* SALINAS Celebrate Steinbeck's birthday The new "Valley of the World" wing nearly doubles the permanent exhibit space at the National Steinbeck Center. Focusing on the region's rich agricultural heritage, it details the lives and stories of Salinas-area farmers and workers, as Steinbeck did in his best-selling novels. Exhibits include oral histories of farmers, information on labor rights, and even a display of Marilyn Monroe as 1948's honorary Artichoke Queen in nearby Castroville. Special birthday celebration Feb 28. Open 10-5 daily; $11. From U.S. 101 south, take the Main St. exit to 1 Main St.; www.steinbeck.org or (831) 775-4721. * BEAR VALLEY Hit your mark You don't have to visit Norway to learn telemark, the bended-knee turning technique used in nordic skiing. At Bear Valley Ski Resort, you can attend clinics, watch equipment demonstrations, and take backcountry tours at the annual Bear Valley Telemark Festival. Highlighting the event is a Saturday-night banquet with live music and a slide presentation. Feb 6-8 (preregistration required). 148 Bear Valley Rd.; www.mtadventure.com or (209) 753-6556. * SAN JOSE Get hip Step into the recently opened 213-room Hotel Valencia and you'll swear you've left suburban San Jose. With limousines and Hummers pulling up curbside, the luxurious hotel is surrounded by European-inspired Santana Row--the city's new outdoor shopping and dining venue. Drop by the hotel's sexy V bar to sip martinis and cosmos and socialize on the bar's balcony. You'll feel privileged after spotting the long line of non-hotel guests waiting behind the velvet rope. Rooms from $139. 355 Santana Row; www.hotelvalencia.com or (408) 551-0010. * SAN FRANCISCO Tour history One of the few remaining octagonal houses in the West, Octagon House was built by a miller in 1861. Today, in addition to eight walls, eight double windows, and an eight-sided cupola, you'll find authentic furniture from the Colonial and Federal periods and, on various documents, the signatures of all but two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Open second Sun and second and fourth Thu of each month. 2645 Gough St.; (415) 441-7512.

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