Lake Tahoe, CA/NV USA
Score: 60

"Amazing scenery, recreational heaven, but development and crowding are affecting the destination."

"South Lake Tahoe development is ghastly casinos, tacky hotels, cheap condos. The North Shore is more upscale; the West Shore older, vintage. Water quality remains high, but pressure from popularity is constant."

Mid-Coast California (Santa Barbara-Monterey)
Score: 63

"Too much traffic at times, but the incredible beauty of the region makes being stuck a delight."

"Coast in this region is lovely, and coastal zoning laws are strong, promising long-term preservation and growth management. But the coast is lined with upscale residential developments, mitigating the aesthetic experience and limited beach access."

Northern California Coasts (Marin-Eureka)
Score: 71

"A much wilder coast, much less populated, excellent for driving trips and small town sojourns."

"Sheer beauty and very well protected."

California Wine Country, USA
Score: 63

"Too much conversion of prime forest and agricultural land to vineyards, overuse of pesticides and herbicides."

"Popularity threatens to swamp the region. It is inherently pretty; wine-making is agriculture, after all. But traffic is heavy on most two-lane roads. Still, a rewarding, interesting destination."

Yosemite Valley, USA
Score: 66

"We all know the Valley is crowded, but this park is a particularly special one. Even with all the people both the valley and the backcountry are breathtakingly beautiful and intellectually stimulating places."

"Scenery is great. The attempts at traffic management are to be commended, but tourist numbers are a problem at certain times."