• Introduction
• 1. Antigua & Barbuda
• 2. Asheville
• 3. Austin
• 4. Charleston
• 5. Death Valley
• 6. New Orleans
• 7. Playa del Carmen
• 8. Santa Catalina Island
• 9. Santa Fe
• 10. Whistler

Death Valley

We would never recommend hopping over to the Sahara for a quick weekend getaway – nor would we suggest rocketing to Mars anytime soon. And we don't have to, since you can experience both by spending a couple of days exploring the vast open spaces, arid mountains, rolling sand dunes, old ghost towns, and barren salt pans of Death Valley. Despite its macabre moniker, this underrated national park comes alive with wildflowers through mid-April, and, with summer highs soaring above 120°F and winter lows dropping below freezing, spring temperatures make it the prime season to discover this 3.3-million-square-foot park’s many wonders: Hike the lowest place in North America (almost 300 feet below sea level), surf a sand dune, visit a Moorish-style castle, and cool down at the top-notch Furnace Creek Inn.

How: Fly direct to Las Vegas (LAS) from San Francisco (Southwest, US Airways, United; 1.5 hours), Los Angeles (Alaska, American, Delta, Northwest, United, US Air; 1 hour), Minneapolis (Northwest, Sun Country, US Air; about 3 hours) and dozens of other U.S. cities; then drive 2.5 hours to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center via Death Valley Junction on California Route 190, one of the most scenic routes into the park.

See San Francisco Travel Guide | See Banff Travel Guide | See Grand Canyon Travel Guide