California Official Visitor's Guide 2018 - 6

welcome

I never dreamed it was possible...
but my love for the Golden State continues to grow
every year. This realization came to me in November as I
sat alongside hundreds of people in a vineyard in California wine country. Together with chef Tyler Florence and
a dizzying collection of culinary stars and heroic first
responders, we gathered to help the region heal from
the wildfires that struck this past fall. This Grateful Table,
as we called the event, gave us a chance to raise funds
for relief efforts as well as toast the epic beauty of California. I'll never forget the generosity and camaraderie
on display that day.
I like to think of this publication as an extension of the
California love we all share-a source of inspiration and
information as you plan your next trip.
Wine country stories are included throughout, including
a tour of Healdsburg (p. 158), a picturesque town in
Sonoma County. We've also put together a dream road trip
along Highway 128 in Mendocino County (p. 178), a must
for wine aficionados. And because wine and food form
the perfect pair, be sure to check out "10 Life-Changing
Meals" (p. 34), a guide to some of the state's most innovative restaurants-including several in Napa Valley.

Dry Creek Valley

There's so much more to love about California, of course.
I'm passionate about whales, and my heart races every
time I spot the beautiful creatures swimming along the
Pacific Coast-a sensation perfectly captured in Ivy
Pochoda's "The Wonders of Whale Watching" (p. 48).
San Francisco's Lazy Bear

We hope you have a California
dream of your own-and that you
will come visit us soon and make it
come true. We look forward to seeing you here!

CAROLINE BETETA
PRESIDENT AND CEO, VISIT CALIFORNIA

MORE ONLINE GO TO VISITCALIFORNIA.COM FOR ADDITIONAL STORIES, EXCLUSIVE
VIDEO, TRAVEL TIPS, AND MORE GOLDEN STATE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP.

6 | VISITCALIFORNIA.COM

Monterey Bay

FROM TOP: RACHID DAHNOUN, COURTESY OF LAZY BEAR, CHASE DEKKER

Speaking of beautiful creatures, don't miss our cover
story on Mario Lopez (p. 28), a native Californian who
made his dreams of Hollywood success a reality.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of California Official Visitor's Guide 2018