From Los Angeles (or San Francisco) >>> San Luis Obispo, the Hearst Castle, and Central Coast Wine Country
Midway between LA and San Francisco, California’s Central Coast Wine Country and the Santa Ynez Valley have what Napa and Sonoma did 30 years ago: quiet winemaking communities garnering -- and encouraging -- a bit of buzz.
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Day 1 Take Route 1 north (or south from San Francisco) to US 101 and follow it to San Luis Obispo (SLO). Spend the afternoon exploring SLO’s small-town charms and eighteenth-century mission; then check into the eccentric Madonna Inn.
Day 2 Drive to the Hearst Castle about an hour away in San Simeon. Backtrack inland to Paso Robles’ local wineries; Summerwood Winery offers a small inn.
Day 3 On your way home, pick a coastal stop about two hours away, like Ventura (if you’re going to LA) or Monterey (if you’re going to San Francisco), and enjoy a seaside lunch.
From Washington, DC >>> The Greenbrier and Fayetteville
Legendary singer John Denver promised you’ll find “almost heaven” on West Virginia’s country roads -- or at least an Elysian-like hotel, hellacious white-water rafting, and maybe a Fraggle.
Day 1 Go west on the relatively tame I-66 to I-81 South; switch to I-64 West at Lexington and take it to White Sulphur Springs. Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, The Greenbrier brings together Old Southern grandeur and natural beauty, plus spa treatments and golf.
Day 2 Drive west on I-64 and continue on Route 19 north to Fayetteville for easy access to the New River Gorge’s spectacular white-water rafting and rugged national park; stay in a small-town B&B, like the antique-clad, three-story Victorian Morris Harvey House.
Day 3 Head east to the Lost World Caverns near Lewisburg and stop for a short tour of geological oddities (send us a picture if you see Gobo).
From Houston >>> Austin and Hill Country
Wildflowers, wine, and good music: Austin and Hill Country are like San Francisco and Sonoma dosed with some good ol’ Texas swagger and twang.
Day 1 Start out on I-10 West and take Highway 71 northwest to Austin. Check into the hip boutique Hotel San Jose, which first opened as a motor court in 1939; then take in Austin’s arty appeal and lauded live music scene.
Day 2 See vivid blooms at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and check out Hill Country via Highway 290. On your way to Fredericksburg, stop at wineries like the Texas Hills Vineyard in Johnson City (a map of the Texas wine trail). Unwind at a rustic B&B, like the Fredericksburg Herb Farm.
Day 3 Just outside of Fredericksburg, the Willow City Loop is a colorful detour through the wildflower-dotted Hill Country. After taking a spin, it’s time to head on home.
From New York City >>> North Fork Wine Country, Shelter Island, and Sand Points Preserve
Missed jitneys, cramped Hamptons shares, and overpriced appletinis are so summer 2005. Hop in your car and take the Long Island Expressway to North Fork’s peaceful vineyards and Shelter Island’s retro luxury.
Day 1 Head out through the Queens Midtown Tunnel and merge onto the LIE (I-495 E). Take the last exit, number 73, to Country Road 58. Follow it all the way to Greenport (it becomes Route 25) and take the car ferry to Shelter Island, where rock-star hotelier Andre Balazs has transformed an outmoded motel into a stylish resort.
Day 2 Go back to Greenport and tour North Fork’s wine country. The noteworthy Shinn Estate Vineyards in Mattituck is Exit 71 off the expressway; they host weekend tastings and run a historic four-room B&B.
Day 3 After breakfast, drive on Route 25A along the north shore to Sand Points Preserve for views of the Long Island Sound; then head back to the city using the LIE.
From Chicago >>> The American Club and Milwaukee
On your drive north to Wisconsin, take a bathroom break at the fancy Kohler’s American Club, a rest stop at one of Wisconsin’s bucolic state parks, and get your bearings with some brewskis in Milwaukee.
Day 1 Take I-94 West and continue north on I-43 to Kohler-Andrae State Park near Sheboygan. Laze on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan or hike piney trails. In nearby Kohler, stay at the legendary American Club and indulge in award-winning spa therapies.
Day 2 Drive inland to Lake Winnebago via Highway 23; then shoot down I-41 to Milwaukee for an evening of brews and stick-to-yer-bones fare.
Day 3 Shake off the night before with a walk through The Pabst Mansion and drive back on I-94.
From Atlanta >>> Dahlonega, Tallulah Gorge State Park, and Anna Ruby Falls
Just northeast of Atlanta, the Georgia Mountains are alive with gorgeous state parks, hilly wineries, and lovely little towns.
Day 1 To get to Dahlonega, take Highway 19 about 50 miles north. Set in the Appalachian foothills, Dahlonega was home to the nation’s first-ever gold rush; however, its big draw today is small-town charm. Stay at a local inn, stroll through the historic center, and drive through the bright green hills while stopping at small wineries.
Day 2 Continue northeast on Route 115 to Tallulah Gorge State Park, which has one of the most spectacular canyons. At the park, hike, mountain bike, swim, or even white-water paddle (on select weekends).
Day 3 Take the scenic route back west to the Anna Ruby Falls and then south to the Bavarian-themed town of Helen -- or skip them and hop on Highway 23 to be home faster than clicking your ruby slippers.
-- Çemile Kavountzis
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