Monterey

Once the nerve center of California’s fishing industry, Fisherman’s Wharf remains a busy place, though it’s worth succumbing to pier pressure to catch a scuba or whale-watching excursion. Even if you don’t spot too many amazing gray whales (peak season is December through March), you’ll surely catch a glimpse of sunbathing sea lions and schools of playful dolphins that dip and dive alongside the boat.

The play’s the thing at the Dennis the Menace Park, designed by the late comicstrip creator and Pacific Grove resident Hank Ketcham. Paddleboats, a full-size 1956 steam engine and a fountain tucked inside the head of a cartoon lion are among the whimsical attractions at this sprawling, old-fashioned playground.

From food and wine to symphony and song, Monterey boasts a sparkling roster of special events. Each May, seafood gourmands squirt over to the Great Monterey Squid Festival, a tantalizing tribute to the commercial fishing industry and a succulent celebration of ink-credible edibles. Jazzed about jazz? Don’t miss September’s Monterey Jazz Festival, the oldest gathering of riff masters from around the globe. In years past, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, and Dave Brubeck have dazzled fans at an annual event guaranteed to leave you whistling a happy tune.