Top 10 places for 10 bucks and under

The title attraction, a towering redwood known as the Chandelier Tree, was cut in the 1930s, leaving a passage 6 feet wide and almost 7 feet high — plenty of room for most cars. This is the heart of redwood country, between Ft. Bragg and Eureka, just a few miles south of the U.S. 101-hugging, 31-mile Avenue of the Giants. It’s $5 a car (plus whatever gewgaws you pick up in the abundantly stocked gift shop), and the tree is neighbored by a creek, a meadow, a duck pond, ferns and moss. Info: (707) 925-6363; http://www.drivethrutree.com or http://www.avenueofthegiants.net.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Nineteenth century Impressionists, modern gardens, contemporary photography, views to the Pacific, illuminated manuscripts — the Getty has a lot. The hilltop museum and grounds are free, but parking is $15 a car. No reservations necessary. (The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is great too but admission is $15 per adult.) Info: (310) 440-7300, http://www.getty.edu.  (Robbin Goddard / Los Angeles Times)

It’s a bracing 30-minute ride to Sausalito (adult one-way: $8.25), with views of the Golden Gate Bridge across the water. (Some people rent bikes, ride across the bridge, then catch the ferry back.) On weekends, there are six daily departures from the San Francisco Ferry building; on weekdays, nine. Info: (415) 455-2000, http://www.goldengateferry.org.

Pictured: San Francisco Ferry building  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

This easy one-mile loop is surrounded by amazing rock formations and, most days, dangling and scrambling rock climbers. Best when the sun is low. The park’s seven-day admission fee is $15 a car, or $5 an adult on foot, bike or horse. Info: (760) 367-5500, http://www.nps.gov/jotr.  (Chris Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

While other cities fawn over food trucks that offer increasingly ambitious options and change locations regularly, Portland swoons for food carts, which are basically the same thing but often stay put on otherwise empty lots. The spots where these carts congregate are called “pods,” and there are many, with cuisine as diverse as tamales or noodles or curry, with prices less than $10. Two busy scenes: Southwest Alder Street between 9th and 11th avenues, and Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard at 12th Avenue. Info: http://www.foodcartsportland.com, http://www.portlandneighborhood.com/portland-food-carts.html.  (Kathy M.Y. Pyon / Los Angeles Times)

Since the 1940s, this eatery has crouched low, ever under assault from waves and winds, its indoor and outdoor tables offering staggering vistas of the cliffs to the south. Order a breakfast mimosa or Boston clam chowder for lunch (both are $9). Of course, you’ll want to sample Pfeiffer Big Sur and Julia Pfeiffer Burns state parks ($10) and the high-up Nepenthe Restaurant. All these Big Sur favorites can be found farther south as Highway 1 makes its winding way toward San Simeon. Info: (831) 624-2933, http://www.rocky-point.com.

Pictured: The view from Rocky Point  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Every Thursday night (except Thanksgiving and rainy days) from 6 to 9, more than 120 vendors take over Higuera Street (between Osos and Nipomo streets) in downtown SLO to peddle seasonal produce, cook tri-tip and generally do business alfresco. Arrive on two wheels and use the bicycle valet. Info: (805) 541-0286, http://www.downtownslo.com/farmers.html.  (Donna Wares / For The Times)