© Joanne DiBona
Nestled in the mountains of San Diego County is the picturesque town of Julian, California. The town bears the distinction of being an official California Historical Landmark, and visitors to this quaint village will certainly understand why. Stroll through the town, take a romantic carriage ride along the main street, and imagine you were witness to the exciting Gold Rush days in Southern California.
View A USA TODAY/10Best Photo Show of Beautiful Julian
View my PHOTO GALLERY of Julian images.
San Diego has been my home for 30 years, and I never tire of photographing the natural beauty of this sun-blessed region. My photo show on the "10 Best Paces to Shoot San Diego Photos" is currently running on the home page of 10 Best.com/USA TODAY. I welcome your comments as to YOUR favorite San Diego photo spot!
10 PLACES TO SHOOT POSTCARD PERFECT PHOTOS OF SAN DIEGO USA TODAY/10Best
Oceanside Beach © Joanne DiBona
© Joanne DiBona
Needless to say, wine-tasting is a favorite activity when visiting Sonoma County, California. However, this slice of paradise has a wide variety of activities to delight the visitor to this sun-kissed region. Enjoy a photo show of Sonoma adventures beyond wine-tasting.
© Joanne DiBona
The majesty of the giant redwoods in Muir Woods never fails to inspire.
Muir Woods National Monument is located 11 miles north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. The national park is what remains of an ancient redwood forest that once dominated the northern California coast. The tallest tree in the world, the Coast redwood, grows here, as well as many plants that are indigenous to an old-growth redwood forest. Muir Woods attracts nearly a million visitors annually who travel from around the world to pay homage to nature in this cathedral of ancient trees.
View a slide show on the Muir Woods at 10Best.com/USATODAY.
© Joanne DiBona
The Majestic Joshua Trees
Joshua Tree National Park, located near Palm Springs, California, delights the visitor with incredible vistas, rock formations, hiking trails, and the rare and beautiful forests of Joshua Trees. See a photo show of the park's wonders at USA TODAY TRAVEL/10Best
.
View on Sonoma Valley from Gloria Ferrer Winery © Joanne DiBona
Many visitors to San Francisco may not realize that the famous Sonoma and Napa Valleys are less than an hour's drive away. If you are visiting the City, make plans to spend a day exploring the famous Wine Country in the comfort of a fully-outfitted tour bus.
View a photo show of this adventure on USA TODAY/10Best
Two San Francisco companies that come highly recommended for their outstanding wine country tours, featuring knowledgable and personable tour guides, include:
Extranomical Tours www.extranomical.com
Tower Tours www.towertours.com
View Over Desert Hot Springs onto San Bernardino Mountains © Joanne DiBona
Long famous for its natural mineral hot waters, Desert Hot Springs, California is a short drive north from Palm Springs. Enjoy this USA TODAY/ 10 Best photo show of the delights of this emerging boutique spa destination.
© Joanne DiBona
San Francisco is the city of romance, no matter what time of the year you visit! Enjoy this USA TODAY/10 Best photo show of some of the city's most romantic areas.
Explore the beautiful beaches along Southern California's Orange County coastline in my USATODAY/10best photo gallery.
Mission at San Juan Capistrano © Joanne DiBona
The international web site USA TODAY 10best.com recently published my Orange County California photo show, which exemplifies all there is to see and do in the region. Although best known internationally as the birthplace of Disneyland, Orange County offers a wide variety of visitor attractions, from stunningly beautiful beaches, incredible mountain scenery, and dozens of communities that offer their own brand of the Southern California lifestyle. The famous Mission at San Juan Capistrano reflects the history that can be discovered in Orange County, California.
San Diego is home to a vibrant Little Italy neighborhood, nestled on the shores of San Diego Bay close to downtown. Settled by Italian immigrants who worked primarily in the tuna fishing industry in the last century, the spirit of Little Italy reflects the culture and heritage of these families. Combined with a vibrant, urban chic ambiance resulting from extensive revitalization over the past two decades, San Diego's Little Italy community is a favorite among residents and visitors alike. You can find my article on this colorful ethnic neighborhood at USA TODAY's 10Best.com.
Encinitas Beach, San Diego North County © Joanne DiBona
San Diego boasts 70 miles of beautiful beaches. From the wide, sandy expanse typical of the Southern California beach scene, to hidden alcoves tucked amidst rugged cliffs, to long expanses at the base of rocky outcroppings, San Diego's beaches are eclectic and fascinating and definitely worth a visit!
Check out my USA TODAY/10Best SAN DIEGO BEACHES gallery for my top picks.
It's hard not to feel romantic in Coronado, located just a few minutes from downtown San Diego via the dramatic Coronado Bay Bridge. Get some romantic ideas at my USA TODAY/10Best photo show.
Coronado Bay Bridge © Joanne DiBona
Big Bear Lake California © Joanne DiBona
The mountain communities of California's San Bernardino Mountains are less than two hours away from the metropoles of Los Angeles and San Diego, but a world away from the hustle and bustle of big city vibes.
Enjoy my article, published in the San Diego Union-Tribune, on a fall family adventure in Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead.
Check out my USA TODAY/10Best photo gallery on the region.
