Costanoa, Pescadero, Calif.: This environmentally friendly resort is connected to four state parks, filled with wildlife -- from deer and bobcats on land to seals and whales in the water -- and is nestled between the Pacific coast and redwood forests.
Bedding down: Pitch your own tent at a campsite ($40 to $65 per night; 877-262-7848) and use the park's luxurious comfort stations.
Activities and side trips: There's so much on-site here (a weekend kids camp, hiking, biking, kayaking, windsurfing, horseback riding) that you don't need to go anywhere else. But the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and the Ano Nuevo State Reserve, the largest seal rookery in North America, are nearby.
Details: For general information on Costanoa, call 650-879-1100 or visit www.costanoa.com.
Climb some Rocky Mountains See views from peaks that soar above 14,000 feet
Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colo.: Spanning 416 square miles and boasting 78 peaks higher than 12,000 feet, Rocky Mountain National Park offers much to wonder at (like herds of elk) and wander along (like 359 miles of hiking trails). To get a feel for the whole park, which is about an hour and a half northwest of Denver, don't miss Trail Ridge Road, a 50-mile stretch that's the highest continuous road in the country.
Bedding down: Reservations for campsites Moraine Park and Glacier Basin ($20 per night; 800-365-2267) can be made starting five months in advance. The three other campsites in the park -- Aspenglen, Longs Peak and Timber Creek ($20 per night) -- are on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also many just-outside-the-park options, including National Park Retreats ( www.nationalparkretreats.com).
Activities and side trips: Horseback riding is available, as is trout fishing (you'll need a state license). In Estes Park, there are plenty of taffy-and-T-shirt shops, miniature golf courses and waterslides. The Estes Park Center is just outside the park gates and is great for a rainy-day visit ( www.ymcarockies.org); it has an arts-and-crafts center, an indoor pool and a roller rink.
Details: For general park information, call 970-586-1206 or visit www.nps.gov/romo.
Explore peachy Georgia Go fishing, backpacking and hiking at this popular park.