Getting To Know San Luis Obispo

Located in central California, San Luis Obispo County is a nature-lover’s dream come true! Nestled in between both the thrill of southern California and the great wines of northern California, this county has a great mix of both! This splendid area of central California which is home to a well-known and productive landscape is definitely a wine-lovers paradise! The history, the culture, the people, and the truly magnificent and eclectic natural beauty make San Luis Obispo County one of the most fantastic places in all the United States.

The beautiful county that is San Luis Obispo is a contrast between the wonderful North and the terrific South of California. San Luis is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and San Francisco yet still retains the metropolitan feel of a major California destination. 280,000 people call San Luis Obispo County home and this makes it a very vibrant and well situated location for a family vacation. The City of San Luis Obispo is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County and is home to California Polytechnic State University and its 18,000 students. This makes San Luis Obispo County home to the most educated sector of California!

San Luis Obispo County has so many vibrant and naturally stunning cities and towns that a week in this central Californian oasis is not enough. Starting off in Prismo Beach for example, the adventurer can receive a lesson in clam-digging at the ‘Clam Capital of the World’ and grab a nice seafood dinner at the same time! Don’t forget to visit during the month of October to February to see the thousands of beautiful Monarch butterflies that call is Prismo Beach home. North of Prismo Beach is the beautiful seaside town of Grover Beach, and the entrance to Oceana Dunes Recreational Area. In this visitor’s Mecca, adventurers can rent four-wheel-drive vehicles and cruise the dunes along the coastline. The Stone Soup Music Fair, which is held annually at Ramona Garden Park in Grover Beach, is one the most popular attractions for all visitors near and far. San Luis Obispo County offers something for everyone in the family from its natural beauty to its eclectic cultural and historical significance.

San Luis Obispo County offers a little bit of everything for the adventuring family or solo tourist. Visitors who preferred the coast to the majestic mountains will enjoy a fine variety of bountiful and greatly adorned towns all throughout this central Californian County. Travelers can mosey a few miles north of Grover Beach and arrive at the beautiful town of Avila Beach. Here the adventure in group will find one of the warmest and sunniest beaches in all of San Luis Obispo County. In the winter there are fantastic whale- watching tours departing from nearby ports Saint-Louis that take visitors on a search for these majestic marine animals. If surfing is on the itinerary then it is Cayucos, a longtime favorite spot for those enjoying a ride in the waves of the Pacific Ocean. This town is also known for its fine antique shops and a number of antique fairs are hosted there each and every year. Even further north is the town of Cambria This charming artist’s town is home to many art galleries, specialty shops and some of the best eating in all of San Luis Obispo County.

San Luis Obispo is nestled right in the heart of of Californian wine country and cannot be forgotten as the home to some of the best wineries in the nation. With so many vineyards, as far as the eye can see for miles, it is little wonder that this is home to some of the tastiest libations in all of California! Central California is more than just beautiful people and splendid wines; it is also home to the most beautiful forests the eyes will have ever seen! Los Padres National Forest is home to the most spectacular and scenically gorgeous trees in all of California. The amount of trails and other hiking activities will leave one scratching their head with which way to go? There is so much beauty contained in one specific area of Los Padres National Forest that a trail of breadcrumbs will have to be left in order to find one’s way back! This may be a bit of a stretch but it does bring home the point that safety is of primary concern when hiking the arduous hilly mountains of Central California and San Luis Obispo County.

San Luis Obispo County is an up-and-coming area of California. In as much as the county sits in between both the northern and southern extremities of California this makes it one of the most interesting of all the areas of the Golden State. Apart from the natural beauty, that is intertwined and imbedded within San Luis Obispo County, the culture and the historical importance of central California cannot be overlooked or understated. From the California Gold Rush of the 1800’s all the way to the governmental candidacy of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Luis Obispo California has made its mark and will continue to make its mark as a tourist destination and political seat of power. The people of central California maintain a high regard for the environment and the natural resources of San Luis Obispo County. Take some time to really see what San Luis Obispo County is all about and guaranteed it will be the time of one’s life!

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Located in central California, San Luis Obispo County is a nature-lover’s dream come true! Nestled in between both the thrill of southern California and the great wines of northern California, this county has a great mix of both! This splendid area of central California which is home to a well-known and productive landscape is definitely a wine-lovers paradise! The history, the culture, the people, and the truly magnificent and eclectic natural beauty make San Luis Obispo County one of the most fantastic places in all the United States.

The beautiful county that is San Luis Obispo is a contrast between the wonderful North and the terrific South of California. San Luis is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and San Francisco yet still retains the metropolitan feel of a major California destination. 280,000 people call San Luis Obispo County home and this makes it a very vibrant and well situated location for a family vacation. The City of San Luis Obispo is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County and is home to California Polytechnic State University and its 18,000 students. This makes San Luis Obispo County home to the most educated sector of California!

San Luis Obispo County has so many vibrant and naturally stunning cities and towns that a week in this central Californian oasis is not enough. Starting off in Prismo Beach for example, the adventurer can receive a lesson in clam-digging at the ‘Clam Capital of the World’ and grab a nice seafood dinner at the same time! Don’t forget to visit during the month of October to February to see the thousands of beautiful Monarch butterflies that call is Prismo Beach home. North of Prismo Beach is the beautiful seaside town of Grover Beach, and the entrance to Oceana Dunes Recreational Area. In this visitor’s Mecca, adventurers can rent four-wheel-drive vehicles and cruise the dunes along the coastline. The Stone Soup Music Fair, which is held annually at Ramona Garden Park in Grover Beach, is one the most popular attractions for all visitors near and far. San Luis Obispo County offers something for everyone in the family from its natural beauty to its eclectic cultural and historical significance.

San Luis Obispo County offers a little bit of everything for the adventuring family or solo tourist. Visitors who preferred the coast to the majestic mountains will enjoy a fine variety of bountiful and greatly adorned towns all throughout this central Californian County. Travelers can mosey a few miles north of Grover Beach and arrive at the beautiful town of Avila Beach. Here the adventure in group will find one of the warmest and sunniest beaches in all of San Luis Obispo County. In the winter there are fantastic whale- watching tours departing from nearby ports Saint-Louis that take visitors on a search for these majestic marine animals. If surfing is on the itinerary then it is Cayucos, a longtime favorite spot for those enjoying a ride in the waves of the Pacific Ocean. This town is also known for its fine antique shops and a number of antique fairs are hosted there each and every year. Even further north is the town of Cambria This charming artist’s town is home to many art galleries, specialty shops and some of the best eating in all of San Luis Obispo County.

San Luis Obispo is nestled right in the heart of of Californian wine country and cannot be forgotten as the home to some of the best wineries in the nation. With so many vineyards, as far as the eye can see for miles, it is little wonder that this is home to some of the tastiest libations in all of California! Central California is more than just beautiful people and splendid wines; it is also home to the most beautiful forests the eyes will have ever seen! Los Padres National Forest is home to the most spectacular and scenically gorgeous trees in all of California. The amount of trails and other hiking activities will leave one scratching their head with which way to go? There is so much beauty contained in one specific area of Los Padres National Forest that a trail of breadcrumbs will have to be left in order to find one’s way back! This may be a bit of a stretch but it does bring home the point that safety is of primary concern when hiking the arduous hilly mountains of Central California and San Luis Obispo County.

San Luis Obispo County is an up-and-coming area of California. In as much as the county sits in between both the northern and southern extremities of California this makes it one of the most interesting of all the areas of the Golden State. Apart from the natural beauty, that is intertwined and imbedded within San Luis Obispo County, the culture and the historical importance of central California cannot be overlooked or understated. From the California Gold Rush of the 1800’s all the way to the governmental candidacy of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Luis Obispo California has made its mark and will continue to make its mark as a tourist destination and political seat of power. The people of central California maintain a high regard for the environment and the natural resources of San Luis Obispo County. Take some time to really see what San Luis Obispo County is all about and guaranteed it will be the time of one’s life!

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is there any place in California that should be a MUST see? cause i am going on vacation there, and i am just clueless! other than the hollywood walk of fame, and the redwood forest, and napa…….
ok i am staying for 2 1/2 weeks

How to Choose the Right Garden Lounger for You

Patio furniture has evolved in the last number of years and along with the economic crisis stopping families from having the ability to to take vacations somewhere else, the baclyard has become the perfect destination for having your vacations. You’ll find a range of items that could transform your outdoor area and garden to be more leisurely, and getting sun lounge chairs and steamers which are both ideal for the spontaneous suntanning session along with accommodating for all those splendid night time and mid-day barbeque’s, will make a significant difference.

Identifying what materials you prefer your backyard lounge chairs to be crafted from is dependant on tastes and style. One can elect to have cast iron furniture or might wish to look at a selection of different woods, including redwood, teak or rattan. Regardless of your preference, you must also consider that the most comfort is certainly attained by getting steamers that are fitted with soft cushions or purchasing cushions on their own. You will uncover many different garden cushions to pick from ranging in textiles, styles and comfort level.

Teak wood lounge chairs and teak steamers are getting to be very popular because it is known that teak matures and possesses a biological potential to deal with unwanted pests and critters. Should you be thinking of leaving your patio furniture outside in the outdoor elements over summer and winter, you should give thought to what impact sunlight together with rainwater and snowfall might have on the textile that it’s made of. Despite the fact that outdoor furniture is made for backyard use, make certain you have the most resilient furniture for your individual needs. As a way to make sure that your outdoor furniture lasts for years to come, you will need to treat your wood, or metal and upkeep is a tiny outlay for a lasting return.

Back garden reclining chairs are widely-used as a handy alternative to purchasing traditional seats for your backyard. They are often used round the pool, underneath the trees, on the outdoor patio and just about anywhere you absolutely need extra chairs. Although chairs are limited to seating only 1 individual, steamers are ideal for laying level and being used as a bench or just being useful to lay around on. This kind of adaptability means they are well worth the cost for you backyard, swimming pool area or patio gazebo.

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I need to plan a family reunion in Aug. 2010 in Cali. I would love a location that has activities, cabins/lodging, and is laid back. My family is all over cali from San Jose, Redwood, Petaluma, Tracy, Manteca… so something around those areas would be ideal.
Lodging will work best we have a huge family and there are plenty that have to come from out of state just the majority live in Cali around those cities.
and preferrably not expensive

Top waterparks of USA

A great way to combat the sweltering heat on a hot summer day is to make a splash at a waterpark. There are a wide variety of parks all over North America where visitors can experience slippery loops, drops and high speeds on heart-stopping waterslides, relax in heated pools and embark on adventurous themed rides set in Ancient Egyptian pyramids and castles inhabited by dragons. It’s time to grab a towel, a tube of sunscreen and venture out to Canada and the United States’ best spots to get wet.

WILD WATER KINGDOM

Those who thrive on thrills and enjoy a good scream should try the Shot Gun at the Wild Water Kingdom, where riders twist and turn as fast as a bullet as they plummet into a 2.4-m (8-ft) deep pool of water. Meanwhile, the Midnight Express slide sends passengers through dark tunnels and 360-degree turns. The massive 100-acre (40.5-ha) water kingdom in Brampton, Ontario features 14 fun and sometimes hair-raising waterslides. Other attractions include a wave pool, a lazy river and an adventure playground for children. For something a bit different, climb up the park’s 7.6-m (25-ft) Wild Water Wall. Challengers face a slippery ascent as they get soaked along the journey to the top of the wall.

NOAH’S ARK

Riders should hang on tight as they spiral down an enormous black anaconda’s body at Noah’s Ark in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The Black Anaconda is America’s longest watercoaster at over a quarter mile (0.4 km) long. A whopping 49 waterslides, two wave pools, rivers and plenty of other water activities await at this popular summer spot. If not phased by being spit out of a giant anaconda’s mouth, perhaps it’s time to take The Plunge. After a long climb, those who dare to take this stomach-flipping ride will endure a chilling vertical slide to the water below. For the little ones, who aren’t quite ready for the big slides, the park has a variety of children’s attractions to choose from, including the Big Kahuna Kiddie Area with swings, kiddie slides and fountains.

MAGIC MOUNTAIN

Magic Mountain in Moncton, New Brunswick is Atlantic Canada’s largest waterpark. The park has eight waterslides, some with crazy turns and big drops. Those who want to soak up the sun and leave the fright of waterslides behind can hop on a tube and drift with the current on Lazy River, which circles around a replica of a 19th-Century steamship. If after more action, try the Kamikaze waterslide. In under five seconds riders encounter a near vertical drop and travel speeds of more than 60 km (37 mi) an hour. For a less terrifying experience, embark on the park’s orginal body slide, the Loop de Loop. The path of the Loop de Loop, which is a medium speed body slide, features gentle turns and drops. Young Magic Mountain guests can play in their own waterpark called Puddle Jumpers Pond. The miniature waterpark has four kiddie slides and two fun residents, Gizmo the Frog and Pinky the Whale.

FALLSVIEW INDOOR WATERPARK

As a thousand gallons of water gushes down from a gigantic tipping bucket, guests at Fallsview Indoor Waterpark may think the entire Niagra Falls is raining down on them. Visitors can dry off afterwards on one of the lounge chairs in the park’s indoor palm-tree studded Fallsview Beach or outdoors on the year-round sundeck. Grown-up guests can relax in the two oversized adult only Jacuzzis, while young waterpark enthusiasts set out on the slides. This large indoor waterpark, with 16 waterslides that tower up to six stories high, is located in the city of Niagra Falls in Ontario.

Fallsview Indoor Waterpark3

SCHLITTERBAHN WATERPARK RESORT

Weave through a labyrinth of caverns in an old castle to find an escape route from a fierce dragon at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunsfels, Texas. The quest includes six dark caverns with spectacular special effects, such as spinning tunnels and fog. The Dragon’s Revenge Special Effect Family Thrill Adventure Ride is the latest addition to the 65-acre (26.3-ha) waterpark. Another highlight is the Blastenhoff Beach, which has non-sticky sand and towering waves to ride. Stretch out in a sun lounger and snooze off to the sound of the crashing waves. To escape from the Texas heat, retreat to the shade under one of the beach’s enormous umbrellas.

SIX FLAGS WHITE WATER

Face the wrath of a severe storm or slide down nine stories at the speed of light in Atlanta, Georgia’s Six Flags White Water. The Tornado and the Cliff Hanger are two of the park’s most extreme rides. After the slides, unwind in the park’s version of the Atlantic Ocean. The 700,000-gallon (2,628,000-L) ocean has endless four-foot waves and is shark free. Before leaving the park, young visitors should check out Tree House Island. The island features a four-story tree house with slides, chutes, bridges and a tipping bucket.

Lost River of the Pharoahs at Water World4

RAGING WATERS

At Pirate’s Cove, a themed interactive water fort, a gigantic pirate’s skull is on a mission to get visitors wet, continually spilling water on those wandering below. Raging Waters in San Jose, is northern California’s largest waterpark. The 23-acre (9.3-ha) stretch of land houses water forts, scary slides like the twisty Blue Thunder/White Lightning and interactive play areas. The Activity Pool, which has waterfalls, slides and even an alligator’s back to climb on, can be a fun spot for the whole family.

WATER WORLD

Located only 15 minutes from downtown Denver, Colorado, Water World’s 64 acres (25.9 ha) of land transports visitors to mysterious lost worlds. Go back to the time when dinosaurs reigned in the Voyage to the Center of the Earth ride or to Ancient Egypt in the Lost River of the Pharoahs ride. During this Egyptian ride, visitors white water raft into an ancient pyramid where cobras, grave robbers and even a living mummy reside. Eerie sound effects make the pyramid’s creepy inhabitants seem too close for comfort. To get a good view of Water World’s attractions take a seat on the park’s aerial tramway, the Funhouse Express Gondola.

WORLD WATERPARK

Tired shoppers will appreciate the soothing heated water in the hot tub at World Waterpark, in Edmonton, Alberta. The 5-acre (2-ha) tropical retreat, which consists of kilometres of waterslides, a wave pool and numerous water-based activities, is located in Canada’s largest shopping mall, West Edmonton Mall. All year round, shoppers can take a break from the stores and hit the beach or the fun tangle of slides in this impressive indoor waterpark.

SPLISH SPLASH

A sudden drop followed by out-of-this-world spinning leaves passengers feeling as if a supernatural force is at work. The Alien Invasion is one of the many themed rides of Splish Splash waterpark in Long Island, New York to explore. Other themed rides include the dark and twisty Shark Attack and the action-packed Hollywood Stunt Rider. The 96-acre (38.8-ha) park has several interactive attractions, such as the Monsoon Lagoon and the Elephant Slide. In the Monsoon Lagoon children maneuver around a shipwreck with ropes and slides. The Elephant Slide area features a large elephant statue in a wading pool, where young visitors slide down the animal’s back and play in the water that sprays out of its trunk.

Atlanta Travel Guide

Motels austell georgia

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We don’t have many opportunities to travel so we are trying to find something really ideal this time. We have a list on amenities we are looking for in a location. First thing we would like is easy access to the redwoods (any redwoods), mountains, and the beach. We were thinking somewhere with a lot of hiking opportunities, but where hiking is not too much of a necessity. We would also like some of the more modern conveniences such as restrooms and showers on site. This will cut back on some of the equipment we would have to bring with us. The last thing we are looking for is the travel convenience. We will be flying into a major airport (probably San Jose) and renting a car. We would prefer to go to a site where our rental car not be compromised by the journey, and somewhere not too far from the airport. We understand that to get to the really great locations with the redwoods we would have to travel several hours north of San Jose to get to somewhere like Humboldt County. We are open to suggestions for areas further away but we are also hoping to find some options closer to San Jose. Something in the Santa Cruz area would be worth looking into, or a similar location. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I just wated to add that I mistyped Santa Cruz in the details, I had actually meant Santa Clara. Sorry for the mistake.

Shopping Experience at San Francisco

Shopping experience at San Francisco is blissful with full of unique shops in very interesting areas of the city. You may be looking for the best gourmet food or may be hunting for the hottest new fashion trends; San Francisco is one stylish city to shop. From the preferred tourist Fisherman’s Wharf shops to the elite Union Square designer stores; San Francisco is a great place for shopping for every type of shopper.

Take a trip down to the piers of Fisherman’s Wharf and explore yourself in to the world of shopping. Start at Ghirardelli Square where you would find the best waterfront shopping experience along with mind-blowing restaurants and live entertainments at the Fountain and West Plazas. From here you will also experience other popular waterfront shopping complexes.

PIER 39 is a multi-level shopping mall catering to all Fishermen’s Wharf shoppers. This is the busiest of the waterfront complexes and PIER 39 welcomes over 11 million visitors to over 100 specialty stores onsite. This complex also has 10 bay view restaurants, which allows shoppers to rest and enjoy the incredible views from the pier. Another important highlight of the pier is the opportunity to have a look and photograph California sea lions as they sun bathe on floating docks.

Another attractive place for shopping is The Cannery, it has been designed in an old, European styled piazzas. Explore this Fisherman’s Wharf waterfront complex’s shops, its ceramics studio and great fine restaurants. You have live entertainment in Jazz Club Nouveau or The Cannery’s preferred Green Room Comedy Club. Famous street performers are also often found milling around The Cannery Grounds making this area a very great shopping experience for the whole family.

Move on to the Ferry Building Marketplace in the Embarcadero and experience some of the world’s greatest gourmet food here. Breads, cheeses, chocolates and more are all available with this stylish, contemporary marketplace. Round up your shopping experience with an outstanding late lunch at the San Francisco restaurants. The marketplace is even more crowded during weekends. During the weekends the outdoor Farmers’ Market opens up their market and welcomes shoppers to taste the finest Northern California fruits, vegetables, breads, chocolates and many more. The best plants, fresh flowers and amazing gifts are all available at the Farmers’ Market.

Fashionable and stylish people would prefer traveling downtown to Union Square to shop all the fashionable shops, which makes this area top in San Francisco. Huge departmental stores, designer stores and variety of other high end specialty shops make this shopper’s shopping area. Shoppers hunting for antiques, vintage clothing and unique items would desire to visit Chinatown, Haight Ashbury and SoMa. These neighborhoods are home to few hidden San Francisco shopping gem. Whether you are looking for newest and greatest original fashion trends or looking for a more classic look, San Francisco has all the shops you would ever want.

I ‘ve heard you run serious risks…
What can one do to ensure a safe stay there?

I currently live in milwaukee in a fairly safe neighborhood. I am thinking of moving to chicago and i have read some reviews that humboldt park is really improving. Is it a safe neighborhood for a single young white woman?

Lazy Z offers cabins off the beaten path

If you want trains and wildlife without ever leaving your resort, check out California’s Lazy Z Resort with trails and wildlife right out your cabin door.

The Lazy Z is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills – Mark Twain country – where a tiny hamlet was named after some well-known writers: Twain and Brett Harte. The town is called Twain Harte and it’s a quiet little berg hidden among the trees northeast of historic Sonora. The folks who travel the 108 highway in these parts of Northern California are generally headed for the mountains where the snow piles high each winter and the streams run deep with run-off in the spring.

All of this is only about 140 miles east of San Francisco so, with about a three-hour drive, you change time zones from the 21st Century back to the 19th. Reminders of the old Gold Rush days are everywhere in these parts – from a replica of Mark Twain’s cabin to the historic main streets of towns like Sonora and Angels Camp. Church steeples and Victorian homes are everywhere you look, and one can almost imagine the downtown patrons tying up their horses along the dirt roadway before paying their weekly visit to the Mercantile.

About 11 miles from Sonora, Twain Harte is where you start to see the signs for the Lazy Z Resort. There are a couple of different ways to get there, but we went through the town and followed the signs through the forest and a smattering of homes and cabins until we found the Lazy Z property. Set apart from everything else in the area, the Lazy Z is a group of about a dozen cabins spaced nicely around several dozen acres of trees and trails. There is a main resort area with a clubhouse, lots of games, reading materials and a pool with spectacular rock landscaping to make it seem like it’s really part of a mountain stream.

And everywhere there are trees. The trees and topography make the resort feel much more remote than it actually is, and provide ample separation between the cabins. If you are looking for the “cabin in the woods” experience, this is it – many of the cabins feel like they’re out on their own, yet they are only a short walk from pool and other guests.

Our cabin was just like a small vacation home – not the five-star variety, mind you, but a cabin like many people can actually afford. The cabin was nicely furnished with a couch, love seat, oversized chair, all adjacent to a large stone fireplace. Also in the Great Room were a dining table and a bar. The cabin also had a kitchen, refrigerator and enough counter space for light meal preparation. There were two bedrooms and two bathrooms, but the part we loved the most was the giant, expansive deck where you could sit among the trees and really feel like you’re in the woods.

But just in case you weren’t sure, you can also hike the property’s nature trails which are every bit as interesting as most trails you find in the wilderness. Wildlife is abundant and we came across several deer as well as squirrels and other creatures. The Lazy Z property is so big that you can hike for half an hour and not revisit anyplace you’ve already been. If you have small kids, this is ideal because you can take them out to play in the “Wilderness” without going to far away.

The property was originally built as the Lazy Z Guest Ranch in 1946 and was owned by the current owners’ grandparents, Harold and Mildred Zelinsky. There were a total of 100 acres with lots of room for horseback riding and other activities. After the grandparents retired in the early 70’s and sold the property, the resort fell into disrepair and, for a time, was used as a boys’ home. That’s when the Zelinskys’ son, Ken, stepped in to buy the property back and sent his oldest son Steve to begin re-building this resort that had meant so much to the grandchildren while they were growing up. Today, the Lazy Z is run by Steve and his sister and brother, Lari and Matt.

The Lazy Z still retains some of that guest ranch heritage and Steve will often host barbecues down at Zeke’s Cantina, an Old West style barn where large groups can get together and enjoy tasty beef and pork hot off the grill and party in a place reminiscent of a western saloon.

The Old West also lives on, they say, through Farmer John. It’s rumored that a ghost exists on the property and he’s been seen by several housekeepers, guests, previous tenants and some of the Lazy Z owners themselves. He’s believed to be living in a house that is 100 years old and occasionally will wander the resort and play tricks on housekeepers and guests. He’s been described as being over six feet tall, wearing a floppy straw hat, denim coveralls, carrying a shovel. But don’t worry – he’s said to be a friendly ghost who just wanders the property protecting his gold find that he never got to spend before his untimely demise 100 years ago.

If you want to get an idea of what life was like back then, then drive 15 miles or so to Columbia State Historic Park, a fun historical park that is ideal for families.

When you combine that with a comfortable “cabin in the woods,” the area near Sonora and Twain Harte offers the perfect opportunity to escape for a few days from your everyday modern life.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: The Lazy Z Ranch is about four miles outside of Twain Harte, a small town northeast of better-known Sonora in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The ranch is just off Highway 108, an east-west route connecting the Central Valley with Highway 395 on the eastern side of the mountains.

WHAT: Lazy Z is a quiet resort, best suited to couples and families who enjoy being in the outdoors, and who want a good base of operations for exploring nearby Gold Country

WHEN: Anytime of the year, although Twain Harte’s elevation of 3,600 feet means it will have ample snowfall in winter.

WHY: The Lazy Z is off the beaten path and offers an experience that seems even more remote than it actually is. While roads in this area are a little confusing, it’s fairly easy to find your way to Sonora, Angels Camp, Columbia and many other points of interest in this historic region.

HOW: For more information on the Lazy Z Ranch, phone 800-585-1238 or visit www.lazyz.com.

For more information on travel in California, please visit www.californiaweekend.com.

They are safe from hunters who would want to harm them. We were also safe because we stayed in our car as the elk moved in on our location.

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