Whether you are looking to spend your next vacation sipping fine wines and sampling gourmet cuisine, relaxing on the beach with a good book, or visiting some of the nation's top tourist attractions, you'll find it all in California. But, the Golden State is filled with diversity, so it's best to plan a trip to one area at a time and explore.

From the North to the South

Hit the high notes with this itinerary, which begins in the historic and iconic city of San Francisco. Ride a cable car, discover the last home of the Birdman of Alcatraz, cruise along Fisherman's Wharf and pick some souvenirs, or tour one of the city's many eclectic neighborhoods. From there, head down the coast toward the Monterey Bay Peninsula, where you'll find plenty to do and see, as well as some of the top California bed and breakfasts.

The Sea View Inn, named by Karen Brown readers as California's Greatest Value, is located in a historic Victorian and just a short walk from the beautiful beaches of Carmel. Cozy, third-story rooms tucked under the slanted ceilings, offer a glimpse of the ocean. Guests are pampered with a continental-style breakfast, afternoon tea and evening wine and sherry. For a romantic Carmel adventure, Tickle Pink Inn lures couples year after year. There is an ocean view hot tub, perfect for a romantic, moonlit soak. Several rooms include fireplaces and balconies.

After leaving the Monterey area, head on down south and take a tour of Hearst Castle. The meticulously maintained mansion will leave you speechless. Whether you choose to stay here for its beauty or extravagance will be up to you. Keep on driving south toward Santa Barbara, a classy little city that marks the southern end of the Central Coast region. From there, it's a short drive along the 101 to Los Angeles and its many attractions. You could easily spend a week here, exploring beach towns such as Venice, Malibu and Santa Monica, visiting museums, or exploring the posh shops of Rodeo Drive.

Enjoy Your Vacation, Southern California-style

With its sun-drenched beaches and near-perfect weather is it any wonder that millions of visitors flock to Southern California? You can enjoy high-end shops of Newport Beach and Rodeo Drive, take a surfing lesson, or perhaps visit one of the many amusement parks. Los Angeles also offers a variety of museums, from art to natural history. In Orange County, you'll find Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, as well as a historic mission dating back to 1776. San Diego offers sun-kissed beaches, historic sites and Sea World. Its world-famous zoo is located in Balboa Park, which also features a variety of interesting museums.

As you head into Orange County, you'll find Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland, as well as Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. In historic San Juan Capistrano, you can tour one of the state's many old missions, this one built in 1776. From there, it's on to San Diego, where you can enjoy the surf and sand of La Jolla or Pacific Beach, explore shops in Old Town or visit the world-famous zoo and museums of Balboa Park. In Orange County, the Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point overlooks the harbor and offer spacious, luxurious guest rooms. As you go south into San Diego County, La Jolla offers a host of great places to stay, such as the historic and charming La Valencia Hotel. Don't forget to loop back up to Los Angeles via the Gold Rush town of Julian and the oasis that is Palm Springs.

From San Francisco to Points North

This journey begins by spending a few days in the San Francisco Bay area, with its myriad of attractions. Tour the cells of Alcatraz, enjoy a picnic at Golden Gate Park or enjoy the shops and sites of Fisherman's Wharf. From there, head north to Mendocino, stopping to visit Point Reyes Station National Seashore, which includes nature trails and a lighthouse. Mendocino is a quiet little town that reminds one of a quaint New England village. As you keep heading north, don't forget to spend some time touring the Avenue of the Giants, where you'll find the tallest trees in the world.

While in San Francisco, take a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, and head to Sausalito where you'll find the lavish Inn Above Tide -- the Karen Brown Readers' Choice Award winner for California's Splendid Splurge. Though it costs a pretty penny, the inn boasts amazing views of the San Francisco skyline and the bay. The rooms are just as spectacular, and many have fireplaces and private decks where you can enjoy the views.

Enjoy the Fine Vintages of California's Wine Country

With several hundred wineries spread among scenic Napa and Sonoma counties, you'll have plenty of tastings to select. There are also hot-air balloon rides for the not-so-faint at heart, plenty of shops to explore, gourmet restaurants and top-notch spas. One particularly special town is Calistoga, where you'll find hot springs that have soothed many a visitor for hundreds of years. A trip to Calistoga wouldn't be complete without a trip to Chateau de Vie (winner of Karen Brown Readers' Choice Award for California's Warmest Welcome). The bed and breakfast is surrounded by vineyards, and offers a variety of amenities. Each morning, coffee and tea is placed outside your guest room door, and whenever you are ready, there is a full, seasonal breakfast to enjoy. There is a lap pool, as well as a hot tub in the private garden where you can relax under the stars. The inn sells its own Chateau de Vie wines, so be sure to pick up a bottle as a souvenir.

Whether you are planning a two-week vacation, or you just have a few days, a trip through California is a great escape from everyday life. So get going and plan your Golden State adventure.