Every home has a story, and they are as vast and varied as the world is wide. But they all start with inspiration, and inspiration starts with our surroundings. That’s what home is. Family. Friends. A sense of place. An amazing view. It is all part of what makes a space a home because your home is where you truly live. As homeowners ourselves we understand that your best life begins with a home that inspires you.
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“Why don’t you go on west to California? There’s work there, and it never gets cold. Why, you can reach out anywhere and pick an orange. Why, there’s always some kind of crop to work in. Why don’t you go there?”
– John Steinbeck, ‘The Grapes of Wrath’
Summer can feel like an endless season in some parts of California, but in other regions, snow and cold are just around the corner. California offers such a vast array of landscapes and climates that travelers can experience a little bit of everything on a statewide road trip. The end of summer is an ideal time to get in one last adventure and see some amazing places outside of the big cities. These are our picks for the best places to get away in California before the end of summer.
1. Mendocino/Fort Bragg
With its rugged coastline and mysterious fog, Mendocino is a great getaway any time of year. But over Labor Day weekend, it’s particularly fun to take a trip here to attend the Paul Bunyan Days in Fort Bragg. This is an annual festival with arts and crafts, barbecued meats, pies, a circus, eating contests, a parade, and live music. This is the region’s oldest and largest festival that has been going strong since 1939. You can also check out model trains, an ugly dog contest, a horseshoe tournament, and a classic car show. Also, make sure to check out the beautiful Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens to take a walk among the beautiful flowers and coastal plants.
2. Palm Springs
Palm Springs gets scorchingly hot in the summertime, but it often begins to cool off a bit over Labor Day weekend, which is just when the busy tourist season kicks off here. This is an ideal destination for golf enthusiasts because there are lots of great golf resorts here to play on, including the Indian Wells Golf Resort and the Desert Willow Golf Resort. You can also browse the weekly farmers’ market next to the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
3. Catalina Island
Catalina Island is located about 22 miles from the Southern California coast, just southwest of Los Angeles. This tranquil getaway destination will make you feel like you’re on the vacation you deserve. Land and sea adventures are offered in Avalon and Two Harbors, including zip line tours, aerial adventures, dolphin tours, boat tours, and golf. Here you can also get active with kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding or be lazy with a cabana rental and the beach.
4. South Lake Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe area is also a lovely place to visit over Labor Day if you’re craving some outdoor recreation and mountain scenery. Come here to bike or hike the Tahoe Rim Trail or part of the Pacific Crest Trail and enjoy the turn of the seasons. You can also attend the Lake Tahoe Summer Concert Series at Harveys Outdoor Arena on Labor Day weekend, which has some of the biggest music acts under the stars performing in a 4,000-seat amphitheater. Artists who have performed at the outdoor arena in the past include Paul Simon, Lady Gaga, and The Who.
5. Santa Cruz
We also recommend heading to the California town of Santa Cruz for Labor Day, especially if you’re traveling with your family or a group of friends. That’s because there’s a little something for everyone in this part of California – including top attractions that range from beautiful beaches and dramatic coastlines to a family-friendly town full of charm, while nature lovers can admire the towering redwood trees nearby.