尋找靈感
From left to right: The Parker Palm Springs, the San Diego coast, Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery, and skiing Mammoth mountain. Photos courtesy of Parker Palm Springs, Everyday California, Bartholomew Estate Vineyards and Winery, and Mammoth Mountain.
Best places to visit in California: A seasonal guide
2024年3月4日
California tends to evoke the idea of endless summer. In actuality, it’s a state for all seasons, with plenty of spring, fall and winter fun also available across its 150,000-plus square miles. Here are our favorite places to visit in California for each season. And don’t worry, we didn’t forget summer.
Winter: Mammoth Lakes
Contributed by Derrik J. Lang
When the temperature drops, the Eastern Sierras transform into a spellbinding haven for snowy adventures
Things to do
For skiers and snowboarders, Mammoth Mountain offers 175 named trails that traverse more than 3,500 acres of skiable terrain. The new, state-of-the-art Canyon Express chair-lift now provides more efficient access from Canyon Lodge. Or venture behind the mountain to experience the stillness of the beautiful Mammoth Lakes Basin area. Rent Nordic ski equipment at the Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center.
You don’t need to be on skis to partake in this winter wonderland, thanks to the new LA Kings Ice at Mammoth Lakes. The town’s first Olympic-size indoor rink is open for daily public skating as well as pickup hockey. Kids will also love Woolly’s Adventure Summit. The family-friendly recreational area has received several upgrades in recent years. There's even a new Mountain Coaster, to go with its popular groomed Tube Park.
What to eat and drink
Start the day with java and an oversized doughnut at Mammoth Coffee Roasting Co. After shredding down the mountain, warm up with Italian comfort food at Vulcania. Sibling Top Chef alums and winter sports fanatics Bryan and Michael Voltaggio opened the restaurant in The Village at Mammoth last year. For a hit of nostalgia, try the Voltaggi-O’s, their elevated rendition of an infamous canned staple of American childhood.
Post-ski options abound as well. Mammoth Brewing Co. makes everything from classic kölsch and pilsner to hazy IPA and peanut butter stout. Oenophiles, meanwhile, will be drawn to the chic Bevi Bene. Owners Jolynn Khamky and Alec Clowes specialize in approachable Italian vino. There's also The Shed, an itty-bitty wine bar with overflowing charcuterie boards.
Where to stay
Be among the first guests to spend the night in one of the recently constructed stand-alone cabins and villas at Outbound Mammoth. It's the first California outpost of the new boutique adventure brand, which debuted in 2023. It has also added a heated pool and hot tub area to help ease any post-ski aches. A more intoxicating way to mellow out is to book a tasting session with Chip Ermish. The property’s gregarious sommelier captivates with hard-to-source wines and juicy descriptions of his celebrity clients’ collections.