From beaches and lakes that people see on postcards, to mountains that take your breath away, to deserts with surreal beauty and serenity, to world-famous amusement parks, to food and drink — California has it all.

California is nearly 164,000 square miles, the third largest state in the union is a glorious mix of ocean, desert, dramatic rock formations, imposing peaks, sublime sandy beaches, wild lands and singular cities.

Northern California is not a single place. It is a collection of places, each of which is world famous for its unique appeal. From the urban enclaves of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose, to the renowned wine regions of Napa Valley and Sonoma County, to the more rural eastern region known as Tri-Valley, and the iconic coastline through Monterey County along U.S. Highway 1, Northern California offers planners a diverse list of spectacular options.