Where to take your next green vacation (part two of two)

If you're already on the west coast, why not make it an even more memorable trip and journey much further down the Pacific Coast Highway -- or what Californians simply call "the PCH" ?

From San Francisco, hop on the Green Tortoise bus and it's a great way to really see the coastal area of the state, whether you go directly down the PCH or take side routes. Make sure you take the Coastal Crawler which is just $300 round-trip plus $62 for "food and parks." When Green Tortoise mentions food, get your appetite ready: delectable seafood, vegetarian specials and only the freshest available ingredients. The "parks" portion of the charge pertains to your part of the entry fee to one of the breathtaking stops along the way such as San Simeon State Park. Other stops include Hearst Castle, Big Sur and the cliffside mansions of Malibu.

Once in LA, the first thing you'll see is a blanket of brown over the city - unless you come in the cooler months, which is highly recommended. Nothing is prettier, believe it or not, than the San Fernando Valley after the Santa Ana winds have blown through. However, if you are unlucky and get caught on the 405 (Highway) with bumper-to-bumper traffic and it's scorching hot outside, make sure you are prepared. Bring an iPod with your favorite tunes, plenty of H20 (in a reusable bottle) and fresh fruit and nuts.

In Southern California, stay at another green hotel - Terranea, an oceanfront resort in Rancho Palos Verdes that has been the setting for Hollywood movies and TV shows. Bask in the sun by the pool overlooking the Pacific or wander down to one of the restaurants on the premises such as Mar'sel. This is considered the resort's signature eatery, named after the Spanish word for sea - "mar" - and the French word for salt - "sel". Mar'sel offers a menu of California cuisine made from herbs and produce grown on the property in the chef's herb and vegetable garden.  And while at Terranea, of course don't forget to enjoy your spa treatment, a resort trademark.

But if Terranea is out of your price range, think more outside the burger box than the the Tiffany box. Consider camping at the beach in LA. Yes, you'll get sand in your toes (and elsewhere), but nothing beats the salty smell that lulls you to sleep as the stars slip above the horizon. Some of the beaches to consider include Carpinteria, which is just north of Carlsbad (which is just north of San Diego) and on down the coast through the likes of Doheny Beach in Southern Orange County (yes, the "OC") and on to San Diego. Unlike east coast beaches, these are open year-round to campers. Click on the aforementioned links for prices and more information.

Other green ideas while in Southern California include:

** Stopping by Farmer's Market across from CBS at 3rd and Fairfax. This is Disneyland for the foodie, and if you aren't a foodie now you certainly will be after you've seen some of the poultry, pies, pasta and nuts billowing from its über-stuffed, always friendly and crowded stands;

** A trip to Santa Monica pier -- though touristy much of the time, take your sweetie out on the boardwalk at sunset on a spring night and you'll make a memory. Grab a wand of cotton candy and just sit on the white bench for a while and muse. You may catch a surfer or even a starlet. Everyone's gorgeous here, so come prepared to gawk;

** Rent a Zip or hybrid car (such as through Simply Hybrid) and head out to Santa Susana Park -- a 670-acre park where the Simi Hills meet the Santa Susana mountains, not too far from Chatsworth. You can follow along as a docent leads your tour from the Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains. The association also operates a visitor center at Chatsworth Park South every Sunday.

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And whether you fly back or take the Green Tortoise bus back to San Francisco and then fly home to New Orleans, remember to give back to the environment by inquiring about your airline's carbon offset scheme. Also, don't forget to bring back some of the natural abundance for which the Golden State is known: great wine and plenty of oranges.