California: the wild north

Wrapped in the fog that drifts in from the bay and draped over steep hills facing the Pacific, San Francisco is one of America's most beloved cities, refined, rebellious and deeply cosmopolitan. Its symbol is the Golden Gate Bridge, the unmistakable red span reaching out towards the ocean, revealed and hidden by the morning mists. To walk the city is to be surprised by its rolling streets, still climbed today by the famous cable cars that scale the heights of Nob Hill and Russian Hill, offering sudden glimpses of the water. Along the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront the sea lions of Pier 39 bark and the air smells of sourdough bread and fresh crab, while offshore stands the island of Alcatraz, with its historic penitentiary reachable by boat. The charm of San Francisco lives in its neighbourhoods: the Victorian Painted Ladies around Alamo Square, the Chinese energy of Chinatown, the oldest and liveliest in America, the rainbow, activist streets of the Castro, and the bohemian ferment of Haight-Ashbury, cradle of hippie culture. At the city's core, Union Square buzzes with shopping and theatres, while the Civic Center and museums such as SFMOMA and the de Young reveal its cultured soul. Green spaces abound: the vast Golden Gate Park holds Japanese gardens, conservatories and trails down to the ocean. The dining scene is among the most innovative in the country, from fusion cuisine to the wines of the nearby Napa and Sonoma Valley and organic markets. From San Francisco it is easy to set out for California's national parks, the redwoods of Muir Woods and the Big Sur coast. Free, creative and swept by the ocean wind, San Francisco wins over anyone willing to be led by its hills and its suspended light.

Sheer cliffs plunging into the ocean, Victorian-style wooden houses and redwood forests: Mendocino is one of the most evocative gems of California's northern coast. This small artistic village, perched on a headland battered by the Pacific wind, preserves the bohemian atmosphere that made it a refuge for painters and writers, with art galleries, period bed & breakfasts and artisan workshops. The trails of Mendocino Headlands State Park run along spectacular bluffs where passing whales can be spotted, while inland stretch forests of giant redwoods and the county's vineyards, renowned for their Pinot Noir wines. Along the coast one discovers hidden beaches, historic lighthouses and the famous Glass Beach. Mendocino is the ideal destination for those seeking a romantic, timeless stay among wild nature, art and the unmistakable charm of the most authentic California.

Eureka overlooks Humboldt Bay, along California's northern coast, set amid a landscape of sea fog and redwood forests. Its Victorian old town is one of the best preserved in the state, with the iconic Carson Mansion attesting to the wealth of the timber era. The harbour and waterfront recall its maritime past, while all around stretch the redwood parks, including nearby Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Eureka is an ideal base for exploring the ancient forests and the wild Pacific coast.

Crescent City faces the ocean in the far north of California, the last town before the Oregon border. It is the gateway to the Redwood National and State Parks, where the world's tallest sequoias rise among mists and ferns. The fishing harbour, the historic Battery Point lighthouse and the wave-beaten beaches make up a rugged, wild landscape. Crescent City is the ideal destination for those seeking monumental forests, Pacific coast and the primordial nature of northern California.

Napa Valley is the most famous wine region in the United States, spread across northern California among gentle hills cloaked in vineyards. Its prestigious wineries, Michelin-starred restaurants and idyllic landscapes make it a cult destination for lovers of wine and fine dining. Among tastings, balloon flights and elegant villages, every day is an invitation to pleasure. A corner of Californian dolce vita where wine is art.