Lake Tahoe is always a favorite for Bay Area residents in the winter and the summer, but it’s worth a weekend trip out there in the autumn as well. Try out the first ever Multi-day Kayak Tours or, the Lake Tahoe Food and Wine Festival featuring personalities like Anthony Bourdain, Chef Elizabeth Falkner and Martin Yan.

If food's your thing and you miss this festival, Traci Des Jardins, well-known for besting Mario Batali on Iron Chef America, is behind the recently opened restaurant Manzanita, at the Ritz-Carlton Highlands—a buzz-worthy opening that’s been luring foodies up to Tahoe; be sure to stop by Manzanita for a meal. Des Jardins’ signature mix of French and Californian cuisine, with a heavy emphasis on local produce, has been earning raves from critics and diners alike. Current items on the dinner menu include squid ink taglioni, a raviollo with prosciutto-wrapped farm egg and Parmigiano-Regiano, and a Berkshire pork chop, while the bar menu has a pizza of the day, and breakfast includes Des Jardins’ signature poached egg, with Siracha hollandaise. Did we mention that there’s a whole dessert menu too?