museum of flight THE WINE COUNTRY Fab food is still a big draw in Napa Valley, and two new additions up the culinary

Southern California including Los Angeles and San Diego is usually much warmer than the Bay Area, and it gets significantly more sun. This is the place to hit the beach. Even in winter, daytime thermometer readings regularly reach into the 60s (15 C 20 C) and warmer. Summers can be stifling inland, but Southern California s coastal communities are always comfortable. The area s limited rainfall is generally seen between December and mid-April, museum of flight and is rarely intense enough to be more than a slight inconvenience. It s possible to sunbathe throughout the year, but only die-hard enthusiasts and wet-suited surfers venture into the ocean in winter. The water is warmest in summer and fall, but even then, the Pacific is too chilly for many.

Bay Model Visitors Center Kids The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers once used this high-tech, 11 2-acre museum of flight model of San Francisco s bay and delta to analyze problems and observe the impact of changes in water flow. The model reproduces (in scale) the rise and fall of tides, the flows and currents of water, and the mixing of fresh and salt water, and indicates trends in sediment movement. museum of flight There s a 10-minute film and a tour, but the most interesting time to visit is when it s in use, so call ahead.

THE WINE COUNTRY Fab food is still a big draw in Napa Valley, and two new additions up the culinary ante. Famed French Laundry chef Thomas Keller museum of flight has opened Bouchon Bakery, 6528 Washington St., Yountville (& 707/944-2253), next

Pasta Pomodoro Kids Value ITALIAN If you re looking for a good, cheap meal in North Beach or anywhere else in town, for that matter museum of flight this San Francisco chain can t be beat. There s usually a 20-minute wait for a table, but after you re seated, museum of flight you ll be surprised at how promptly you re served. Every dish is fresh and sizable, and best of all, they cost a third of what you ll pay elsewhere. Winners include the spaghetti frutti di mare made with calamari, mussels, scallops, tomato, garlic, and wine, or cavatappi museum of flight pollo with roast chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, cream, mushrooms, and Parmesan both are under $7.