chop Suey and visit local artists at work amid this magical place where everything seems to flourish, especially creativity.

www.bonnydoon.got.net

Family Road Trip
Anyone who's experienced a family road trip knows the adventures encountered along the way are worth the long hours of cramped quarters and sibling squabbles inevitably endured along with it. Join us for a trip down memory lane with the first families who hit the road to discover new places by car.

www.nhtsa.gov

Grand Island Mansion
Going for a Sunday drive, why not stop for brunch at Grand Island Mansion? Only a half-hour drive south from Sacramento, this 24,000-square-feet Mediterranean style villa has been featured in National Geographic and Architectural Digest. Built in 1917, this jewel of the Delta offers room and board for weekend getaways or simply a chance to relax by the river for a playful afternoon.

www.grandislandmansion.com

Rankin Ranch
Saddle up the horses! We're going for an unforgettable ride at Rankin Ranch, a 30,000-acre paradise for all the big and little cowboys and cowgirls in the family. Helen Rankin, faced with being a widow with three young children to raise, determined her family's destiny in 1955 by opening the doors of the family cattle ranch to their city neighbors.
It's been in the family ever since and they hope your family will enjoy it as much as they have.

www.rankinranch.com

Season eight of "Central Valley Chronicles" is underwritten in part by Classic Living.