This Small Town by the Sea Brings ‘Authentic Energy’
Benicia’s First Street offers an eclectic array of historic sites, shops and restaurants
The Solano County city of fewer than 30,000 residents is also an easy day trip for visitors from Sacramento and the Bay Area, with a 10-block stroll along Benicia’s First Street providing a unique opportunity to visit 300 eclectic businesses amidst 19th-century Victorian buildings — all while basking in bay views a couple of blocks away.
Jackson’s National Hotel Got a Facelift — but It’s Still as ‘Haunted’ as Ever
A reopening of the hotel’s bar and restaurant will unveil some new amenities alongside old charm
The hotel’s popular downstairs bar and restaurant remained mostly closed for the past three years, but after major updates, including those to many of the hotel’s distinctive Victorian-style rooms, they will open again in the new year.
Experience the Danger (and Opulence) of the Gold Rush
Empire Mine in Grass Valley was the richest in California history
It’s a bucket-list destination for Gold Rush-era history buffs — a park in Grass Valley where visitors can get a first-hand, interactive look at one of the largest and oldest mining operations that defined California’s 19th-century obsession with gold.
Bar of America in Truckee Is a Drinking Institution
Former bank location is no longer cash-only
Truckee’s Bar of America sports a name that sounds like it would be shared with establishments across the country. Not so. Situated in a brick building that dates back to the late 1800s, the former Bank of America location is a one and only, with a name that was trademarked shortly after new ownership took over in 2012, according to principal owner Tom Turner.
California Agriculture Museum Curates Groundbreaking History of Farm Technology
From horse-drawn to engine-powered, it’s a tractor lover’s paradise
Tractor heaven is in Woodland. Those who enter the Heidrick family’s California Agriculture Museum are greeted by aisles lined with rare antique trucks and tractors of all colors, shapes and eras, along with other artifacts depicting the country’s rich agricultural machinery history.
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In an industry where customer service can make or break a business, Rehorn RV Collision Center has found its secret sauce in being family-owned and operated. The Sacramento-based RV repair specialist has been serving Northern California for over three decades, with a commitment to value and personalized care that sets them apart in the competitive market.
A Splendid Small-Town Getaway
Visitors can brunch, taste wine and spend the night in a pastoral paradise
The 10-acre Placer County business off Horseshoe Bar and Auburn-Folsom Road in Loomis may officially be called The Flower Farm, but it’s much more than that — historic inn, gourmet cafe, wine tasting room, gift shop, wedding and events center, nursery and citrus orchard.
Missing Ski Season? Roll With the Pros at Woodward Tahoe
Boreal Mountain’s action sports complex offers fun for all ages and skill levels
There’s not a snowflake in sight at Boreal Mountain along Interstate 80 in Soda Springs the week before the July 4 holiday weekend, but the ski resort is still buzzing with activity.
A Cool Retreat 100 Feet Below Ground
2 million-year-old Black Chasm Cavern thrills day trippers
The unassuming entrance barely hints at the secret treasures that await below. In order to access them, visitors must navigate 162 stairs in an otherworldly descent.
On a Dark Delta Highway, Ryde Hotel’s Party Legacy Endures
With all the food, fun and spirits, guests may never want to leave
The four-story Ryde Hotel, considered one of the most haunted hotels in Northern California, has been a Highway 160 art deco beacon for almost 100 years.