Seems like a lot of Californians have their eyes on the governor's office. So while the gubernatorial wannabees are eyeing the capitol, here's what we've learned from the folks who put together the newsletter Travel Takes (www.fontayne.com/takes.html) about a couple of California places that deserve a closer look from the rest of us.

Visalia, on California's historic Route 99, is half way between Sacramento and Los Angeles. It's just the place to break for lunch on an intra-state journey. Browse a few antique shops, then tuck into Cafe 225, at 225 Main Street. Once a 1920s Chevy dealership and a bakery for several decades after that, it's just across from the historic and now restored Fox Theater, home to family friendly film festivals all summer. Cafe 225's owner/chef is Karl Merten, whose family food roots go back to the Gold Rush. He's brought a bit of the SF Bay Area to the menu, marrying it to the Central Valley's bountiful produce and products. One could rhapsodize about the well-balanced, well-priced wine list, the great grills prepared on the only wood-fired rotisserie in town and their artichoke fritters. OK, we just did. But the dish that's worth driving out of your way for is (ta-da!) potato salad. For more info about Visalia, go to www.visaliatourism.com.

To the north, tucked amid Sonoma County vineyards, is Windsor, a quiet community along Highway 101 between Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. Some striking redevelopment has turned Windsor's Old Downtown and Town Green into visitor hot spots, lined with restaurants, shops, studios and lofts. The Map Store's collection of world and local maps, customized mapping products and globes is said to be one of the best resources in Northern California. If you've got kids or grandkids, check out KEEDO's kids clothing - selected by a couple of mothers who know how to mix cute with practical when it comes to colorful tyke togs. Robert's Relics, on Windsor River Road, was recently voted one of the best of Sonoma County's many antique stores. For delicious eats, stop at Mirepoix, Langley's on the Green or the bright Cafe Noto.

A special weekend treat is the Windsor Farmer's Market on the Town Green, featuring Sonoma County's organic and artisan growers and bakers. On October 26, during the Pumpkin Festival, Windsor's farmers are aiming at the Guinness World Record for the largest Pumpkin Pie ever baked.

For more about Windsor, request the Official Visitor's Guide to Sonoma County, by calling (800) 380-5392, or visiting www.sonomacounty.com.

- Rich Steck & Judi Janofsky