For more of “Off Road Confidential” and their trip around California, visit our YouTube playlist to hear from farmers, restaurant owners and more. “Off Road Confidential” is sponsored by Visit California and produced by NewsNation.
(NewsNation) — NewsNation is taking off on a road trip to remember. From the beautiful redwoods to the stunning coast, and bustling cities to charming small towns, NewsNation special “Off Road Confidential,” made in association with Visit California, is finding hidden gems for the everyday traveler and connecting with the people who make these places unforgettable.
Gabriel Ornelas made stops in five must-see California places.
Marin County: East Coast feel in the West
The views in Marin County, California, give visitors that “quintessential” vacation feeling: “I didn’t know this was California,” Ornelas said.
He visited the county, located between San Francisco and wine country, for one leg of “Off Road Confidential.”
Ornelas got the chance to try some local cheese, take a horseback trek and admire the view from Point Bonita Lighthouse.
“There’s amazing institutions, restaurant institutions, for oysters, clam chowder,” Ornelas said. “You get a little bit of that East Coast feel on the West Coast, which is so nice.”
Carmel-by-the-sea: Magical getaway in wine country
Carmel-by-the-sea in Monterey County, California, is the southernmost stop on NewsNation’s “Off Road Confidential.”
The multifaceted town’s draws include local wine, lots of shopping and premier hiking spots.
One person Ornelas spoke to told him being in Carmel-by-the-sea is being “surrounded by everything that’s good in life.”
Half Moon Bay: Small town coastal charm
In Half Moon Bay, which is located roughly 30 miles south of San Francisco, Ornelas ventured out onto the water on a kayak and dug into some locally-made artichoke bread.
“It’s this little gem that’s just south of the big city,” Ornelas told “Morning in America.” “And people should definitely take, you know, the coastal highway down.”
Home to some of the biggest waves in the world, Ornelas describes the surfer-laden beaches near Half Moon Bay as “stunningly beautiful.”
“It’s this little beach town that really has this local vibe, and everyone is so nice. It’s so charming,” he said.
Sacramento: Farm-to-fork eating
Ornelas discovered Sacramento’s rich history and culture talking to the farmers who cultivate the region’s produce.
Ornelas’ itinerary was packed with hidden gems — from food to fun for families, couples and even the solo traveler.
“It’s a love letter. It’s a postcard, a visual postcard, but really it’s an invitation for people to get out, explore, discover California,” Ornelas said.
San Francisco: Artisanal adventures
The city’s plethora of murals, tasty artisanal chocolate and the Mission District’s beautiful Dolores Park make it a can’t-miss destination, according to “Off Road Confidential” host Gabriel Ornelas.
“So many people know it for Alcatraz, the Golden Gate, Fisherman’s Wharf, which are all incredible,” Ornelas said. “But there’s so much more.”
Whether Ornelas was making chocolate, choosing from 90 different pasta shapes or just taking a stroll in the city’s steep streets, he told “Morning in America” locals and tourists alike can feel welcome.
“San Francisco is for everyone, and you can find something, whatever you want,” Ornelas said. “You can find something there.”