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HIKE KAUAI'S KAlAlAU TRAil, HI AVERAGE FEBRUARY TEMPERATURE: AIR 72° F, WATER 16° F The ll-mile Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai is a tropica l para- dise: Lush rainforests drape over sheer cliffs to the ocean, fragrant mango groves lead to towering waterfalls and virgin waves break along the entire path. Because of its slippery nature (rains come regularly, but are warm and rarely last long) and challenging up-and-down terrain, the trek is generally slow going. The entire trail (22 miles out and back, plus a four-mi le water- fa ll side-trip) takes one to three days, perfect for a weekend getaway. Many airl ines (including United and American) offer direct five-hour flights from San Francisco to Kauai's Lihue Airport for around $500. Depending on when you travel, this could be your most cost-effective option, although an alter- native worth exploring is flying into Honolulu and catching a connection to Kauai . The trailhead for the Kalalau Trail is at the end of Kuhio Highway (Highway 56) in Ha'ena State Park. If you want to take the public bus, your pack has to be small enough to fit under your seat. Camping permits are required ($3 per person per night) and must be bought in advance . For applications or information, call 808-274-3444, or visit www.kauaigov.org/parks.htm . 0: => ~ 0. o 5 r Z K' :>: r o >- j « r u 0: r ~ 0. r~ 0: UJ u DIVE PUERTO VAllARTA, MEXICO AVERAGE FEBRUARY TEMPERATURE: AIR 15° F, WATER 14° F Puerto Vallarta is no longer a quaint little fishing vi llage, but with midwinter temperatures in the mid-70s and great diving, the place feels a lot farther away from San Francisco than the four-hour flight. The Marietta Islands, located 23 miles into the Pacific, offer a variety of reefs, tropical fish such as king angelfi sh, moorish idols and guinea fowl puffers, dolphins, mantas, and, in the winter months, humpback whales (which can occasionally be heard singing through the water). Three miles past the Mariettas is EI Morro, known for its series of pinnacles which protrude from the ocean floor and are riddled with fish-packed caves and tunnels. Visibi lity ranges from 20 feet near the surface to 60 feet in deeper water- about half what you' ll find in the calmer waters of the summer months. Direct flights from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta (Alaska Airlines and America West are the best bet) cost around $400. For information, go to the city's official site at www.puertoval- larta.net, or www.g02vallarta.com. There are many local dive shops, includ- ing Chico's Dive Shop (52-322-218-95 or www.chicos-diveshop.com) and Val larta Adventures (52-322-106-57 or www.val larta-adventures.com).