BERKELEY. Although Berkeley has experienced public unrest in the past, especially during the '60s, the city as a whole has redirected its energies and experienced a flowering of late. Today, Berkeley offers a variety of cultural opportunities: a flourishing music scene, innovative art galleries and several theater companies. Dining in Berkeley is also a unique experience. The presence and success of businesses like Chez Panisse and the Cheese Board have given rise to a number of specialty food shops, cafes and restaurants along Shattuck Avenue, now known as the Gourmet Ghetto. The town's main attraction, though, is still the university. UC's Berkeley campus has an enrollment of some 30,000 students and is recognized around the globe as a center of academic excellence.

UNION SQUARE. In San Francisco, a cable car ride is a must! The city's signature mode of transport is perfectly equipped to tackle steep hills, and since their premiere in 1873, cars have run the same way ­ by gripping huge loops of steel that constantly cycle underground. The system, declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964, has 40 cable cars that operate on the Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde and California Street lines. Purchase tickets at one of the end-point turnarounds or from the onboard conductor at any stop along the route.

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA. Waves breaking against sharp cliffs. A beach of pearly white sand. A backdrop of tree-topped rolling hills. Sound too good to be true? It's not ­ it's Carmel-by-the-Sea. This picturesque community delivers both dynamic atmosphere and a place to get away and recharge. Its relaxed pace mingles with European ambience, and its many annual arts festivals draw visitors from near and far. You can also browse unique shops, enjoy one-of-a-kind dining, and capitalize on the flexibility that such a village can provide. Proximity to scenic spots like not-to-be-missed Big Sur and charming Monterey add to the little town's big punch.

NORTH BEACH. Often considered a tribute to San Francisco's volunteer firefighters, this 210-foot-tall tower has been a prominent feature in the city's skyline since its dedication in 1933. Endowed by the will of Lillie Hitchcock Coit, the tower was chosen as the manifestation of Coit's wish for a project to beautify the city. The Art Deco tower affords breathtaking 360° views of the city and the Bay, and while the vista from the top is ideal, the one from the parking lot is almost as grand. The tower's interior features fantastic murals commissioned by a public-arts predecessor to the WPA. Since parking in the area is scarce, it's best to walk up Telegraph Hill on your own.

THE PRESIDIO. Built to defend the city and bay during the Civil War, this stone fort and its cannons soon became obsolete. Luckily for tourists, the designer of the Golden Gate Bridge was amazed by the fort's master masonry and decided to build around it rather than remove it for the bridge's south anchorage. Fort Point now functions as a museum, and guided and self-guided tours are available, along with exhibits and demonstrations. Located at the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge.