My hubby-to-be is from Monterey Bay, just south of SF. Its a really lovely place to visit..... not sure what mtb is available around there, but we've cycled part of the bay along the coast line which was just stunning, even from Nz'er point of view

Santa Cruz is always worth a visit, I've been to Wilder Ranch walking, i would imgine it would be great mtb, Santa Cruz is a uni town with great boutique style stores. Gilroy has a huge discount shopping centre ... i've spent far too much money there... and you'd get Xmas decs there too !

Make sure you visit a REI store..... I can spend hours wondering round that store looking at all the bits and pieces................. if only we had one in NZ .......

hmmmm..... I'm quite green with envy now