HOTEL REVIEW | RATING: * *

Santa Barbara's new Canary hotel an odd duck

06:12 PM PDT, April 22, 2008 , By Valli Herman

This remodeled and renamed hotel offers a beautiful setting, but poor service keeps it from soaring.

FAMILY TRAVEL

Vacation highs and lows in Monterey, California

10:54 AM PDT, May 01, 2008 , By Avital Binshtock, Hugo Martin, Vani Rangachar, Christopher Reynolds

The former California capital is home to Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

TRAVEL NEWS | WEEKEND GETAWAYS

Hot trends in girlfriends' getaway weekends

10:05 AM PDT, April 15, 2008 , From the Associated Press

CALIFORNIA FAMILY VACATIONS | CENTRAL COAST

Ventura: Relaxing enough for parents, yet still entertaining for the kids

01:12 PM PDT, April 02, 2008 , By Susan Carpenter

This low-key coastal town, with a lovely harbor and an endearing Main Street, may be one of Southern California’s best-kept secrets.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA | FAMILY TRAVEL

Family takes a tour of California's historic missions

05:57 PM PDT, March 11, 2008 , By Geoff Boucher

A fourth-grader's report provides the focal point for a family vacation. Visits to four sites are as eye-opening for the parents as they are for the kids.

OUTDOORS & ADVENTURE | SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Camping at Jalama Beach near Santa Barbara

06:16 PM PDT, March 04, 2008 , By Hugo Martín

The county park is isolated yet has all the amenities for comfortable camping.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

San Luis Obispo-area ranch blends wine and cheese

06:08 PM PDT, February 26, 2008 , By Jessica Garrison

A weekend at Rinconada Dairy near San Luis Obispo takes cheese and wine lovers to the source.

DOWN & DIRTY | LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST

Solitude at California's Wheeler Gorge Campground

12:07 PM PDT, February 21, 2008 , By Tim Hubbard

A midwinter camp near Ojai, California offers tranquillity -- and some pretty brisk conditions.

DOWN & DIRTY | LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST

Setting up camp at Wheeler Gorge

11:51 AM PDT, February 21, 2008 , By Tim Hubbard

CENTRAL VALLEY | WEEKEND GETAWAYS

Time to hit Fresno County's Blossom Trail

05:17 PM PDT, February 15, 2008 , By Amy Hubbard

Take a fragrant drive, trail run or bike ride during the Central Valley's bloom time.