San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo (SLO to locals) sits halfway between LA and San Francisco on the central coast, with Cal Poly students, gorgeous wine country (Edna Valley and Paso Robles nearby), and a Thursday night farmers market that takes over downtown. It's been called the happiest city in America (multiple studies, Oprah included), and the vibe really does back that up. Bubblegum Alley is exactly what it sounds like. Mellow and beautiful.

Little Rock

Little Rock is the Arkansas River curving past downtown, the Clinton Presidential Library lit up at night (it's a striking modernist building), and a state capitol modeled directly on the U.S. Capitol. The River Market district is the food and bar center. Pinnacle Mountain on the western edge is a quick hike with a view of the whole valley. It's smaller and friendlier than its reputation.