Between Santa Cruz and San Francisco is 50 miles of seashore with a scattering of sandy beaches, rocky points, and big bursts of open space. Go during the late fall and explore this coast less traveled. Sea for yourself.  

Every winter two groups reliably make the pilgrimage to Año Nuevo State Park: hordes of elephant seals, and people! But go in the next few weeks and have this coastal destination to yourself, especially by heading inland to a little known area called the Chalks. After driving a couple of miles on an unsigned dirt road you'll reach the Whitehouse Ridge trailhead, a 1.5-mile (one-way) path up a fern-filled redwood forest. Be warned—the hike is all uphill, but the view from upper vista bench is wondrous: Three major points jut out from the San Mateo coast—Pigeon, Año Nuevo, and Franklin (named for the Sir John Franklin shipwreck of 1865). Those hankering for more views can press on a few minutes to a clear ridge—the official Chalks. Return the way you came. Chalk it up to Año Nuevo.

Año Nuevo State Park is 28 miles south of Half Moon Bay. To reach the Whitehouse Ridge trail, turn left (east) from Highway 1 onto the dirt and unsigned Whitehouse Canyon Rd. about 300 feet south of Rossi Rd. (which is also the entrance to Costanoa). Drive 2.4 miles. Park when you reach the sign that says "no public access beyond this point." The trailhead is on the right. There is no sign that says no dogs.

When the Pacific's giant swells pound the continent, get up close to the big waves on the bluff-top trail from Bean Hollow State Beach to Pebble Beach (named for the quartz stones that wash ashore). This 1-mile (one-way) stretch paralleling Highway 1 was inhabited by the Ohlone people for thousands of years. Now there's a path that dips and rises gently, with side trails to quiet tide pools, home to sea anemones, urchins, shore birds and harbor seals. Take a peek.

TIP: A few miles north is the little town of Pescadero, home to Duarte's Tavern and Restaurant. Pick up a homemade pie filled with fresh local olallieberries.

Park at Bean Hollow State Beach. It's 18 miles south of Half Moon Bay and 3 miles south of Pescadero on Highway 1. From the beach, walk north along the bluffs to Pebble Beach for 1 mile. Return the way you came. Dog-friendly! Duarte's Tavern and Restaurant, 202 Stage Rd., Pescadero; 650-879-0464.

Feel that pinch? Crab season opened last weekend and things are getting clawfully crazy. Never been crabbing before? Pacifica is the place to go, and a license is not required to crab from the pier. For around $35 you can pick up everything needed to catch your own crabs from Rusty Hook Bait & Tackle (with a slogan like "We got worms!" you can't go wrong). Owner Cheryl Jimno will hook you up with a crab ring, crab gauge, bait box, bait, and bucket. Ready? It's easy: Walk down to the pier and drop the ring. Give it about 15 minutes, then see what comes up. Dungeness crabs are the big prize. Good crustaceans!

Rusty Hook Bait & Tackle, 2130 Palmetto Ave. at Montecito Ave., Pacifica; 650-355-8303. The crab season runs from now until June 30. Dogs aren't allowed on the pier.

Treat yourself to a holiday season flying experience that even Scrooge would love—where good service isn't an afterthought, it's a priority. Welcome to Virgin America. As San Francisco's hometown airline, Virgin America is your go-to for award-winning service (just voted best domestic airline again by Conde Nast Traveler readers) along with amenities like a personal touch-screen entertainment system at every leather seat, on-demand food and beverage service, complimentary Wi-Fi through Jan. 15 (thanks to Google), and super-cool mood lighting. And the price? Affordable never felt so good. Find your low-fare ticket and fly in comfort and style on Virgin America. The holidays are here and flying is good again.

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Holiday Fares

SFO to L.A.: $45* one-way
SFO to Orange County: $45* one-way
SFO to San Diego: $45* one-way
SFO to Las Vegas: $45* one-way
SFO to Seattle: $45* one-way
SFO to Boston: $105* one-way
SFO to New York (JFK): $105* one-way
SFO to Washington D.C.: $105* one-way

Three-day advance purchase required. This is how to fly.